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How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 11:24:09 AM

cjklyn

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I just read the following quote in a different thread
<<To International friends. Often you see the snotty suburban brat as a tourist. ALl Americans are not that way. There are tons of smal villages all across America where people are more important then greeed. The thing is- small town people tend to stay in the same area. Tend not to travel abroad. If you want to see America, go to a few small towns. They are the REAL AMERICA.>>

and it made me wonder, how do you view people from other nations? Are your opinions and views on them and their cultures based on what you see and read in your own media, based on opinions and views of others, or based on your own personal experiences?

As an Englishman, my exposure to the US until my mid 20's was through the tv, and newspapers. My views of Americans probably echoed the vies of many here in the UK. But since then as well as visiting the US a few times, I've been fortunate enough to work for 3 american companies, and work alongside a number of americans. Admittedly, the people I worked with represented a small cross section of American society.

The experience changed my views. First, it allowed me to check my preconceptions, by asking questions on politics, social issues, education , health etc. But it also showed the obvious, taht people often overlook. That in every country there are people who I like, and dislike...we're all human after all.

so how do you judge people from other nations?

Post #: 1

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 11:37:30 AM

luckydog1

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I try to judge them as individuals, and learn about the musical culture of thier homeland. And have tie them up and whip them if they are cute<wink>.

(in reply to cjklyn)

Post #: 2

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 12:45:54 PM

slavejali

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I was born in Australia. Since I was little, I have always had a fascination and appreciation of people from other countries. To my childs mind, interacting with people who looked different, or spoke differently, or did different things was like this really special thing, that even as far back as I can remember I really appreciated. I can recall sitting on the front lawn with some business associates of the neighbours who lived there who had come from japan, the women were in kiminos and introduced me to oragami, you can't imagine how thrilling that experience was for a child. The neighbours on the other side had relatives in New Zealand, I would spend hours getting them to talk and trying to repeat how they said things, it was amazing to me that someone could be speaking english yet sound different. There was an italian family down the street I would go to visit, the mother was always in the kitchen cooking, the aromas and close knit family atmosphere was just the best for me. At one stage Australia had an influx of english immigrants, one english family moved in with a girl my same age, same thing I loved it. Around 8 I was introduced to yoga and got to meet and interact with an Indian lady who was one of the most graceful women I had ever met at the time, the experience was profound. I had a german friend inhigh school and just loved going to stay at her place and talking with her parents. In my teens, we had an influx of asian people into the country bringing their culture and differences with them that I was just so fascinated by. My last three partners have been from the USA, all from varying areas and backgrounds, I think one of the things I really appreciate about the american people is their ability to communicate

You know I have never thought about this before...but it makes sense to me now why I was drawn to travel as much as I have, I've actually lived in a few other countries and like you said have found good and not so great people everywhere. I think however my exposure to other cultures from such an early age really opened my mind in a variety of ways, I really think travel should be part of the education of all young people, it would stop a lot of the bigotry and close mindedness that is so ripe in the world.

How do I judge people from other countries? Postively, most of the time.

Addition: Master just read this and asked me what I meant when I said about Americans and communication. In my experience, as a general whole I have found that american people in general have really good communication skills, they use a lot of adjectives within their speech.

Ask an Australian about the weather, they will say, "its, hot, cold, windy"
Ask an American and they will tell you the temperature and heaps of other associated info. This kinda difference plays out even within relationship communication.

In relationship I've discovered a real appreciation of my american partners communication skills, which is generally lacking within Australians (sorry fellow aussies).

< Message edited by slavejali -- 12/16/2006 1:37:14 PM >

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 12:50:06 PM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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Hi CJ, I made that statement.

Some of it came from this...

in the mid 90s, a coworker went to Portugal for a 2 week vacation. The group was advised to not disclose to other persons that they were Americans. I said, so its better to lie? The group- picked a european country, never admitting to be an American.

I said, Misty, why would you want to then even visit such a place- where we are disliked?

If it were me, I would tend to say, I am from Pennsylvania.

Verbose, boastfull, bragging, pushy- are how many are perceived. Hence the term the "Ugly American".

As to how Americans view the world. The media, much of our reality is unaware, disassociatated with the larger world. Dont take that personally tho...there are some Americans that dont know where Chicago is, let alone Tibet.

On one of my jobs, a lady from the UK was hired as a clerk at that hotel. She was amazed how very little red tape there was too become employed.

We have alot of fences to mend- due to the past 6 years.

-regards

(in reply to luckydog1)

Post #: 4

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 2:22:19 PM

LTRsubNW

Posts: 1604
Joined: 5/6/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: cjklyn

I just read the following quote in a different thread
<<To International friends. Often you see the snotty suburban brat as a tourist. ALl Americans are not that way. There are tons of smal villages all across America where people are more important then greeed. The thing is- small town people tend to stay in the same area. Tend not to travel abroad. If you want to see America, go to a few small towns. They are the REAL AMERICA.>>

and it made me wonder, how do you view people from other nations? Are your opinions and views on them and their cultures based on what you see and read in your own media, based on opinions and views of others, or based on your own personal experiences?

As an Englishman, my exposure to the US until my mid 20's was through the tv, and newspapers. My views of Americans probably echoed the vies of many here in the UK. But since then as well as visiting the US a few times, I've been fortunate enough to work for 3 american companies, and work alongside a number of americans. Admittedly, the people I worked with represented a small cross section of American society.

The experience changed my views. First, it allowed me to check my preconceptions, by asking questions on politics, social issues, education , health etc. But it also showed the obvious, taht people often overlook. That in every country there are people who I like, and dislike...we're all human after all.

so how do you judge people from other nations?

Well, I've been to Vancouver BC (twice, mind you), so I have a bit of international flair to my persona...and I can honestly say....not everyone is beholding to Hollywood, but then again, those that aren't...why haven't you picked up the baton? Clearly the American way is better than all the rest. C'mon people...get on the bandwagon...it's all there in beautiful Cinemascope for all to see...

< Message edited by LTRsubNW -- 12/16/2006 2:23:47 PM >

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 4:00:58 PM

ScienceBoy

Posts: 114
Joined: 11/21/2006
From: Bristol, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

If it were me, I would tend to say, I am from Pennsylvania.

Verbose, boastfull, bragging, pushy- are how many are perceived. Hence the term the "Ugly American".

<snip>

I'd tend to associate that with USAian imperialism - I wouldn't introduce myself to somebody of a foreign nationality by announcing I'm from Avon - they'd have no idea what I was on about, and nor should they be expected to.

Descending from hyperbole and viciousness - people are people are people. They come in different colours, but they come in different hair styles too.

All Scots are penny pinchers. The Scots (I'm told), say Edingburghians are. I suspect that they say people from one area are, and they say one street, and it all turns out to be one dude.

As with most things, any difference between two groups pales in comparison to the difference within a group. It makes no real sense to hold where a person comes from, or lives, to be an important thing - unless they feel it is, or make it so.

I went to the US. Most of the people I met were lovely - being USAians wasn't terribly important to that. Some of them were asshats. That was because they were asshats - not particularly because they were USAians. I went to Canada, it was much the same. Ditto France, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Crete, Italy, Scotland, Wales, England, Laos, Thailand, Prague etc.

Unavoidably, the society that surrounds you influences you.. But in my experience at least, not enough to allow you to make any useful generalisations.

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Post #: 6

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 4:44:18 PM

MasterKalif

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Joined: 5/24/2004
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This is a very interesting thread...I myself I am from Santiago, Chile, but left at the age of 9 and have since lived in many countries such as Egypt, UK, Morocco, Poland and now the USA. In those years I was growing up overseas, I went to American schools....hence I was never 100% immersed in those cultures, but much more in touch than many other people (for example in Egypt American citizens had access to their own "american" supermarket and didn't have to buy at local supermarkets)....in my view, Americans are good people, and growing up and attending American schools sort of taught me many American values such as freedom of expression (through friends too), and things of that nature....the Americans I was in contact abroad were usually sons and daughters of oil company workers and executives, as well as of government officials (US embassy staff and their families)...in Egypt there was a true sense of community, and were very open. It has been since I have lived in the United States that I see that many (Im generalizing but I am not saying everyone) people dislike foreigners and distrust them, particularly after September 11....I myself don't and never had have any problems as I look and could pass for someone of many nationalities, and I have adapted here fairly well. Also many Americans come off as naive in foreign countries because American society is "usually" trusting (with exceptions of course), and hence some run the problem of being in trouble (depending on the situation and what it is) I think Americans are usually sincere and good people, but have erroneous views of the world because being such a large country and being a secure super power, the average person (in my opinion) doesn't have to know much about the rest of the world.....I also think no one should be told to not say where they are from unless they know they will die...for example I know Chileans have a bad image in Sweden and some other Sacndinavian countries, yet when I visited Denmark I had no problem stating where I was from...be proud of who you are, and be open to learn about this world....I love learning about other people and cultures, and their political views which make it rather interesting.

< Message edited by MasterKalif -- 12/16/2006 4:47:16 PM >

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Post #: 7

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 4:50:40 PM

meatcleaver

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I think when people are debating about this country and that country, they are often not talking about the individual people but the politics and economic culture of a country. Down on the ground, people are people are people but having said that, I have traveled a lot and one thing I found, national stereotypes do exist, something my liberal leanings took a long time to accept. However, when one is face to face with someone superficial differences fall away and you get down to the human being. I might like them or dislike them and quite often whether I agree or disagree with their world view it is irrelevent, there is something deeper at work.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 5:18:24 PM

ScienceBoy

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From: Bristol, UK
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Seconded on the country vs the people. I draw this distinction when talking about the USA (a lot) - the monolith vs the individual.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 6:56:57 PM

popeye1250

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Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
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I grew up with and worked with a lot of foreigners.
Italians, Irish, Greeks, a few Germans, a Swedish family up the street, my friend Dave Robinson's mother was from England, he went on to become the drummer for The Cars.
As far as I know all those people came here legally unlike a lot we see today. That I really don't like.
I've always liked accents and found it interesting talking to foreign born people about where they came from.
And I've been in about 40 different countries myself and always enjoyed traveling.

(in reply to ScienceBoy)

Post #: 10

RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 7:57:57 PM

Arpig

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Pretty much the same way I see locals...no difference to me.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 8:01:23 PM

michaelOfGeorgia

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quote:

How do you see foreigners?

i usually use my eyes...pretty much helps see anyone...LOL

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/16/2006 8:50:23 PM

dcnovice

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quote:

So how do you judge people from other nations?

As people.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 8:10:46 AM

LadyEllen

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Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
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Wherever I've been, all over Europe, there are some assholes and a lot of ordinary people and a few wonderful people. Just like the UK.

Some aspects of national stereotypes are true -
Italians are very excitable, especially when things go awry; lots of shouting and arm waving - but not much different to me there!
Germans can come across as arrogant and overformal; but use their language and most are not at all like that, especially away from work. Add alcohol and they are the same as Brits.
Irish/Scottish/Welsh - very friendly people in the main, but I've never yet met one who didnt overindulge on the booze.
English - in Europe, we are seen as uncouth, drunken yobs - probably because of the reputation built over years of soccer hooliganism and ignorant, stupid package tourists. Unfortunately to a great extent this is true. How wonderful to be able to pretend to be German, and disassociate oneself from one's ill reputed compatriots.
etc

The only country I have ever been to where the proportion of assholes seemed higher than elsewhere, is France. Probably because I'm English and the enemy to start with I thought. But a few years back when my ex employer held a conference for the Europe-wide logistics alliance we were in, it seemed they were seen the same by everyone else too! But at the same time, I have met quite a few nice French people too.

E

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 8:44:59 AM

meatcleaver

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

The only country I have ever been to where the proportion of assholes seemed higher than elsewhere, is France. Probably because I'm English and the enemy to start with I thought. But a few years back when my ex employer held a conference for the Europe-wide logistics alliance we were in, it seemed they were seen the same by everyone else too! But at the same time, I have met quite a few nice French people too.

The French are great and very hospitable when you get to know them but if you don't, you might as well not exist. I have lived there a couple of years and had a couple of French lovers and really enjoyed the experience. On the other hand I know someone who is half French and has lived in France for 50 out of her 60 years and is still considered foreign by most of her neighbours.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 9:13:28 AM

siamsa24

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Well, I guess that I am the only person that judges most other people on sight. The funny thing is, I'm generally right. I have worked retail for a long time and there are certain types of people who always stink, other types of people who always try to buy 12 gallons of milk, other types of people who are always trying to scam us on returns/rebates, and so on. If that makes me a racist then I guess I'm racist.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 9:16:36 AM

apairofmasters

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Well, speaking from my own experience of buying a house this past summer, I found that dealing with Indian imports in financial settings (Devere Capital) is EXTREMELY annoying as all h**l

We ended up going to a local bank run by Americans & got a better rate with far less hassle.

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 10:42:50 AM

subfever

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I've always found cute girls with foreign accents particularly appealing...

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RE: How do you see foreigners - 12/17/2006 1:48:47 PM

KenDckey

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Having lived in both Europe and Africa and visited all over including the Mid EAst. I have been judged. I have learned that when I judge individual I do it according to their beliefs and values. I learned early on when I was in Africa and a guy was holding my hand and I took great exception to that. then I was instructed that it was the same as my shaking hands in their culture. This was a valuable lesson for me.

I have been a translator on domestic flights and in resturants and stores for visitors from other countries. I heard the people their complain that they didn't speak English as well as they would like. I asked them how they would feel if they visited their country and couldn't speak their language fluently. Sometimes that was enough to make them ssit back and take a look from a different perspective.

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Post #: 19

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