I'd like to make some observations about America.1-- they make(bar the exceptional few)the best movies and tv shows in the world.2-- they hold a world series in most of their sports yet they are the only country competing...(smart)3-- they have no culture, its all commercialised, all the ethnic groups there seem to lose thier roots.(by the way i realise their are probably exceptions to this)4-- they have compared at least to ireland the uk some unbelivable oppotunities in terms of sport and education.5-- why the weird love obsession with guns.6-- why the belief they can interfere or judge other nations so freely and haphazardly, other countries might have nucluear power OH NO!.. but wait who was invented the bombs...USA...and who was it who dropped two of them on Japan... USA, by the way although it was years ago i think that was a cowardly and particularly evil and dishonourable way to win a war.7-- microsofts xbox aint as good as the playstation8-- whoever thought up televised pker is a genius9-- Will Ferrell is a genius10-- why are they so crap at soccer??11-- why so creative in terms of space tech, medicine etc yet no american cuisine has been created.12-- american football is really boring to watch on tv, why the ads every couple of minutes.13-- nascar is brutal its just cars driving in a circle, at least formula one has a circuit.14-- No other country makes cartoons as good as the USA does, fact!15-- They gave us cowboys and indians16-- why do they think all irish people are feiry little lepracauns, always way up for a fight or a drink (eg family guy sketch, finlay in wwe, every other simpsons episode), remember we have some friendly groups hereIRA, PIRA, RIRA, CIRA, UDA, LVF, UVF, PSNI etc etc17-- were they lying when they said they landed on the moon?? 18-- How come they shot JFK, the only ever catholic president ad they best they ever had, take a hint19-- eh sort of getting tired now so ill stop here... anyway these are just some observations of the top of my head, i'd love to here anyone elses views, especially if there are from an angry american, lol that'll b some craic... to conclude i do not hate america as the above comments show i love it and hate it all at the same time.
-
America
-
by the way these obervations are my own personal views i in no way want any1 who disagrees to think this represents every irish persons views,...cause i know u americans can stereotype a people pretty well...lol
-
Ok, who pee'd on this little leprechauns' rainbow today?
-
they have no culture, its all commercialised,That's not a fair comment. They U.S. doesn't have the ancient culture that a lot of nations have, but what's an example of non-commercialized culture in Ireland?> all the ethnic groups there seem to lose thier roots.(by the way i realise their are probably exceptions to this)It will be interesting if it still holds true with the huge Hispanic influx, but people tend to assimilate. The upside is that we don't have the ethic strife that, for example, Germany has, where a Turk whose family has lived in the country for generations is still not a citzen, much less culturally connected. France's Arab immigrants appear to be permanently ghetto-ized.> why the belief they can interfere or judge other nations so freely and haphazardlyDon't confuse the American government with American citizens. Most Americans don't give a rats ass about what happens outside of North America.> why are they so crap at soccer?Why is the rest of the world so crap at basketball (please disregard the last Olympics). The U.S. is now kicking ass at the Tour de France, plus or minus some performance enhancing substances.> no american cuisine has been createdWhy reinvent the wheel? I think that is one reason that Americans are so overweight, though. They have no tradition of eating healhy, or at least not one that has survived.> american football is really boring to watch on tvSoccer is fun to play, but there has never been anything conceived by man that is more boring to watch on TV. A soccer game makes the Tour de France seem like Terminator II.> nascar is brutal its just cars driving in a circle, at least formula one has a circuit.They're both insanely boring! I've been more excited watching white ceiling paint dry.> No other country makes cartoons as good as the USA does, factThe Japanese make weird ones.> why do they think all irish people are feiry little lepracauns, always way up for a fight or a drinkBecause of posting from Irish people on this site. Apperenty American culture at large gets its cultural ideations here.> were they lying when they said they landed on the moon?Are you a conspiracy-loving nut job?America is like a big ol' drooling hound dog. You just have to love it.
-
No other country makes cartoons as good as the USA does, fact>The Japanese make weird ones.Now, that's just pushing it too far. I'm a huge anime fan, you just have to know what to look for. When it comes to non CG animation, Japan's is far better at it than the US in general, plus making some amazing concepts and storylines that really make me question why I'd ever watch most North American cartoons (except comedies).It's too bad that crappy ones like Beyblade and Yu Gi Oh and whatever other ones may be on now kind of ruin the image. Well, that and editing of dialogue and scenes to make some anime more kid friendly (at the expense of far more).If you're interested in following me up on this, I suggest watching some Noien, Monster, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien, or Full Metal Alchemist (and although there's a translated version, the dialogue suffers slightly). Another problem is you have to not mind watching it subtitled with most anime because the dialogue is usually much better before when it's not butchered.Now there's my rant. Probably on the point you never thought you'd get criticized for, ha!
-
To BBQ is to truly cook Amercan. (That sounds cannibalistic.)
-
In reply to: cause i know u americans can stereotype a people pretty well...lol Seems you've done the sterotyping quiet well yourself my little Irish friend.... So you're not all about the American culture (or lack of as you say), so what, ya either love it or hate it... no point in whining about it lolTry being from Texas hon... people always assume you're some gun slinger wearing a cowboy hat who lives on a ranch filled with thousands of cattle who only use three letter words and run around saying things like "Ya'll come back now, ya hear!" or "Boy, I tell you what!" or "Howdy partner!" if you mention you're from Texas.
-
why the weird love obsession with guns.Some people like to hunt, some still have a frontier mentality, some like to use them to rob and kill (they're very efficient if you want to murder someone), some like to shoot targets, some like the loud noise, some like heavy shiny object, and some think they'll be useful if the government comes after them.Why didn't you ask why Americans have a strongly individualistic attitude compared to most other countries?
-
Cant help ya out here, Iv been to tex-ass, thats what I saw.Texas is the only place in all my travels that I got into a fight with 3 people in a gas station, because I was wearing a baseball cap rather then a cowboy hat. Or maybe they just dont like the redwings in texassAmarillo was a giant shit hole by the way, I hit 3 bars and was in 3 fights, simply because I "talk funny".On that subject, this dumb bitch in Misery (missouri) Thought i talked like that crocidial hunter dood.She wasnt even worth sleeping with, a total waste of my time.I hate Texass with allo my heart, short of Buddy Holly, Stevie Ray Vaughn and something else I cant think of right now, I can find nothihng good to ever come from that hole.Did I mention I hate texass?
-
They have good (long) beef ribs, good barbecue in general, and good oil. They also have good Mexican food, if you search out the real stuff.But the Irish Catholic president was killed there.
-
and texas toast garlic bread !Im betting its nto all bad there, but god I hate texass.Iv only seen northern texass, I was told southern is better.
-
I'd have to say East Texas is the best Texas isn't all that bad, granted there are a few nut cases here and there, but hey, you get that everywhere ya go!!
-
Irishrace - Although im not Irish (Im English) i don't imagine that Americans think that Ireland is inhabbited lots of Leprhicauns, didn't they die out during the potatoe famine? Someone says that Americans stereotype, but so does every other nation. Being English we imagine our Stereotype to be Hugh Grant a-likes but we stereotype Americans as a load of Fatties trying to kill everyone in the world.I dont sound like Hugh Grant, i dont have a stiff upper lip, my teeth are strait.I dont think that every American is fat, stupid or obsessed with killing.The 20 points mentioned, most are matter of oppinion, others matter of fact, a few neither. Does it really matter?Each country has its strengths and weaknesses but as westerners we are pretty much the same.
-
Americans are not cynical enough. They think that if you put the right people in the right places, all will be good. That's how we wind up with things like Abu Gharib, over and over. The Europeans understand that people everywhere are corrupt.
-
I think you use the term "Europeans" too glibly, Steve. It covers a lot of different cultures.
-
come to Canada
-
Western Europeans. I'm thinking specifically about the way the treatment of livestock is regulated in Western Europe versus the U.S. To make a long story short, the lot of a typical livestock animal is better there than here. The idea extends to many areas.Americans tend to have the idea that atrocities couldn't have been committed at Abu Gharib, because Americans just don't do that kind of thing, but if they do, it's because someone of questionable morals was accidentally assigned the job of interrogator and prison guard. It's just a matter of getting the right people in place. If Americans were properly cynical, they'd realize that there are no right people. Rather, the system needs to be set up so that the people who get the jobs won't do atrocious things.That may not have been clear, but the idea is that Americans don't think they need regulation because their character is transcendent.
-
I think 100 years ago the British felt very similarly. I think many of them at that time felt they led the world because of superior virtue. Perhaps in 100 years' time the Chinese will take the same view?
-
:smile: well i knew this post would get a reaction, im glad if people pointed stuff out that i didnt know, for example rad's reply, i wasnt as accurate as i should of been, and a steve a's retort was particularly insightful, fair dues i see were your coming from. But let me hit back, you pointed out (Steve a) that
In reply to:
That's not a fair comment. They U.S. doesn't have the ancient culture that a lot of nations have, but what's an example of non-commercialized culture in Ireland?
well fair enough ireland is becoming increasingly commercialised (only on the east coast though) and thats not a nice thing. My point is that america with all those diverse and interesting ethnic groups from hispanics to japenese, why is it then more famed for its commercial aspects than a mix of colourful and interesting cultures. Like for the most part i've heard everyone say in terms of holiday, going to Austraila, Spain, even turkey; you know and they'll come back and tell you all about the lifestyle the way of life, any who come back from america merely talk about the theme parks, big buildings, disney, universal, basically the fact everything is way bigger from shops to football grounds. I just think well you know America is a massive continent surely theres more to it than that.
In reply to:
Don't confuse the American government with American citizens. Most Americans don't give a rats ass about what happens outside of North America.
this one has a simple reply whos puts those fools in government?? the citizens is it not :confused:
In reply to katie lou, i wasnt be stereotypical was i :open_mouth: aw well if i was i apologise. But why cant i love and hate america it does have so much great things, yet it could be so much better and as the leading country in the world and main defender of the western world, should it be trying harder to clean up its act.
In reply to robbob, ill admit all thats ever on over here is those crappy pokemon, beyblade etc, honestly never seen or heard of any of the ones you mentioned, so cant really comment but ill take your word that their good and definatley look out for them, i love cartoons.
well thats my reply to your reply to me, i hope im not coming across as some anti-american fool, cause im honestly not id like to think some of comments are fair enough. At least this post threw up something a little more interesting, hopefully someone theres going to hit back at this reply, :grin: -
i hope im not coming across as some anti-american foolNo, not at all. Every country has its flaws, and big countries sometimes have big flaws.As I said, people who immigrate to the U.S. tend to assimilate, certainly by the second generation. Their cultural traditions are subsumed by American culture at large. People who strive for economic opportunity, a stereotypical American tradition, tend not to find it in ethnic ghettos. However, there are ethnic enclaves in bigger cities, such as Chinatowns, Italian neighborhoods, and so on. It's interesting to see how ethnic immigrant neighborhoods in New York City have morphed over the past 150 years. The Jewish, Italian, Irish, etc. neighborhoods came and went. There are still ethnic neighborhoods, but they hold only a very small percentage of their specific populations virus the U.S. at large.Intermarriage has been common for some time. There are may people who have at least four different national heritages, and more than one race. If you're Tiger Woods, how do you describe yourself?"American cuisine", or what people cook, is an evolved mixture of what people brought with them from their native countries. We have pizza, for instance, but it's not quite what you're likely to find in Rome. Likewise for Chinese food. Native cuisine consists of things like barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, spicy Buffalo wings, and white bread (blechh!), but they're mostly things that were invented for convenience and/or by accident.There are chefs who cook distinctive dishes made exclusively with local ingredients, but they tend to be esoteric concoctions, and most Americans are not willing to spend the time to cook complicated meals. It's also often not easy to get unusual ingredients, unless you're willing to spend a lot of money at the market.Another thing that takes American cuisine down a notch is the need for convenience. Americans want all kinds of fresh items at all times of the year. That means that produce has to travel a lot. Since America is so big, it also means that produce has to travel far. That means that fruits and vegetables are bred and handled more for shipping than for eating. You can get tomatoes any time of the year in every corner of the country, but they tend to have a dreadful taste and texture. (You tend to forget what a tomato is supposed to taste like until you try one from someone's garden.)I grew up in what was once a big agricultural area (the boondocks of Miami). There were many, many acres of tomatoes, bell peppers, some citrus (most comes from further north in Florida), and other things. I could walk to a farm stand and buy tomatoes that would put any supermarket tomato to shame. Now there are houses and condos where the farms used to be.The difficulty in getting good, fresh ingredients is not a great inspiration to experiment with cooking.At the risk of beating this idea to death.... People who come to the U.S. from very poor countries are amazes at the huge, diverse selection of food in U.S. supermarkets. Even Gorbachev was when he first saw the inside of a big U.S. store. He wondered whether it was a put-on for his visit. But what's not at first obvious is that a lot of what you find in an American market is crap. I won't even talk about the shelves upon shelves of processed foods that help Americans to become among the most overweight of all human populations, wracked by degenerative diseases.___________________________________What kind of distinct culture would you expect to find in a country that had a small population spread over a large area until fairly recently? The U.S. exports its culture through the entertainment industry. The world eats it up -- like junk food. The movies and music present a distorted view of American culture, which in reality is quite boring, as it is in most places. People are too busy trying to earn a living to worry about who's soloing at the opera house this week.___________________________________I thing it would be unfair for foreigners to resents Americans for the first four years of the Bush Administration, since they didn't really know what they were going to get, and there were serous irregularities in the election (that Bush did not win the popular vote is not in dispute). It's harder to explain away the re-election of Bush. There were irregularities in that election too (especially in Ohio), but Bush did win the popular vote that time. All I can say is that the political process in a bit screwy, and a particularly weak candidate wound up running against Bush.Bush and his people did a fantastic job of demagoguing, and they were able to keep a lot of citizens in a state of near-constant fear. People in small towns in Iowa were worried that Muslim terrorists were going to blow up their grain silos. They didn't get the idea that the emperor was naked, and in fact completely incompetent, until the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. Embarrassingly, other countries were more on the ball in getting aid to the victims than the U.S. own government was. Now it's obvious to all but the most brain-washed that the Iraq adventure is a disaster, and Afghanistan is going in the wrong direction.In any case, Bush and his political party were repudiated in the recent mid-term elections. Bush's popularity is at or near an all-time low now, at 32%, I think, in the most recent poll. (You have to wonder what that 1/3 is thinking.)Americans tend to be insular -- they don't keep up with foreign news -- because they can be. No one is likely to gather on the borders or attack from the oceans any time soon. Less threat breed more apathy, and the idea that the politicians can just take care of it. Hopefully American citizens will learn something from the Iraq experience.
