Re: Americans... a new and vulgar people


hummingbird wrote:
On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:15:31 GMT 'DVH'
posted this onto uk.politics.misc:

As we took off from London for New York a few days ago, our three
over-excited children asked if there was any chance of the plane being blown
up. I explained that the likelihood of that happening was virtually zero,
and wondered how we were going to maintain some semblance of order during
the flight. One did not wish the sedate American passengers by whom we were
surrounded to form the impression that British parents are unable or
unwilling to impart the rudiments of good manners.

One of the problems for Brits in assessing American attitudes and
culture is that those we usually meet are almost exclusively employed
in the tourism and service industries. That creates a false impression
since these people depend upon giving courtesy to earn their living -
airline staff - hotel staff - restaurant staff etc etc. They are bound
to make a special effort to be polite, especially to the English.

But I could easily describe many Americans I have worked with and
known who are definitely not like this - the word arrogant comes to
mind. I might also point you towards the TV series CSI which is not
only a lesson in semi-fake forensics but also a good example of how
many Americans work together - or plot against each other to crawl
up the career ladder and get one-up on their colleagues. If you study
closely the interaction between CSI staff you might see what I mean.

--
"I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery"
"We may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost"
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in shackles"
...Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778

Most Americans I know are not like the stereotypical ladder-climbers
you see on American TV.

Many are nice, and kind, and respectful, and some are arrogant. The
arrogant ones usually have some kind of an excuse, typically they tend
to have a somewhat minor or not-so- minor emotional problem.

I would not judge an entire country based on what is witnessed on
television, or encoutered within in the travel/service industries. The
TV series, aforementioned, is about entertainment, and the travel
industry's service is about customer service. It would be easy to be
swayed wrongly if one were to base a lasting impression on either or
both examples.

Travel on foot or by bicycle in a country (any country) before coming
up with an opinion about the people of that country. I think, as a
rule, the people of Canada are the nicest people by far, based on
several thousand of miles ridden by bicycle, cross country in Canada.
The difference between American and Canadians is usually like day and
night.

I say this as an American, living in California, born in New York.

.

Relevant Pages

  • OT The REAL reagan
    ... ago this coming February when this country had its spirits lifted as they ... lived with honor for many miserable years in North Vietnam prisons. ... those men are here tonight, John McCain, Bill Lawrence and Ed Martin. ... the American sailors, as defined in the Constitution, were being violated by ...
    (alt.autos.toyota)
  • Re: OT The REAL reagan
    ... for its freedom, as well as the freedom of others and had nothing for which ... landing on American soil and in the Philippines, ... of those men are here tonight, John McCain, Bill Lawrence and Ed Martin. ... Voices have been raised trying to rekindle in our country all of the great ...
    (alt.autos.toyota)
  • Re: George Bush is a Joke
    ... "I helped make Mexico safe for American oil interests in 1914. ... friendship of another country if they have a foreign policy that can't be ... But I'm specifically dealing with the lessons of history. ... the nation and its people. ...
    (rec.sport.golf)
  • Re: The Concept of Eternal Damnation in Islam
    ... Hispanic illegals "invading" the country. ... 'American Vision'. ... Interesting thing is that it's actually immigrants ... So, in retrospect, after a little reality test, the dream may well have ...
    (alt.religion.islam)
  • Re: House Votes to Ban Permanent Bases in Iraq
    ... This bill states that it is the policy of the United States not to establish ... the President, to the Administration, to the American people, to the people ... The newspaper stated today that some Muslim ... landscape we enjoy in this country. ...
    (misc.survivalism)