Americans

Wompa1 · 19-02-2015 09:08PM

the_monkey wrote: »

Do you live in New Mexico by any chance ?

I heard the native american history there is amazing - couple that with the spectacular scenery .

Phoenix, Arizona. There's a bunch of reservation around here but the really cool parts are up by Flagstaff and Sedona. I visited a palce that had cave dwellings pretty well preserved. There's a cool Heard museum here too and there's this fried bread they make on the reservations, it's amazing. The music is pure sh1te but it's unique at least...

Electric Sheep · 19-02-2015 09:08PM

mike_ie wrote: »

That's a fair point, but I'd argue that most of these people have held onto aspects of their native cultures, with the exception of the most devout. Again, not a bad thing.

As indeed have most Irish people in Ireland - you keep the good, ditch (or try to) the detrimental, and keep on evolving.

BoJack Horseman · 19-02-2015 09:31PM

DarkyHughes wrote: »

Also far-right pundit & shameful Republican party promoter Stephen Colbert

Can't tell if your being genuine, please tell me your not!

BeerWolf · 19-02-2015 09:36PM

Boom_Bap wrote: »

*Grabs Twinkie, Hot Dog and 7-11 Big Gulp*

Why's there numerous American store chains in Malaysia, like 7-11, Carl's Jr, A&W [omg their Rootbeer...

], etc. etc. etc. and here not in Ireland ?!

**** Starbucks... I want Taco Bell!

bodice ripper · 19-02-2015 09:37PM

BeerWolf wrote: »

Why's there numerous American companies in Malaysia, like 7-11, Carl's Jr, A&W [omg their Rootbeer... ], etc. etc. etc. not in Ireland ?!

you can get A&W in dublin. usually in filipino shops

DarkyHughes · 19-02-2015 09:41PM

Another interesting thing about Americans is they think Man United are nicknamed the "red devils" because they were founded by a group of evil communists.

BeerWolf · 19-02-2015 09:42PM

bodice ripper wrote: »

you can get A&W in dublin. usually in filipino shops

Yeah I know that, but I was talking about the restaurant.

bodice ripper · 19-02-2015 09:42PM

BeerWolf wrote: »

Yeah I know that, but I was talking about the restaurant.

there is an A&W restaurant? i had no idea.

BrokenArrows · 19-02-2015 09:46PM

Cunny-Funt wrote: »

Its a good question, we are bombarded by America via the media throughout most of our lives.

I've never been but often wondered if it'd feel like I'm on the set of some TV show.

One thing I've found odd was meeting Americans in person, they're accent always sounds more harsh and grating compared to what we hear on TV.

That's just who they cast. Actors tend to neutralize their accents.

crockholm · 19-02-2015 09:55PM

Wompa1 wrote: »

True dat. One interesting thing I've noticed. The most right wing people I've met in the US were the Irish. I have a black friend who has lived in Chicago, Boston, Phoenix, Tuscon, New York and Washington DC and said the most racism she experienced was in Boston from the 'Irish'

I reckon the 'Irish' Americans here from a few generations ago were raised with the strict Irish upbringing from 80+ years ago and they cling to that as their heritage, no realising that Ireland has progressed as a country and the Irish are a much, much more progressive bunch than most. I'd bet if many moved to Ireland to live, they'd become disgusted very quick, when they see we are much more liberal than they might think.

I don't want to be disrespectful,but you seem a bit naive as to what goes on in some of those cities re the Irish,only 2 of those cities have strong Irish communities,Boston and Chicago.
The New York Irish are most likely to be found in Suffolk and Nassau counties,gone from the city.

My own take on Americans is that they have been mostly a pleasure to have met,in many Towns and cities in many states,coast to coast,and through personal experience avoid the whole left/right, reps/dems, fox/msnbc divisions that just keep talking heads afloat.

Eugene Norman · 19-02-2015 09:56PM

DarkyHughes wrote: »

Another interesting thing about Americans is they think Man United are nicknamed the "red devils" because they were founded by a group of evil communists.

Yeah they don't.

bodice ripper · 19-02-2015 09:57PM

crockholm wrote: »

I don't want to be disrespectful,but you seem a bit naive as to what goes on in some of those cities re the Irish,only 2 of those cities have strong Irish communities,Boston and Chicago.
The New York Irish are most likely to be found in Suffolk and Nassau counties,gone from the city.

My own take on Americans is that they have been mostly a pleasure to have met,in many Towns and cities in many states,coast to coast,and through personal experience avoid the whole left/right, reps/dems, fox/msnbc divisions that just keep talking heads afloat.

Thats where I was born. Its mostly Irish and Italian.

crockholm · 19-02-2015 10:01PM

bodice ripper wrote: »

Thats where I was born. Its mostly Irish and Italian.

LIRR FTW:cool:

Wompa1 · 19-02-2015 10:04PM

crockholm wrote: »

I don't want to be disrespectful,but you seem a bit naive as to what goes on in some of those cities re the Irish,only 2 of those cities have strong Irish communities,Boston and Chicago.
The New York Irish are most likely to be found in Suffolk and Nassau counties,gone from the city.

My own take on Americans is that they have been mostly a pleasure to have met,in many Towns and cities in many states,coast to coast,and through personal experience avoid the whole left/right, reps/dems, fox/msnbc divisions that just keep talking heads afloat.

mmmm...I think you misread that. I had said a black friend of mine here, claimed the most racism she met was in Boston from the 'Irish' there. The Irish Americans that claim their stake over the city.

Also I'd tackle you on the New York part too. I was born there, my mother is from there and so are half of my family. I've spent a lot of time in New York. Have come across plenty of Irish out in Queens and Brooklyn too. But that wasn't what I was saying anyways....

DarkyHughes · 19-02-2015 10:10PM

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

Can't tell if your being genuine, please tell me your not!

The Colbert nation is stamping out the red hoards try to take over America & their leader Barrack oBomba. So tuff luck Granny & grandpa you'll pay double for your medical bills, no free healthcare in this conservative utopia.

the dark phantom · 19-02-2015 10:21PM

I once convinced an American that Ireland and Britain parted after a big earthquake and tsunami hit, The Unionists wanted to rebuild the connection, the Nationalists didn't and that's how the violence started. I was laughing into his face while telling him this and he still bought it.

Electric Sheep · 19-02-2015 10:24PM

the dark phantom wrote: »

I once convinced an American that Ireland and Britain parted after a big earthquake and tsunami hit, The Unionists wanted to rebuild the connection, the Nationalists didn't and that's how the violence started. I was laughing into his face while telling him this and he still bought it.

Or he was too polite to call you an idiot.

Wompa1 · 19-02-2015 10:25PM

the dark phantom wrote: »

I once convinced an American that Ireland and Britain parted after a big earthquake and tsunami hit, The Unionists wanted to rebuild the connection, the Nationalists didn't and that's how the violence started. I was laughing into his face while telling him this and he still bought it.

Reminds me of the Hannibal Burress clip when he was on the English standup comedy show talking about getting flak from a couple of Irish girls.

crockholm · 19-02-2015 10:28PM

Wompa1 wrote: »

mmmm...I think you misread that. I had said a black friend of mine here, claimed the most racism she met was in Boston from the 'Irish' there. The Irish Americans that claim their stake over the city.

Also I'd tackle you on the New York part too. I was born there, my mother is from there and so are half of my family. I've spent a lot of time in New York. Have come across plenty of Irish out in Queens and Brooklyn too. But that wasn't what I was saying anyways....

I don't see the need for the inverted commas around Irish when describing the Boston boys,if they feel Irish,who am I to say they are not? Bigger problem is when they start losing their Irish identity imo.

I would just say,don't be so Quick to judge them on one persons side of a story,but without knowing the local history (see Boston busing crisis of the 70s) and the people.Ethnic enclaves have Always been hostile to outsiders. So whereas someone in a lot more ethnically mixed area like Phoenix might not understand the often open animosity you come across in southie or Dorchester.(I lived in a very similar neighbourhood in Chicago,white,working-class,Irish).

Well you might come across Irish in NYC,woodlawn in the Bronx and Floral park in Queens comes to mind,but I stand by my assertion that most Irish are now in the counties.IIRC, back in the 1930s NYC was somewhere between 20-30% Irish/Irish stock.I would be very surprised if it is over 8% today in the 5 boroughs.

BeerWolf · 19-02-2015 10:28PM

bodice ripper wrote: »

there is an A&W restaurant? i had no idea.

Yeah: Link

Loved their Chilli Dogs

RobYourBuilder · 19-02-2015 10:31PM

Electric Sheep wrote: »

There are places that stll are culturally scandinavian, italian, spanish, irish, etc. Again, probably not something most Irish would recognise.

Name some of these places. I could do with a laugh. 'Culturally Scandinavian'.

RobYourBuilder · 19-02-2015 10:31PM

Americans are good for three things. Riding, getting drink with and making money off.

MRnotlob606 · 19-02-2015 10:33PM

Americans are fat.

Yamanoto · 19-02-2015 10:34PM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Name some of these places. I could do with a laugh. 'Culturally Scandinavian'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_nice

http://blogs.mprnews.org/cities/2012/03/minnesota-not-welcoming-blame-the-scandinavians/

RobYourBuilder · 19-02-2015 10:40PM

Ok, so people from Minnesota are stereotypically pretty passive. To say that they are 'culturally Scandanavian' is a bit much.

Iranoutofideas · 19-02-2015 10:41PM

I lived there for a year. Made some lifelong friends and had a really great time. I also have family living there in two different states.

I found them to be exceptionally generous and welcoming people for the most part.

However I also found the widespread mental health issues to be fairly shocking. At times it seemed as though every second person I met had several mental health issues. Popping a cocktail of pills for anxiety, add, adhd. bipolar disorder and countless other issues is an almost normal thing over there. You meet somebody for the first time and within five minutes they are informing you about their issues and mentioning their therapist. It really freaked me out.

On top of that you then had widespread drug use, with smoking marijuana in particular being very common across seemingly every sector of society. Cocaine use us rampant as well.

Then throw in the popularity of guns, the widespread religious craziness, the shocking poverty and overt racism and sexism and it all adds up to one very ****ed up society.

All of these things are very much in your face once you see past the fake smiles and over familiar greetings that you get everywhere you go.

It's kind of hard to explain to be honest. I think once you have established a social circle of people you are comfortable you tend to filter out the rest but there is always that nagging feeling that things could blow up in your face at any moment and turn really ugly fast.

I also feel like it is only get more and more extreme over there. I don't think I'd ever live there again to be honest. I acknowledge the fun time I had there and the great people I met but I don't think it is a country that I'd like to live in permanently.

Stojkovic · 19-02-2015 10:41PM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Name some of these places. I could do with a laugh. 'Culturally Scandinavian'.

Have you never seen the film Fargo or tv show The Little House on the Prairie ?

They're are towns in America that have road signs in Swedish and German.

Wompa1 · 19-02-2015 10:41PM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Ok, so people from Minnesota are stereotypically pretty passive. To say that they are 'culturally Scandanavian' is a bit much.

Lovely people. Some of the friendliest I've met during my time here

RobYourBuilder · 19-02-2015 10:42PM

No.

bodice ripper · 19-02-2015 10:43PM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Ok, so people from Minnesota are stereotypically pretty passive. To say that they are 'culturally Scandanavian' is a bit much.

You are just desperate to be anti any multiculturalism, aren't you?

Americans

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