Europeans Share "Hard Truths" About We Americans

The rancid clickbait article succeeded in its intention - to create rancor and division. This thread is proof positive of that. SFers who are generally kind toward each other are sharpening their blades. No good will come from this. The hurt feelings will last.

Why do people feel the need to compete in the "my country is better than yours" game, repeatedly hitting others' soft spots?

Not a single country on the planet is without problems or issues it could/should handle better. Not one.
 

Paco Dennis said:
No guns needed for Britain?

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we didn't need guns to make our own country..and we still don't need them. Dennis you always try and start arguments when you don't have the correct facts... you did it yesterday on another thread.. with other people, and they told you to Stop.. now you're doing it here... Know when you're wrong...
 
HazyDavey said:
I can see where this thread could get heated up pretty fast. All I'm going to say is we already know we have 'hard truths.' There are hard truths worldwide, including Europe. Jeez, get out the flame throwers and let the good times roll ..
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There are hard truths in every country
I can’t get the link due to the server I’m on
This is the worst part of the internet. People no longer mind their own business. Worry about what’s in your own backyard

I’ve been to the states many times and always had a good time. I’ve visited at least 17 states, most of which was from travelling. Most major cities were missed. I really enjoyed my travels to the United States. 🇺🇸
 

birdy said:
People live without cars in areas with mass transit but you can't do that everywhere in the US.

I doubt many Americans give a rat's behind about how Europeans live their lives. It isn't thought about on a daily basis.
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Europeans don't seem to grasp just how massive the US is, and how varied the terrain is. Sacramento has 4 bus terminals, 2 major airports, and AmTrac. Regional transport services are Dial-a-Ride, SmaRT-Ride (electric), Taxi, Lyft, and Uber, and for free rides you can grab a City Bike or a Sac Moto electric scooter.

It isn't that Americans don't give a rat's; Europeans seem to be doing just fine. If ever they aren't, Americans have their backs.
 
Murrmurr said:
Europeans don't seem to grasp just how massive the US is, and how varied the terrain is. Sacramento has 4 bus terminals, 2 major airports, and AmTrac. Regional transport services are Dial-a-Ride, SmaRT-Ride (electric), Taxi, Lyft, and Uber, and for free rides you can grab a City Bike or a Sac Moto electric scooter.

It isn't that Americans don't give a rat's; Europeans seem to be doing just fine. If ever they aren't, Americans have their backs.
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wrong...we are all aware how big the USA is... equally we know how large India, Brazil, and China are ..and bigger Canada & Russia

Where do Americans get this idea that somehow Europeans don't know geography..?...
 
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hollydolly said:
these things are invented to stir up trouble. For example I don't suppose anyone noticed that Programs are spelled the American way... Europeans spell it Programmes.. Program conversely refers in the UK to computer code...
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Well, after all, the article is about Americans.

Yeah, that list of gripes is the same old list I've seen for decades. Things I always see on the Positives list: Americans are friendly, Americans are optimistic, Americans are inventive.

Not every American is friendly, optimistic, or inventive. Like Europe, America has its fair share of grumpy couch potatoes who don't know a ratchet from a screwdriver.
 
hollydolly said:
wrong...we are all aware how big the USA is... equally we know how large India, Brazil, Russia and China are ..and bigger Canada & Russia

Where do Americans get this idea that somehow Europeans don't know geography..?...
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Because they are always surprised about it when they visit. I'm not saying they don't know geography, I'm not talking about geography.

I'm saying they don't realize the immensity of the US until they actually see it. They literally say "I didn't realize how BIG the US is!" (I used to drive a bus)

I mean, they knew it was big, they just never imagined how big.
 
Murrmurr said:
With flying colors.
Now get off the couch...and mix one for me, too.
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😂 But it's so comfy! 🍸 There ya go. Oops, that's a martini... oh well. But that size of America thing... true. I once talked to a lady from Canada who told me she was distantly related to Charles Bronson and told me to say hello to him if I saw him somewhere. An old friend from Malaysia said the same about Dolly Parton... to say hello from Sherese if I ever see her. I was naughty and said sure, I'll give Dolly her best next time I see her. 😇
 
Number 10 made me laugh. Americans trying to help Europeans understand that the different countries of Europe are no different than the states we have here in the US. I can hear some of my neighbors saying something like that. That's right, it's just the United States of Europe, same same. Haha.
 
Murrmurr said:
What comes to mind when I say "Californian"?

Big, dumb surfer dude?
Tall, tanned vegan?
Tech-savvy nerd / valley-girl / valley-boy?
Tree-huggin' hippy?
Crip, Blood, or maybe wanna-be movie star?

I was born and raised in Cali, lived here most of my life, and I'm none of the characters on that list.
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Come on Murrmurr
Let us label you.
Surely you’re a vegan, tree huggin’ hippy
 
As to the Beatles, don't forget that some of their popularity was in the U.S. — the huge American market, which was certainly one to gain popularity (and income) in.

I am going to take a break. Carry on ragging on the U.S. and showing us how "friendly" you are.
 
Devi said:
This is a sad thread. Members ragging on the U.S. Not friendly at all, is it? Thanks.

As to music, don't forget that the Rolling Stones and others based some of their earliest music on U.S. Black blues. You know — blues-based rock music.
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Those so-called Hard Truths have zero hardness, though. It's a list of hackneyed old stereotypes, more insulting to Europeans than Americans, imo.
 
horseless carriage said:
Interesting points Diva. My wife and I spent most of our vacations Stateside. We travelled there almost once a year, I had a schoolfriend, married to an American whom we would visit regularly. We just loved America,

Then one day, an incident with a firearm changed all that. We were not involved, didn't even witness anything. Later we heard that a thief dragged the driver from his car whilst the car was stationary at the traffic lights. The thief then jumped into the car and drove off. The victim did no more than pull a pistol out and fired at the thief, hitting him in the shoulder. That didn't kill him, but in losing control of the car causing him to collide with one of those monster eighteen wheeler trucks, that killed him.

It was the reaction of those who thought that the thief got his just desserts that distressed us so. Here in the UK you don't see a weapon, ever. It's true that our police have a firearms unit but their weapons are only used as a last resort, they are never carried openly. Our security companies are not armed, nor are anyone else.

We still love America and reminisce so many happy times spent there, but the gun culture is something that we have called time on.
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Correction. UK POLICE DO carry automatic weapons openly in your major cities. Here is an entire page of recent photos of anti terrorist UK Police officers, carrying Heckler and Koch 9mm automatic rifles, and Sig Sauer 9mm semi automatic 18 shot pistols on drop leg holsters.

link. UK armed police anti terrorist units on patrol in London photos - Bing

link. British anti terror Police on patrol in London.
UK armed police anti terrorist units on patrol in London photos - Bing

JimB.
 
There is a very long list of criticisms possible for current USA culture and society. Even versus what we were generally say 3 decades ago. Enormous amount of change for the worse in a short period of years. All our globalization, endless growth and development, over population, gender politics, global warming denials, open borders, PC media dominated by Ivy Tower elites and Wall Street. Much more worse than that OP link's list, pathetically short and unfocused. As an economic peon of limited means, I've never been to Europe. Why this Counterculture person essentially "tuned in and dropped out" decades ago from our hopeless situation.
 
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