A question about the US

Well unfortunately as Australians we perceive Americans to be loud, crime ridden and finatical towards religion. In the television we watch, the books we read, the movies we go to see and the news which has been edited. I dont think we know a TRUE American. I dont believe it is our fault as Australians, we merley perceive what we are shown.. The movies we watch are all crime, explosion thrillers etc, the news we are shown on TV is so religious based everyone including politicians saying "God bless America" and a general fear of going to America with the number 1 threat of being 'mugged'. What is true and what is false we have no idea here. Here in Australia, we are very laid back, there is no emphasis on religion, no one goes around saying God bless Australia, this just would never happen. I am not saying this is right or wrong just that I dont think Australians truly can judge an American fairly. All we see from Australia is movie stars, lots of 'Cop movies' and terrible violent films which seem to come out of America. I personally believe America is the capital of the world and perhaps if we here in Australia saw the true side of the average American we may not be so ignorant.

It's a shame really, the media serves no justice for anyone, no matter where you live. If I believed what I saw on tv or in the movies I'd think that all Asians know karate, the British are snobby and have dry senses of humor, the Polish are imbecilles, Mexicans run around with burritos and wearing somberos(?), Heck I'd even believe that Americans are loud, lazy and greedy if I didn't stop and take a look around.

The sad fact is that the media is a big part of our lives and unfortunatly that's not always a good thing. Often peeking at some American programing makes me sick to my stomach. I've never met anyone like the people you see on Jerry Springer or Jenny Jones but I'm sure they do exsist and I'm glad they're not the norm here. I can see from watching the reality shows why other countries would think we're greedy and obnoxious.

I've never been out of this country before so I don't know what it's like in other countries other than what I've seen on tv, the movies, books and what people have said. If I believed them all I certainly would have no desire to go anywhere but here.

Gee, Rebecca, I thought that Australians all ran around the Outback, wrestled crocodiles and said "Crikey".

Personally, I get a big laugh out of "The Crocodile Hunter". I DO think that he's crazy, though.

Americans don't seem to travel very well (like fine wines?) - I read somewhere that only 30% of the population have a passport and the majority of people who have travelled outside of the US have been with the services (army, navy, airforce etc). But then if we had the weather and the range of natural beauty like you've got then I probably wouldn't bother leaving the country. And yes, the clouds are gathering and it looks like rain here (wettest and coldest July for decades so far - grumble groan).

And yes, all British people are snobby - good job I'm Irish (drink loads, get into fights, have a craic).

Where does the "Polish are imbiciles" stereotype come from? Never heard that one before. In the UK they are almost revered, as so many of the Polish Airforce came over and flew for the RAF during WWII.

And Jerry Springer always makes me laugh - where do they get these people - I'm sure they are all actors and get paid for all their shennanigans and cursing.

I am beginning to think some people are using this thread as a excuse to put Americans on the defensive, and are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Let's not stoop to that level. There may be great differences in other cultures, but so far, we are dealing with countries with Judao-Christian ethics, and our friends from Europe are having fun at our expense. I was wrong in thinking they were interested, but confused. We were only too glad to be on the same side in WWII and will be grateful again, faced with a similar situation.

Sorry - wooden spoon back in the drawer.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

I do know that the Polish joke in the US is the equivalent of the Irish joke in the UK - i.e., thick and stupid.

I also know that the Poles flew for the RAF and together with the British, Canadian, Free French and latterly the US pilots and succeeded in breaking the back of the Fascist stronghold in Europe.

I'm Polish by parentage, although born in London. My husband is largely Irish by parentage.

Blimey!! if popular myth was to believed what would that make our household then?

Sadly there are SO many misconceptions about nationalities we all get caught up with the popular media stereotyping.

FlimFlam - although the Polish were very respected at the start of the Battle of Britain, the British War Cabinet begun a discreditting exercise because they wanted to turn popular opinion against the Poles. Why?

Well Mr Churchill was working with Roosevelt and Stalin on a post-war settlement of territory and unfortunately Poland was to be the main bargaining tool (together with the remainder of the Eastern European states). If the Poles were held in high regard than there would be deep unrest at the thought of Poland being 'sold down the river'.

It succeeded too. For many years my parents endured racist remarks - even some parents at my primary school use to mutter 'Poles go home' under their breath to my mother (late 60s early 70s).

I'm sure FlimFlam and family have received similar treatment. Coz in the 50s, boarding houses in the UK used to have signs up in their windows saying 'No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish'

This isn't an attack on any one nation or political train of thought. But it is, sadly, a fact across the board.

Many nations, displaced persons and even bona fide nationals suffer this in pretty well every country around the world.

We're a daft bunch here on this planet not to be able to get along.

Lecture over - sorry for the rant.

Hey hey hey didn't mean anything by my post I was making a point that if we were to believe everything the media fed us then we'd be making some serious judgemental mistakes.

flimflam, I'm sorry you feel so negatively about Americans but Yola didn't start this thread to bash ANYONE. I personally thought we had a nice discussion about different views around the world, it doesn't have to turn hostile.

AND yes Jeanie I fully agree with you on that last statement. It's a shame we cannot have this discussion without it turning ugly.

Badhabit.

Sorry I wasn't having a go. I thought opening the thread up a little to general perceptions of different nations might encourage further discussion.

I was only pointing things out from my own exeperiences. They're not designed to lash out at anyone - honest.

I know there are loads of different nationalities within the US - and most of them have arrived at their destinations at different times and for different reasons. I bet some families have some cool stories to tell.

Friends again?

Yola, check your pm's.

Forgive my ignorance on the emotive subject of the allies abandonment of Central and Eastern European countries after WWII.

Yes, my parents came to the UK as economic migrants in the late 50s - and they did experience the "no irish, no blacks, no actors, no dogs" sign everywhere. They lived in purely Irish areas in a variety of cities - ghetto-isation (I've made that word up) as they could only get rooms in Irish-run boarding houses. My father learnt to hide his accent in order to keep his nice straight nose and to get a job.

We settled in (very) West London - home to migrants for years - Irish, West Indian, Polish, Ugandan Indians, Somalians etc etc. Everyone was just considered the same - we were all newcomers and tried to make the best of it and get along. I can't remember race being an issue - more religion - with the Muslims and Hindus fighting - and the Catholics and the Sikhs sitting in the pub having a laugh (sorry more stereotyping). My Catholic school did get abuse from other schools in the area (mainly C of E) but mainly because we had to wear the most ridiculous uniform in the world (brown blazers with yellow and blue stripes - yuck) so we were easy targets for the spit bombs from the top deck of the bus.

I'm shocked at hearing of the abuse your poor mother had to deal with, Yola.

I apologise for causing upset to anyone in my previous posts on the initial subject matter. I'll just get my coat.

flimflam, have you heard of the Marshall plan?

For those who are not familiar with the Marshall plan, which helped to rebuild Europe after WWII, here is a quote, followed by my source:

In the speech Marshall outlined the problem: "Europe's requirements are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character." He then suggested a solution: that the European nations themselves set up a program for the reconstruction of Europe, with United States assistance. The significance of Marshall's plan was immediately recognized. On June 13, British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin (1891-1951) predicted that his address "will rank as one of the greatest speeches in world history."


This link describes the 50th. anniversary of the plan as presented in the Library of Congress:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...+Marshall+plan

And he put our money where our mouth was!

I doubt there is really very little difference between on nationality and another. Strip away color, culture, history and religion and you're still going to have a very fallible (and very human) person, who can be a jerk as quickly as they could be a good samaritan.

(By the way, NONE of the previous posts offended me... because there is as much truth in the good as there is in the bad. And I try not to make it a habit to be offended by the truth.)

Americans are a strange bunch. We're so many nationalities (I've got seven in my bloodline and my kids will have still more.) and we assimilate so many other cultures that there is no real "American" culture. American culture is bits and pieces of other cultures that we happen to like. What makes us unique is that rarely we will reject anything (ever see an American try to wish someone a happy holidays in December? It's "Happy Holidays" because we accept so many that a specific greeting would take too long! )

Americans don't really fit into just one catagory. And in a world (yes, world, because Americans are as guilty of this as anyone else,) that like to put people into neat little catagories. This is potentially very disturbing. Here's the catch... other people in other countries don't always fit into those neat little catagories that Americans like to put THEM into.

So what is the point of all this ranting!! [Deep Breath]

Don't assume. It makes an Ass Out Of You And Me, especially when you're talking about any groups in numbers larger than 5.

BTW Kudos for asking the question in the first place.

I just have to add that I think it is so sad that the media portrays us americans the way they do in other countries....I think they mostly just show the bad stuff...and while there is alot of evil over here, there is also an awful lot of good, honest, kind, hard working people who would lend a hand to help their fellow man when it is needed. I think America is a wonderful place to live, and where I live it is so peaceful and beautiful, many people here don't even lock their doors, we have such a low crime rate in this area. People wave at each other going down the road, even if you don't know them...that probably sounds corny, but everyone is just real friendly here. When a neighbor is in need, the people band together to help.
I know there is alot of bad in America, but there is also alot of bad in other countries....look at Bin Laden....but we can't judge all those people over there, just by him.

Well, that discussion let a 'cat out of the bag! Didn't you know all us aussies down here restle crocodiles in our spare time!
Talk about turning into a political issue. I think we as humans, have so much to learn from each other's cultures, religions, habitats, we are so ignorant towards the 'next' person without really knowing who or what they are. If everyone judged poeple on what they saw on TV, or read in books or heard from 'friends' the world would be a very sad place indeed to live in. No-one can afford to be ignorant to different cultures and lifestyles in the world. Ignorance breeds racism, and I strongly believe that you can't 'knock' anything until you have atleast studied, lived, eaten, prayed etc etc. different things. The world is at our finger tips, we should enjoy everything!
(ps. I am non religious but open to anything!)
Bec.

Let's just say I don't judge people by the country the come from, but by the people they are to me!