AR Master on 2/6/2007 at 17:53
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caropr on 2/6/2007 at 18:04
Quote:
..., Whilst playing cricket of course lol
of course!
:D
nickie on 2/6/2007 at 18:41
Well, I was in the middle of composing my analysis of those characteristics as evinced by Garrett but I see you've moved.
But I did read the article and 2 things struck me. A lot of 'control' going on and 2 somewhat sad (to me) statements.
Quote:
Valuing the future and the improvements Americans are sure the future will bring means that they devalue that past and are, to a large extent, unconscious of the present. Even a happy present goes largely unnoticed because, happy as it may be, Americans have traditionally been hopeful that the future would bring even greater happiness. Almost all energy is directed toward realizing that better future. At best, the present condition is seen as preparatory to a latter and greater event, which will eventually culminate in something even more worthwhile.
So if the future isn't happy, or should I say goes downhill from the present, what then? And
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Will it make any money? Will it "pay its own way?" What can I gain from this activity? These are the kinds of questions that Americans are likely to ask in their practical pursuit, not such questions as: Is it aesthetically pleasing? Will it be enjoyable?, or Will it advance the cause of knowledge?
I do, however, think I probably understand my 'American' relations slightly better from reading this - I knew they were completely different from me and now I know why!!
Martek on 3/6/2007 at 02:27
Phhht, that #1 was so full of bullshit I couldn't bring myself to read past it to #2 or beyond. Looked like a crock of shit to me.
Renzatic on 3/6/2007 at 04:31
What the hell is so crock of shit about it? I'd love to have personal control over the environment. I think of it as a button. And I'd press it. Then things would go my way.
Kinda like a penile implant. But more encompassing.
Gestalt on 3/6/2007 at 04:33
It reads like the attempts of someone very naive and patriotic attempting to be objective about his country and ultimately failing.
Aerothorn on 3/6/2007 at 05:04
Just read #1. Dunno what Martek is talking about. Sounds classic American to me.
jasee on 3/6/2007 at 08:45
Quote Posted by AR Master
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY
Er, that Americans, IMO and experiences with them, are jolly nice people;)
New Yorkers I thought are very proud of thier city - Central Park was clean and well looked after - beautiful in fact.
The two lads I met on hols were great fun - just not very good at WW2 history ha ha
Phyre on 3/6/2007 at 10:11
Hmm, interesting...
Since I work with people fresh from other countries, I always wonder how they perceive America(ns).
Some of them I was already aware of; Equality, Competition, Informality, & Materialism/Acquisitiveness. However, it never really occurred to me that Change, Privacy and Directness were 'American-isms'.
Personally I think that the 'Control over the Environment' bit is a little overstated, most Americans I know (myself included) seem perfectly willing to admit that "Shit happens".
I think that the Equality one pleases me most; I have little love for hierarchy and caste systems.
Quote Posted by Gestalt
It reads like the attempts of someone very naive and patriotic attempting to be objective about his country and ultimately failing.
It did seem a little too smug, but I think that what the author was hoping to accomplish was to cast these traits in a optimistic light in the hopes that international visitors would try to view them as interesting cultural quirks rather than obnoxious mannerisms to tolerate.
SlyFoxx on 3/6/2007 at 14:16
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Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are that Americans live by.
Wow, good job dude. You lost me with your first sentence.
