jimk
Well-known member
Here is a juicy non-ski, summertime topic; what are some of the well known misconceptions Europeans have about America? And how do you feel about them? I guess you could also address misconceptions Americans have about Europe, but that might be too much to bite off at one time. You folks that travel internationally more than I may have some good input on this. And hopefully, this doesn't deteriorate into a bunch of ugly political arguments.
I was somewhat inspired to address this topic by the WST thread and also after recently stumbling across this youtube post of two (slightly naive) Brits attempting to cheerfully debunk a few myths about the USA:
Here are a few of my comments on the subject.
All Americans are fat and stupid: we do have a problem with supersize food portions, we do eat out too much, but don't we have the best system of higher education in the world?
Americans have a lack of culture, a lack of knowledge about world history, and can be disrespectful of other countries: I suppose the Ugly American syndrome is alive and well. I can't speak for others, but I love world history and enjoy other cultures. I just love most American stuff more
American two-party politics is messed up and a poor form of democracy: No doubt the US Govt is inefficient and frustrating, but I'll respond with a 200 year old quote from Thomas Jefferson that still seems applicable: "With all the imperfections of our present government, it is without comparison the best existing, or that ever did exist."
America is full of hate speech, intolerance, misogyny, and overly conservative MAGA nuts: I'm an old, white male, so I'm probably not the best to comment on this one, but I don't hate anybody. I just don't agree with some people on certain principles, but I respect their right to lawfully disagree with me. Everyone in America does not fall into just two camps: very liberal and very conservative. There is a huge grey area of sensible people in the middle trying to get along with each other. Also, didn't the UK have a wacky, populist, conservative leader just a few years ago??
Americans celebrate gun ownership and tolerate dangerous crime levels: I lament the frequent rate of mass shootings in our country. It's tragic and I favor gun control, but to be honest, does any member here know anyone that has ever suffered from gun violence? Does anyone here even own a gun? Not I.
Americans lack decent basic healthcare: I've always had good healthcare/insurance so it's a moot point for me, but I sympathize with Americans that don't. I was ok with Obamacare as long as it didn't negatively impact my personal situation. Also, can't poor people go to the nearest ER in America and get treated for emergencies, regardless of insurance and the ability to pay?
Americans reject public transportation and want to selfishly drive cars everywhere/every time: guilty, however I did use public transportation as my primary form of commuting to work for a dozen years or more. Also, in America we clearly have less population density than much of Europe, which disincentivizes mass transit solutions.
Americans are overly friendly and obnoxiously verbose: guilty. I love to blab with captive audiences on a chairlift. Here's a stranger from the Ukraine that I skied with for about two hours at Snowbird this April:
Americans have a superiority complex and are crazy patriotic: Well, the US GDP is about 60% larger than number two China and we have the most powerful military in the world. Our defense budget is greater than the next eight countries combined. I think national patriotism, rather than regional patriotism, is one of the secret sauces that unifies the great American melting pot. It's one of the few things almost all Americans agree upon - that we live in the land of opportunity with many great freedoms despite all our differences.
Americans suck at geography: perhaps true for international knowledge? The US is big and self sufficient. Many Americans (30-40%) never have the need/desire to leave the country. Also, our states are as big as European countries. It is possible Americans might score about as well with a geography test on neighboring states as Euros would do on their neighboring countries.
I was somewhat inspired to address this topic by the WST thread and also after recently stumbling across this youtube post of two (slightly naive) Brits attempting to cheerfully debunk a few myths about the USA:
Here are a few of my comments on the subject.
All Americans are fat and stupid: we do have a problem with supersize food portions, we do eat out too much, but don't we have the best system of higher education in the world?
Americans have a lack of culture, a lack of knowledge about world history, and can be disrespectful of other countries: I suppose the Ugly American syndrome is alive and well. I can't speak for others, but I love world history and enjoy other cultures. I just love most American stuff more
American two-party politics is messed up and a poor form of democracy: No doubt the US Govt is inefficient and frustrating, but I'll respond with a 200 year old quote from Thomas Jefferson that still seems applicable: "With all the imperfections of our present government, it is without comparison the best existing, or that ever did exist."
America is full of hate speech, intolerance, misogyny, and overly conservative MAGA nuts: I'm an old, white male, so I'm probably not the best to comment on this one, but I don't hate anybody. I just don't agree with some people on certain principles, but I respect their right to lawfully disagree with me. Everyone in America does not fall into just two camps: very liberal and very conservative. There is a huge grey area of sensible people in the middle trying to get along with each other. Also, didn't the UK have a wacky, populist, conservative leader just a few years ago??
Americans celebrate gun ownership and tolerate dangerous crime levels: I lament the frequent rate of mass shootings in our country. It's tragic and I favor gun control, but to be honest, does any member here know anyone that has ever suffered from gun violence? Does anyone here even own a gun? Not I.
Americans lack decent basic healthcare: I've always had good healthcare/insurance so it's a moot point for me, but I sympathize with Americans that don't. I was ok with Obamacare as long as it didn't negatively impact my personal situation. Also, can't poor people go to the nearest ER in America and get treated for emergencies, regardless of insurance and the ability to pay?
Americans reject public transportation and want to selfishly drive cars everywhere/every time: guilty, however I did use public transportation as my primary form of commuting to work for a dozen years or more. Also, in America we clearly have less population density than much of Europe, which disincentivizes mass transit solutions.
Americans are overly friendly and obnoxiously verbose: guilty. I love to blab with captive audiences on a chairlift. Here's a stranger from the Ukraine that I skied with for about two hours at Snowbird this April:
Americans have a superiority complex and are crazy patriotic: Well, the US GDP is about 60% larger than number two China and we have the most powerful military in the world. Our defense budget is greater than the next eight countries combined. I think national patriotism, rather than regional patriotism, is one of the secret sauces that unifies the great American melting pot. It's one of the few things almost all Americans agree upon - that we live in the land of opportunity with many great freedoms despite all our differences.
Americans suck at geography: perhaps true for international knowledge? The US is big and self sufficient. Many Americans (30-40%) never have the need/desire to leave the country. Also, our states are as big as European countries. It is possible Americans might score about as well with a geography test on neighboring states as Euros would do on their neighboring countries.
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