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Why does the Turks call the Armenian Genocide " the lies of the Armenians" ? |
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... |
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Ancient rome and greece contributions? |
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Should I go to Turkey with my turkish friend? |
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Reality |
Do Europeans sometimes look down upon certain types of Americans? |
Part of me regrets moving to Florida from New York. Yes, the weather here is perfect, and there are a lot of economic opportunities for those few people willing to get a good education and work, but there are way too many people who are like my neighbors, whom I share a driveway with.
This morning, they were out there, getting Earl Junior ready for school (it's his second go-round in second grade), revving up their giant truck (that requires a ladder for L'il Earl to climb into), talking really loudly and blocking the driveway. Big Earl and his fat wife were wearing matching NASCAR jackets -- you know, with all the labels on them. The color theme was mostly yellow with a big Cheerios logo written across their chests.
So I look out of the kitchen window and Krystka, my European girlfriend, is waiting impatiently on her moped to get by this hulking mass of metal and car exhaust and rednecks. She beeps the little horn on the cute orange moped, but they can't hear it over their engine. Additional Details Finally, she gets off the bike and yells in her cute Polish accent, "Can you move that environmental nightmare, you freakin' hillbillies?!"
They didn't take too kindly to this, telling her to go back to her own country and to hug a tree. I believe they also called her "Eurotrash." I ran out and made peace (I never talk to these people), and they went about their business. I find such longtime locals easy to manage, but Krystka, on the other hand, had a difficult time with them. I have heard her making fun of less educationally advantaged white Americans before, come to think of it. For example, she told my daughter once that a boy who was interested in her in school, the son of a single mom who works part-time as a lunch aide, would someday be "pumping gas" and to aim higher. Another time, Krystka said that she refuses to shop in Walmart because "the dregs of humanity shop there, drinking beer in the parking lot and belching." |
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t_maia2000
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I'm German and confronted with a similar situation I would have thought something along the same lines as Krystka. I wouldn't have given them the finger or said something so rude out loud though.
I personally hate rednecks with a passion. This is mainly bc I hate US foreign policy. US citizens like these redneck neighbors of yours get to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections, elections which can literally change the course of history. No problem with that in general, but: What US voters decide is not trivial - would the USA have gone to War in Iraq if somebody else than George W. Bush had been President? Yet most of the people who vote couldn't care less about "all that foreign stuff" - if they care to vote at all.
When I was in the USA I once ran into a woman who asked me where I was from bc I talked funny. When I said "Germany", she asked: "Where is this? Is this in the Midwest?" I've been desperately trying to forget this incident, but with Clinton, Obama and McCain on CNN 24/7 it plainly gives me the creeps.
In a way the Americans who do go to Europe are some of the best and brightest, bc they could at least find their way to the passport agency. Even if they just go to Paris or Italy they are aware that there are other countries beside the USA and that there is history that pre-dates the Declaration of Independence. Doesn't mean that these tourists are bright shining examples of the US education system though. To the contrary, plenty of them are just like Valeriya K described. But they take an interest, which is more than can be said for Big Earl and his wife.
Your Krystka might be from a small village in Poland, but she is in the USA now. If she is an au-pair this is going to be temporary, but at least she got out of her village. She is living abroad, learning a foreign language to foster a possible future career. (About how many US-Americans can you say that?) All in all she has moved up quite a bit, so she can be proud of herself. Sure, she could tone it down in front of others. But she seems to be very young, so she'll learn. |
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random thoughts
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So you want honest answers.........
You say in the question "Krystka, my European girlfriend" and on your profile "I'm a working artist who lives in a beautiful part of the US with a wife (Claire, attorney), son and daughter (Ralph and Barb), au pair (Krystka)"......... or is it really than Claire is your wife and the au-pair is your bit on the side!
Sorry to sound like a smartass but maybe a bit more honesty in the question would result in a bit more honesty in the answer! |
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John
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Well how redneck of her to provide them the one finger salute. She appears to fit right in with those she seems to snub her nose at.
Social classes exist in many countries, the difference is some countries try hard not to air their dirty laundry; unless one seems to be in a country that is not their own. |
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Jennie
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What is so wrong with rednecks? |
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~NIKKI~
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I think it is common for Americans to think less of those Certain types of Americans to be honest with you
How annoying |
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pachl@sbcglobal.net
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I moved to Europe a year and a half ago, so I know the European mindset. Regarding Americans, it's a mixed bag. Here are the pros and cons.
PROS:
Americans have the universal reputation of being kind and generous people. The vast majority of Europeans who visit America come back with stories of how they were the recipient of some unexpected kindness or generosity that would be unheard of in Europe.
Americans are also seen as very open and friendly.
CONS: Here's an example that illustrates how pervasive the concept of "American stupidity" is: I was in a store here in Prague. While the other shoppers (Italian, Spanish, Russian) had no trouble understanding how things worked, the American seemed like a perplexed, somewhat mentally challenged child. He didn't seem to be able to even converse in English as he stumbled to explain what he wanted. The kicker was this: since the employee simply couldn't grasp how this person could be so completely incompetent, the manager just whispered two words to clarify the situation: "he's American".
How humilliating.
But that's how most American tourists seem to be. They are the ones who perpetually have a semi-glazed, lost look in their eyes. They seem like rubes. It's not easy for me to say this. I am American, and proud of our country.
Americans are also notorious for being inept at languages. Europeans easily pick up several languages, and speak them with ease. Americans, even if they have studied a language in school, seem to just blunder through it all. I'm a bit better than most, but by no means a whiz at foreign languages.
One misconception about Americans is that there is no indigenous culture, cuisine, and that Americans are uncultured. What's ironic is that American culture is perhaps the most vibrant on earth, and so pervasive that people don't even realize that most of what they hear on the radio and see in the movies is American. Popular language (slang), dance, and sports are driven by Americans. There most certainly is "American" cuisine, but Europeans seem to think we all eat hamburgers every day. They should go to Chicago and eat at "Prarie", which highlights American cuisine.
What really has destroyed the image of America are shows like Phil Donahue, and all those "reality" shows that take the dregs of society and pawn them off as "typical" Americans. That's really what has denigrated our image past repair. |
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Valeriya K
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Hm... As an American who has lived abroad (specifically in Italy and England), I would say that Europeans definitely look down upon certain types of Americans- the obnoxious people who get in their faces and speak very slowly and loudly to them so they'll 'understand' English, even if they don't speak it. Or the people who cut to the front of the queue at the bus stop, wear jeans to church, chew their food with their mouth open, leave dinner early and get really pissing drunk on the bus. And make no effort to learn the local language (if applicable).
People who do the aforementioned make me sink a little lower in my seat and mumble "I'm not from there, honestly." and given that we have 50 states, it's true 49 times out of 50. Basically, people hate rude tourists. If you're polite, and make an effort to respect local customs and courtesy, people will appreciate it.
Having said all that, I have to say I think Krystka is being a bit rude herself- I sympathise with her frustration, but she's doing her own country a disservice by her behavior. Again though, I really sympathise- I'm used to taking public transport (not because of any strong green-leanings, but I'm a poor student) and Americans often come across as very wasteful and thoughtless. |
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Wako Jako
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As a British person living in abroad i can safely say that most British people look down on people that are not British. This is especially the case for paki's, indians, and americans.... but in general i do believe that the British and most other Europeans do see Americans as being below us. It doesn't matter what part of the US they are from....its all the same to us!!! your still american....hope that clears things up.. sorry if its a bit harsh.. :) |
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jk1967
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i guess they probably do since we bailed them out in both world wars and anytime they need money they come too us for a hand out maybe it is mostly jealousy. |
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autumn
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Yes, it is common for some Europeans to look down their noses at Americans. It seems to becoming more and more common all the time. It used to be you mostly heard that about the French, but now it seems we have few alliances. Personally, I think your Krystka is a snob, and the worse kind, an insecure snob. She fears she is so much like the people she puts down that she hates them all the more. I hate stereotypes, but that's just the kind of world we live in. It's so bad all that America has done for all the other countries that now hate us. That is the thanks we get. Of course, this is a different generation we're speaking of now. This kind of attitude is prevalent, no matter which country you're talking about. They're quick to judge and put down, they're always right and the other person's always wrong. No understanding and no compromise.
I loved how you described your neighbors. That is so funny! I can't wait for your book to come out. |
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