Getting to Know Americans

#1

Post by ssn » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 1:09 PM UTC

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#2

Post by keiferski » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 1:42 PM UTC

Even as an American, I still love to read about others' views of America. A little narcissistic, maybe, but I think it's more like getting another pair of eyes on something you look at everyday.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#3

Post by robotron » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 1:50 PM UTC

Living abroad, I can definitely see myself in a lot of this.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#4

Post by dr_ » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 1:52 PM UTC

"Be patient if Americans are ignorant of some aspect about your home country. Use the opportunity to educate and share, just do so in a polite and brief manner."

Citizens of other countries always like to point out how Americans are ignorant of other nations and their cultures, oftentimes failing to realize that within their own nation poverty is rampant and the majority of the population remains illiterate (yes, although I was born American my ethnic background comes from one of these such nations). Yet because of our standing in the world as a superpower, and because so many people from so many countries end up moving here - we are expected to be experts on the cultural sensitivities of all these countries. Americans are more open and willing to learn, I find, than pretty much any people anywhere in the world.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#5

Post by timinman » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 1:53 PM UTC

I'm sure this is great for immigrants , but it's just as useful for Americans, like myself living abroad. Before living overseas, I only understood a few vague general distinctions. Knowing your own peculiarities is a good starting point for adaptation.

There's also a link from the page on 'Cultural Adaptation' with great content for anyone interfacing with a second culture.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#6

Post by mtinkerhess » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 2:02 PM UTC

> Americans are taught that "all men are created equal." While they continually violate that idea in some aspects of life, in others they adhere to it.

Boy, I wish more Americans understood that.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#7

Post by davidw » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 2:03 PM UTC

"US Americans" ?!

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#8

Post by bhousel » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 2:05 PM UTC

davidw wrote: post #7

"US Americans" ?!

As it's a guide for international students at NYU, I think that's implied.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#9

Post by crasshopper » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 2:05 PM UTC

davidw wrote: post #7

"US Americans" ?!

Sure, as opposed to Central Americans, South Americans, Mexicans, or Canadians.

There is no estadounidenses in English but "Americans" logically includes Alaskans through Argentinians.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#10

Post by TillE » Mon, Apr 04, 2011, 2:07 PM UTC

It's hard to tell what perspective this article is written from. There are many subjective qualifiers. For example:

> Americans place considerable value on punctuality.

From a German perspective, this is wildly untrue.