Where do you get off...

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:08PM #1

...thinking you know about the US?

Seriously, I know US media is pervasive in Ireland, and there are plenty of Irish people who watch American television or read American newspapers, but I'm a bit curious: what are peoples' first-hand experiences with Americans in the US? Sometimes it seems like people have a very warped idea about the American people based on what they see on Fox News or what the government does, but as an American, I wouldn't like to judge Ireland based on Joe Duffy or Bertie Ahern. And although there is some truth to the stereotypes about us (I will freely acknowledge that we are a nation of lard-asses, although this varies by state), some of the perceptions of Americans I see on boards are truly warped.

Are folks here basing their opinions on their actual experience engaging with Americans in America, or just the media portrayal of us? Are the only Americans you've ever talked to wide-eyed tourists looking for leprechauns and their grandfather's cottage off in the wilds of Mayo? Or have you actually lived and worked in the US (and still come away with the idea that we are a bunch of lunatics)?

Biggins · 14-03-2011 11:10PM

Lived there, worked there, related to Americans.

liah · 14-03-2011 11:10PM

I gotta question for ya, Rosie. Why do so many Americans hate Canadians so much? We're so harmless

(And, I've lived there and have many friends there and, being from a border town, have had more than my fair share of interactions.)

ronnie3585 · 14-03-2011 11:11PM

Usually in bed with a moist towel.

copacetic · 14-03-2011 11:14PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

Are folks here basing their opinions on their actual experience engaging with Americans in America, or just the media portrayal of us? Are the only Americans you've ever talked to wide-eyed tourists looking for leprechauns and their grandfather's cottage off in the wilds of Mayo? Or have you actually lived and worked in the US (and still come away with the idea that we are a bunch of lunatics)?

A large number of Irish young people have spend at least one summer working in the US. Usually 4 months or so in a service job dealing with hundreds of 'real' americans every day.

pragmatic1 · 14-03-2011 11:17PM

I've never visited but I dont subscribe to the stereotypes. Any Americans I've met were generally well educated, friendly and actually very reserved.

foxinsox · 14-03-2011 11:21PM

Lived in the US for a fair few years.. both East and West coasts..

Have relatives who are American..

In my experience some didn't even know where Ireland is, some did and asked me about the bombs, asked me did I know so and so in Dublin/Limerick/Cork?

I also met some highly intelligent people who were genuinely interested in hearing about Ireland.

But the majority of Americans I met while living there weren't in the slightest bit interested in Ireland, their own country is big enough.

So..

I met people of all sorts (lard arses included) the same way you meet people of all sorts in any country.

Kimono-Girl · 14-03-2011 11:21PM

i've visited a few times, my aunt is dating a new yorker, his relations are in NY & Florida, and my cousin is just back from a summer in California, my partners uncle has been all over the states many times (he's helping us plan our honeymoon there and thus telling us quite a bit about his travels),he's most recently back from Boston. My good friend got married to his American wife there.

so that....and Friends of course

FTGFOP · 14-03-2011 11:22PM

Dear Rosie,

Please send me some Matt's Cookies (chocolate chip). These are Americans I hold in the highest esteem.

Go Sox!

PrincessLola · 14-03-2011 11:26PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

...thinking you know about the US?

Seriously, I know US media is pervasive in Ireland, and there are plenty of Irish people who watch American television or read American newspapers, but I'm a bit curious: what are peoples' first-hand experiences with Americans in the US? Sometimes it seems like people have a very warped idea about the American people based on what they see on Fox News or what the government does, but as an American, I wouldn't like to judge Ireland based on Joe Duffy or Bertie Ahern. And although there is some truth to the stereotypes about us (I will freely acknowledge that we are a nation of lard-asses, although this varies by state), some of the perceptions of Americans I see on boards are truly warped.

Are folks here basing their opinions on their actual experience engaging with Americans in America, or just the media portrayal of us? Are the only Americans you've ever talked to wide-eyed tourists looking for leprechauns and their grandfather's cottage off in the wilds of Mayo? Or have you actually lived and worked in the US (and still come away with the idea that we are a bunch of lunatics)?

Americans are very ernest and.. sincere, which is a good thing most of the time. They are also, in my experience, really friendly and nice:)

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:27PM

FTGFOP wrote: »

Dear Rosie,

Please send me some Matt's Cookies (chocolate chip). These are Americans I hold in the highest esteem.

Go Sox!

Ah, but WHICH Sox are you talking about, hmmmm???

FTGFOP · 14-03-2011 11:28PM

Oh! gtf back to Boston. You stink of beans.

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:28PM

liah wrote: »

I gotta question for ya, Rosie. Why do so many Americans hate Canadians so much? We're so harmless

(And, I've lived there and have many friends there and, being from a border town, have had more than my fair share of interactions.)

Do Americans hate Canadians?

I think we're more indifferent than anything else. Maybe it is different on the border?

WoollyRedHat · 14-03-2011 11:29PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

...thinking you know about the US?

Seriously, I know US media is pervasive in Ireland, and there are plenty of Irish people who watch American television or read American newspapers, but I'm a bit curious: what are peoples' first-hand experiences with Americans in the US? Sometimes it seems like people have a very warped idea about the American people based on what they see on Fox News or what the government does, but as an American, I wouldn't like to judge Ireland based on Joe Duffy or Bertie Ahern. And although there is some truth to the stereotypes about us (I will freely acknowledge that we are a nation of lard-asses, although this varies by state), some of the perceptions of Americans I see on boards are truly warped.

Are folks here basing their opinions on their actual experience engaging with Americans in America, or just the media portrayal of us? Are the only Americans you've ever talked to wide-eyed tourists looking for leprechauns and their grandfather's cottage off in the wilds of Mayo? Or have you actually lived and worked in the US (and still come away with the idea that we are a bunch of lunatics)?

What about the reality shows and television shows, surely they influence peoples views of America.

mojesius · 14-03-2011 11:29PM

I lived on the east coast for a year. Loved every second of it. I miss happy hour

Praetorian Saighdiuir · 14-03-2011 11:29PM

George Bush/

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:30PM

FTGFOP wrote: »

Oh! gtf back to Boston. You stink of beans.

:eek:

Boston?

I am NOT from Boston!!!

No Matt's Cookies for YOU! :mad:

Oh_Noes · 14-03-2011 11:30PM

You forgot to put an "I couldn't give a shít about the US" option.

FTGFOP · 14-03-2011 11:32PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

:eek:

Boston?

I am NOT from Boston!!!

No Matt's Cookies for YOU! :mad:

There's only one sox worth a damn. Shame on you for asking which Sox.

foxinsox · 14-03-2011 11:34PM

mojesius wrote: »

I lived on the east coast for a year. Loved every second of it. I miss happy hour

I miss Monday Night Football with Happy Hour and chicken wings!

Dear Ms. southsiderosie,

Could you please send me some chicken wings?
Proper American chicken wings?

Yours

foxinsox < if it helps me get chicken wings..I love sox!

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:34PM

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

What about the reality shows and television shows, surely they influence peoples views of America.

OK but to use a UK example, I wouldn't watch Big Brother (which is a dreadful show) and think that all British people were like Jade Goody.

Although when it comes to the perception of British in America it is kind of the opposite: I think a lot of Americans think British people are all like Stephen Fry: smart and witty, with a posh accent...Or super-snarky, like Simon Cowell. Those are the only types they let appear on US television anyway

gosuckonalemon · 14-03-2011 11:35PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

...thinking you know about the US?

Seriously, I know US media is pervasive in Ireland, and there are plenty of Irish people who watch American television or read American newspapers, but I'm a bit curious: what are peoples' first-hand experiences with Americans in the US? Sometimes it seems like people have a very warped idea about the American people based on what they see on Fox News or what the government does, but as an American, I wouldn't like to judge Ireland based on Joe Duffy or Bertie Ahern. And although there is some truth to the stereotypes about us (I will freely acknowledge that we are a nation of lard-asses, although this varies by state), some of the perceptions of Americans I see on boards are truly warped.

Are folks here basing their opinions on their actual experience engaging with Americans in America, or just the media portrayal of us? Are the only Americans you've ever talked to wide-eyed tourists looking for leprechauns and their grandfather's cottage off in the wilds of Mayo? Or have you actually lived and worked in the US (and still come away with the idea that we are a bunch of lunatics)?

Americans are ignorant, uneducated, loud and annoying. That's from my experience of travelling for many years and having the misfortune of having to meet them.
And as these would be the more cultured Americans (remember only 10% hold a passport) I would hate to meet the rest..

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:36PM

FTGFOP wrote: »

There's only one sox worth a damn. Shame on you for asking which Sox.

I have to ask because I am currently living in Boston.

God hates me.

foxinsox · 14-03-2011 11:37PM

FTGFOP wrote: »

There's only one fox worth a damn. Shame on you for asking which fox.

Oh Hai..

southsiderosie · 14-03-2011 11:39PM

gosuckonalemon wrote: »

Americans are ignorant, uneducated, loud and annoying. That's from my experience of travelling for many years and having the misfortune of having to meet them.
And as these would be the more cultured Americans (remember only 10% hold a passport) I would hate to meet the rest..

Sooooo...I take it you have never been to the US then?

Millicent · 14-03-2011 11:39PM

gosuckonalemon wrote: »

Americans are ignorant, uneducated, loud and annoying. That's from my experience of travelling for many years and having the misfortune of having to meet them.
And as these would be the more cultured Americans (remember only 10% hold a passport) I would hate to meet the rest..

Is there anyone you do like? Jaysus.

I've only been to Florida (and at Orlando at that) so my experience was not representative, given what a touristy area it is, but I found a lot of people extremely disingenuous. I have to say, the fake niceness was offputting. That said, there were a lot of genuinely nice folks too.

WoollyRedHat · 14-03-2011 11:42PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

OK but to use a UK example, I wouldn't watch Big Brother (which is a dreadful show) and think that all British people were like Jade Goody.

Although when it comes to the perception of British in America it is kind of the opposite: I think a lot of Americans think British people are all like Stephen Fry: smart and witty, with a posh accent...Or super-snarky, like Simon Cowell. Those are the only types they let appear on US television anyway

I wouldn't use Big Brother as an example tbh, BB just grabbed infamy as it really drove the reality series format in a way never seen before, I wouldn't see BB as being overly British but in terms of the contestants I know what you mean.

But if you took a show like The Hills, how many peoples perceptions would be shaped on that show when it came to visiting L.A or even having a desire to go there, do you know what I mean.. whereas in Big Brother it's a different situation.

There are negative stereotypes and positive stereotypes, some conceived from popular culture even though it may be quite exagerrated or even just a small part of a city and the way it is, and yet an idea of the place will be formed by the viewer before they have even stepped inside the country, but purely they make assertions based on the shows they have watched. I know it's not the case for everybody and that most can see that just because you saw it on tv, doesn't mean such a place is as glamorous/ bad as it is portrayed on television but I still think it is a big factor when it comes to peoples opinions of Americans/America, especially considering the amount of american tv that gets exported.

HoneyRyder · 14-03-2011 11:43PM

My first hand experience is that Americans are generally obsessed with how they are perceived, which this thread only serves to reiterate really.

FTGFOP · 14-03-2011 11:44PM

There are all sorts in the States. One thing I noticed was a that people took each other (and me) at face value more than here -the flip side of the 'Americans don't get irony' thing. A greater reverence for things ideas/ beliefs too, easily shocked, perhaps?

Millicent · 14-03-2011 11:44PM

HoneyRyder wrote: »

My first hand experience is that Americans are generally obsessed with how they are perceived, which this thread only serves to reiterate really.

As opposed to the Irish?! Lolololololol! :pac: :pac: :pac:

liah · 14-03-2011 11:45PM

southsiderosie wrote: »

Do Americans hate Canadians? I think we're more indifferent than anything else. Maybe it is different on the border?

Lots of them do, yeah, or so I've noticed while gaming with them or running into them in town and chatting, something to do with the health care thing I think. Of course it's not all of them (I've plenty of friends from the States) but it's a pretty pervading sentiment in some parts for some reason. They think we're pathetic socialist commies or some other nonsense.

Where do you get off...

Have you ever visited or lived in the US? 237 votes

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