For those who don't want to scroll through everything:
1. FEW PEOPLE ARE IMPRESSED BY US
2. FEW PEOPLE HATE US
3. WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD
4. WE ARE POOR AT EXPRESSING GRATITUDE AND AFFECTION
5. THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IS NOT THAT GREAT
6. THE REST OF THE WORLD IS NOT A SLUM-RIDDEN S@#%HOLE COMPARED TO US
7. WERE PARANOID
8. WERE STATUS-OBSESSED AND SEEK ATTENTION
9. WE ARE VERY UNHEALTHY
10. WE MISTAKE COMFORT FOR HAPPINESS
Thanks
What I dislike about things of this nature is that I often disagree with the reasoning behind the opinions, and not necessarily the opinions themselves. Also- it never ceases to amaze me that the writers of these sorts of posts set themselves up as the cultured know better exception- while simultaneously stating that he/she doesn't want to see responses from others stating how they are also exceptions. I see some of these as societal trends- not as something that should be broad-brushed against well over 300 million people.
I agree with you for the most part, but this isn't meant to be a Webster's definition of what an American is. But if any foreigner was to take a glance in our direction, this is pretty much what he'd see. (Which I don't completely agree with myself but that's another story.)
Remember, the author is an American whose spent a lot of time in many foreign countries.
Some are true for me- and others- I'll just have to say- speak for yourself.
1. I never thought they were.
Nor have I. But you can't ignore the 'arrogant American' stereotype.
2. Again- I don't care about most other places one way or the other- so I don't consider they really care about us here in the US.
Agreed.
3. It depends on the person- really. We're kind of geographically isolated- and when you add onto lack of personal funds and enough vacation time- that equals most Americans not really having the opportunity to travel abroad as much as Europeans tend to do.
Also true. But also because we generally travel within the US if and when we're fortunate enough to afford a vacation. Aside from that, it reflects on our abysmal public education, in my opinion.
4. This is very true. However- it doesn't stand to reason that the rest of the world has this one in the bag. Cultures vary widely.
I agree. But I think it's compounded here because everything is a competition in America. Everything is a contest, everything is made out to be a prize that must be won. The author makes a pretty good point about how a simple, "how are you doing?" is devoid of meaning because its not about knowing how the person is doing, it's about not looking bad in public or in company. At least for some it is.
5. True- but there are some things about quality of life in America that ARE better.
why stop there? Why not continue it improve our nation?
6. Also true- but there are some places that do have true slums- and it is sad to see if you've been there.
I think if you look hard enough, you'll see we have just as much poverty in America as any other
first world country if not more.
7. I am. I don't know that I can say this is true of all of my fellow Americans though.
I'm not. And I don't need a firearm for security either
8. A horrible trend. Not everyone is like this though.
I tend to tie that one in with the, "bad at affection" one, if there's any affection, it's 'forced' or 'fake' or just not well-articulated. My mom points this out to me..."Americans don't know how to express themselves." At least, from a Hispanic POV
9. Another horrible trend. Again- not everyone is like this.
True. Now if we can just get people to look at this, "health craze" as more than just a way to make money, we can actually try to be healthier.
10. I would agree with this.
Same here. We're not too different, you and I.
Freedom, capitalism, our values, our people, our military, our hereos, our spirit, our Christian foundation... I believe that makes us great!
I also agree America is great but these are all rather vague ideas that can easily be applied to any country really. In China, the people have about an 80% approval rating of their government. Of course, that figure was released by the Chinese government.
I think this article sums up at least one facet of US greatness:
"If and when American power declines, the institutions and norms that American power has supported will decline, too. Or more likely, if history is a guide, they may collapse altogether as we make a transition to another kind of world order, or to disorder.
We may discover then that the U.S. was essential to keeping the present world order together and that the alternative to American power was not peace and harmony but chaos and catastrophewhich is what the world looked like right before the American order came into being."
Robert Kagan on Why the World Needs America - WSJ.com
just like in a Hollywood movie, America comes to save the world from chaos and catastrophe. Why are we so afraid of a world where we're not the best at everything. I say we should do one or the other, take over the world, or be our own country. We can't have both.
Of course, I vote take over the world
