A Conversation for Ask h2g2
What Do People Like About America?
Ste Posted Jul 9, 2003
Alec, there's a word for your sudden irrational dislike of the French: Racism. I find it amazing that some people's (and the US govts) ire is aimed at a democratic country whose inhabitants and government simply disagreed with the USA, when Saudi Arabia (a brutal regime where most of the Sept 11th terrorists and bin Laden came from) are their official friends. Where is the boycotting of Saudi Oil, and 'punishments' aimed at the Saudi Government? As I said, it's racism and it's idiotic. Alec, and Americans who hold similar opinions are an embarrasment to their country, especially on an international site such as this.
Dammit, I started this thread to avoid stuff like this and here I am responding to it. But I couldn't help myself in this case.
One of the things that I'm growing to appreciate about the US (I've been here for over two years now) is the diversity of not only people, but the thinking that comes with it. People are far less likely to agree on things. It doesn't seem like that from the outside, but the range of ideas and opinions here is way more than, say, in the UK. This is probably down to the roots of the country in immigration from all four corners of the globe.
Another thing which comes from the countrys establishment is risk taking. People take risks in the USA, which is probably why it's the richest country in the world. Taking risks is fun, and often good for you. Just watch the American and British versions of 'Who Wants To Be a Millionare', the Brits will always play it safe and take the money when it gets up to 64,000 (or whereever), but the Yank will always push on, taking a huge gamble. Quite often they walk away with nowt, but they walk away with a million far more often than we Brits.
'Millionare' is on in lots of coutries around the world, yeah? I reckon someone should do some sociology study comparing different nations attitudes to gambling and risk assessment. It'd be dead interesting.
That's all I think. For now. 
Ste
What Do People Like About America?
Reality Manipulator Posted Jul 9, 2003
i have had only waffles once (american style)
waffles with maple syrup, sliced peaches & strawberries with whipped cream on top.
kat
What Do People Like About America?
broelan Posted Jul 9, 2003
don't forget the hillbillies, those are ours too! 
What Do People Like About America?
Xanatic Posted Jul 9, 2003
No, other countries seem to have people being of fairly average intelligence and talents. Whereas America seems just to have two big bumps at each end of the spectre.
What Do People Like About America?
Loup Dargent Posted Jul 9, 2003
the hillbillies?!..
i kinda remember a certain Tv series hehe..
more for the list:
the adams family...
farscape...
buck rogers...
lots of Sci-Fi books which i've read when i was younger... with one of my favourites being Fondation...
loup
What Do People Like About America?
Ste Posted Jul 9, 2003
'No, other countries seem to have people being of fairly average intelligence and talents. Whereas America seems just to have two big bumps at each end of the spectre.'
Spectrum?
That'll be the media portrayal of any given item in a crass attemp to be 'balanced'. Polarised more like. Reality doesn't reflect this.
Ste
What Do People Like About America?
Loup Dargent Posted Jul 9, 2003
xanatic.. asimov an immigrant?!.. could be.. but his work is still part of the american SF...
did i mention Alias before?!..
and dark Angel?!...
oh and i can't but not mention Christopher Lambert who is actually half-american and half-french...
Christopher Reeve [sp?!] of course...
the movie ET..
loup
What Do People Like About America?
Blatherskite the Mugwump - Bandwidth Bandit Posted Jul 9, 2003
"No, other countries seem to have people being of fairly average intelligence and talents. Whereas America seems just to have two big bumps at each end of the spectre." - An interesting misperception.
What Do People Like About America?
Reality Manipulator Posted Jul 9, 2003
george lucas and steven spielburg.
kat
What Do People Like About America?
Evil Roy: Maestro of the Thingite Orchestra, Knight Errant of the Thingite Cause, Prince of Balwyniti, Aussie Researchers A59204 Posted Jul 10, 2003
Ten Gallon Hats!
This looks like a good place to get some ideas for my trip to the States.
::toddles off to read the backlog::
What Do People Like About America?
Reality Manipulator Posted Jul 10, 2003
s - american s are wonderfully crisp and light.
kat
What Do People Like About America?
Queeglesproggit - Keeper of the evil Thingite Avon Lady Army and Mary Poppins's bag of darkness.. Posted Jul 10, 2003
Oh I'd love to see a 10 gallon hat!
The bigness 
I can't wait till I get to the States and everything is so... Big
What Do People Like About America?
Potholer Posted Jul 10, 2003
Woody Guthrie
Bill Hicks
Martin Gardner
James Randi
Microbreweries
What Do People Like About America?
Lady Scott Posted Jul 10, 2003
Speaking of TV shows:
Green Acres - never has there been such a loopy show before - or since!
I Love Lucy - fantastic slapstick comedy starring a redheaded woman and her Cuban bandleader husband (Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz)
And food:
Whoopie Pies
Chicken and Waffles (yes, together. No syrup, waffles, with chicken and gravy.
)
What Do People Like About America?
Reality Manipulator Posted Jul 10, 2003
the marx brothers, they are great.
kat
What Do People Like About America?
Blatherskite the Mugwump - Bandwidth Bandit Posted Jul 10, 2003
What is a Whoopie Pie?
What Do People Like About America?
Loup Dargent Posted Jul 10, 2003
another one for my list:
cheerleaders...
loup
What Do People Like About America?
Researcher Eagle 1 Posted Jul 10, 2003
A whoopie pie is basically two very soft, foamy chocolate cookies with a layer of whipped cream between them. The whole thing is about as big as your fist, and if it's made well, it's pretty tasty.
Key: Complain about this post
What Do People Like About America?
- 141: Ste (Jul 9, 2003)
- 142: Reality Manipulator (Jul 9, 2003)
- 143: broelan (Jul 9, 2003)
- 144: Xanatic (Jul 9, 2003)
- 145: Loup Dargent (Jul 9, 2003)
- 146: Xanatic (Jul 9, 2003)
- 147: Ste (Jul 9, 2003)
- 148: Loup Dargent (Jul 9, 2003)
- 149: Blatherskite the Mugwump - Bandwidth Bandit (Jul 9, 2003)
- 150: Reality Manipulator (Jul 9, 2003)
- 151: rangerjustice (formerly warrior ranger) (Jul 9, 2003)
- 152: Evil Roy: Maestro of the Thingite Orchestra, Knight Errant of the Thingite Cause, Prince of Balwyniti, Aussie Researchers A59204 (Jul 10, 2003)
- 153: Reality Manipulator (Jul 10, 2003)
- 154: Queeglesproggit - Keeper of the evil Thingite Avon Lady Army and Mary Poppins's bag of darkness.. (Jul 10, 2003)
- 155: Potholer (Jul 10, 2003)
- 156: Lady Scott (Jul 10, 2003)
- 157: Reality Manipulator (Jul 10, 2003)
- 158: Blatherskite the Mugwump - Bandwidth Bandit (Jul 10, 2003)
- 159: Loup Dargent (Jul 10, 2003)
- 160: Researcher Eagle 1 (Jul 10, 2003)
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