what if this had been in America?

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  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    DS1119 wrote:

    Yes I have. Through Europe actually. They played a lot of US shows on TV, US music on the radio, and they all wore jeans. :lol: Pretty sure the entire continent spoke English as well...but that was just pure coincidence. :lol:

    most American music and TV is adapted from British shows. American culture is actually just a big melting pot of European culture. Except that godawful country music of yours.

    then American tries to ram it down everyone's throats that it's Pure American. everything that is pure american is just old news British for the most part.


    This makes me laugh. :lol::lol::lol:

    You're right...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us. :lol:
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    And the bit of US culture that seems to seep over to other countries is nothing to be proud of, as was already pointed out - McDonalds, KFC, Snooki... :fp:


    If you honestly think that's the only stuff that "seeps" out of American culture to the rest of the World...I would suggest doing some google searching. :lol: I would start with the term "free elections". :lol:
  • Who PrincessWho Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
    Jason P wrote:
    I had a funny experiance where when I first started visiting US national parks, the foriegn visitors outnumbered local visitors by such a margin, that I started using the pre-fix of "Excuse me. Do you speak English?" before asking any further questions. :D

    But really, why would our education system focus on different languages? Spanish and French our taught due to our proximity to countries that speak Spanish and French. The chances of interacting with someone who speaks Portuguese or German is infinitely smaller and would be an unwise choice for the education system to focus on.

    Countries in Europe may teach a wider variety of languages because they have a wider variety of languages in their proximity. It's not because Americans are arrogant that we don't know 3-4 languages. It's about proximity.
    Well, we can get by in the States with just English, although I suspect we might be speaking some version of Spanglish in another generation. I understand the need for knowing other languages if you live in proximity to many other countries. It's just the attitude against learning another language that tends to bother me. In college, I used to hear people rail about how unfair that was, how they would never need it. Maybe you won't need it but it also teaches you about other countries and other cultures. It makes you think more as a citizen of the world, so to speak, and I think it encourages you to take an interest in events in other places. I minored in German and I still like to look at Der Spiegel on line.

    I also tend to think it teaches you a lot about your own language as well, but I think that's just me.
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Godfather. wrote:

    he's right JP..think about it,people on here constantly complain about the US's involvment in world issues
    or fathers killing their kids because they had become "westernized",even street signs in other countries have english on them or how about why don't the US do anything about the black out in india or where ever it is ?
    just say'n man.

    Godfather.

    do you any clue why America speaks English? you do know the root word of "English", don't you? the language isn't called Americanish for a reason.

    yes I do Canadian...but it's our accent that sets us apart :lol:
    you should look in the the effects of western culture in other parts of the world in fact I'd be willing to bet your Canada has been influanced by American Culture and then you can read up on the influance of American culture
    in Japan.
    harley davidson
    levi's
    music
    cars
    our language "english" (and yes we took it with us when we left GB) is the most learned and used language in the world, you Canadians not only speak French or cajon slang you speak "english"...am I right ? so really man I don't know where you are coming from with your last post I wassn't attacking anybody just stating a fact so take it ez man it's just another topic on the train.

    Godffather.
  • Godfather. wrote:
    our language "english" (and yes we took it with us when we left GB) is the most learned and used language in the world, you Canadians not only speak French or cajon slang you speak "english"

    Godffather.


    1)I will never understand why someone has to take a passive agressive approach and try to tell someone to calm down when, really, you have absolutely no basis for thinking I'm angry about anything.
    2) YOU brought up foreign nations having English street signs. I merely pointed out that English is not originally from America, which was part of your point of foreign americanization. ENGLISH IS NOT AMERICAN. AMERICANS SPEAK ENGLISH.
    3) I find the term "cajon slang" and making fun of someone's accent insulting. I have never said as much about anyone else's accent. Keep that to yourself next time.
    4) Canada is a very unique culture. Loved and respected around the world. I can't say I can say the same thing about the US. Although your "US is #1" seems to very unique to you. Although, I will say, I have never once heard anyone, in any country, say anything bad about Canada/Canadians EXCEPT Americans. And the OP says WE'RE jealous of America. How laughable. If it wasn't so sad.
    5) Japanese culture and technology is WAY more influential on America than America has ever or will be on Japan. The TV you watch, compact car (some) of you drive. The list is endless. The only thing Japan is known for with regards to American culture is enjoying the worst of American TV and music. They find it humorous. That's not influence.
    Gimli 1993
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    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Godfather. wrote:
    yes I do Canadian...but it's our accent that sets us apart :lol:
    Godffather.

    nah, just our education system. and I've never heard a canadian say "y'all" either. AND we respect other cultures, and learn about them, and learn that we are unique, but not better.

    and we learn to spell too.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    DS1119 wrote:
    And the bit of US culture that seems to seep over to other countries is nothing to be proud of, as was already pointed out - McDonalds, KFC, Snooki... :fp:


    If you honestly think that's the only stuff that "seeps" out of American culture to the rest of the World...I would suggest doing some google searching. :lol: I would start with the term "free elections". :lol:

    You are joking, right?
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    DS1119 wrote:
    ...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us. :lol:

    Says someone who's not set foot outside of the U.S in 15 years.


    If you do ever travel outside of America again, you're gonna be in for a painful surprise. The World really does not give a shit about you. But keep telling yourself the opposite, if it makes you feel good.
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Godfather. wrote:
    yes I do Canadian...but it's our accent that sets us apart :lol:
    Godffather.

    nah, just our education system. and I've never heard a canadian say "y'all" either. AND we respect other cultures, and learn about them, and learn that we are unique, but not better.

    and we learn to spell too.

    ummm myabe I should've went to a Canadian school with ya'll ;)

    Godfather.
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Godfather. wrote:
    our language "english" (and yes we took it with us when we left GB) is the most learned and used language in the world, you Canadians not only speak French or cajon slang you speak "english"

    Godffather.


    1)I will never understand why someone has to take a passive agressive approach and try to tell someone to calm down when, really, you have absolutely no basis for thinking I'm angry about anything.
    2) YOU brought up foreign nations having English street signs. I merely pointed out that English is not originally from America, which was part of your point of foreign americanization. ENGLISH IS NOT AMERICAN. AMERICANS SPEAK ENGLISH.
    3) I find the term "cajon slang" and making fun of someone's accent insulting. I have never said as much about anyone else's accent. Keep that to yourself next time.
    4) Canada is a very unique culture. Loved and respected around the world. I can't say I can say the same thing about the US. Although your "US is #1" seems to very unique to you. Although, I will say, I have never once heard anyone, in any country, say anything bad about Canada/Canadians EXCEPT Americans. And the OP says WE'RE jealous of America. How laughable. If it wasn't so sad.
    5) Japanese culture and technology is WAY more influential on America than America has ever or will be on Japan. The TV you watch, compact car (some) of you drive. The list is endless. The only thing Japan is known for with regards to American culture is enjoying the worst of American TV and music. They find it humorous. That's not influence.

    1) you might understand if we had met, no I'm not trying to be a tuff guy.
    2) o.k
    3)I have no idea what if any accent you may or may not have,"cajon slang" was my experiance with friends I met in canada nothing else.
    4) yes USA !! and I have no problem with Canada.
    5) the topic and my comment was not about technology ..we all know about Japans technology, JVC...(japan victrola company) and so on. also your statement on 5) was less than I'd expect from you maybe you could research it a little more.

    Godfather.
  • Godfather. wrote:
    5) was less than I'd expect from you maybe you could research it a little more.

    Godfather.

    you've GOT to be kidding me. :lol:
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    And the bit of US culture that seems to seep over to other countries is nothing to be proud of, as was already pointed out - McDonalds, KFC, Snooki... :fp:


    If you honestly think that's the only stuff that "seeps" out of American culture to the rest of the World...I would suggest doing some google searching. :lol: I would start with the term "free elections". :lol:

    You are joking, right?


    No I am not. :lol:
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    ...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us. :lol:

    Says someone who's not set foot outside of the U.S in 15 years.


    If you do ever travel outside of America again, you're gonna be in for a painful surprise. The World really does not give a shit about you. But keep telling yourself the opposite, if it makes you feel good.


    Says you. :lol: I don't need to be out of the country to know how it is just like I don't have to swim in the ocean to know it's salty. :lol: You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. :lol: The World doesn't give a shit about the US. :lol::lol::lol::lol: Keep telling yourself that. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    nah, just our education system. and I've never heard a canadian say "y'all" either.


    I've never heard someone from the US say "ehh...aye...however that would be spelled" either. Slang is slang. No reason to bring any of that stuff up. :fp: :lol:
  • DS1119 wrote:
    nah, just our education system. and I've never heard a canadian say "y'all" either.


    I've never heard someone from the US say "ehh...aye...however that would be spelled" either. Slang is slang. No reason to bring any of that stuff up. :fp: :lol:

    I didn't. It was a rebuttal to godfather's nonsense about it.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    DS1119 wrote:
    :lol: I don't need to be out of the country to know how it is just like I don't have to swim in the ocean to know it's salty. :lol: You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. :lol: The World doesn't give a shit about the US. :lol::lol::lol::lol: Keep telling yourself that. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    I don't need to keep telling myself that. It's just a basic fact, as anyone outside of the U.S knows. People don't think about America any more than they think about Australia, or China.
    But like I pointed above, Americans seem to have a problem with self-esteem, and need to feel they're the center of the universe. It's called ego-centrism. Maybe this explains all of the recurrent gun massacres in the U.S. Could it be they're related to the fact that Americans need to think they're special and that the whole World is obsessed with them? Sounds like a case of collective neurosis to me.
    Though fortunately this neurosis isn't pandemic. But you can't deny there's a problem.

    The American Idol generation, with guns and hand grenades, and delusions of grandeur.

    It's bound to be messy.
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    :lol: I don't need to be out of the country to know how it is just like I don't have to swim in the ocean to know it's salty. :lol: You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. :lol: The World doesn't give a shit about the US. :lol::lol::lol::lol: Keep telling yourself that. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    I don't need to keep telling myself that. It's just a basic fact, as anyone outside of the U.S knows. People don't think about America any more than they think about Australia, or China.
    But like I pointed above, Americans seem to have a problem with self-esteem, and need to feel they're the center of the universe. It's called ego-centrism. Maybe this explains all of the recurrent gun massacres in the U.S. Could it be they're related to the fact that Americans need to think they're special and that the whole World is obsessed with them? Sounds like a case of collective neurosis to me.
    Though fortunately this neurosis isn't pandemic. But you can't deny there's a problem.

    The American Idol generation, with guns and hand grenades, and delusions of grandeur.

    It's bound to be messy.

    :lol::lol::lol: Yeah it's a huge problem. There's mass shootings here in the US daily. I watched 40 people get gunned down on my way to the store just tonight! :lol: But you already know that...everything the US does is front page news worldwide. :lol: I'm pretty sure if Jennifer Lopez farted on TV tonight that would be worldwide news tomorrow. :lol:

    Man kills 12 in the US...tragedy....evryone worldwide speculates about guns and how bad the US is. Man kills nine in China...tragedy...everyone worldwide really couldn't give a shit, dismissed as an anomaly. :lol::lol::lol:
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    DS1119 wrote:
    Man kills 12 in the US...tragedy....evryone worldwide speculates about guns and how bad the US is. Man kills nine in China...tragedy...everyone worldwide really couldn't give a shit, dismissed as an anomaly. :lol::lol::lol:

    It's just your opinion that everyone worldwide couldn't give a shit. Though the newspapers tell a different story. I'm sure if the killings in China had occurred in a movie theater during the premiere of a huge film, then it would have received more attention.

    Anyway, thanks again for proving my point.
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    Man kills 12 in the US...tragedy....evryone worldwide speculates about guns and how bad the US is. Man kills nine in China...tragedy...everyone worldwide really couldn't give a shit, dismissed as an anomaly. :lol::lol::lol:

    It's just your opinion that everyone worldwide couldn't give a shit. Though the newspapers tell a different story. I'm sure if the killings in China had occurred in a movie theater during the premiere of a huge film, then it would have received more attention.

    Anyway, thanks again for proving my point.


    Again with the "you proved my point" stuff. :lol::lol:

    If you respond to this you proved my point....so there. :lol: Pointless responses. They truly are. :lol:

    If you don't think the US dominates the headlines worldwide you truly do live in a bubble somewhere. :lol: Pop the bubble man...it's ok. Put one of the 12 pairs of jeans you have...crank some American pop music on the radio...turn on CNN...read the Wall Street Journal....and relax. It's ok. :lol:
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    DS1119 wrote:
    If you don't think the US dominates the headlines worldwide you truly do live in a bubble somewhere. :lol: Pop the bubble man...it's ok. Put one of the 12 pairs of jeans you have...crank some American pop music on the radio...turn on CNN...read the Wall Street Journal....and relax. It's ok. :lol:

    The U.S doesn't dominate any headlines here in China. And they don't dominate the headlines in South Korea either. Also, the U.S doesn't dominate the headlines in the U.K either. (All places where I've lived for long periods).

    Maybe some other posters outside of the U.S can chime in here and tell us if the U.S dominates their headlines? Dmitris, does the U.S dominate headlines in Greece? Marina, does the U.S dominate headlines in Argentina? Emmi, does the U.S dominate headlines in Finland? (Actually, I already know the answer to that last one as I've spent a lot of time in Finland. And the answer is 'No').

    Sorry to dent your self-esteem my friend. Maybe you should stop worrying about your country's self image so much and find something more productive to do? Like fishing, or learning to play the guitar?
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Anyway, this thread seems to be venturing into the realms of the antagonistic. So I'm out of here. Don't wanna be getting another ban.

    Still, thanks for the input.

    It was...emotional! :lol:
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    If you don't think the US dominates the headlines worldwide you truly do live in a bubble somewhere. :lol: Pop the bubble man...it's ok. Put one of the 12 pairs of jeans you have...crank some American pop music on the radio...turn on CNN...read the Wall Street Journal....and relax. It's ok. :lol:

    The U.S doesn't dominate any headlines here in China. And they don't dominate the headlines in South Korea either. Also, the U.S doesn't dominate the headlines in the U.K either. (All places where I've lived for long periods).

    Maybe some other posters outside of the U.S can chime in here and tell us if the U.S dominates their headlines? Dmitris, does the U.S dominate headlines in Greece? Marina, does the U.S dominate headlines in Argentina? Emmi, does the U.S dominate headlines in Finland? (Actually, I already know the answer to that last one as I've spent a lot of time in Finland. And the answer is 'No').

    Sorry to dent your self-esteem my friend. Maybe you should stop worrying about your country's self image so much and find something more productive to do? Like fishing, or learning to play the guitar?


    I don't worry about my country's self image. :lol: Personally I couldn't give a shit what the world thinks about the US...however their news sources seem to indicate something different. :lol: Along with their TVS, radios, pop culture, political positioning etc seems to do. :lol:
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Anyway, this thread seems to be venturing into the realms of the antagonistic. So I'm out of here. Don't wanna be getting another ban.

    Still, thanks for the input.

    It was...emotional! :lol:


    Don't respond then...becasue you only prove my point! :lol:
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    DS1119 wrote:
    dunkman wrote:
    DS1119 wrote:
    Yes I have. Through Europe actually. They played a lot of US shows on TV, US music on the radio, and they all wore jeans. :lol: Pretty sure the entire continent spoke English as well...but that was just pure coincidence. :lol:


    I went through America... they played lots of hispanic shows, latin music on the radio and they all wore Bermuda shorts :lol: pretty sure the entire continent spoke Spanish as well.... but that was just pure coincidence :lol:


    I don't speak Spanish and I don't know anyone who does. I don't see road signs in SPanish or even SPanish newspapers here. Hmm..

    you've missed the point.. yet again.

    You said EVERYONE wears jeans in Europe.... not true :fp: but I love how you think America's greatest cultural contribution to the world is denim trousers... :lol::lol::lol:

    you also said everyone on the continent spoke English... I'll remind you that English is a British language and not an American one... so fuck knows that the point of you typing that was? :lol:

    I also know that US radio plays tons of British music on its airwaves... what point this has I have no idea? but The Beatles win against ehhhhh fucking Aerosmith or whatever shit US rock band didnt conquer the world. British culture is actually more apparent throughout the world than US culture. After all we did conquer a 3rd of the world at one point so it kinda infiltrated into their lifes.... if by US culture you mean other nations like Coca Cola and watching re-runs of Friends then thats true, but British culture is a bit more than that... its culture for a start
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    dunkman wrote:
    but I love how you think America's greatest cultural contribution to the world is denim trousers... :lol::lol::lol:
    Even that can be disputed.... ;)
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
    Byrnzie wrote:

    The U.S doesn't dominate any headlines here in China. And they don't dominate the headlines in South Korea either. Also, the U.S doesn't dominate the headlines in the U.K either. (All places where I've lived for long periods).
    Except when Romney is in town.

    Also, with all those Guardian links you post, I find that hard to believe. ;)
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
    Well, we can get by in the States with just English, although I suspect we might be speaking some version of Spanglish in another generation. I understand the need for knowing other languages if you live in proximity to many other countries. It's just the attitude against learning another language that tends to bother me. In college, I used to hear people rail about how unfair that was, how they would never need it. Maybe you won't need it but it also teaches you about other countries and other cultures. It makes you think more as a citizen of the world, so to speak, and I think it encourages you to take an interest in events in other places. I minored in German and I still like to look at Der Spiegel on line.

    I also tend to think it teaches you a lot about your own language as well, but I think that's just me.
    I agree that we can get by with just English. That's also what makes learning another language so hard. Unless you have plans to go to a country where the language is spoken, most of what you learned will be forgotten.

    I have some cousins that send their kids to a school where only French is spoken (which I find odd since they don't speak French ... I can only imagine how much havoc my siblings and I would have caused if we had a secret code that our parents didn't understand). I think they will retain it since they are starting in elementary school, but I have friends that took Spanish all the way through high school and college and they can't tell me what the people on Telemundo are saying.

    If a second language is a priority, the education system needs to start it in elementary school ... hell, I know how to say water and count to ten in Spanish thanks to Sesame Street (cerveza was learned later in my life for good reason :) )
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    redrock wrote:
    dunkman wrote:
    but I love how you think America's greatest cultural contribution to the world is denim trousers... :lol::lol::lol:
    Even that can be disputed.... ;)

    you are indeed correct :)

    Denim has been in American usage since the late 18th century. The word comes from the name of a sturdy fabric called serge, originally made in Nîmes, France, by the André family. Originally called Serge de Nîmes, the name was soon shortened to denim. Denim was traditionally colored blue with indigo dye to make blue "jeans", though "jean" then denoted a different, lighter cotton textile; the contemporary use of jean comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy (Gênes), where the first denim trousers were made.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    DS1119 wrote:
    I don't worry about my country's self image. :lol: Personally I couldn't give a shit what the world thinks about the US...however their news sources seem to indicate something different. :lol: Along with their TVS, radios, pop culture, political positioning etc seems to do. :lol:


    you say you dont worry about your countrys self image but do you think about the impact your country has on the rest of the world.. or is that something that doesnt worry you either??
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  • Who PrincessWho Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
    Jason P wrote:
    I agree that we can get by with just English. That's also what makes learning another language so hard. Unless you have plans to go to a country where the language is spoken, most of what you learned will be forgotten.
    I agree. I was fairly fluent in German when I was in college but later had no one to speak it with. It was very frustrating. It comes back if I'm around it though, as when I had a German co-worker. He was pretty patient with me. :lol:
    Jason P wrote:
    I have some cousins that send their kids to a school where only French is spoken (which I find odd since they don't speak French ... I can only imagine how much havoc my siblings and I would have caused if we had a secret code that our parents didn't understand). I think they will retain it since they are starting in elementary school, but I have friends that took Spanish all the way through high school and college and they can't tell me what the people on Telemundo are saying.

    If a second language is a priority, the education system needs to start it in elementary school ... hell, I know how to say water and count to ten in Spanish thanks to Sesame Street (cerveza was learned later in my life for good reason :) )
    Here in Texas and other border states, it makes plenty of sense to know some Spanish. Despite many people's perceptions, immigrants want to learn English. But people tend to fall back on their native language in certain situations. I work in social services and can get through a few essential phrases but when people are under stress or dealing with something critical, it helps if they can speak with someone fluent in their native language.

    Not a lot of use for German around here. :lol:
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
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