Americans- how do you view them?

[Stealth bomber]

Timely thread for me, because I'm four days away from leaving the U.S. behind and starting a new life in Melbourne.

I like my country and I did like living here. I am going to miss it dearly. But there are a lot of things I won't miss about it, and I feel that it is headed in a very bad direction under the current administration, which I did not vote for and do not support.

I suppose the best way I could characterize us is, that we are a nation of excess and of extremes. The ratio of good to bad is pretty much the same as everywhere else in the world, but there's more of it. So there's more good, and more crap. For every "Simpsons" there is a "Suddenly Susan".

There are people here that think the world ends at our borders, and I hate that. I take pride in having travelled and seeing what other parts of the world can offer.

My advice to anyone visiting - don't just go to New York or Los Angeles. Get out and see some of the smaller cities and towns in the midwest as well, and get to know some of those people. We are decisively more down-to-earth, humble, and generally more casual than our uptight cosmopolitan counterparts may appear to be.

Also, I hereby apologize in advance for one week in June and two weeks in July, as my family is coming down for my wedding and will be unleashed upon Melbourne. So yeah, watch out for the entourage of yanks on the Broadmeadows line and at Colonial when we play the Demons. Be afraid, be very afraid.

 

[M29]

Arrogant pigheaded arseholes that think the world revolves around them, they gave capitalism a bad name. I'm sure there are nice americans, but what I've seen and met they have no idea.

 

[M29]

Originally posted by Stealth bomber
I like my country and I did like living here. I am going to miss it dearly. But there are a lot of things I won't miss about it, and I feel that it is headed in a very bad direction under the current administration, which I did not vote for and do not support.

At least when you move here youll have twice the amount of $'s you have courtesy of our **** exchange rate.

I suppose the best way I could characterize us is, that we are a nation of excess and of extremes. The ratio of good to bad is pretty much the same as everywhere else in the world, but there's more of it. So there's more good, and more crap. For every "Simpsons" there is a "Suddenly Susan".

Overall great post, but this is the best bit.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by Docker_Brat
McDonalds
Nike


.. two names that spring to mind when I think about the misery theyve inflicted on the planet.

A minutes silence for 3000 Americans killed.. 15000 Turks die and nothing.

I hate the way that Americans are supposed to be treated with such reverence by the rest of the world.

Who made them the policemen of the planet?

Good summary of my feelings there.

A few other things:
*They use propaganda to promote themselves and their believes, yet criticise other cultures for doing the same.
*They make and promote world wide sanctions against certain arab countries and generally stereotype all arabs as evil, then wonder why they hate them so much
*They start wars on every friggin continent, make strict laws against imports yet threaten economic sanctions against countries that do the same to them, and then they wonder why so many people hate their "great" nation?
*And worst of all, they act like americans are perfect and all their troubles (crimes) are caused by Latino's, Arabs and Communists (China, USSR, etc.).


I have nothing against individual americans, i'm sure they are nce people (I only know 4 americans and they are quite friendly), i just really really dislike them as a nation.

 

[colin]

Originally posted by daddy_4_eyes


Good summary of my feelings there.

A few other things:
*They use propaganda to promote themselves and their believes, yet criticise other cultures for doing the same.
*They make and promote world wide sanctions against certain arab countries and generally stereotype all arabs as evil, then wonder why they hate them so much
*They start wars on every friggin continent, make strict laws against imports yet threaten economic sanctions against countries that do the same to them, and then they wonder why so many people hate their "great" nation?
*And worst of all, they act like americans are perfect and all their troubles (crimes) are caused by Latino's, Arabs and Communists (China, USSR, etc.).


I have nothing against individual americans, i'm sure they are nce people (I only know 4 americans and they are quite friendly), i just really really dislike them as a nation.

I used to think America was great, before realising sh*t like this. The worst thing is the way the rest of the world panders to them despite their many, many faults.

I completely agree with this post, and by Docker Brat, why are American lives valued higher than others, particularly Arabs?

The government have created a licence to do whatever they wish, call it 'War on Terror' and know that they'll be supported by a hollering mob draped in Stars and Stripes.

I'm actually flying out on June 1st to see America for the first time. I'm going to be working for 3 months so I hope I'll get to know them a bit better, understand what makes them tick etc. i'll give Bigfooty my report in September!

 

[Mobbs]

Some yanks are grouse (just celebrated 2nd anniversary with seppo missus last week).

She says stuff like "Scissor", "write you", "what all we're doing".

... we have no idea what each of us is ever talking about.

 

[-PC28-]

If i hadn't read the title of this post, i'd swear most of you were discribing Australian's.

We have a lot of "Americanisms" in this country, some good, some bad. Take it as it comes, its the same the world over.

It's funny people mention sportsmen. Layton Hewitt comes to mind as an embarrassing, egocentric ******** who is no different to any sporting American who think's he's the best.

Why are American's "police of the world"? Maybe it's got something to do with the size of their ecconomy, perhaps the size of their armed forces, and the population of their country. The world goes to war, i'd rather have American on my side, makes me feel that little bit safer.

150 odd countries, many different colours, races, religions. In the end we're all the same. Blood is red, our hearts beat to the sound of the same drum. You get good and bad in all.

 

[hawkfan5]

They are good people, they live in a good country.

A lot of them are very up themselves but I guess you get that in every country eg. Sam Newman.

 

[Bomber Spirit]

Like PC28 said, there's good and bad in every country.
Most of the Americans I've met have been nice and friendly people with a seriously warped sense of humour.

 

[Merry Go Round]

No complaints from me.

 

[Hay Billy]

Originally posted by blues^rock
you can't really generalise about a whole nation...
but sometimes i jsut get annoyed at their arrogance as a whole (not saying that ALL americans are arrogant)
and they have done alot of ****ed up stuf in the past...

Who are you too judge this???
you wouldn't have a clue!

 

[Hay Billy]

Originally posted by -PC28-
It's funny people mention sportsmen. Layton Hewitt comes to mind as an embarrassing, egocentric ******** who is no different to any sporting American who think's he's the best.

You idiot, he is the best! at what he does, tennis

 

[-PC28-]

Originally posted by Hay Billy


You idiot, he is the best! at what he does, tennis

No, i'm PC28 - You Idiot is a great guy who posts on my Bar thread...

It wasn't a comment about his over all ability at his chosen profession, it was a comment about his attitude and the perception that he creates.

 

[Dexta]

A bit over the top on National Pride, play sissy sports (Gridiron), but very good at making money, and Suing people.

 

[gbear]

They are very similar to Australians, however they have a real hard time of accepting defeat graciously, aka 2001 World Swimming Championships where we topped the gold medal tally, but they said they won the meet, because they got the most points.
Their Government sucks, Bush is a puppet who is only interested in fighting wars.
On a whole they are probably great people.

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by -PC28-


No, i'm PC28 - You Idiot is a great guy who posts on my Bar thread...

Oh, wow, an unprovoked plug! Thank you my friend.

And I am a Yank, to boot, too...

I've just read the three pages on this thread, looking for something to point out as far as right and wrong, and I really can't find anything outlandishly wrong with the content or context of this thread.

Yes, we Americans are a bit arrogant, for the most part here, but (and I am choosing my words carefully here, in case people from DIMA are reading this) it is a tag that we deserve, for reasons good, bad and indifferent.

Dexta cites that we have a great amount of national pride (as do the Aussies), but I wish Americans would unabashedly show off their national pride half as much as the Aussies do. Speaking as an American, I'll say that no country on earth jumps aboard bandwagon as much as the USA does.

I could take on any of the other elements discussed here-- politics, democracy, capitalism, etc.-- but aside from none of those being my strengths (I am a big, fat, dumb guy with a hottie wife, after all), I'll just say that my homeland is a country full of dichotomous differences and other elements ranging close to becoming double-standards. In truth, it's really hard to pin a certain sterotype of "the typical American".

That's my two cents worth, even with the exchange rate.

Cheers,
William

 

[-PC28-]

Originally posted by you_idiot


Oh, wow, an unprovoked plug! Thank you my friend.

And I am a Yank, to boot, too...

Either i'm super slow, or you haven't mentioned it.

I didn't realise you were a Yank

Not that it makes one shread of difference, just didn't realise

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by -PC28-


Either i'm super slow, or you haven't mentioned it.

I didn't realise you were a Yank

Not that it makes one shread of difference, just didn't realise

Been to busy trying to assimilate here.

Cheers,
William

 

[Mooster7]

Originally posted by Dexta
A bit over the top on National Pride, play sissy sports (Gridiron), but very good at making money, and Suing people.

I have the upper most respect for AFL Football. As a matter of fact, I love it. I'm amazed at the skill level and how they make it look easy. If you are an American reading this try "dribbling" an AFL ball, or watch NFL players sometimes trying to scoop up a fumble. Amazing. However, with respect to American football, we are talking about two different sports.

Gridiron sissy? I dont want to hear that crap. The reason they wear pads in NFL ball is because we hit harder. That's not meant at all as a criticism of Aussie rules, it's just the "violence inherrent in the system."

In US football, there are 22 players on the field at all times. On any given play at least 14 of these guys are putting out more vicidous hits than in a typical AFL half. The things which happen on the line could put you in jail if it wasn't a sanctified game. If the NFL players didnt' wear pads and helmets, the injury that happened recently to James Hird's face would happen thirty times a week in the NFL.

Even wearing pads, the violence is painful - especially after four quarters of it. This is something I don't usually discuss with strangers, but one time I accidentally killed a guy playing flag football - with no pads. This happened ten years ago, and there isn't a week that goes by wherein I don't think about it. It's a tough sport, and I don't want to hear how it is "sissy" from someone who obviously has never played it properly...if at all.

Other than that, no offense taken. Peace,

 

[skilts]

Apart from their absurd, alleged belief in Truth, Justice and the American way, I have only one complaint against citizens of the United States. The one's I've met have been saccharinely ingratiating.

Five minutes after you've met them, you are the best friend they've ever had. Still, there are probably worse national characteristics, like making gross generalisations about three hundred million people.

 

[Still Crowing]

Originally posted by Mooster7


I have the upper most respect for AFL Football. As a matter of fact, I love it. I'm amazed at the skill level and how they make it look easy. If you are an American reading this try "dribbling" an AFL ball, or watch NFL players sometimes trying to scoop up a fumble. Amazing. However, with respect to American football, we are talking about two different sports.

Gridiron sissy? I dont want to hear that crap. The reason they wear pads in NFL ball is because we hit harder. That's not meant at all as a criticism of Aussie rules, it's just the "violence inherrent in the system."

In US football, there are 22 players on the field at all times. On any given play at least 14 of these guys are putting out more vicidous hits than in a typical AFL half. The things which happen on the line could put you in jail if it wasn't a sanctified game. If the NFL players didnt' wear pads and helmets, the injury that happened recently to James Hird's face would happen thirty times a week in the NFL.

Even wearing pads, the violence is painful - especially after four quarters of it. This is something I don't usually discuss with strangers, but one time I accidentally killed a guy playing flag football - with no pads. This happened ten years ago, and there isn't a week that goes by wherein I don't think about it. It's a tough sport, and I don't want to hear how it is "sissy" from someone who obviously has never played it properly...if at all.

Other than that, no offense taken. Peace,

I hear ya mate. I thing people that make generalisations about sports they haven't played/experienced only show their own ignorance. Common examples are Gridiron is for pussies, soccer is for wogs and ****s, syncro swimming is pointless (well maybe the last one)
When I was in high school I used to think Gridiron was a bit of a pussy sport, but I still loved watching it with the Lanky Yank Mr Don Lane. A few years back, me and a mate decided we would go out and give it a go. It is a very mentally demanding game, and after a few hits, I realised that the shoulder pads and the helmet can be used to cause some real damage. Not just that, but in plays like the kickoff and punting, players are coming and going all over the place, more than a few times I got hit from behind and from the side. Still like the game, but I went back to soccer for my weekend sport after a couple of seasons.

On the subject of the seppo people
Good:
Very friendly and easy going. The ones I have met are usually travellers, and so they tend to be very broad minded.
Their sense of humour. Although I prefer british humour, the yanks can come up with some pretty funny sh1t.
They love their country.
They respect the people that make sacrifices for them so they can live like they do, rather than only on one day a year like we do.
'Subway' sandwiches.

Bad:
Their blame/victim culture (suing everything that moves)
Lack of knowledge about things other than America.
Overt patriotism can be a pain in the R's
The "Our sh1t don't stink" attitude that p1sses off most of the world.
All other fast food/coffee franchises.

Loved America when I went there, had a really great time and met some extremely interesting people, including a great woman with an appartment overlooking Kanaohe Bay on Oahu. OD'd on junk food though, the culinary variety is pretty much limited to "which chain would you like to make your burger/fried chicken", and the pizzas are expensive and not much chop on ours. I haven't had a Maccas/HJ's burger in almost two years (since I got back coincidently) Would love to tack on an 'America leg' to my planned trip to Canada.

To Stealthy, I hope Australia as a residence is everything you hope it to be. Good Luck!!, and....you do know our Coke tastes different here don't you? I recently moved to Melbourne from interstate, so if you need a hand with anything, post away on the board. I'm sure the bigfooty fraternity would be only too keen to help out aswell.

 

[lioness]

Overall, I like Americans. I have friends right across the country, and mostly in California obviously , but yeah they're all excellent people and I SO wanna get over there and meet them all.

I've had bad experiences with Americans, as pretty much everyone knows, but like someone said, there are good and bad people in every country.

 

[NYMets]

oh ...and have a nice day

Originally posted by skilts
have only one complaint against citizens of the United States. The one's I've met have been saccharinely ingratiating.

Why don't you write something decent you inbred uneducated imbecile?

 

[Stealth bomber]

Well, I'm leaving in about 12 hours. I'll arrive early Wednesday morning.

This is my third time, so I feel like I've learned a lot. I understand metric, order tomato sauce when I need ketchup, know that the Broadmeadows line goes where I wanna go, and that the centreway is the place to go to get fish and chips. I just need to find myself a good golf course and a good game to go with it.

I figure that if I'm going to live here now I better assimilate myself into the culture. Better than being a damn tourist all the time.

Roll on round 10...

 

[Mooster7]

Make a good life down under Stealth!

It's a good thing you are leaving Green Bay. My brother is busily converting the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department to Richmond Tiger fans.

Wearing Essendon garb, you wouldn't have been able to drive South to Milwaukee without getting jailed!