What is America?

[retslock]

Wienie thread gave me a thought. If an alien landed and you had to show them one video to illustrate what America is, what would it be?

Wienie race is good, but in the below video from years ago when visiting my Alma mater, I think Stephen Frye described it best.

I toured USA extensively back in the early '80s and I came way from that experience with the impression that you find could the best and the worse of humanity in America. There are people and places that will welcome you with kindness, respect and generosity or kill you and take what you have. It's a reflection and an affirmation that there is so much wonder in the world but also that it is and always has been a dangerous place.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Invaded?

Infested.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

So, basically.....

There are great, kind people, obnoxious, rude people, and everything in between in the US....just like everywhere else.

As long as we're all comfortable making sweeping generalizations, the highest percentage of obnoxious people from specific country I've run into while travelling overseas (St. Martin, the Yucatan in Mexico, and Italy, primarily) have been....ready?....sit down...this will be as surprising to you as it was to me, 'cause I've always enjoyed our trips to our neighbors to the north...

Canadians. On MANY occasions, whether we're on the beach making small talk or in a fun surf shack, once many of them find out we're American, they launch into a tirade about what they view as our country's faults. Some have even dogged us down the beach while we politely try to explain that we're not interested in political discussions, especially on vacation.

Go figure. Still...that doesn't mean that's what Canada is. Just that there are a few asswipes that live there and travel.

What is America, as in the USA? It's meant to be what the Constitution says it is. A government of the people, for the people, and by the people. All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights. The pursuit of happiness, reaping the benefits of the promotion of the general welfare. It's a beautiful document. Sure wish we could stick to it better.

The good thing about Canadians is that they will understand "piss off moron".

If only one third of Americans understood how beautiful their constitution is, and took it seriously, it might start a civil war, IMO.

 

[hbarcat]

That's the beauty of music I suppose. I related to this one line right away. This is how I took it....
While I don't have trouble remembering my given name specifically, in the hustle and bustle of life, the 'pain' caused by the stressors that accompany that life make it challenging at times to 'remember my name' in the sense that I have lost track of who I am, what defines me, what I want to do, etc.
In August of 2024, the wife and I did a hike in the desert. While it was indeed hot, it was nice being away from everything. We've had the same experience hiking high in the mountains.

-Mike

That "experience" could be explained by the thinness of the air at high altutudes.

 

[hbarcat]

The good thing about Canadians is that they will understand "piss off moron".

On the rare occasion where a Canadian is bothering you, just punch him in the nose.

By Canadian law, he has to admit that he was wrong, apologize to you, wish you "Good day, eh", and then promptly leave.

 

[FilterFunk]

According to perception rankings, based on Travel Industry polls from companies like Expedia, Skyscanner, and Tripadvisor, Americans are ranked as culturally unaware but generally generous.

On the other hand, British tourists often top the list for worst behaviour in terms of public mischief, especially in party-heavy destinations. They are the most likely to cause a scene, especially when drunk. Currently they are not exactly welcome in Spain, for instance.

Australians to can be similar in Southeast Asia.

So, basically.....

There are great, kind people, obnoxious, rude people, and everything in between in the US....just like everywhere else.

As long as we're all comfortable making sweeping generalizations, the highest percentage of obnoxious people from specific country I've run into while travelling overseas (St. Martin, the Yucatan in Mexico, and Italy, primarily) have been....ready?....sit down...this will be as surprising to you as it was to me, 'cause I've always enjoyed our trips to our neighbors to the north...

Canadians. On MANY occasions, whether we're on the beach making small talk or in a fun surf shack, once many of them find out we're American, they launch into a tirade about what they view as our country's faults. Some have even dogged us down the beach while we politely try to explain that we're not interested in political discussions, especially on vacation.

Go figure. Still...that doesn't mean that's what Canada is. Just that there are a few asswipes that live there and travel.

What is America, as in the USA? It's meant to be what the Constitution says it is. A government of the people, for the people, and by the people. All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights. The pursuit of happiness, reaping the benefits of the promotion of the general welfare. It's a beautiful document. Sure wish we could stick to it better.

I was hoping someone would post something along these lines. I figured there must be "ugly" people from other countries, too!

The stereotype I've heard almost as often as the "ugly American" is the rude, snotty Frenchman. I've never been to France, so I have no idea how much truth there may or may not be in the stereotype, but it does show that perceptions vary.

 

[ryco]

a long road ...

 

[FilterFunk]

a long road ...

View attachment 7245296

^This sums it up just about as well as anything!

Except I would call it a long and winding road.

 

[WG Plum]

I was hoping someone would post something along these lines. I figured there must be "ugly" people from other countries, too!

The stereotype I've heard almost as often as the "ugly American" is the rude, snotty Frenchman. I've never been to France, so I have no idea how much truth there may or may not be in the stereotype, but it does show that perceptions vary.

I never ran into the French stereotype, not even the specific Parisian one. That said, we tried not to induce its manifestation.

 

[MJ5150]

I never ran into the French stereotype, not even the specific Parisian one. That said, we tried not to induce its manifestation.

There's the golden ticket. When one conducts themselves in a socially acceptable way, it reduces the chance of exposure to one who is behaving in a socially unacceptable way. Not a guarantee, but as noted by our very own @WG Plum, we have some control over exposure.

-Mike

 

[jdjk7]

A good friend of mine gave me one of the best (most entertaining) descriptions of the United States that I've ever heard:

"The United States is like 50 third-world countries in a trench coat."

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I was hoping someone would post something along these lines. I figured there must be "ugly" people from other countries, too!

The stereotype I've heard almost as often as the "ugly American" is the rude, snotty Frenchman. I've never been to France, so I have no idea how much truth there may or may not be in the stereotype, but it does show that perceptions vary.

The Waiters i encountered were quite rude, but we were quite brash young soldiers on a sightseeing trip asking for steak. ! Kinda rude of us.

 

[friskinator]

I've always wondered...why do these kinds of Americans even bother traveling abroad? They can act aggressively ignorant right here in the good ol' US of A! Why are such people anywhere near the Louvre or the Parthenon? They should just go to Las Vegas and pretend they've traveled to distant lands!

My parents are both in their 70s and have never traveled outside the US. They also don't travel in the US, and they aren't even interested in my travels. Not saying they'd be like the travelers we're referring to here, but considering their lack of curiosity, it's probably better that they stay home.

 

[FilterFunk]

My parents are both in their 70s and have never traveled outside the US. They also don't travel in the US, and they aren't even interested in my travels. Not saying they'd be like the travelers we're referring to here, but considering their lack of curiosity, it's probably better that they stay home.

I'm in my 60s, and I've never traveled outside of the US. I've done some traveling in the US, but not extensively. I happen to think travel is a good thing, but I've simply never had a burning desire to travel.

That said, I have a great interest in hearing about other people's travels (as long as they're not going on and on bragging about it), and I love watching documentaries about distant lands and cultures. What I can't abide are people who take a few trips abroad and suddenly think they're Ernest Hemingway! They didn't climb the sheer face of a cliff, explore an uncharted jungle, or ride a 100-foot wave - they spent most of their time sightseeing or laying out on a beach. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Just stop trying to make it more than what it is.

And then there's this quote-turned-meme:

Let's face it - the kind of travel that the vast majority of people engage in doesn't involve stowing away on a tramp steamer, hitching rides across a continent, or staying in youth hostels. It involves airlines, hotels, rental cars, restaurants, etc. - all of which cost MONEY!!! And the "courage" part? How much courage does it take to go on a typical vacation?

This is the perfect answer to the above quote:

 

[friskinator]

I'm in my 60s, and I've never traveled outside of the US. I've done some traveling in the US, but not extensively. I happen to think travel is a good thing, but I've simply never had a burning desire to travel.

That said, I have a great interest in hearing about other people's travels (as long as they're not going on and on bragging about it), and I love watching documentaries about distant lands and cultures. What I can't abide are people who take a few trips abroad and suddenly think they're Ernest Hemingway! They didn't climb the sheer face of a cliff, explore an uncharted jungle, or ride a 100-foot wave - they spent most of their time sightseeing or laying out on a beach. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Just stop trying to make it more than what it is.

And then there's this quote-turned-meme:
View attachment 7246042

Let's face it - the kind of travel that the vast majority of people engage in doesn't involve stowing away on a tramp steamer, hitching rides across a continent, or staying in youth hostels. It involves airlines, hotels, rental cars, restaurants, etc. - all of which cost MONEY!!! And the "courage" part? How much courage does it take to go on a typical vacation?

This is the perfect answer to the above quote:
View attachment 7246081

Yes, it certainly isn’t cheap, and I would never judge anyone for not having the funds. But my parents have the cash, and they’ve always been healthy. They simply don’t care. I guess if you don’t care, you aren’t technically missing anything.

 

[SkylineFiver]

…..my favorite Yes song (written by Simon & Garfunkel)…

 

[gln1955]

I'm in my 60s, and I've never traveled outside of the US. I've done some traveling in the US, but not extensively. I happen to think travel is a good thing, but I've simply never had a burning desire to travel.

That said, I have a great interest in hearing about other people's travels (as long as they're not going on and on bragging about it), and I love watching documentaries about distant lands and cultures. What I can't abide are people who take a few trips abroad and suddenly think they're Ernest Hemingway! They didn't climb the sheer face of a cliff, explore an uncharted jungle, or ride a 100-foot wave - they spent most of their time sightseeing or laying out on a beach. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Just stop trying to make it more than what it is.

And then there's this quote-turned-meme:
View attachment 7246042

Let's face it - the kind of travel that the vast majority of people engage in doesn't involve stowing away on a tramp steamer, hitching rides across a continent, or staying in youth hostels. It involves airlines, hotels, rental cars, restaurants, etc. - all of which cost MONEY!!! And the "courage" part? How much courage does it take to go on a typical vacation?

This is the perfect answer to the above quote:
View attachment 7246081

That quote is typical of someone who has money.

I’ve been in Scandinavia the past week and everything costs money, just like traveling in the US or staying at home.

 

[Aric Bjorn]

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I used to laugh at my American friends who would talk to Germans in Englush, with a slight German accent. Like that helped.

Pretty funny how i made a comment and didnt check my spelling.

 

[OldShark]

I think the very same people that say ugly things about America or Americans, if you grand them a green card they will move to the states in the blink of an eye.

As a German citizen, I don't think that meets the current situation. At least German folks are way more hesitant to visit the USA in these months than they have been for decades...
Edit: Please don't treat that as a political statement, it's just a view from the other side of the Atlantic.