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Getting to Know Americans

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Re: Getting to Know Americans

#51

Post by JoeAltmaier »

crasshopper wrote: post #37

Other cultures are often evaluated as better or worse than this one rather than simply being seen as different. True. Americans tend to think that theirs is the best way to do things Not true. Just think about American adoption of yoga and buddhism. Certain aspects of Asian cultures, once discovered, were adopted and adapted by Yanks who thought their culture could use improving.

...my Austrian friend is amazed at the variety of ethnic food available in America. He doesn't see that in his travels, and certainly not at home.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#53

Post by StudyAnimal »

limist wrote: post #12

A shorter version would be: Americans are generally individualist Protestant technologist capitalists. Like any other culture these defining traits bring inherent strengths, and unavoidable weaknesses. On a different note, Does anyone know the author of this essay? I've seen it around at least as far back as the early 1990's, and it's good to see it still in use.

Just curious about what weaknesses you have in mind?

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#54

Post by JoeAltmaier »

Alex3917 wrote: post #13
mtinkerhess wrote: post #6

> 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.

More accurately, Americans mostly adhere to the notion that "all men are equal" when it serves the interests of the top 1%. Voting, the military, taxes, college admissions, etc.

I'm not so cynical. Voting is supposed to be available to all; the military is a valued opportunity for many young folks with limited means; taxes are sometimes regressive but do follow a curve; rural youth in my area are admitted to colleges by merit.

So "the top 1%" is probably not accurate.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#55

Post by StudyAnimal »

kloncks wrote: post #20

Is there a typo here? Americans usually think of nature as something that can be altered, conquered, and controlled for people's comfort and use and in order to minimize the effects of fierce weather conditions. In contrast, many cultures accept nature as something they can change or control.

You mean that last "can" should be "can't" right? Yep pretty sure that is a typo.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#56

Post by ido »

_delirium wrote: post #35
FraaJad wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you. My own "disappointment" is not with 'regular joe' Americans, but with educated Americans. Being from a large city in India, I know from personal experience that majority of the people with college education, especially technical education are knowledgeable about things outside their own country at least in a conversational level, if not they want to know more. I cannot assume the same with Americans…

Many time they are not even ready to acknowledge that things can and often are done better outside their own country. The sense of NIH is very strong. I agree with this, but I haven't actually been to a country that wasn't like that. Certainly here in Denmark, many Danes are quite certain that Denmark is run better than any other place. ;-)

    I agree with this, but I haven't actually 
    been to a country that wasn't like that.
Poland. Supposedly (haven't been there myself) China too.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#57

Post by rajpaul »

dr_ wrote: post #4

"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, alt…

The patients of foreigner isn't tested by what Americans don't know about their home country, it's tested by what Americans think they about foreigner's home country.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#58

Post by js4all »

microtonal wrote: post #17

I have been in the US about ten times and I think one of the initial barriers is our that our perception of the US is formed through Hollywood. Some things that did not match my expectations/assumptions: - The average American is much poorer than I expected. Wealth is less evenly divided, than say West-Europe. - Americans are extremely nice and warm. Some Europeans say it is superficial, but I really liked when eatin…

I have been in the U.S. as often as you (like 20 times) and had the same experiences. I go with all your 5 points. I especially like their openness and friendliness. The very positive experiences changed the way I behave when meeting strangers outside of the U.S.

Things changed a bit after 9/11 though, but I can understand that.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#59

Post by paulnelligan »

... And If you see Americans in the wild, make sure to stop what you're doing immediately, turn, and walk calmly, don't run, it will only excite them. If you have some food or drink, drop it, it may distract them, and in turn give you a few extra valuable seconds to escape ...

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#60

Post by jwhitlark »

FraaJad wrote: post #19
dr_ wrote: post #4

"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, alt…

I agree with you. My own "disappointment" is not with 'regular joe' Americans, but with educated Americans. Being from a large city in India, I know from personal experience that majority of the people with college education, especially technical education are knowledgeable about things outside their own country at least in a conversational level, if not they want to know more. I cannot assume the same with Americans…

It might be helpful to remember that historically, most people who came to America as a chance to start over and leave the past behind. People who were doing well usually didn't migrate to the US. In my family, the men's of "We were kicked around until we came here, then we did well," is very strong. So much so, that I'm the first one to travel internationally, except for military service.
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