If you look at my posting history you'll find in such situations I often stick up for my good neighbours to the south, and even their boob of a President sometimes.

As the Brits say, it's all just 'Silly-Buggers' anyhow...

The funny thing is before I moved to Thailand I was rather ambivalent regarding Brits and Aussies. My only exposure to them was the television, with that I thought Brits were a snobbish bunch and Aussies were wannabe cowboys. Since moving here though, nearly all my closest friends are Brits and Aussies and very few Americans and my view of them now is that they are a great bunch of people. The latter, I suspect, is just lack of opportunity. Of course there are going to be wank3rs in any of this group including us Americans. Never did any of these friends Yank bash in a serious fashion and we always had fun with our differences, especially the language barrier. The only problem is I find myself cross talking between British, Australian and American english.

In regards to arrogance, if you knew me you couldn't be further from the truth. Again, there are arrogant ones in any society and I don't feel we are any worse or better then others. The point regarding ones upbringing is very valid, I was raised to respect others regardless of their position, race or color while others, especially the silver spoon crowd, may consider themselves better due to heritage and wealth.

//off soapbox//

Am British and have been to the States a few times.

Am also an admirer of the country and it's system of government. At least they still have checks and balances when someone is voted into power.

In the UK you have an elected dictatorship for four years. Sorry, I digress.

I also agree that Americans over there are warm-hearted, hospitable and friendly people, especially in the South and on the whole, Brits are made to feel very welcome (My, my what a luuuurvly ak-cent you have. Say summin else.....).

Two things that I saw may explain what I call the American attitude.

Firstly Americans are very ignorant about what goes on in the rest of the world and their knowledge of geography in general is non-existent.

I was totally starved of international news whilst I was there. Most of the TV news channels may have one story at most. The newspapers might have one paragraph on international news buried somewhere at the back, and it's usually a human interest story.

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The second thing that stands out is the overt patriotism. You'll see Ol' Glory flying everywhere.

People have flagpoles in their gardens and run up the flag everyday.

If you did this in the UK, you would be thought of as a rather crass. The Brits are no less patriotic, they just don't feel the need to proclaim it to the world.

Americans are constantly told by their government, schools, churches and institutions that they are the best country in the world and patriotism is fostered and encouraged constantly. As they don't know too much about the rest of the world, they really don't have a frame of reference.

If you are from somewhere else and state your preference for your own country, the conversation can soon get nasty. The Americans in America are unshakeably convinced that their country is the absolute best, and if you don't agree, then it must be jelousey.

Americans that have travelled around and seen a bit of the world are a different species from the stay at home type.

Am British and have been to the States a few times.

Am also an admirer of the country and it's system of government. At least they still have checks and balances when someone is voted into power.

In the UK you have an elected dictatorship for four years. Sorry, I digress.

I also agree that Americans over there are warm-hearted, hospitable and friendly people, especially in the South and on the whole, Brits are made to feel very welcome (My, my what a luuuurvly ak-cent you have. Say summin else.....).

Yes the people of the south are like that. They might be the most friendly out of all the areas. Some of that reaches up to where I live. They call it Southern Hospitality.

Two things that I saw may explain what I call the American attitude.

Firstly Americans are very ignorant about what goes on in the rest of the world and their knowledge of geography in general is non-existent.

I was totally starved of international news whilst I was there. Most of the TV news channels may have one story at most. The newspapers might have one paragraph on international news buried somewhere at the back, and it's usually a human interest story.

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The second thing that stands out is the overt patriotism. You'll see Ol' Glory flying everywhere.

People have flagpoles in their gardens and run up the flag everyday.

If you did this in the UK, you would be thought of as a rather crass. The Brits are no less patriotic, they just don't feel the need to proclaim it to the world.

Americans are constantly told by their government, schools, churches and institutions that they are the best country in the world and patriotism is fostered and encouraged constantly. As they don't know too much about the rest of the world, they really don't have a frame of reference.

If you are from somewhere else and state your preference for your own country, the conversation can soon get nasty. The Americans in America are unshakeably convinced that their country is the absolute best, and if you don't agree, then it must be jelousey.

Americans that have travelled around and seen a bit of the world are a different species from the stay at home type.

In all that you say I will agree, for the most part. Some area of America you don't see this attitude, or at least not as strong,but in the south, midwest and north midwest oh yes.

America is so big, though, much like China or Russia (USSR) so much so that we have little contact and it isolates us. It's not that we don't care what is going on, more that nothing really effects us, so the news doesn't report it. It has too have a direct effect or no go. Sad I know, it is changing more though with the internet. Mnay companies, like CNN, will have more stories there than on TV and we are telling our kids in school now that they need to be more aware of what is going out there in the wide world.

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The 'best' answer for that question is that it's a big country. There is so much news concerning events throughout America, the rest of the world does not hit most American's radar.

I lived in S. America (Brazil) for 5 years recently and noted the exact same 'mindset'. Music, culture etc that exists in Brazil for Brazilians is enough for them. I hardly saw a news event down there from outside the country.

I lived in S. America (Brazil) for 5 years recently and noted the exact same 'mindset'. Music, culture etc that exists in Brazil for Brazilians is enough for them. I hardly saw a news event down there from outside the country.

They speak portugese, which really limits their choices though.

cv

Have to agree with you on Southerners being the friendliest Americans, but, they made an exception for New Yorkers. Boy! Did they ever!

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The 'best' answer for that question is that it's a big country. There is so much news concerning events throughout America, the rest of the world does not hit most American's radar.

I lived in S. America (Brazil) for 5 years recently and noted the exact same 'mindset'. Music, culture etc that exists in Brazil for Brazilians is enough for them. I hardly saw a news event down there from outside the country.

I met many people in the USA that had no idea where NZ was.

Mind you,these were people that didn't own a passport. That's a hard one to comprehend, as every Kiwi/Aussie that I know has one.

I found the people to be extreamly polite and friendly.(Even New Yorkers!)

I did have to teach them how to drink though.

America is like that new girl at school who is not only the richest and smartest , but also super hottest chick there.

And you know how the other students will act toward her..... Especially the other girls ....

Have to agree with you on Southerners being the friendliest Americans, but, they made an exception for New Yorkers. Boy! Did they ever!

Being a native of the Greatest City in America, and all of Earth, I'll be a Yankee Gentleman, and keep my mouth shut regarding this subject..... :D

But I'll have to say that us New Yorkers are to the U.S.A, what the U.S.A. is to the world......

I did have to teach them how to drink though.

Bet they regretted that experience the next day...

Don't get me wrong, I loved New York and was surprised at the friendliness of the people.

New Yorkers being rude and surly is a cliche which I found to be untrue.

Just them southern boys did not like Yankees in general and New Yorkers in particular.

Have to agree with you on Southerners being the friendliest Americans

I grew up in the South and all I can say is, see how freindly they are if you are not white.

Have to agree with you on Southerners being the friendliest Americans

I grew up in the South and all I can say is, see how freindly they are if you are not white.

I took an Amtrac train from New York City to New Orleans.

As a smoker, I found myself in the cafeteria car most of the time with all the other smokers.

I shared a table with this black guy called Vince from NYC who was married to a girl from Georgia, they were heading down that way to visit family. This guy had been down south many times.

We were then joined by another black guy who was also heading down to the deep south, but, had never been there before.

He was pretty worried about the attitudes down there, so, he started asking Vince questions.

I'll never forget what Vince said as I was very surprised.

He said that he prefered southerners as they were more honest. He said that if a southerner didn't like you, he will come right out and say it.

He pretty much summed it up by saying that white southerners in general didn't like blacks, though many had black individuals as friends, whilst northerners said they liked blacks, but none of them had black individuals as friends.

He saw northerners as hypocrites and southerners as honest.

Anyway, attitudes are changing in the south, especially in the cities.

All true.

I spent a lot of time in San Francisco, and was amazed at how much the 'liberals" there hate blacks; They just keep it to themselves.

I know what Americans are like..................

.........I watch them every day on the Jerry Springer Show.

Don't get me wrong, I loved New York and was surprised at the friendliness of the people.

New Yorkers being rude and surly is a cliche which I found to be untrue.

Just them southern boys did not like Yankees in general and New Yorkers in particular.

Ah, they just still sore from losing the Civil War...

.....And what's not to love about the YANKEES!!!!!

There seems to be a lot of people who like to attack Americans here. I want to know why?

Did you come to America and have a bad experience?

Did Americans show up in your country and give you a hard time? If so, how?

What Americans have you met and in what situations?

Thank you for your time, Thaibebop.

As for myself, it's mostly piss taking, nothing personal. There are also numerous counts of alleged soapdodging by Brits in this forum and us Germans are not spared either...so if tere's a cliche to jump on lots of people do it and I don't excluse myself from that.

Not too much German-piss-taking that I have noticed. Maybe we're all shit-scared

Yes, most people are smart enough to separate government policies from individuals. However, there are an awful lot of very arrogant Americans running about, always comparing things when they travel to the "right way" they are done at home. Other nationalities do the same thing of course.

Lots of nationalities are arrogant, if not all. Even the local Thai. Maybe the Americans are a soft target. They don't seem to bounce the jibes as well as the Aussies, British and some others.

Even the Scots.....

Maybe the Americans are a soft target. They don't seem to bounce the jibes as well as the Aussies, British and some others.

When your country is the size or has the population of a postage stamp, you get used to running into each other all over the place and notice the stereotypes that make good kidding material.

We're all out on the prarie driving cattle without a foreigner to be found.

Maybe the Americans are a soft target. They don't seem to bounce the jibes as well as the Aussies, British and some others.

When your country is the size or has the population of a postage stamp, you get used to running into each other all over the place and notice the stereotypes that make good kidding material.

We're all out on the prarie driving cattle without a foreigner to be found.

Easy targets and lots of ammo makes it kinda fun really..

And the guys out on the prarie are illegals.

Ah, they just still sore from losing the Civil War...

Actually, if you've studied the American Civil war you will know that the Rebs made a laughing stock out of the Yankees for the first three years. They didn't lose a battle and produced the finest generals of the war.

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The 'best' answer for that question is that it's a big country. There is so much news concerning events throughout America, the rest of the world does not hit most American's radar.

I lived in S. America (Brazil) for 5 years recently and noted the exact same 'mindset'. Music, culture etc that exists in Brazil for Brazilians is enough for them. I hardly saw a news event down there from outside the country.

Reminds me to the Thai approach to the rest of the world...

I did have to teach them how to drink though.

Bet they regretted that experience the next day...

yep, they all turned up late for work.

What is it about nationalities anyway? I forget who is credited with this quote, and I'll paraphrase, too, but it was said that the only reason anyone is patriotic to their country is because that's where they were born. No shit!

Being a foreigner most of my life it struck me early in life that nationalistic attitudes are so much <deleted>. Who the <deleted> cares. If you can't relate to people as individuals you're lost.

But I'll have to say that us New Yorkers are to the U.S.A, what the U.S.A. is to the world......

Just what exactly does this mean?

And good on ya Chuchok... us antipodeans may not wave the flag as frequently and patriotically as others, but we can down an ale or two hey?

What is it about nationalities anyway? I forget who is credited with this quote, and I'll paraphrase, too, but it was said that the only reason anyone is patriotic to their country is because that's where they were born. No shit!

Being a foreigner most of my life it struck me early in life that nationalistic attitudes are so much <deleted>. Who the <deleted> cares. If you can't relate to people as individuals you're lost.

Very well put!

Have to agree with you on Southerners being the friendliest Americans, but, they made an exception for New Yorkers. Boy! Did they ever!

I got family back in Queens and the Island. Very straight forward people, gotta love 'em for it though.

Now, whether Americans just aren't interested, so the media reflects this, or, they are ignorant to world affairs because of the lack of news, I couldn't say.

The 'best' answer for that question is that it's a big country. There is so much news concerning events throughout America, the rest of the world does not hit most American's radar.

I lived in S. America (Brazil) for 5 years recently and noted the exact same 'mindset'. Music, culture etc that exists in Brazil for Brazilians is enough for them. I hardly saw a news event down there from outside the country.

I met many people in the USA that had no idea where NZ was.

Mind you,these were people that didn't own a passport. That's a hard one to comprehend, as every Kiwi/Aussie that I know has one.

I am one of those Americans. Many of us just aren't able to get out of the country, even for our entire lives. Alot of people never leave their states. I think that most of this the ioslation again, as in some people just don't know enough about the rest of the world to know where to go & living in America is so expensive, to try to come up with the money for a trip somewhere out of counrty is hard for a lot of people.

I found the people to be extreamly polite and friendly.(Even New Yorkers!)

I did have to teach them how to drink though.

I know what Americans are like..................

.........I watch them every day on the Jerry Springer Show.

And why are you watching this show everyday?

Ah, they just still sore from losing the Civil War...

Actually, if you've studied the American Civil war you will know that the Rebs made a laughing stock out of the Yankees for the first three years. They didn't lose a battle and produced the finest generals of the war.

Yes, they almost won. Had they defeated the Union before it could stop up Southern trade and out produce them they would have. I am sure you noticed that even today many a southerner refers to the Civil War as the War of Northern Aggression.

Doesn't it occur to most that we are, first and foremost, human beings? That we are not just from a particular country but that the whole world is ours? Any generalization that can be made of any nationality can be applied to any other nationality. Why the big identification with the place, or country, of your birth. People are so much more than that. It's not so diffficult to step out of the stereotypical attitudes.

Doesn't it occur to most that we are, first and foremost, human beings? That we are not just from a particular country but that the whole world is ours? Any generalization that can be made of any nationality can be applied to any other nationality. Why the big identification with the place, or country, of your birth. People are so much more than that. It's not so diffficult to step out of the stereotypical attitudes.

Well, I think that if one was to dig deep into Amercian philosophy you would find just that. For the idea behind the country, regardless of history, is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What person in any country doesn't work for just these things. So, if you believe in these freedoms than you are an American, philosophically at least. I mean Locke pretty much wrote down the idea of America and in his view country didn't matter either, for the individual had a contract with a government that could under the right circumstances be ignored. The counrty is just for protection of property, ones identity must be found by ones own self.

Probably one of the greatest sentences ever written:-

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"

From the American declaration of independence.

How come the politicians back then were so good and the present day ones are so bad?