Why are Americans so unpopular?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:40 pm

Ahem.

Welsh: LLANFAIRpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

English Version: Saint Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio of the red cave.

Actually I read that the station master of the town did a little bit of re-invention to give the town some status, he certainly dis that. I got it from Norman Davies peerless one volume "Europe, A History". If you ever only read one book on Europe, thats the one to read. He is welsh, a superb historian.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:43 pm

which part is the gogogoch?

Post by **spot** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:46 pm

koan;486796 wrote: which part is the gogogoch?The bit by the elm tree along the river, but my memory might be questionable after that last glass of wine.

Addendum: I just saw Galbally's post - damn right it is. And his book on The Isles, they make a pair. They're rivetting, they both had me absolutely entranced as I read them.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:49 pm

This is like that poem, Jabberwocky

LLANFAIR

pwll

gwyngyllgo

gerych

wyrndrobwll

llan

tysilio

gogogoch

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:53 pm

Diuretic;486804 wrote: or the Hunting of the Snark. I like seeing snarks hunted.

"The rest of my speech" (he explained to his men)

"You shall hear when I've leisure to speak it.

But the Snark is at hand, let me tell you again!

'Tis your glorious duty to seek it!

"To seek it with thimbles, to seek it with care;

To pursue it with forks and hope;

To threaten its life with a railway-share;

To charm it with smiles and soap!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:53 pm

davieB;484720 wrote: First off, let me say, they're not with me.

In fact, some of my best friends are Yanks. I seem to be a minority though, and most of my non-american friends view them with nothing but contempt. I don't understand why.

I tell them the US should be a role model for democracies all over the world, yet they just laugh:guitarist

Am I the naive one or is it them?

Need I say more ?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:59 pm

spot;486798 wrote: The bit by the elm tree along the river, but my memory might be questionable after that last glass of wine.

Addendum: I just saw Galbally's post - damn right it is. And his book on The Isles, they make a pair. They're rivetting, they both had me absolutely entranced as I read them.

I have them both, they are in my opinion unsurpassed as modern history books on those (very complex) subjects. He has one on the Second World War as well, I must read it, I love his books, he is almost like an old friend. He is an authority on Poland, I havn't read his book on Poland, but I think its called "God's Playground". A gifted man, and a credit to Wales.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:34 pm

I have a couple of friends here for whom Welsh is the first language - used to babysit their kids. They actually taught me how to pronounce that name, but I do it much better after several glasses of champers. :sneaky:

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:30 am

Getting back to the point...

The world sees Americans (rightly or wrongly) as arrogant and self-righteous.

This is probably because we only see your media and not the reality of life in America.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:52 am

caesar777;487240 wrote: Getting back to the point...

The world sees Americans (rightly or wrongly) as arrogant and self-righteous.

This is probably because we only see your media and not the reality of life in America.
I disagree. What the world sees is all the grain and aid packages opened that has USA written on them. I would say that doesnt mark them as arrogant and self rightous. I would say thats pretty caring and sharing, wouldnt you?

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:56 am

caesar777;487240 wrote: Getting back to the point...

The world sees Americans (rightly or wrongly) as arrogant and self-righteous.

This is probably because we only see your media and not the reality of life in America.

then why don't you use some common sense and stop generalizing.

Why would you think the reality of life here would be different than anywhere else?

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:16 am

Sunny, you might as well be talking to the wind.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:43 am

:wah:

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:12 am

Raven;487256 wrote: I disagree. What the world sees is all the grain and aid packages opened that has USA written on them. I would say that doesnt mark them as arrogant and self rightous. I would say thats pretty caring and sharing, wouldnt you?

Then Americans aren't so unpopular are they?

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:14 am

sunny104;487309 wrote: then why don't you use some common sense and stop generalizing.

Why would you think the reality of life here would be different than anywhere else?

OK. The world doesn't see Americans as arrogant, but most people I know do.

I don't think life there is different to anywhere else, only richer.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:36 am

Ok so it was 5 pages ago, but I have only now taken any interest in this thread. Not much, but some.

Why does it seem to me that the person who said this makes it sound like "history repeating itself" is acceptable? I am one of those Native Americans, and I find a LOT wrong with that idea.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:42 am

Novelty;484918 wrote: i think the popularity of burning the American flag is down to your leaders

all societies have good and bad in them, so i think the thread title is incorrect,

it should be: " Why is America so unpopular? "

If there is one thing I am damn SICK and TIRED of. it is the constant undying, uneducated opinion that since Americans take their liberties to the extremes that we do, we are bunch of drunk, whacko gun-toting psychos. How many of you know me? How many of you consider me your friend? I am one of those gun-toting whackos you love to spew uneducated opinions at.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:43 am

While you're thinking about that, BabyRider, ask yourself why the originator of the thread hasn't made another appearance.

It's school holidays....

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:44 am

caesar777;487425 wrote: Then Americans aren't so unpopular are they?
No they arent. As a matter of fact, americans are well looked upon. People may not care for their current foreign policy, but only an idiot would confuse foreign policy with a whole people.

I am thinking YOU are the one thinking they are. But seeing as I AM an american, and a native one at that, you are the first that I have ran across here, that has shown me any animosity over being an american. I have been here for over three years now. Noone here seems to think we are unpopular. Only our president.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:49 am

caesar777;487429 wrote: OK. The world doesn't see Americans as arrogant, but most people I know do.

I don't think life there is different to anywhere else, only richer.
Thats right. Richer in friendships, values and perhaps more common sense than you. We are more rich in manners. As far as money, i believe the british pound is stronger against the dollar at the minute.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:57 am

Lulu2;487474 wrote: While you're thinking about that, BabyRider, ask yourself why the originator of the thread hasn't made another appearance.

It's school holidays....
That is something I had not noticed, you're right, Lulu. An answer wuld be most welcome to me at this point.

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:12 am

Raven;487478 wrote: No they arent. As a matter of fact, americans are well looked upon. People may not care for their current foreign policy, but only an idiot would confuse foreign policy with a whole people.

I am thinking YOU are the one thinking they are. But seeing as I AM an american, and a native one at that, you are the first that I have ran across here, that has shown me any animosity over being an american. I have been here for over three years now. Noone here seems to think we are unpopular. Only our president.

We must mix with different types of people. People I know have nothing against Americans but dislike the people we see on screen, George Bush for example, or Homer Simpson (I know he's fictional but like it or not that is the impression we have of a typical American as it is a satire of American life made by Americans) because they come across as being stupid and arrogant.

I have nothing against Americans, just their government and values. I am simply trying to answer the question which started this thread.

If you think Americans aren't unpopular then fine, why bother reading peoples suggestions to a problem which doesn't exist?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:17 am

caesar777;487512 wrote: We must mix with different types of people. People I know have nothing against Americans but dislike the people we see on screen,
Wow....I guess it's a good thing that what's on screen is a big fat fairy tale, huh?

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:23 am

BabyRider;487519 wrote: Wow....I guess it's a good thing that what's on screen is a big fat fairy tale, huh?

I wish George Bush and the nightmare of Iraq was a fairytale, I really do.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:23 am

caesar777;487512 wrote: We must mix with different types of people. People I know have nothing against Americans but dislike the people we see on screen, George Bush for example, or Homer Simpson (I know he's fictional but like it or not that is the impression we have of a typical American as it is a satire of American life made by Americans) because they come across as being stupid and arrogant.

I have nothing against Americans, just their government and values. I am simply trying to answer the question which started this thread.

If you think Americans aren't unpopular then fine, why bother reading peoples suggestions to a problem which doesn't exist?

so I should judge all English people by Benny Hill, Keeping Up Appearances, Monty Python, etc. ??

then you all would look equally stupid, if not more so.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:24 am

Don't forget "Footballers' Wives" and "Hyacinth"....

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:25 am

sunny104;487533 wrote: so I should judge all English people by Benny Hill, Keeping Up Appearances, Monty Python, etc. ??

then you all would look equally stupid, if not more so.

If you wish, but they are not satires. Yes minister would be more apt.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:26 am

caesar777;487531 wrote: I wish George Bush and the nightmare of Iraq was a fairytale, I really do.
Yeah, because of course, Hollywood has no interest in making the President look as good s it possibly can. Bush himself has no interest on what Hollywood is capable of doing to his image either, right?

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:30 am

caesar777;487536 wrote: If you wish, but they are not satires. Yes minister would be more apt.
Aw and here I was thinking of chicken run!

:yh_bigsmi

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:30 am

Only since Iraq and the Shrub administration have I heard so much negative diatribe about Americans. I am curious, since you Caesar, say others judge us by Bush and Homer Simpson, what about our past presidents? Were we more popular with you guys during the Kennedy Era? Roosevelt? Reagan? Or when we put out great movies and literary works of art? I mean if one would judge us by what you see on TV then I would say that is the person's own fault for not taking it upon himself to get a more myopic view of the US.

Don't forget it was Reagan who helped get rid of the Berlin Wall. Were we unpopular then?

I would bet that there are Jerry Springer types in your own part of the world too. Most Americans are not of that type and it would be foolish for anyone to judge us on such rubbish. I would advise other countries to ask lots of questions of us, come here for a visit if you can, read some factual books, watch some historical videos and stop blaming us all for Bush. We didn't all vote for that moron. I can't explain why anyone did a second time but many of us over here are not happy with him either.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:30 am

caesar777;487429 wrote: OK. The world doesn't see Americans as arrogant, but most people I know do.

caesar777;487512 wrote: People I know have nothing against Americans but dislike the people we see on screen,

which is it??

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:39 am

sunny104;487549 wrote: which is it??

Both! We have nothing against you. If we met you and saw you were not arrogant we would not think of you as such.

Like it or not, people have preconceptions about all different types of people. People with glasses are seen as intelligent but may not be, people with mohicans are seen as rebellious but may be vicars for all we know. Until you meet an individual you cannot judge but cannot help having preconcieved ideas.

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:51 am

I think I just puked a little in my mouth.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:55 am

If America is the country of Bush, Homer (a hero), Duke of Hazard, Desperate Housewives, Jerry Springer etc etc,

Its also equally true to say that it is the country of Noam Chomsky, Karl Popper, F Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Zimmerman, Jackson Pollock, Henry Miller, Woody Allen, Edgar Allen Poe, Walt Whitman, George Marshall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ann Rand, Rodger Fenman, Edwin Hubble, Robert Oppenhemier, Neil Armstrong, Mark Twain, etc etc.

American culture is as simplistic or as complex as any other, and has contributed far more to Western Culture than any other single country in the 20th century. Fact.

in short, you are being ridiculous, its hilarious. :wah:

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:57 am

Galbally;487585 wrote: If America is the country of Bush, Homer (a hero), Duke of Hazard, Desperate Housewives, Jerry Springer etc etc,

Its also equally true to say that it is the country of Noam Chomsky, Karl Popper, F Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Zimmerman, Jackson Pollock, Henry Miller, Woody Allen, Edgar Allen Poe, Walt Whitman, George Marshall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ann Rand, Rodger Fenman, Edwin Hubble, Robert Oppenhemier, Neil Armstrong, Mark Twain, etc etc.

American culture is as simplistic or as complex as any other, and has contributed far more to Western Culture than any other single country in the 20th century. Fact.

in short, you are being ridiculous, its hilarious. :wah:

And dont forget:

DESIGNERGAL!

caesar777 · Post by **caesar777** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:58 am

Galbally;487585 wrote: If America is the country of Bush, Homer (a hero), Duke of Hazard, Desperate Housewives, Jerry Springer etc etc,

Its also equally true to say that it is the country of Noam Chomsky, Karl Popper, F Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Zimmerman, Jackson Pollock, Henry Miller, Woody Allen, Edgar Allen Poe, Walt Whitman, George Marshall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ann Rand, Rodger Fenman, Edwin Hubble, Robert Oppenhemier, Neil Armstrong, Mark Twain, etc etc.

American culture is as simplistic or as complex as any other, and has contributed far more to Western Culture than any other single country in the 20th century. Fact.

in short, you are being ridiculous, its hilarious. :wah:

How many ordinary people read Poe? The image working class people have of the Americans is from TV, not history books.

:-5

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:00 pm

caesar777;487592 wrote: How many ordinary people read Poe? The image working class people have of the Americans is from TV, not history books.

:-5

I read Poe. I have two books with his collections in them.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:00 pm

caesar777;487592 wrote: How many ordinary people read Poe? The image working class people have of the Americans is from TV, not history books.

:-5

we read Poe in high school.

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:01 pm

Is it just North Americans that are unpopular? Or is Central and South America too? Because last time I checked, Bush only really runs ONE country in the Americas.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:03 pm

caesar777;487564 wrote: Both! We have nothing against you. If we met you and saw you were not arrogant we would not think of you as such.

Like it or not, people have preconceptions about all different types of people. People with glasses are seen as intelligent but may not be, people with mohicans are seen as rebellious but may be vicars for all we know. Until you meet an individual you cannot judge but cannot help having preconcieved ideas.
Which does, in fact, give a name to the problem. I wear glasses, I have been known to wear a mohawk, (thankfully, only riding my motorcycle has given the the "rebel" personna I was after), and yeah, there are TONS of preconcieved notions about us as people and as stable citizens. The problem with your noose? Even my brothers from other countries suffer the misconceptions. Pinky? Can I get an "amen"???