Your Views on Americans - Page 3 - Political Forum

Agrippina · #21 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by counterpointing

I’m an American so let me see, here is what we’re like, (and if you’re a poet, don’t mind my layman skills.)

Some of us are sly
Some of us are high
Are minds’ are dirty
But our hands are clean
Some of us have our own washing-machine

Some are brave in the face of danger
Some are cowards in the bosom of safety
But all go about their lives a bit too hasty.

We’re over the top
And we pay under the table
We’re pro-choice
And pro-life
We’re for the death penalty
Against insensibility
And all too quick to boast our military’s facility

Very well put. Nice.

The Yelbaev Tribune · #22 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 04:20 AM

Above post - nothing recognisable, all surprisable. Is Jimmy Smith such? Was Elvis P too? Indeed!

AzTeK · #23 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 06:11 AM

Ah Americans...gotta love em. Seriously.

I've travelled a lot in the States, basically drove down the entire East and West Coast and also across the country(in different trips of course). My experience with americans has been predominantly very good. They seem to be friendly most of the time and also much more welcoming than other cultures, specially Europeans. Maybe this friendliness is just a facade, but I'd take that over grumpy old men cussing because of every little thing anyday. Period, even if it is just a lie in the end.

In my country, the image of Americans is very low. Mostly because people just haven't been there - who can blame them, not like it was just around the corner ^^. Generally people just, understandably, hate the Bush administration and then sort of transfer that onto their view of the american public - it is incredibly how badly a single politician can tarnish the reputation of so great a nation.

It's what many companies have learned the hard way. A good reputation takes years, even decades to establish. That good reputation can change into a bad one over night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRYandBENDER

The funniest part of the conversation was when he sort of bashed the second amendment. He said that he simply didn't see a reason why we needed guns. I told him that this was not the point. I don't "need" my guns. I just like to have them. I then let him hold my pistol and my AR-15 M4 and his response was, "holy shit this is cool, can we shoot it sometime?"

I totally agree with your Canadian friend though. The government has means of keeping us and you safe (Police, etc.). By giving anyone the right to own a gun, you just raise the risk of, when someone decides to go on a killing spree or just to steal a grannys purse, him actually posessing a gun, and thus of course causing more damage.

The amount of people killed in the U.S annually by guns is...shocking...eventhough that doesn't even start to describe what I feel about that fact.

Oh, and of course you need automatic assault rifles for self-defense. I understand that. Who wouldn't

Agrippina · #24 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 07:03 AM

I have learned a new thing about not only Americans but about the world since I started posting on message boards. 21st century people are narrow-minded and not open to new ideas. When I think about how my generation introduced women's liberation, black empowerment, and broke down barriers that had existed for thousands of years, like class distinction and economic privilege and now it seems to me that the world is travelling backwards. This new generation is sticking to its closed little world and "please don't give us a new idea to have to learn" mentality. I am going to start a new thread about something else I want to see opinions about to prove how right I am.

FRYandBENDER · #25 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTeK

I totally agree with your Canadian friend though. The government has means of keeping us and you safe (Police, etc.). By giving anyone the right to own a gun, you just raise the risk of, when someone decides to go on a killing spree or just to steal a grannys purse, him actually posessing a gun, and thus of course causing more damage.

The amount of people killed in the U.S annually by guns is...shocking...eventhough that doesn't even start to describe what I feel about that fact.

Oh, and of course you need automatic assault rifles for self-defense. I understand that. Who wouldn't

Well, it is not an automatic rifle, and of coarse I don't need it. I wanted it, and thanks to our founding fathers it is my right to own it. I have a pistol for self defense anyways.

BTW, I appreciate your sentiments towards our country.

erikvw · #26 (**permalink**) 10-21-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptypepsi

I would like to hear what any non-American members of the forum have to say about Americans. What I mean is, what is your outlook on our culture (specific aspects if you want), our politics, our pop culture, individual Americans you've met, etc.

Also, please include any stereotypes you had about Americans and whether debating with them has reinforced or destroyed those stereotypes.
Also, what has surprised you the most when debating with Americans?

Thanks

Culture: MacDonalds.

Politics: Your current goverment should be arrested and put on trial(unlike what they do) for crimes against humanity and violations of the Geneva convention. Their policies go entirely against what some really smart fellows wrote in your constitution.

Pop Culture: Rock and Roll

Individual americans: most are very friendly and good people, but often ignorant of what is going on in the rest of the world.

Agrippina · #27 (**permalink**) 10-21-2007, 01:06 PM

I watched an episode of Seinfeld this morning. They were being charged with and were to spend a year in jail for not stepping in to help a hi-jack victim in a town in I think Massachusetts.
I have a question about Americans: are Americans as unfeeling as you come across on tv and are New Yorkers as rude as they say?

Atticus · #28 (**permalink**) 10-21-2007, 07:17 PM

First the stereotypes:

Badly dressed
Overweight
Loud
False
Inflated sense of importance
Parochial and backward

The reality:

A year ago I joined a US online support group for an illness I was suffering from and met some of the finest people I am ever likely to meet. It went beyond just chatting. I have received numerous cards and gifts, some of them hand-made especially for me. When they organised a trip so some of us could meet up I couldn't afford the airfare - so they started a fund for me! (I didn't get to go sadly as I was too sick). What can I say? There are good and bad people everywhere. With the exception of my ex-boyfriend who was a pr*ck all the Americans I 'know' are good.

There are differences though between Americans and Europeans.

You are certainly more into organised religion that we are. I notice you also like to make things - cookies, soaps, quilts, that sort of thing. And you don't seem to smoke and drink as much as us.

But you do have a sense of humour and I don't find it all that different from ours. My American friends understand mine perfectly - in fact, they think I'm hilarious (ok, I haven't had the chance to warm up here yet)!

Musically you have been extremely innovative yet a large chunk of you still clings to old school rock. What is that about?

If you met me you wouldn't be able to understand me as you would think I was whispering. You do speak VERY VERY LOUDLY.

Agrippina · #29 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007, 03:38 AM

Yes my impression of individual Americans is the same as Atticus but your tv portarys you as loud-mouthed and rude, and promiscuous.
The home-made gift thing, Canadians do it too. Maybe you are all more talented than I, if i tried to make something for someone, even a card, they would probably think I'd sent the rejects, can't make stuff. Hope you are feeling better now Atticus.

dahermit · #30 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

...The amount of people killed in the U.S annually by guns is...shocking...eventhough that doesn't even start to describe what I feel about that fact.

If you think that the number of people killed by guns in the US is shocking, you would really be shocked by the number killed by medical malpractice, auto accidents, and falls in the home. But, gun deaths make more interesting media stories.