What is America?

[bass12]

The first thing that comes to mind is: home to the most amazingly diverse landscapes. When I think of the U.S. (which, right or wrong, is what people tend to mean when they refer to "America") I think of the amazing road trips I've done there and how much there is to see.

 

[MoireBass]

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

well ..... something's gonna happen soon, observe the signs

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 coming to America first
The cradle of the best and of the worst
It's here they got the range
And the machinery for change
And it's here they got the spiritual thirst" - "Democracy" by Leonard Cohen

 

[Kubicki Fan]

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.

I am trying to find the law you've mentioned. It would come handy in the future

 

[MJ5150]

I am trying to find the law you've mentioned. It would come handy in the future

We have a friend, and he's a cop eh. He said if they don't apologize he'll press charges eh.

-Mike

 

[pfschim]

I have travelled all over the US and the world for business and leisure. My wife and I lived/worked in the Czech Republic (Prague) for 2 years in 2010-2011. While we were there we travelled extensively in Europe, western, eastern and as far east as Turkey. While we lived in Prague, which is a beautiful city and a huge tourist destination, where the most "ugly" tourists I encountered were Brits, Russians and Chinese. In all my time there, on city streets, riding the excellent metro and public trans system, and going to all kinds of touristy and just regular places, I never encountered the ugly American type anywhere. Drunk and obnoxious Brits for sure, and unbelievably rude and loud Russians absolutely. Chinese tourists in huge gaggles that would knock you off the sidewalk ... check!

My brother and sister have lived in Europe for 30+ years each (UK/Scotland and Spain respectively). They both have hilarious stories about Germans on holiday who take over beach chairs/loungers and prime spots ... it's actually kind of a European meme.

Americans are hardly universally perfect at all, but there are plenty of other nationalities who have some pretty nasty public habits while travelling.

 

[bass12]

I think the worst tourists I've encountered were Canadians in Cuba. Embarrassing. People who back home had no status but were acting like kings to be waited on in this new environment where their money was worth a heck of a lot more than it was back home.

 

[tzohn]

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.

I'm not American either and what I say is my experience from all the previous decades though I think it's the same right now. Maybe not so much in Germany because it's a highly developed country but what I mean is that I'm tired of listening to people say the Americans this, the Americans that, when actually their own government and the whole life style is a copy of the American style. And usually poor copies. There is good America and bad America. That happens everywhere.

 

[Pilgrim]

Non-political, but analytical:

America is both a place and a number of subcultures. The North American continent is an incredibly varied and often beautiful place. It's also undergoing some real social ambivalence with a population that is badly split on important issues. Everyday life is largely unchanged, but the future has some questions around it. If I were from another country and had thoughts to visit the US, I'm not sure that I would do so unless I had some good personal contacts here, and if I were a person of color I believe I would think more than twice about it.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

...the most "ugly" tourists I encountered were Brits, Russians and Chinese.

...stories about Germans on holiday who take over beach chairs/loungers and prime spots ...

As has been discussed here already, there are crude people from everywhere.

I'm curious to know the difference in how people from other countries respond if they hear accusations of their fellow countrymen being "ugly."

The two responses I find most common, here in the states, are joining in the ridicule or just shrugging it off. Do other countries have different responses that are common?

 

[pfschim]

As has been discussed here already, there are crude people from everywhere.

I'm curious to know the difference in how people from other countries respond if they hear accusations of their fellow countrymen being "ugly."

The two responses I find most common, here in the states, are joining in the ridicule or just shrugging it off. Do other countries have different responses that are common?

I'm guessing it's the same the world over

 

[ajkula66]

America is a dream.

For the very select chosen few it comes true.

For many more it turns into a nightmare.

However, for the vast majority of people it simply becomes an eternal hamster wheel.

My $0.02 only...

 

[factory presets]

Just been locked in a death battle with hispanophones about whether the phrase "the Americas" is acceptable or even logical. Turns out people educated in Espanol see only one continent in the western hemisphere. Nearly 70 and that was news to me. New to mi amigos was the notion of North and South America as separate continents is standard among English speakers.

I honestly don't think Americans overall are anywhere near ready to be defining America in a single video

 

[factory presets]

As has been discussed here already, there are crude people from everywhere.

I'm curious to know the difference in how people from other countries respond if they hear accusations of their fellow countrymen being "ugly."

The two responses I find most common, here in the states, are joining in the ridicule or just shrugging it off. Do other countries have different responses that are common?

Believe the phrase refers to a particular type of American and a particular type of ugliness. A British person would be called a colonialist rather than an ugly Brit. If you ain't espousing US economic hegemony they ain't talking about you. Feel free to ignore it

 

[CletusMarley]

That movie class action park. That’s America right there.

I watched it a while back. That is definitely America. Lol

 

[Snibborwocky]

At the moment, my personal opinionated answer to the op question is: PURE INSANITY (let's hope it changes sooner than later).

 

[CletusMarley]

At the moment, my personal opinionated answer to the op question is: PURE INSANITY (let's hope it changes sooner than later).

I agree. But we can't talk about that. Lol