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Originally posted by snlI think the main problem is for Americans and our perceptions of them, is that it seems far more stupid ones seem to end up on the telly spouting their opinions than over here. I am sure the average American is as concerned as the rest of the world about some of the pond life that American TV networks feel the urge to broadcast. Mind you the "dumb down culture" will effect us all sooner or later. The "well it didn't happen in the movie so it can't be true" effect will change world history in the end. :'(:'(:'(
can i generalized from these postings that the europeans are elitists? no, a fair-minded person would not generalized off a small number of observations.
ðŸ˜
Andrew
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It is very interesting, and a bit discouraging, to see that people in other countries have this perception of Americans as narrow-minded and unaware of what is happening in the rest of the world. And I do understand why that perception exists-- it is our own fault. But I am also mystified-- what kind of schools did these people attend? I received my entire education in this country, and I have never thought anything as outrageous as "They speak French in England" (everyone knows that it's Canada where they speak French!) or "Can you see Britain from England?" I have a decent knowledge of what a world map looks like, and I have a sad awareness of what life is like in the countries where our bombs and missiles land. And I do not think I am in the minority-- I DO believe that the media that comes from the US could very easily make the rest of the world wonder why the US has its collective head stuck inside its collective as*. Perhaps that will all change after I get elected president.
Tim-- a citizen of the world first, and of America second.
Now what do you reckon your answers would be if you asked the boys digging up the roads near Holborn Tube station where Bulgaria is? Isn't the truth that the UK is not really that important to the world anymore and therefore everyone is forgetting us Brits (no offence to Bulgarians intended)?
Originally posted by CorsairI thought this thread would get a few posts 😉
Isn't the truth that the UK is not really that important to the world anymore and therefore everyone is forgetting us Brits ?
It is a funny thing being English these days. Obviously this country has seen its glory days come and go. But the one thing that shocks me (and it only becomes apparent after you have travelled, particularly to the US) is how unpatriotic we all are. It seems that only football brings out the patriotic side in us (something I never fail to enjoy).
Whenever I travelled the suburbs in the US, many houses have flags flying from the lawns. If you did that in the UK, you would probably be criticised for being some crazy right wing nationalist. Which I think is sad.
As far as American TV is concerned, it has flooded the world, so we are all quite informed about American culture (anyone ever worked out the percentage of native TV to America TV broadcast in their country?). This flow doesn’t go the other way.
Every good show that is successful here immediately gets remade by the American networks. (I use ‘The Office’ as an example – a recent very successful and very British comedy – to be shown in Europe as it is now, but remade with a new cast, set in New York, etc, for American audiences, a terrible shame.)
Now I’m really digressing, but once I went camping with some American friends in some big park deep in Illinois. Whilst sat round the campfire I announced that as a child my parents took me camping in France each year. This was some revelation, most people present thought camping was unique to Americans!!!
Just to make one thing clear, I’m in no way American bashing – just sharing a few experiences and thoughts. 😉
-Russ
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Originally posted by UncleAdamI think Gambia is completely surrounded by senegal, well apart for the bit by the sea. If its not that I would have to cheat and look at a map.
Ok you guys in England get a quiz
What is the only country in the world
that is complelty surounded by
another country?
I'll give you a hint its in Africa
-Adam
Andrew
PS - it could be Lesotho ?
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Originally posted by RussI to would like to point out that I am not having a go at the yanks. I have been to about 40 of the the states, and have had great times on the east coast and up north travelling through Nabraska, Dakota and Wyoming. I also think Chicargo is one on the worlds truley underrated cities. But that said when it comes to your TV....
I thought this thread would get a few posts 😉
Just to make one thing clear, I’m in no way American bashing – just sharing a few experiences and thoughts. 😉
-Russ
Andrew
Originally posted by latex bishopI spent 9 months in Chicago - and loved it. (The fact my employer at the time was paying for a nice down-town apartment probably helped, 51st floor over looking lake Michigan and Navy Pier. An experience that I will never forget.)
I also think Chicargo is one on the worlds truley underrated cities. But that said when it comes to your TV....
Andrew
In that time I went to about 60+ Cubs games. (and have kept tickets to prove it) Can any other 'tourist' top that for adopting a team? 😀
-Russ
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Originally posted by RussI was in a youth hostel in the uni north of the city on lake michigan. A lake with waves - how cool is that.
I spent 9 months in Chicago - and loved it. (The fact my employer at the time was paying for a nice down-town apartment probably helped, 51st floor over looking lake Michigan and Navy Pier. An experience that I will never forget.)
In that time I went to about 60+ Cubs games. (and have kept tickets to prove it) Can any other 'tourist' top that for adopting a team? 😀
-Russ
I went to a Yankee's game (it was against Seattle) and the first thing that amazed me was how cheap it was (I have since found out that it is cheap to watch live sport anywhere apart from Western Europe). I was in the "bleaches" and the thing that amazed me were the fights. Everyone always harps on about how barbaric / tribal we Brits are with supporting teams, and how you can take you kids to any US sport event. Well I have never seen as many fights and ejections - there were only about 50% of us left by the eigth innings in my little section!
Andrew
Originally posted by AcolyteLOL, Splendid.
OK, quick quiz for any Americans. Which of these is the odd one out?
Africa
Poland
The Bay of Biscay
Ho Chi Minh City
Lapland
Tergunia
The Caspian Sea
No cheating and browsing the Internet for the answer!
A hint : where does Santa Claus come from ?