 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
That guy
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 20
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male & 21
Country: United States
Province/State: Louisiana
City: New Orleans
|
Describe an American
April 18, 2007 - 07:45 PM
|
|
Describe the average American, in as much or as little detail as you wish.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Jack
Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Posts: 1
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 20
Country: United States
Province/State: Massachusetts
City: Hyannis
|
Re: Describe an American
April 19, 2007 - 12:59 AM
|
|
Lazy, superficial, self-absorbed, inconsiderate, insolent, arrogant, ignorant... I could go on all day, the majority of americans aren't great people.
This post was edited on: 2007-04-20 at 04:56 PM by: Jack1289
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Ajay Kamalakaran
Joined: Oct 19, 2004
Posts: 6
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 31
Country: India
Province/State: Karnataka
City: Bangalore
|
Re: Describe an American
April 19, 2007 - 01:40 AM
|
|
In General..
Hospitable, fair-minded, generous but gullible and easy brain-washed by an unethical media and government.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Zach
Joined: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 28
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Country: United States
Province/State: Wisconsin
City: Milwaukee
|
Re: Describe an American
April 20, 2007 - 09:05 PM
|
|
Jack1289 wrote:
Lazy, superficial, self-absorbed, inconsiderate, insolent, arrogant, ignorant... I could go on all day, the majority of americans aren't great people.
This post was edited on: 2007-04-20 at 04:56 PM by: Jack1289 Hi. Just wondering, Have you actually met an American?
This post was edited on: 2007-04-20 at 09:05 PM by: youthforchange
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Becky
Joined: May 9, 2006
Posts: 2
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 32
Country: United States
Province/State: Michigan
City: Midland
|
Re: Describe an American
April 20, 2007 - 10:44 PM
|
|
I don't really think you can "summarize" any group of people without playing into stereotypes. Sure, there are many Americans who are lazy, ignorant, superficial, etc....but this also describes people from other places as well. If you look, you can also find Americans who are intellectual, respectful, honest, moral, concerned, etc. Every country has a population which can fit into any adjective you can discover in even the largest dictionary.
I believe that most people here at TIG believe in diversity and tolerance. However, believing in true diversity means that we have to accept the good with the bad. We can't just say we like people who only do, say, believe or act like we want them to. Isn't that anti-diversity in its purest? Sure, there are times when we all confront people who are arrogant, superficial, [fill in your own negative adjective here] and sometimes the only thing left for us to do is teach by example. If you want a country that has more people who are accepting then you should embrace that yourself.
Look around... there are millions of people in this country, each with his/her own story to tell. You can't classify that into a list of adjectives.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Jack
Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Posts: 1
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 20
Country: United States
Province/State: Massachusetts
City: Hyannis
|
Re: Describe an American
April 21, 2007 - 12:14 AM
|
|
I know that there are good americans...as I am an american, but let me tell you, the good ones are few and far between. I wish the "american stereotype" wasn't true, but as I said, for the most part it is.
This post was edited on: 2007-04-21 at 11:40 AM by: Jack1289
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Nomadess
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 3
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 24
Country: Kenya
Province/State: Eastern
City: Marsabit
|
Re: Describe an American
April 21, 2007 - 10:03 AM
|
|
I agree with rschack. Giving a group of people an adjective that fits them all is difficult and may not only reinforce stereotypes but creates them too.
However I still think finding out what people think about each other is not a bad idea. There are some things other people notice about us that we may not be aware of ourselves.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Zach
Joined: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 28
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Country: United States
Province/State: Wisconsin
City: Milwaukee
|
Re: Describe an American
April 22, 2007 - 09:35 PM
|
|
Hi rschack. Thanks for the inspiring post. Your right!! 
Also to Jack1289: Sorry  I didn't see that you were from the USA.
Your right of course, that it is nearly impossible to classify one or two adjectives with 500, 000 people. Each and every one is different.
Also, you cannot steriotize the US (or any other country, for that matter), by their leaders or presidents.. The list could just go on and on of different steriotypes of different countries. Its just sad that we cannot accept one another because of who we are.. not what we seem to be.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Sangeeta
Joined: Apr 23, 2007
Posts:
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 21
Country: Canada
Province/State: Ontario
City: Ottawa
|
Re: Describe an American
April 23, 2007 - 01:32 AM
|
|
It's also true that you can't judge a group of people by their culture, but let's be honest, what is culture? It's the everyday lifestyle of a group of people. And, even though I am half way consumed in pop-culture, "American" culture has become synonymous with modern, mainstream, popular culture. And frankly, it isn't a matter of how one SHOULD judge people, it's a matter of how people ARE being judged... based on the superficialities expressed by the American media and a government that is neglecting environmental concerns due to an ambitious drive towards global (cultural/corporate) hegemony.
Personally, I believe it's not even up to US to judge anyone because we all swim in the same pond. We are all potential of the same crimes as well achievments. But, I also believe that in order for a country to get a positive international response -- they need to GIVE BACK just that to the rest of the world (law of attraction?). The point America is right now -- all I can say is that it better pay off its debt soon or else it won't be seeing supremacy in the future after all. 
And well, I've met some great Americans that have influenced me, but most of the ones I've encountered really need to leave America and witness the real world. And I'm not talking about going to 5-star resorts in the Dominican but really going to places where you see PEOPLE living... you see issues from a grass roots level. For God's sake, I've ran into people that still believe I ice skate to school because I live in Canada, literally. That's outrageous and unacceptable. Not to mention, this was on a plane -- so if this person had the experience to travel, he certainly didn't carry the intelligence required to do so.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Chika
Joined: Dec 24, 2003
Posts: 1
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 23
Country: United States
Province/State: Wyoming
|
Re: Describe an American
April 25, 2007 - 06:51 AM
|
|
very interesting comments 
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
That guy
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 20
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 21
Country: United States
Province/State: Louisiana
City: New Orleans
|
Re: Describe an American
April 26, 2007 - 02:18 AM
|
|
sk007 wrote:
It's also true that you can't judge a group of people by their culture, but let's be honest, what is culture? It's the everyday lifestyle of a group of people. And, even though I am half way consumed in pop-culture, "American" culture has become synonymous with modern, mainstream, popular culture. And frankly, it isn't a matter of how one SHOULD judge people, it's a matter of how people ARE being judged... based on the superficialities expressed by the American media and a government that is neglecting environmental concerns due to an ambitious drive towards global (cultural/corporate) hegemony.
Personally, I believe it's not even up to US to judge anyone because we all swim in the same pond. We are all potential of the same crimes as well achievments. But, I also believe that in order for a country to get a positive international response -- they need to GIVE BACK just that to the rest of the world (law of attraction?). The point America is right now -- all I can say is that it better pay off its debt soon or else it won't be seeing supremacy in the future after all. *
And well, I've met some great Americans that have influenced me, but most of the ones I've encountered really need to leave America and witness the real world. And I'm not talking about going to 5-star resorts in the Dominican but really going to places where you see PEOPLE living... you see issues from a grass roots level. For God's sake, I've ran into people that still believe I ice skate to school because I live in Canada, literally. That's outrageous and unacceptable. Not to mention, this was on a plane -- so if this person had the experience to travel, he certainly didn't carry the intelligence required to do so.
I started to write almost the same thing and then saw your post 
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Becky
Joined: May 9, 2006
Posts: 2
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 32
Country: United States
Province/State: Michigan
City: Midland
|
Re: Describe an American
April 26, 2007 - 09:19 AM
|
|
I also agree that its important to understand how one's country is viewed by the rest of the world. Having lived outside of the US myself, I know that this is an incredibly eye-opening experience to see one's culture and country portrayed from a different view point. We also should challenge ourselves everday to think about how our actions are perceived by others. Let's not forget, however, that for many people worldwide, the only introduction they'll ever get to people of other nationalities or life in foreign countries is from the media. There is no point in spouting off here about the inaccuracies of the media in their portrayal of any country and its citizens--we all understand that. Clearly, media give only snap-shot views of life and this is often from a politically motivated stand-point. Thus, it can be very easy for a country's people to be judged by the value of their government or by the select few who make the news/TV shows/movies. As a citizen of the US I can firmly state I detest our current government. I'm opposed to just about everything that has happened in the last two terms. This government does not represent my views, thoughts, political beliefs or my desires for the direction the US should take in the international arena. However, its unfair to say that because my President (whom I DID NOT vote for) and his ethno-centric, capitalistic, power-hungry, short-sighted, conservative ideals describe me. Similary, this is the case in probably any country in the world. The government rarely represents what every person in that country thinks and feels. Its impossible!
I'm not saying its inherently wrong to discuss what people think of someone else's country/people. But, I do maintain that we need to be careful to not encourage and propigate the stereotypes put forth to us by the media or generalize statements about a whole group of people based on the actions of a few.
This post was edited on: 2007-04-26 at 09:20 AM by: rschack
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Arslan Jumaniyazov
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 117
Poster Rank:
Chatterbox
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 29
Country: Turkmenistan
Province/State: Dashoguz
|
Re: Describe an American
April 27, 2007 - 02:03 PM
|
|
wvanbokk wrote:
Describe the average American, in as much or as little detail as you wish.
You know, William, I have studied American studies for the last four years, and I had to try to explain what an American is more times than I can ever count. But still I cannot answer it. The best description of an American for me is this: a human being living in the United States!
Arslan
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Jack
Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Posts: 1
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 20
Country: United States
Province/State: Massachusetts
City: Hyannis
|
Re: Describe an American
April 28, 2007 - 10:36 AM
|
|
Good one Arslan.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Zach
Joined: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 28
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Country: United States
Province/State: Wisconsin
City: Milwaukee
|
Re: Describe an American
April 28, 2007 - 10:34 PM
|
|
Arslanik wrote:
wvanbokk wrote:
Describe the average American, in as much or as little detail as you wish.
You know, William, I have studied American studies for the last four years, and I had to try to explain what an American is more times than I can ever count. But still I cannot answer it. The best description of an American for me is this: a human being living in the United States!
Well Said
Arslan
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
Home
Community
