what is the image of americans?

simu · 16-01-2006 01:21AM

Irish people, honest? Ha! Try following Irish politics for about a week.

Oh and there is no one image of Americans here - it's too big a place for that!

twentycentshift · 16-01-2006 01:22AM

simu wrote:

Oh and there is no one image of Americans here - it's too big a place for that!

that makes sense......

county · 16-01-2006 01:24AM

don't worry mate,i have a few drinks in me so my spelling could go a bit pear shaped very soon:eek:

40crush41 · 16-01-2006 01:25AM

well, tom you'll be moving to australia one of these days no?

I guess I'm still young enough to not feel the terrible affects of the country, I still have a lot of hope here. sure theres a Lot of cultural aspects of it that I don't care for... but I'll take the good with the bad as long as I'm here.
Make the best of whats around and all that good stuff.

Sangre · 16-01-2006 01:27AM

Anyone who calls an american fat should check out California.
Man, they were take the piss good looking.

galwaydude · 16-01-2006 01:40AM

i may be biased too considering im marrying a yank in april:D

From my experiences in the states i have to say that i have the upmost respect for americans. I find it hard to believe that bush is still there though as most people i talked too overthere were embaressed by him and didnt vote for him. Some of his policies are baffling.

Role on the next elections!!!

twentycentshift · 16-01-2006 01:41AM

40crush41 wrote:

well, tom you'll be moving to australia one of these days no?

I guess I'm still young enough to not feel the terrible affects of the country, I still have a lot of hope here. sure theres a Lot of cultural aspects of it that I don't care for... but I'll take the good with the bad as long as I'm here.
Make the best of whats around and all that good stuff.

hi beth.

yeah, my wife and i may be moving to aussie, but not as a way of leaving the u.s., if you know what i mean. i have a lot of love for the basic principles of america- the freedoms determined in the constitution. and i do have a lot of hope for our future. i don't want to abandon america. i'd like to see it through, but personally, i will find a better life for myself in another place. i've always wanted to move to either england, scotland, ireland, or more recently australia or new zealand. i find that my own sense of self is better expressed in another culture. hard to explain really.

BigArnie · 16-01-2006 01:42AM

El_Nino wrote:

Hmm I dont know about what I think of Americans, but I think we have something in common. Im also deathly ashamed of my nationality when compared with my locals.

Everytime I go to the pub for a few drinks with my friends, I take a look around and all I see is dribling alcoholics in denial. The retards go out 2+ nights a week and get hammered.

Then they complain about how much everything costs in ireland, and your thinking, "Hey dumbass, howabout you save the 100+ Euro you spend every god damn weekend on raping your liver, and see if you can afford the overpriced goods then."

Then we get the, jesus half these immigrants are scumbags, ect ect, now howabout we go for a few scoops get ****faced, and call in sick to work tomorow?
Wow check out that bird, shes hot. Yeah when she isnt falling flat on her face puking litres of vodka.

Wow! Check out the foaming-at-the-mouth, self perpetuating, off-topic, self-righteousness of that one. Not bad for a second post! I agree with you though - the whole of Ireland are drunken idiots but you and I are perfect, eh? :rolleyes:

As for Americans - Americans are cool. America is a great country to visit. I ferking LOVE Chicago; was there for the first time two years ago and am definitely going to go back. Will do Florida again some day when I have kids of my own

And will definitely get to LA some time. Sooner rather than later hopefully - I've always wanted to casually ask a woman how much she paid for her tits. Oh - and Dennys Bodybuilders Breakfast with extra crispy bacon. Very choice!

What do I not like about America? Their foreign policy and the fact that it's starting to drag normal Americans down the same road that Hitler dragged Nazi Germany.

twentycentshift · 16-01-2006 01:42AM

galwaydude wrote:

i may be biased too considering im marrying a yank in april:D

From my experiences in the states i have to say that i have the upmost respect for americans. I find it hard to believe that bush is still there though as most people i talked too overthere were embaressed by him and didnt vote for him. Some of his policies are baffling.

Role on the next elections!!!

right on!!

lazydaisy · 16-01-2006 01:43AM

I think its funny when Irish people say refer to the American bastardisation of the English language. The irony is palpable.

Im from NYC. We make fun of texans [your usual northeastern establishment snobbery] a lot but I have always found texans to be lovely people.

A friend of mine who is of Irish descent - their cousins [from MAYOOH] were visiting him and his family in New Jersey. She made this huge effort with all the cliches, made ham and cabbage, bought guinness, etc etc, you get the picture, well his cousin arrived and was dressed in hip hop fashion listening to Eminem with bleached hair, etc... it was just a very funny refraction of how each side perceives each other.

Twentycentshift- its not like that here in the northeast, people here are VERY opinionated and no one is losing their freedom, their jobs [well yes they did, thanks to AL Q post 911], or living under anything close to a dictatorship. There's nothing like living abroad to make you like the US again. You should do it.

twentycentshift · 16-01-2006 01:46AM

BigArnie wrote:

What do I not like about America? Their foreign policy and the fact that it's starting to drag normal Americans down the same road that Hitler dragged Nazi Germany.

that's what i fear the most...................

twentycentshift · 16-01-2006 01:59AM

lazydaisy wrote:

Twentycentshift- its not like that here in the northeast, people here are VERY opinionated and no one is losing their freedom, their jobs [well yes they did, thanks to AL Q post 911], or living under anything close to a dictatorship. There's nothing like living abroad to make you like the US again. You should do it.

those freedoms are being lost all over our country. bush's croneys listening in on phone calls without warrants, the FCC telling us what can and cannot be spoken on air..... a six month old baby was not allowed to fly the other day because he had the same name as a restricted person, FEMA's negligence of poor americans in part because our money was being used to fight iragis, who were never assosciated with al qeda. i could go on and on.

i don't mean to disagree with you, but i have lived abroad, and i was blown away by the acceptance of differences where i lived. people were very laid back, not uptight about things like sex, or the length of a man's hair, or even confrontation-- you could actually disagree with someone and not have to worry about them going postal on you. and i live in texas now, but i am from the northeast. there are some differences, but we're all under the same umbrella here. we're in real trouble......

Endurance Man · 16-01-2006 02:03AM

Im sure there are lots and lots of nice people but in my mind, as a whole, they are a bunch of ignorant fools

lazydaisy · 16-01-2006 02:27AM

Yes, you should get out now ... before they start putting us all in concentration camps, removing the fillings from our teeth, make lampshades out of our skin and rape out children in front of us, and then exterminate us by number.

But who will save us when that happens? I guess Britain will have to do it. No one else would.

Willymuncher · 16-01-2006 03:38AM

Ah they're a lovely crowd in general, its a great country, with some great people and a not so great (imo) government, you've got the odd lot who are dumb war loving "lets kill everyone who disagrees with us" arseholes, but we've got a form of them in Ireland too, all you've to do is take one look at the wannabe RA supporters and you'll see ignorance at its finest. I've travelled a fair bit over there, although its all been down south...and I love it, even managed to grab myself one of the ladies....who I'm now engaged to.

I did get asked the odd silly question when I was there, but I've been asked a lot worse before by people from our neighbouring countries...

Goodshape · 16-01-2006 04:20AM

I must say, I don't think I've ever met an American (in Ireland, or in Prague for that matter (loads of Americans there)) who was in favour of their current government policys.

And maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but most of the U.S. citizens on the 'net seem pretty pissed off about it too.

My own patented quick-fix solution (yea, right) is that you need to stop apologising for yourselves, band together, and ****ing do something about it.

And sorry, but I don't mean vote -- I don't have any faith in the two party system. Voting is all well and good but the lines are so blurred right now that it hardly makes a difference. Think outside the box and get something done. What you have to remember is that no matter what party is 'in power', they are your government -- you are not their subjects. You can make them do whatever you want them to do.. all you need to do is act collectively.

Oh, this is the After Hours forum?.. Sorry, I keep getting my days mixed up. Tomorrow, it's the meeting at the docks!

40crush41 · 16-01-2006 05:41AM

Goodshape wrote:

I must say, I don't think I've ever met an American (in Ireland, or in Prague for that matter (loads of Americans there)) who was in favour of their current government policys.

And maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but most of the U.S. citizens on the 'net seem pretty pissed off about it too.

My own patented quick-fix solution (yea, right) is that you need to stop apologising for yourselves, band together, and ****ing do something about it.

And sorry, but I don't mean vote -- I don't have any faith in the two party system. Voting is all well and good but the lines are so blurred right now that it hardly makes a difference. Think outside the box and get something done. What you have to remember is that no matter what party is 'in power', they are your government -- you are not their subjects. You can make them do whatever you want them to do.. all you need to do is act collectively.

Here here!!!
Now if we could all just stop bickering and get something done...

Lazydaisy, I agree with all of your above -right on.

Goodshape · 16-01-2006 06:14AM

lazydaisy wrote:

But who will save us when that happens? I guess Britain will have to do it. No one else would.

If the U.S. asked for help in a crises (a real crises.. not an "I want to start a war, who's with me?" crises) I'd say they'd get plenty of support. When all is said and done, it's still a very popular country with strong ties to most of Europe.

40crush41 · 16-01-2006 06:49AM

twentycentshift wrote:

i don't mean to disagree with you, but i have lived abroad, and i was blown away by the acceptance of differences where i lived. people were very laid back, not uptight about things like sex, or the length of a man's hair, or even confrontation-- you could actually disagree with someone and not have to worry about them going postal on you. and i live in texas now, but i am from the northeast. there are some differences, but we're all under the same umbrella here. we're in real trouble......

Pardon me, I'm going to ramble for a sec, lets see where I go.
I disagree with you here. Sure, little things like swearing are censored.. and if you want to go back to Janets wardrobe malfunction, so be it. But I just find those to be ironic in our culture where we are fully desensitized to violence and where sex sells. Even if it is in all of the world, if it so unacceptable here, explain to me how everything is sex? To be fair, there may be more of an uptightness towards homosexuals, yet at the same time it seems as if it is becomming more acceptable. I will admit, however, this can be a misconception I have through the media and from where I live.
I'm not getting into if its right or wrong, I just can't see how you can say that our culture doesn't find it acceptable when it is so prominent in our society.
Furthermore, there are discussions that go on with friends or just some people who are around.. neither I have gone postal on anyone, nor heaven knows anyone on me. I don't know who you are talking to, or maybe our topic choices aren't as heated.. however we are capable of discussing abortion, God, gay marriages, iraq.. those are somewhat controversial topics.

I suppose I find it confusing when people say america is either too hedonistic or too ultraconservative, I guess its all relative to which side you are on, but it seems like too big of a contradiction -the truth is that they are both there, both strong, and I feel, both can be dangerous. I say do what this country does best, compromise a bit and make a delicate balance of the two.. but honestly -what do I know?

Correct me where I'm wrong

lazydaisy · 16-01-2006 09:11AM

Right. Try being homosexual in Spain or Saudi. Try being Muslim in France. Vive le difference. Try being a woman in any number of countries. I dont know - where I am no one gives a sh** about the length of a man's hair.Who cares. You know, we have other things to worry about, like the russian roulette we play everytime we take the subway to get to work. Laid back about sex.... what are you talking about, do you mean American women prefer it upright and European like to lie down and think of England? [Sorry couldnt resist] I really dont know what you mean.

Cant say anyone has gone postal on me for disagreeing with them. Certainly hasnt happened in NYC. They'll just go postal if you waste their time or blow up their skyscrapers- an impatient people NYers.

We have a bifuracarted culture - hence the licentiousness [ porn industry etc] and the prudishness [bad language on telly and tsk tsking about a breast showing].

And as for censorhip and the FCC - doesnt that only apply to some channels? like 8 out of the 300 tv channels we have?

So the US would get help in a crisis when the UN decides its a real crisis. Oh phew, Im so relieved.

boardy · 16-01-2006 10:54AM

county wrote:

dont get me wrong but a pet hate of mine is the bastardisation of the english language,ie center,neighbor,color,check,and pronunciation of english words as well but we will not fall out about it:D

Yes, this is really annoying. Quick lesson:
Say "our". Now say "or".
Now say "colour" and then say "color". Which one sounds right? It's not "col" + "our", it's "col" + "or". And the winner is "color!

Right, now let's look at "center".
Say "ter", now say "tre". Which one sounds rights? It's not "cen" + "tre".
Yes, you're getting it ..... "center" sounds rights.

Imagine the audacity of the Americans correcting the spelling of words that were spelt incorrectly by the Brits for years.

Kojak · 16-01-2006 10:57AM

Willymuncher wrote:

Ah they're a lovely crowd in general, its a great country, with some great people and a not so great (imo) government,

Thats a bit of an understatement, IMO.

I find americans to be ignorant, especially when they come visiting here. They still beleive that we all live in thatched cottages and leprachauns roam the streets. :mad: :mad:

kc66 · 16-01-2006 11:02AM

I was walking around Trim Castle years ago when some fat Americans came over and asked "Why did they build the castle so close to the freeway?". Nearly pissed myself laughing and they really hadn't a clue why.

Pigman II · 16-01-2006 11:15AM

My image of americans? A lot of poor black people who are nice enough and non-prejudiced enough to continually vote rich white guys into office. I only wish I was as open-minded.

Bard · 16-01-2006 11:24AM

boardy wrote:

Imagine the audacity of the Americans correcting the spelling of words that were spelt incorrectly by the Brits for years.

Words were never supposed to be spelled phonetically. (oh, excuse me ... foe-netik-ally)... The English came up with the language. They "own" it. It's theirs. Hence it being called the English language. You know? ... Personally, I'll stick with their correct spellings and not the American bastardisations. I'll stick with what actually is right instead of what allegedly "looks" or "sounds" right.

And Americans themselves? - Well there's a few different breeds of them, isn't there? - Iif you judge the entire country based on the sludge from the bottom of the gene pool that makes up 90-odd percent of their tourists that venture in this direction, then you're mistaken to be honest. Most of them are just like you or I. Their system of government and their government itself is something though that makes me pity them. Slightly.

fly_agaric · 16-01-2006 11:27AM

Lazydaisy wrote:

You know, we have other things to worry about, like the russian roulette we play everytime we take the subway to get to work.

Forgive me while I LOL.
Al Qaeda or other terrorists have not attacked any public transport systems in the US yet. They have attacked same in London and Madrid. I think the Algerians may have done it in France too. So stop with the self-pitying rubbish about Americans unique suffering due to terrorism and how nobody else understands their fears please.

Anyway, reading the more knee-jerk anti-American statements on boards.ie seems to be making you bitter and twisted IMO.

You should stay away and read some read freerepublic.com or National Review Online bilge as therapy.

Sleepy · 16-01-2006 11:32AM

America: the land of the contradiction. The land of the bible belt and porn valley, of obsene obesity levels and botox, of freely available automatic weapons and censored television, of MIT and the redneck.

I've never been to America so my observations are completely based on what I've read, seen on television and the movies and American tourists in Ireland (I have to admit, the West Wing was a major crash course in the American political system for me). What strikes me most about the States is the irony of a country that so explicitly seperated church from state being so controlled by it. From an outsider's perspective, something drastic is needed to save America from the moral minority of it's citizens. I've met some of the people who voted for Bush and every one of them has scared me with their ignorance (typical reason for voting for Bush "because I'm a Catholic" -uhm, so was Kerry, but Bush isn't???).

It's funny, the national stereotype of an American is an obese, dumb, gun-loving, religious zealot. Or the stereotypical Republican. The stereotypical Democrat probably resembles the majority of Americans: intelligent, articulate, despairing and overly-apologetic for their fellow-countrymen. If the democrats can learn to stop being apologetic and to go for the jugular in the same fashion as their political opponents do (I'm thinking along the lines of the "John Kerry supports gay-marriage etc." pamphlets that were dumped in the mid-west during the last election) they might stand a chance at turning the country around. In other words, ye need 8 years of Hilary Clinton.

Sleepy · 16-01-2006 11:35AM

Pigman II wrote:

My image of americans? A lot of poor black people who are nice enough and non-prejudiced enough to continually vote rich white guys into office. I only wish I was as open-minded.

Beautiful Quote.

boardy · 16-01-2006 11:45AM

Bard wrote:

bastardisations

I would prefer if you spelled it bastardizations. Thanks.

Bard wrote:

Iif you judge the entire country based on the sludge from the bottom of the gene pool that makes up 90-odd percent of their tourists that venture in this direction, then you're mistaken to be honest.

That's funny: Over 90% of US tourists are sludge from the bottom of the gene pool.
That means I will have to send back 6 and a half relatives when they come to visit from the US (just in case they mix with our wonderful gene pool).

Vorsprung · 16-01-2006 12:27PM

Sleepy wrote:

America: the land of the contradiction. The land of the bible belt and porn valley, of obsene obesity levels and botox, of freely available automatic weapons and censored television, of MIT and the redneck.

Land of contradiction is right. A place where your freedoms are guaranteed, but oh no wait they're not because the President seems to able to skip procedure as he sees fit. Land of the free, but only if you can afford it.

I've travelled all over the States. I've found nice people and some assholes. It's the same anywhere, they are a bit more isolationist than other countries, but that's more a fault of society/government education policy, and I'd have a lot more problems with the government and the degree to which big business is involved in it than the ordinary man on the street.

what is the image of americans?

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