[Quantumcat]

Well everyone knows the sterotype of the typical american, don't need to add any more I think (if I don't want hackles up and growling from the american forum-goers)

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[neilep]

Friends, Frasier, Sex and The City, Will and Grace, Star Trek, Hollywood, Peanutbutter and Jam sarnies, Burger King, Nasa,.......and more things than could fill this entire forum, my first girlfriend and educator !!!.......thank you America....(not sarcasm...I love those things, espesh Burger King hmmmmmmm!!)...the list is endless.....the people in America who know what they're doing , know what they're doing with perfection...on the whole...there's more good than bad.....well I think so anyway........it's so easy to slate a country, a people, or anything cos the negative things stands out more  eh ?

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  

[Ylide]

Chris, we don't really have laws banning abortions.  It's legal here until the 15th week or pregnancy or so.  (though it may not be if the Republicans stay in office another 4 years)  

However thanks to the Republicans, we also pay less taxes than most of the Western world... especially those of us with high income.  Your average person making 6 figures in the US is going to end up paying out less than 30% in taxes if they're smart about it and know what to write off and where to put their money.  From what I hear in countries that have a more socialist tinge to them, someone in that income category will pay a much higher percentage.  Not that I think it's a good thing, the burden of taxation should be on the wealthy.

The rest of your points are perfectly valid, of course, for a good portion of the population.  We're chock full of barely literate, over-priveleged, arrogant hypocrites.  If you don't judge us unduly, I'll try not to think of you Brits as stuffy, snooty, and sexually ambiguous.

This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People

[tweener]

I can't add much to this thread, but it sure is good entertainment!

I find that I'm agreeing with almost everything that is said here (almost).  And I wonder if that is good or bad.  I guess what it comes down to is that the US is a very big and very diverse place that can't really be neatly categorized any which way.  Same for the UK and Austrailia and most other countries.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[OldMan]

quote:Originally posted by MayoFlyFarmer
ok, as anti-american as I consider myself, I DO have to say that I don't know a single person that would actually think aussies ride to school on kangaroos (and I know some REALLY stupid people)

as far as the beer goes we do have some good beers, we're just not dumb enough be be givin it all away to the rest of the world.  you guys get our crap beer (as I'm sure/would hope the opposite is true) the only aussie beer we have readily available here to my knowledge is fosters....um....yeah, no comment on that one I think my point has been made.  I'm sure the Brits have good beers too, the rest of europe does, why wouldn't they?

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

OH MY GOD!

You guys get Fosters??? I thought that s... stuff died in the late 80's. Don't tell me they send XXXX over there as well? I recently decided since I was in the home state of the awful brew that i should give it a go. Didn't seem too bad until the after taste hit [xx(]

As sad as it sounds I have heard of the kangroo misconception... oh how i laughed.

All sledging aside they do plenty of good work as well.

-----------------------------
I'm attacking the illusion but the stopping drives me mad!

[MayoFlyFarmer]

Please don't judge us on our spelling []

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

[neilep]

quote:Originally posted by MayoFlyFarmer

Please don't judge us on our spelling []

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

OWE KAY []

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  

[Ultima]

quote:    quote:Originally posted by MayoFlyFarmer
    ok, as anti-american as I consider myself, I DO have to say that I don't know a single person that would actually think aussies ride to school on kangaroos (and I know some REALLY stupid people)

    as far as the beer goes we do have some good beers, we're just not dumb enough be be givin it all away to the rest of the world. you guys get our crap beer (as I'm sure/would hope the opposite is true) the only aussie beer we have readily available here to my knowledge is fosters....um....yeah, no comment on that one I think my point has been made. I'm sure the Brits have good beers too, the rest of europe does, why wouldn't they?

    That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!



OH MY GOD!

You guys get Fosters??? I thought that s... stuff died in the late 80's. Don't tell me they send XXXX over there as well? I recently decided since I was in the home state of the awful brew that i should give it a go. Didn't seem too bad until the after taste hit

As sad as it sounds I have heard of the kangroo misconception... oh how i laughed.

All sledging aside they do plenty of good work as well.

-----------------------------
I'm attacking the illusion but the stopping drives me mad!

Fosters is really bad [V] if that’s died away in Australia what do you drink? Do you have real ale?


wOw the world spins?

[Quantumcat]

Although most things you said in your post (Friends, Burger King etc.) I hate ! Maybe just because it's not my culture, I suppose. I think Friends is the most idiotic  and un-funny program ever put on television (except some japanese game shows which are idiotic but funny because they're idiotic) and Burger King, Mc Donald's etc are disgusting. There's often jokes made here about people that eat at Mc Donald's ... also, american culture is invading all the other countries' cultures ! There's too many american brand names, products and shops here.  I don't want Australia (or France) to lose its identity. (although something that's cool is the huge number of Ripcurl and Quicksilver and the other Australian surfing branded things that you see in France !!!!!! ) America's ideas are sort of producing things for the public no matter what the cost and making money. America does produce a variety of films and music, which I suppose is a good point. Most people like American films and music.

As for Australian beer, go Bundaburg Rum, that's really famous. (at least in Australia, I don't know if it's famous over there)

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[Donnah]

quote:Originally posted by neilep
on the whole...there's more good than bad.....well I think so anyway........it's so easy to slate a country, a people, or anything cos the negative things stands out more  eh ?

Good point Neil.  I think every country and culture has it's good and bad points.  If we can focus on the good in each, we all stand to learn and benefit.

Recently in Canada I have observed Native Canadians making strides toward integrating their culture into general society (or vice versa), while maintaining and enhancing their culture and knowledge base.  I applaud this magnanimous spirit, especially in light of the fact that over the last hundred years or so Natives have been terribly abused, denigrated and almost decimated.  It's a fantastic healing to let go of an angry and painful past, do an about face, and move forward with optimism.

[gsmollin]

Q:...How many of you guys know that there is a place in the UK called Cambridge?...

A: I don't think anybody has that answer, but I do think the fraction of the population who knows any serious amount of geography is declining. Geography is no longer taught in out schools. It was bundled with history, and became "social studies". Geography lost. Most school kids don't know where Michigan is, never mind Cambridge, MA. Cambridge, UK only has a chance if it's in the next Harry Potter movie.

Q:...Is he just very ignorant, or is the US really that isolated from the rest of the world?

A: Yes. The US is a great nation. I will (probably not) be the first US citizen to tell you that. There is also a great amount of isolationism in this country. The US is, unfortunately, NOT isolated from the rest of the world, but most US citizens believe they would be happier if it were. The the US's ignorance of most other world cultures stems from an indifference to those cultures.

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
-Edgar Allan Poe

[/quote]

[bezoar]

OK, OK, so we're ignorant, and isolated, but we have great food.  And Chris, if you were living here as a doctor, you'd have a much better life, be making more money, be able to take off work whenever you wanted, and could pretty much have a job anywhere with a six figure income.  And you could teach here too, and think of all the ignorant students who need you!!!!!!

[neilep]

quote:Originally posted by bezoar

OK, OK, so we're ignorant, and isolated, but we have great food.  And Chris, if you were living here as a doctor, you'd have a much better life, be making more money, be able to take off work whenever you wanted, and could pretty much have a job anywhere with a six figure income.  And you could teach here too, and think of all the ignorant students who need you!!!!!!

Hi Nance....believe me, I have seen the results of your great food !!...(hang on ..are you being facetious?[])


C'mon Quanty...I bet you love Burger King really ?...[]

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  

[neilep]

quote:Originally posted by Donnah

quote:Originally posted by neilep
on the whole...there's more good than bad.....well I think so anyway........it's so easy to slate a country, a people, or anything cos the negative things stands out more  eh ?

Good point Neil.  I think every country and culture has it's good and bad points.  If we can focus on the good in each, we all stand to learn and benefit.

Recently in Canada I have observed Native Canadians making strides toward integrating their culture into general society (or vice versa), while maintaining and enhancing their culture and knowledge base.  I applaud this magnanimous spirit, especially in light of the fact that over the last hundred years or so Natives have been terribly abused, denigrated and almost decimated.  It's a fantastic healing to let go of an angry and painful past, do an about face, and move forward with optimism.

It is a crying shame that there is very rarely anywhere on this planet where the 'natives' of the land they inhabit, in some way shape or form have not been imposed upon in one way or another.....I can only speculate that somewhere only the remotest tribes in extreme isolated location may still remain untouched......and I would presume that won't last forever

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  

[tweener]

quote:It is a crying shame that there is very rarely anywhere on this planet where the 'natives' of the land they inhabit, in some way shape or form have not been imposed upon in one way or another.....I can only speculate that somewhere only the remotest tribes in extreme isolated location may still remain untouched......and I would presume that won't last forever

What about the UK and other parts of europe.  Other than a lot of internal invasions, they have been pretty much left to their own devices haven't they? []

[Yes Neil, I do get your point.]  I think there are some tribes in the Amazon basin that have had almost no contact with "civilization".  But I don't really romanticize living in the stone age.  It was a hard life.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[OldMan]

quote:Originally posted by Ultima

Fosters is really bad [V] if that’s died away in Australia what do you drink? Do you have real ale?


wOw the world spins?

Some of the best ales are made right here in little old Adelaide. Coopers Pale Ale - alot of people are put off by the floaties (sediment) but it is a great brew.
Coopers Sparkling Ale - nice and clear with a nice punch
Coopers Dark Ale - This is my winter beer for some reason. Very nice but watchout for the hang over can be very nasty!
Coopers Vintage - a stronger very fruity beer only made in limited amounts each year. Not to eveybodies liking

Could go on for ages but they are a few of my favourites. Some of the interstate beers would have to be Crown Larger, James Boags..eh there's plenty.

-----------------------------
I'm attacking the illusion but the stopping drives me mad!

[MayoFlyFarmer]

quote:Originally posted by Quantumcat

America does produce a variety of films and music, which I suppose is a good point. Most people like American films and music.

ech!!! no!  while I will admit that the majority of the music I listen to and most of the films I watch are american thats simply a matter of odds due to the amount of both that we turn out every year and the lack of availability (especially in films) of anything from elsewhere!  On the whole if you look at ratio of good stuff to crap put out, american music/films suck!  (which stands to resaon given our lack of culture, and over abundance of apathy).  The brits really know how to churn out good music, I just wish they were a bigger country so they made more of it.  The aussies, and cannucs have made great strides on this fromt lateley as well.  As for films, its tough to get anything non-american these days, but I've always had a ting for German Cinema!

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

[qpan (OP)]

quote:Originally posted by gsmollin
Most school kids don't know where Michigan is, never mind Cambridge, MA. Cambridge, UK only has a chance if it's in the next Harry Potter movie.

I thought MA was Massachussetts?

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
-Edgar Allan Poe

[neilep]

Thanks Justy....I have to say I agree with you about the music and films stuff !!..though we're such a small island ...the stuff we produce over here is rather good and eclectic. There are some quintessentially 'English'/'British' bands that due to the 'sound' of their music just will not 'travel' across the pond to the states and further afield...and it has always been difficult for non american bands to make it in the states !!...you guys are extremely patriotic towards your own brands of entertainment(that's not a criticism by the way, that's just the way it is).....but we are a little creative pot here in the UK!!..The films we produce I think are rather good too....(usually with American funds)....we just don't have the industry(or the budget) like you guys...but I would have to say (even noting your comments) that in my list of best films, they are all American...so thahks for that.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  

[chris]

I second oldman's endorsement of Cooper's Pale Ale. It's become my favourite beer since I came to Oz. A guy in Alice Springs got me into it when I was up there last month. Haven;t drunk much else since !

The annoying thing is that I can't take it home with me (in appreciable quantities anyway !)

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx