what if this had been in America?

DS1119

Hugh Freaking Dillon 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. Pretty sure the entire continent spoke English as well...but that was just pure coincidence.

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.

You're right...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us.

DS1119

JonnyPistachio 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. I would start with the term "free elections".

Who Princess

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.

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.

Godfather.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

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
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.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

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.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Godfather. wrote:

yes I do Canadian...but it's our accent that sets us apart
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.

Byrnzie

DS1119 wrote:

JonnyPistachio 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. I would start with the term "free elections".

You are joking, right?

Byrnzie

DS1119 wrote:

...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us.

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.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

yes I do Canadian...but it's our accent that sets us apart
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.

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

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.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

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.

DS1119

Byrnzie wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

JonnyPistachio 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. I would start with the term "free elections".

You are joking, right?

No I am not.

DS1119

Byrnzie wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

...the US is a huge melting pot...that's why the world is obsessed with us.

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. 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. You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. The World doesn't give a shit about the US. Keep telling yourself that.

DS1119

Hugh Freaking Dillon 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:

Hugh Freaking Dillon

DS1119 wrote:

Hugh Freaking Dillon 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:

I didn't. It was a rebuttal to godfather's nonsense about it.

Byrnzie

DS1119 wrote:

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. You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. The World doesn't give a shit about the US. Keep telling yourself that.

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.

DS1119

Byrnzie wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

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. You truly have some of the most empty posts of all time. The World doesn't give a shit about the US. Keep telling yourself that.

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.

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! But you already know that...everything the US does is front page news worldwide. I'm pretty sure if Jennifer Lopez farted on TV tonight that would be worldwide news tomorrow.

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.

Byrnzie

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.

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.

DS1119

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.

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.

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

If you don't think the US dominates the headlines worldwide you truly do live in a bubble somewhere. 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.

Byrnzie

DS1119 wrote:

If you don't think the US dominates the headlines worldwide you truly do live in a bubble somewhere. 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.

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?