It doesn't bother me. I enjoy discussing it because it gives me a better understanding of where people are coming from. And basically, I'm only giving my own point of view on things, so it's not like I believe whatever I say is complete fact. Just my take on things. I don't know, I enjoy these discussions, but people always seem to get annoyed so easily or think I'm annoyed or that I'm trying to aggravate them. Which I'm not! I just find this topic fascinating. That's all. Just trying to understand it. People can tell me to shut up if they want. I'll do whatever it is that pleases you...
BTW, I see your point about television tainting people's opinions of other cultures/countries. I know this happens. I just think the people who do form opinions based solely on tv shows are a bit ignorant and somewhat lazy. This goes for people of any country. It's the same thing as making sweeping generalizations about entire nations of people based on what others have told them instead of actual experiences with the people in question. I cannot TELL you how many times I have heard or read the sentence: Americans are fat and stupid and know nothing about other countries. Or something similar. Yeah, that does irk me. It's ignorant. I wonder how many Americans those people have actually interacted with. And they should look around at the people in their own backyard. Have they no fatties or dummies themselves?? I mean, to label and entire nation in such a way? And now it's the whole materialistic thing too? ALL humans have these flaws! That's the problem. We always want to separate ourselves when really we're all basically the same.
And while we're on the subject of historical ignorance, what up with that Churchill poll? Should I now believe all Brits are ignorant of their own history or should I take it with a grain of salt and realize that THE MEDIA SPINS! They're always going to run with the most sensationalized story and most of the time it's the least accurate. I hate those 24 hour bogus news channels and newspapers that dabble in entertainment news. They've really poisoned a lot of people. Again, this is just my opinion. I'll shut up now. :B
Report: 1 in 4 Britons Think Winston Churchill Never Existed
Daily Mail | 2-4-08 | Rebecca Camber
One in four Britons don't believe wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill existed, according to a recent survey. Churchill is compared to Florence Nightingale and Sir Walter Raleigh, seen by many survey respondents as a mythical person, the London Daily Mail reported Monday. The survey, conducted with 3,000 respondents to test their general knowledge, reported other historical figures such as Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, Cleopatra and the Duke of Wellington were made up for books and films, the Mail reported. The survey, by UKTV Gold, also found that Sherlock Holmes was a real person.
Sandra, the problem is that you take things too close to heart or too personally, and read between the lines something that is not there at all and get offended. (otherwise you wouldn`t have written - tell me to shut up...) Like when you were reading my posts. There`s nothing, just people`s interest and curiosity. Look, your reaction to posts is defensive and you flatly reject any minor kind of criticism even if it`s quite fair. All nations have drawbacks, and certainly there is something in their way of life that could be criticised. And my impression is that you think it`s your duty to fight back all the "attacks", but believe me nobody is attacking you or saying that there`s something wrong about the American people. Posters only give their vision of things. So don`t be sarcastic. But I can understand you, we are all so touchy.
The stereotype about Americans being fat is nearly justified, because nowhere in the world are there as many really fat people as in the USA. If you disagree with it, then tell me
what other countries you have been to. My point is based on facts and reality, cause i`ve been to very many countries, Europe, Latin America and the USA itself (I can spesify it in more detail if you like). And I`ve seen with my own eyes many fat people walking the streets in America. Stupid? Well, there certainly aren`t more stupid people in the USA than in any other country. But ignorance maybe a reasonable point. The reason for that is geographical, being separated by the ocean from the rest of the world, especially Europe and Asia. American people are just not interested in what is going on across the Atlantic, it seems to them to be so far away, beyond reach. Besides the USA practised the policy of isolationism for a long time up to World War 2 (not now, when they are everywhere), so Americans are used to neglecting the old world in general. This doesn`t refer to educated cultured people, but unfortunately there are many not very educated ones. And stereotypes usually refer to ordinary, or rather, common people.
I think the situation with Britain is different. Since you talk about Britain. Britons and common Britons do know. I happened to speak to ordinary people in the shops for example or even in the streets when asking the way. They asked some nice questions, got interested, shared some ideas. A lot, by the way, complained about what was happening to the country.
Now about materialism. In other countries people are also materialistic. But in the USA it is considered to be a value, a virtue. Don`t get annoyed. Read the quote: "The achievement of material success is probably the most widely respected form of self-improvement in the USA. Many scholars believe that the nation`s Protestant heritage is largely responsible for bringing this about. The idea of mixing materialism and religion may seem contradictory; religion is considered to be concerned with spiritual matters, not material possessions...The belief in hard work in pursuit of material gain is often referred to as "the Protestant work ethic", or "the Puritan work ethic". American authors - L.Allan, L.Mouat. Do you agree with it? Is it connected with religion? Or maybe this striving has declined with the decline of religious beliefs? Very interesting.