What Country is the best?

[ShangriLaTroubl]

Originally Posted by Lux

Also Americans in general (note the "in general" bit) have limited knowledge about most countries let alone how they are run. I didn't mean that to be a judgement on specific people here, it kind of a well known generalisation outside of the US that worldly knowledge extends only to the US borders. If you're brought up with that propaganda telling you America is the greatest country with the most freedoms and where everyone is brave, yet they teach you very little about how other countries are run and that most western countries actually have more freedoms, then you're going to come back with a "America is the greatest" response. It just bugs me and judging by every single person I know here at home and in other nations, I think I can say it bugs nearly all non-Americans.

Actually in my experience, as a college student I learn a great deal about other countries. We are required to take courses devoted to other countries, IE : "Western Civilizations," "World History." It's american's choice if they do not learn of other countries, because it is fully presented to them. Sure Americans are most interested in things that go on in the USA (Elections, etc) as anyone in another country would be in their own affairs..
I do not think Americans are as ignorant as some might like to believe. Sure, Americans have a lot of pride, is there something wrong with that??

Chris

[ShangriLaTroubl]

Although my uncle, an American, loved America so much he moved to China this month and married a Chinese lady he met online...now tell me Americans are whacky, and I will agree with you!

Chris

[dissention]

Originally Posted by ShangriLaTroubl

I do not think Americans are as ignorant as some might like to believe. Sure, Americans have a lot of pride, is there something wrong with that??

Chris

The prevailing attitude in foreign countries is that we are ignorant and that our actions speak for themselves. After 9/11, all Americans could do was ask why it happened. You can bet your ass that we were seen as ignorant because the rest of the country knew exactly why it happened and they didn't even live here. The people of this country are so isolated from the world that they know next to nothing about world affairs, world attitudes, or how their behavior is reflected across the globe. The election of George Bush proved that. This country is ignorant, there can be no denying it.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

Yes, because we can all choose which country we want to live in, Jason. We all have enough money and smarts to attend open houses all across the globe to decide which country, city, and house is best suited to our needs. C'mon.

I swear you people I get that. I never said any differently. But, I suppose you just cannot play "I wish I could live here" without being politically correct

[dissention]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I swear you people I get that. I never said any differently. But, I suppose you just cannot play "I wish I could live here" without being politically correct

You said that people choose to live where their needs will best be suited. I hate to disagree ( ), but that just isn't true when it comes to which country you live in.

[Serrart]

I agree there can't be a best Country. I can say that Italy is a pretty good place to live in. We got great landscapes, people are friendly and creative. Every region carries on peculiar traditions that enrich our culture, and the aspect I love more is that we walk and breathe through history and art, and to have so much beauty under your eyes sometimes helps to put everything in perspective.

Obviously we got big problems too, the most serious is a prime minister who sees himself as a potential monarch, but hopefully we'll be able to send him home sooner or later.

Romy

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

You said that people choose to live where their needs will best be suited. I hate to disagree ( ), but that just isn't true when it comes to which country you live in.

You all just amaze me - I said "when you choose" - implying that if you chose or were making the choice. I get that all people cannot chose and never said any differently.

I mean this is a stupid what if kind on question. But, I suppose everything is a class war and evil, dumb, rich, uncaring Americans EVEN in a fantasyesq. where would you like to live type of thing - whatever.

[wondergirl9847]

You all know America is the greatest, bestest, most wonderful country in the entire universe!!!![/sarcasm]

There are good and bad things about every country in the world.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Lux

This thread is titled "Which country is the best?". I don't care what you say, I still find that a ridiculous question.

I didn't mean it to be snobbish, I'm just trying to relate back the impression of American that is undeniably found throughout much of the world, that being one of arrogance and also ignorance. I don't know how to say it without sounding like a snob, but it's the truth.

I only started really learning about other countries when I worked for a multi-national firm and started meeting people from other countries and talking with them. When I look back on my education (pre-college) I find it kind of shocking and somewhat twisted how US centric (white US) it was. Particularly the way the story of the American Indian is told (not told).

I got a public education and I did not know that it was propaganda at the time. I'm not dissing my entire education by any means; I'm just saying that I wish more humility had been taught and a broader perspective of other cultures. Most educated people I know make an effort to understand other cultures. But if you have a high school education or less, and you don’t know anybody from another country, I think you are less inclined to be aware of them or care about them in this country. I have an uncle (not a college grad) who said he had no desire to ever go to another country and never would because we have everything here.

This attitude is partly because we have lots of natural resources and such and have not “needed” other countries. Except Iraq for oil, hence the mess, ugh! At least not needing other countries is the perception. Of course everything is interdependent and we do need them.

But don’t hate the player, hate the game. These people just don’t know, please forgive them; they know not what they do!

[wondergirl9847]

The thing about America...is that the only people who aren't from other parts of the world....are the Native Americans. I have German, Irish, Italian and Cherokee blood in me, so I guess I don't, but yet, do belong here. LMAO!!

Kidding. Anyways, America is the ultimate melting pot, so when people start talking about Americans being ignorant and such, I laugh, because there are so many different races and cultures here. Are only "white" (how I hate that word in regards to race) people ignorant or are all Americans, no matter what race? Are Native Americans ignorant, are African-Americans, Australian-Americans?

Ignorance knows no race, creed, religion, etc.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by ShangriLaTroubl

I do not think Americans are as ignorant as some might like to believe. Sure, Americans have a lot of pride, is there something wrong with that??
Chris

As for the US ignorant thing- I guess that has been proven 10 days ago. It is so incredibly ignorant, naive and dumb that it makes me wonder how you can open that can again.

The information thing... I don`t have the impression you guys in general are too good informed. The pre Iraq war discussion showed that a lot of people in your country let themselves get duped by media campaign- something that shouldn`t be possible and happen in today's world democracy. Your administration even tried to do that with the rest of the world- just remember the tacky fake proofs they offered at the UN back then. What a huge huge shame for the US. Man, if sticking on to these villains isn`t ignorant I don't know what is then.

Hanging out your flag and repeating dumb paroles doesn`t make you a good american imo.

Pride... Everyone has a certain pride for their home country what by no means is the same as putting that country over others. At the moment I don`t see you have too much reason to be that proud over there.

Still thanks to the US ledgies that prove their pride by criticizing their own land. That would be a reason for a country to be proud of, that still a lot of people can think for themselves and stand for certain values. Unluckily you are in the minority as proven on this tuesday.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Lux

That really bugs me. The grandfather of a 'friend' was revolted that she was going to India because it's such a 'grotty' country. Oh dear. I wish it weren't such a taboo to slap old men in the face.

well, but people have their tastes, don't they? "I, said, yeah, well, whattamisupposed to do?"
heh. but if people knew all the cool stuff that was in other countries...but what about you, luxie? you've been outspoken on this thing, what, and why, are other countries you would like to go to?

[madformac]

There is no "Best" country in my opinion.

Anybody with an open mind may realise that whereever they go there are good and bad points about that place. Even paradise would get boring after a while. Humans subscribe to the "grass is always greener" theory.

I love Aruba but eventually I would want some cold wet weather for a change....

Here in England for instance the weather changes are good, snow in winter, sunshine in summer, green fields and rain. Trouble with that is the seasons change too quickly to get used to anything. Our taxation system is ridiculously high but we don't have to pay for health care insurance either. Tax on gasoline is about 80% as well but then again, if it wasn't there would be too many cars on this little island for anybody to get anywhere.

If I had a choice, based on experience and places I've been I would live in maybe Majorca, Aruba or Monaco. Having said that I love Miami and London too. But the flip side is I still have to experience New Zealand and Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. Unless you have visited every place on the face of the earth you can't really make a defined choice.

I will say I believe the "general" belief within America is it is the "best" place in the world, which I find rather funny and it's a kind of cultural difference the rest of the world mock America for, an "in joke" the rest of the world share.

Having said that my own opinion is the "general, i.e. majority " population of America are arrogant, ignorant and self indulgent people.

Christy, I remember you saying how rude the crowds were to you at the US Mac gigs yet the European audiences were far more polite and friendly. I'm just using this as a basic example.

But, the majority of Ledgies here, and quite a few Americans I have met seem to be in the minority catagory (I'm not saying Democrat!) which means you are intelligent open minded INDIVIDUALS. Sorry if I've offended anybody with the last remark!

Just my thoughts...

[wondergirl9847]

People in general were very kind, sweet and helpful when I was there. There were some weirdos too...the guy taking a pee in a corner next to a shop, which happened just a few hours after I landed in London. Also, the grope-guy at the last London show. Hands off the goods, jerkhead!

If I won the lotto tomorrow, I'd take care of my family, buy a home, then travel the world. Paris, Vancouver, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, England, Ireland, Italy...all of these places would be on my list of places to visit, along with many more.

There are rude, obnoxious people everywhere, but I've been to many concerts, and it seems that at the US FM shows I went to, the crowds are insanely rude! Even at the Keith Urban show I went to back in October, there was a really bad fight, a woman was badly injured.

All that said, everyone sees rude differently. If I scream my a$$ off at a show, there may be someone nearby who sees that as rude. If I jump up and down and have a good time, some person may not like that. I'll never forget the gentlemen in front of us at the Dallas '03 show, one hated my screaming, the other loved it. LOL Also, the ladies next to me, didn't appreciate my screaming....and plugged their ears to show me.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Lux

That really bugs me. The grandfather of a 'friend' was revolted that she was going to India because it's such a 'grotty' country. Oh dear. I wish it weren't such a taboo to slap old men in the face.

It bugs me too. But I believe the truth is he is afraid of other cultures which just makes me feel sorry for him.