How do folks who visit the US talk about the US when they go back?

[brewingmeister]

I'm an American and I have no idea what Devil's Tower is either.

Watch close encounters of the third kind...then build one in your living room.

 

[Shooter]

From my experience in traveling the world and living and working part time in Norway... it depends on who you ask and what their education/information level is... kinda like when talking to people in the US about how they feel about life in the US...

Informed people in Scandinavia and most of Europe just shake their heads when talking about the US... Seeing how the US lags behind the more civilized nations (and many not so civilized ones) in virtually every category, long past time to put the false meme of American exceptionalism to bed for good....

Oh, I see, the educated are well informed about what a $h!thole America is, makes sense...I guess.

I like you Norsk. I like you because you make me smile.

 

[Cathedral]

I'm an American and I have no idea what Devil's Tower is either.

Have you seriously never seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind ever, seriously, like for serious?

Then you, sir, might deserve a good background check on whether you are American or not. It's one of the greatest American sci-fi movies ever. Right next to Star Wars: A New Hope, ET, and Jurassic Park.

 

[Cathedral]

From my experience in traveling the world and living and working part time in Norway... it depends on who you ask and what their education/information level is... kinda like when talking to people in the US about how they feel about life in the US...

Informed people in Scandinavia and most of Europe just shake their heads when talking about the US... Seeing how the US lags behind the more civilized nations (and many not so civilized ones) in virtually every category, long past time to put the false meme of American exceptionalism to bed for good....

The only problem is there is no such thing as a "false meme." There is either a meme, or there is not one. A meme cannot exist that is not real--"false"--otherwise it wouldn't be a meme at all. Maybe you are thinking of the term "stereotype," "misconception," "profile," or "belief."

But not "false belief" because a belief either exists or it doesn't. Just saying. If you can hear me up on your high horse.

 

[Catfish78]

I am an American that has lived in Finland for the last 5.5 years. A majority of people here, and other EU countries believe what the see on TV. All those horrible "Reality" shows, that are as about as far away from normal American life as you can get. When I have friends go on holiday to the US or even move there they typically tell me how nice it is. How the shopping selections are amazing, and how inexpensive everything is. I had a friend come back from Detroit a few weeks ago and was very anxious to hear what he said. He had a great experience and met some good folks. He was seriously concerned for his safety when he left for here. Most of the people I know really enjoy their trips state side and are looking forward to returning.

As for me, once I move back state side, other than friends, I don't think I will miss Finland all too much.

 

[PJoyce85]

From my experience in traveling the world and living and working part time in Norway... it depends on who you ask and what their education/information level is... kinda like when talking to people in the US about how they feel about life in the US...

Informed people in Scandinavia and most of Europe just shake their heads when talking about the US... Seeing how the US lags behind the more civilized nations (and many not so civilized ones) in virtually every category, long past time to put the false meme of American exceptionalism to bed for good....

So, Norway is now considered most of Europe?

I have lived and worked in Germany since 2006 and you know what the educated people said that I have met? "Each country has their own problems. Germany has ours and America has theirs," and so on. From blue collar to white, from students to mechanics, to judges and physicists, they all know that a single nation isn't perfect.

Now to climb off my high horse because I would rather be with the rest of the rational people...

To the OP, I have never heard someone say they want to visit Wisconsin native Minnesotan here.

 

[Catfish78]

I have never heard someone say they want to visit Wisconsin native Minnesotan here.

I have. A diehard Estonian Packer fan. I know, I couldn't believe it either. Flew to the US just to visit Lambeau.

 

[PJoyce85]

I have. A diehard Estonian Packer fan. I know, I couldn't believe it either. Flew to the US just to visit Lambeau.

That is AWESOME!!!

I would have a hard time leaving Estonia (it's wonderful), especially for Wisconsin

Just read you are living in Finland. I enjoyed my time there. Some of the most friendly people I have met. And the food and beer are amazing.

 

[revkip]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKh0P9o6y18&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Skip ahead to 3:50

oh man, classic man on the street gags

Glad to see us yanks finally bombed the **** outta Saskatchewan lol

 

[CTR08]

WI- the land of more lakes than Minnesota. Ok off topic.....

 

[bierhaus15]

From my experience in traveling the world and living and working part time in Norway...

Informed people in Scandinavia and most of Europe just shake their heads when talking about the US... Seeing how the US lags behind the more civilized nations (and many not so civilized ones) in virtually every category, long past time to put the false meme of American exceptionalism to bed for good....

Don't mean to stir **** or feed the troll, but I've been to Norway and most of the Scandinavian ones and sorry to offend, but they are some most boring places on earth. People cant afford to buy anything since costs are so high, booze is astronomical, travel costs mean no one goes anywhere, restaurants and food generally suck, people are friendly but unless you are rich its like a happy prison...

I've been some pretty crap Eastern European countries and for all their problems and inaccessibility to heath, education, and mobility... I'd go back to visit or work way before I step foot in Norway again.

Sorry bud!

 

[+HopSpunge+]

I am not a fat American. I am a husky American.

 

[lou2row]

We only appear fat due to our large American penises.

The women; well yeah, they a little fat.

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

They definitely talk about how fat we are.

When I was in a rural pub in Ireland I overheard a group of guys heckling about "fat Americans" on TV at the bar. They had no clue we were in there because of my heritage, I fit right in.

Instead of becoming angry over the comment, I was actually very humored due to the true nature of their joking. Just kinda sucks being the butt of every countries jokes.

 

[whoaru99]

Just kinda sucks being the butt of every countries jokes.

Pffft...

 

[adiochiro3]

I am not a fat American. I am a husky American.

Don't you mean "fluffy?"

 

[brettg20]

Don't you mean "fluffy?"

Or "well fed"

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Fat, ugly, pill poppin', dumb, gas guzzling SUV's drivin' , live in excessively large homes, eat everything deep fried, fast food, gun happy, spend money on a bunch of MIC junk, always in a rush, wasteful, violent, self centered, ignorant, rude, spoiled, always broke, uneducated, oh... and proud.

Unfortunately, 90% of Americans have 3 or more of the above qualities, me being one of them.

The good news is that we are free to walk around in a haze of stupidity while consuming excessive amounts of unnecessary stuff.

Would I live anywhere else? I can think of a couple countries that I may want to move temporarily one day but for now, I am going to live the "American dream" while enjoying my guns and chocolate covered bacon.

 

[russrob81]

Fat, ugly, pill poppin', dumb, gas guzzling SUV's drivin' , live in excessively large homes, eat everything deep fried, fast food, gun happy, spend money on a bunch of MIC junk, always in a rush, wasteful, violent, self centered, ignorant, rude, spoiled, always broke, uneducated, oh... and proud.

Unfortunately, 90% of Americans have 3 or more of the above qualities, me being one of them.

The good news is that we are free to walk around in a haze of stupidity while consuming excessive amounts of unnecessary stuff.

Would I live anywhere else? I can think of a couple countries that I may want to move temporarily one day but for now, I am going to live the "American dream" while enjoying my guns and chocolate covered bacon.

Amen my friend.

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Amen my friend.

I mean, what other country can you walk around in a semi conscious state of stuper, consuming everything in site and still able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle that billions of others around the world can only dream of.

All of this thanks to our forefathers who made this country great and today we are destroying all of their hard work.

Enjoy the party while it lasts. I'm done ranting.

 

[whoaru99]

Fat, ugly, pill poppin', dumb, gas guzzling SUV's drivin' , live in excessively large homes, eat everything deep fried, fast food, gun happy, spend money on a bunch of MIC junk, always in a rush, wasteful, violent, self centered, ignorant, rude, spoiled, always broke, uneducated, oh... and proud.

Unfortunately, 90% of Americans have 3 or more of the above qualities, me being one of them.

The good news is that we are free to walk around in a haze of stupidity while consuming excessive amounts of unnecessary stuff.

Would I live anywhere else? I can think of a couple countries that I may want to move temporarily one day but for now, I am going to live the "American dream" while enjoying my guns and chocolate covered bacon.

Geez man...maybe you should move.

 

[Pappers_]

Don't mean to stir **** or feed the troll, but I've been to Norway and most of the Scandinavian ones and sorry to offend, but they are some most boring places on earth. People cant afford to buy anything since costs are so high, booze is astronomical, travel costs mean no one goes anywhere, restaurants and food generally suck, people are friendly but unless you are rich its like a happy prison...

Sorry bud!

Well, I can't speak to whether you were bored, etc. But, to say that its like a prison is misleading - factually, emperically, the standard of living in nearly anyway you measure it for the average Swede, Dane or Norwegian is higher than in the US. Partly that is because they don't have the extreme disparity that we do, have a much smaller population and are more homogenous, but nonetheless, the average Scandinavian has a higher standard of living.

And I whole heartedly disagree about the food - I love Scandinavian cooking!

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Geez man...maybe you should move.

No thanks bro. I think you got me wrong. I love my country - just dislike the overabundance of dead-weights who are dragging the image of our great nation down.

Somewhere, somehow, we went from a nation where the majority believes in self reliance to spoiled and reliant upon the govt. Not trying to start a political discussion but just wanted to defend my love for my country.

There are still still plenty good folks out there who are not contributing to this stereotypical image.

 

[Black]

Aside from extra-low income taxes, low sales taxes, cheaper EVERYTHING from gas to food to cars.... There's not much difference between here and the US. Pretty much the same people except that we speak french here. Guys like to drive pickups, girls listen to reality t.v. and we brew beer.

You would not have to break my arm to have me move to the US, although I love my country like no one, for I am serving it.


Cheers !

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Aside from extra-low income taxes, low sales taxes, cheaper EVERYTHING from gas to food to cars.... There's not much difference between here and the US. Pretty much the same people except that we speak french here. Guys like to drive pickups, girls listen to reality t.v. and we brew beer.

You would not have to break my arm to have me move to the US, although I love my country like no one, for I am serving it.


Cheers !

That and you say "aye" a lot.

JK

 

[woknblues]

Anyone who has seen a bit of the world knows that, barring serious **** storm countries, it's about the same everywhere. I have lived in South East Asia for years, Canada and in 5 states across the US, traveled in Europe and the middle east. One thing I have found is that deep down, we are all the same. Plenty of fat people everywhere, plenty of poor, plenty of rich. I have ridden to work on a subway, freeways, bicycles, sidewalks, country roads and back alley in jeepneys, rickshaws, motorcycles, busses, ford f250s, company trucks and crown victorias (and my chevrolegs when close enough), and everywhere I was, there were other people doing it too. Everywhere I go, people are hard working, friendly, curious and eager to share their lives with me, and just as eager to find out about mine. I try to speak their language, they try to speak mine, and we both laugh about how bad we are at it.

Screw all this crap about differences that tear us apart. Threads like this make me sad. I love America. It's my country.

/rant done

 

[ColoHox]

Screw all this crap about differences that tear us apart. Threads like this make me sad. I love America. It's my country.

This thread is hilarious. This is not the "why cant we just look deeper and see the human in the rest of us" thread.

America Fkuk-ya!

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Anyone who has seen a bit of the world knows that, barring serious **** storm countries, it's about the same everywhere. I have lived in South East Asia for years, Canada and in 5 states across the US, traveled in Europe and the middle east. One thing I have found is that deep down, we are all the same. Plenty of fat people everywhere, plenty of poor, plenty of rich. I have ridden to work on a subway, freeways, bicycles, sidewalks, country roads and back alley in jeepneys, rickshaws, motorcycles, busses, ford f250s, company trucks and crown victorias (and my chevrolegs when close enough), and everywhere I was, there were other people doing it too. Everywhere I go, people are hard working, friendly, curious and eager to share their lives with me, and just as eager to find out about mine. I try to speak their language, they try to speak mine, and we both laugh about how bad we are at it.

Screw all this crap about differences that tear us apart. Threads like this make me sad. I love America. It's my country.

/rant done

I agree. As humans we are mostly alike.

I will also say that as Americans we are far more wasteful and spoiled when compared to other cultures around the world.

I love my country also, just wish the majority would cease living in a zombie like trance, wake up and smell the coffee.

 

[MalFet]

One thing I've noticed: in contrast to the rest of the world, 90% of Americans believe that 90% of Americans are sheeple. Maybe we're just bad at math?

For example, what does it mean for an "Ordinary Average" guy to call the majority of people zombies? I'm no statistician, but...

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

One thing I've noticed: in contrast to the rest of the world, 90% of Americans believe that 90% of Americans are sheeple. Maybe we're just bad at math?

For example, what does it mean for an "Ordinary Average" guy to call the majority of people zombies? I'm no statistician, but...

Baaaa. I mean wait a second.

The screen name was created to prevent any visiting zombies from perceiving me as a radical.

You know, they read what I write, look at my name, think for a split second about the irony then go back to watching hours of television on their $3,000 easy chair with a BMC in hand.