-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Fellow Americans, do you realize how much people envy us?
- Thread starter Korey
- Start date
- Status
I really don't support the notion of patriotism or nationalism, and I don't feel an intrinsic connection with the US after being born and raised here, but I must say it was really bizarre that the month or so I spent in Europe (Italy, France, England) a few years back I was probably more kept up with American news stories than I ever was, or currently am, actually living here.
el retorno
Member
Yes you should not leech off our patriotism. Get your own.
It took me no effort at all to find numerous headlines in British publications using the phrase "across the pond" to refer to the US.
Wind's Howling
Member
I like to know this as well.
Sir_Crocodile
Member
I'm english and I've heard it quite a lot from english tv shows, people and publications.
That's a good question. I'll hazard a guess and say that we think living in Europe is expensive.
el retorno
Member
Red tape everywhere and restrictions on a lot of things we do in America. Also less choice in many things. Also more government involvement or aleast presence in lives. Otherwise I think people are aware daily life is pretty similar.
After living in both I see where it comes from. Though I don't think its the worst thing in the world.
Seraphinianus
Banned
I don't know what "most Americans" think. It's kind of a big country with a lot of different people and cultural pockets. It's almost as bad as saying "most Europeans."
http://goeurope.about.com/od/europeanmaps/l/bl-country-size-comparison-map.htm
I liked the parts of europe I've been to (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic.) Wouldn't want to live in any of those places because I'm used to the ridiculous diversity of things to do and food to eat in chicago, I'm pretty much convinced I won't get that anywhere else, but I'll have to go back and see the rest of Europe.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Haha, this thread is some sort of joke/parody, right?
I do love a lot of things that have come out of America. You've made some of my favorite movies, TV shows and music, among other things. I'd love to visit sometime.
But then there's the lack of public healthcare, the f-ed up two-party political system, the masses of crazy republicans, the frightening number of radical Christians, the high crime rate and overflowing prisons, the homicide-enabling gun laws, the lack of metric system, the terrible mobile phone/carrier thing you've got going on, your generally slow and capped but expensive broadband connections, the high percentage of dangerously obese people, etc, etc.
So, nope, think I'll just stay here in Sweden.
I do love a lot of things that have come out of America. You've made some of my favorite movies, TV shows and music, among other things. I'd love to visit sometime.
But then there's the lack of public healthcare, the f-ed up two-party political system, the masses of crazy republicans, the frightening number of radical Christians, the high crime rate and overflowing prisons, the homicide-enabling gun laws, the lack of metric system, the terrible mobile phone/carrier thing you've got going on, your generally slow and capped but expensive broadband connections, the high percentage of dangerously obese people, etc, etc.
So, nope, think I'll just stay here in Sweden.
I think that's an important point.
Classic example - Edison vs. Tesla.
Where would the space program have been without Werner Von Braun?
Where would atomic energy have been without Enrico Fermi and Albert Einstein?
Where would the aviation industry have been without Igor Sikorsky?
Where would the automotive industry be without Karl Benz?
Umm, we think you guys have culture obviously. Only the dumbest of dumbasses doesn't realize how much of our culture is a copied, distilled version of yours. Life in Europe seems nice. You guys have high quality food, beautiful women, and beautiful native cultures. You care about maintaining your environment and history, which is appreciable. Plenty of vacation time, lots of benefits, highly educated people. I think you guys in Western Europe are in for a world of hurt, though. Your government programs are out of control. You're not productive enough. There's a battle for your cultures due to what i perceive as unwanted asian or african immigrant influence. You guys have always struck me as having an inflated sense of superiority towards us Americans while simultaneously devouring our products and culture. Your way of living is nice, but in many ways just like ours it won't last. The question is what is going to happen to you guys when the eurozone does implode? I'm surprised your populations aren't panicking more.
Eastern europe... Y'all are crazy. I like you though.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
So much mad in here
Sir_Crocodile
Member
What kind of restrictions (outside of gun related stuff)?
London is great for diversity, if expensive.
Berlin is the better alternative. Super cheap. Super diverse.
Seraphinianus
Banned
I'm American and the thread title even made me a little mad!
"Next up: Religion. Which is the one true faith?"
What the hell?
Seraphinianus
Banned
We tend not to panic about the opinions of people on the internet.
On top of that, panic is pointless, we have endured a shit ton in the past 500 years, long before the USofA was founded.
The end of US hegemony should be a bigger concern for you guys really, you consume far more than the rest of the world and have more entitlement issues.
el retorno
Member
Where would Europe be without the example of the American Revolution?
What about Europe without Tesla, Ford, Wright Brothers?
Where would Europe be without American involvement in WWII? Marshall Plan?
Where would Europe be without American involvement in the Cold War?
You can do this both ways.
bengraven
Member
It's kind of humbling to see the bitterness.
Yes, we have our kooks. So do you, it's just that most of the media overseas is focused on this country, so many people pay more attention to our kooks than theirs. Yes, no public healthcare sucks, I can't deny that. We have our power hungry destroyers of the environment - so do you. The only reason America gets the worst rap is because the entire world has it's eyes on us.
But we have a beautiful country, vast and the freedom to go anywhere at any time in that place. You don't have to be a right wing, religious douchebag to appreciate living in this country. But come visit sometime - don't stick around the major cities - that isn't all of America. Check out places GPS won't show you.
It's just kind of humbling to hear the bitterness and know that many are disguising bitterness for jealousy.
Yes, we have our kooks. So do you, it's just that most of the media overseas is focused on this country, so many people pay more attention to our kooks than theirs. Yes, no public healthcare sucks, I can't deny that. We have our power hungry destroyers of the environment - so do you. The only reason America gets the worst rap is because the entire world has it's eyes on us.
But we have a beautiful country, vast and the freedom to go anywhere at any time in that place. You don't have to be a right wing, religious douchebag to appreciate living in this country. But come visit sometime - don't stick around the major cities - that isn't all of America. Check out places GPS won't show you.
It's just kind of humbling to hear the bitterness and know that many are disguising bitterness for jealousy.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
Cant we all just get along?
Most Americans came from Europe.
Most Americans came from Europe.
el retorno
Member
I'd not go that far. I love Madrid (spent some time there). But besides drinking in the street I can't really think of many.
Stored not being allowed to open sundays is the thing I was most mad about when I was there. There are just a lot more regulations that make daily life a bit more a hassle. I don't know if "restrictions" was the right word. But having to get drugs from a separate store was another thing. I can't think more right now I just remember there were a lot of things where I just thought "why can't I just do this."
Bare titties. Can say fuck on TV.
Here's what I don't understand -- none of the good things you've mentioned are at all unique to the U.S.
Lol, I don't envy Americans one bit. In-fact, not sure I'd want live there at present to be honest. I'm perfectly fine here in the UK. Public Healthcare, better education, (slightly) less draconian police and laws, better media, a bit more progressive and more liberal etc etc. I think the US in certain respects, is actually regressing more than some of the other Western Nations. I blame mainly Republicans for that lol.
RoadHazard
Gold Member
I love how Americans always bring up their "freedom" as a selling-point. Compared to many countries in the world that's true, yes, but most of Europe is just as "free".
Napoleonthechimp
Member
It figures it had to be a thread started by Korey.
Seraphinianus
Banned
I try to tell people who are visiting Chicago to also go check out Wisconsin, or at least some of the forest preserves and sites around the North and NW suburbs. And to avoid McDonald's, Mars/Hershey's, etc. because there are high quality local versions of everything in the U.S. too, just like in Europe.
Giving credit to a single country/region for human progress is dumb anyway.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
I cant say if Europe is better as I have never been to a country there.
I'd call it "American-guilt" - it seems to be what progressives have moved on to from "white-guilt." That's not to say that we don't have our flaws, but then again every country does. America is the one place where, no matter where you come from or what you look like, there is someone with a similar history who has "made it" - that is the inspiration of America.
No free refills.
Narcissism at it's finest. You're all like Samantha Brick when it comes to the US of A...
Seriously, a lot of the "bitterness" is really disgust at hypocrisy and arrogance.
el retorno
Member
Can do both in the US. The FCC doesn't regulate cable and lets not turn this into a free speech debate. I think the biggest porn industry is in the US as well.
I'd argue that most of Europe is more "free" than the US. With the exception of few things, besides firearms and the like. Not things I really want us to be more "free" on tbh lol.
empty vessel
Member
Except Cuba!
el retorno
Member
No doubt. I think certain people can take credit for certain things though. But yea most things are a collaborative process built on all of human history.
I thought bare titties only were okay in New Orleans?
Can you explain how Europe is different in this aspect?
- Status