[journalismus]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
Haha, funny story! It seems that the vast majority of British expats live in Florida. Is this true?

I have no idea, but I imagine that the sunny weather is definitely an attraction for Brits!

[Banburyhammer]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
I completely agree, as would most Americans. Most are in favor of so called Obamacare. The NHS seems more efficient.

I wouldnt go as far as efficient, but were glad of it all the same.

If theres one thing Id like to know about its the content of your education. Whats on your history/RE curriculum? Its somthing that says a lot about the mindset of a people. From my cousins in India, a lot of the content is concerned with the freedom movement and partition, and the Muslim invasion period is treated with extreme caution - a lot more emphasis is paid to the advances and the reign of Akbar the Great, wheras the bloodshed and signicant upheaval is slightly glossed over.
And the curriculum in England is more focused on the social changes of the Norman conquest, Tudor England, and the Industrial Revolution. The content of the World Wars is also very european focused.

[lindie]

(Original post by Banburyhammer)

If theres one thing Id like to know about its the content of your education. Whats on your history/RE curriculum? Its somthing that says a lot about the mindset of a people.

Ugh. I get angry just thinking about how awful my history education was. (We don't have RE in America). Basically, (at my school), we studied Ancient civilizations over and over and over again. Sometimes we would break and study WWII or the American Revolution. One time we studied the Civil War. Occasionally we would have "civics" which was like American government. One year my German history teacher had us study Vietnam "conflict", Iraq/Iran war, Nixon/Lydon B Johnson. Oh, we studied September 11th once (which was weird because I was alive when it happened.)

Never studied WWI, barely know the basics.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Droid

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
Lol, and I continually get harassed for opposing gay people who wanna legalize gay marriage. You aren't any different.

You really don't have any reason to oppose a fat person's choice for being fat. Often it is down to bad metabolism.

No, I don't agree with you. I think that American history is deep and the fact it is modern doesn't make it dull. I think european history is petty and violent.

As I said, if it is genetic, I don't blame them. I enjoy all history, but I prefer European history, as you prefer US history. I respect your choices.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
As I said, if it is genetic, I don't blame them. I enjoy all history, but I prefer European history, as you prefer US history. I respect your choices.

lol, I enjoy no history! I want humanities to be more optional in high schools and colleges. We are subjected to waay too much of it already. More sciences and math!

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Banburyhammer)
I wouldnt go as far as efficient, but were glad of it all the same.

If theres one thing Id like to know about its the content of your education. Whats on your history/RE curriculum? Its somthing that says a lot about the mindset of a people. From my cousins in India, a lot of the content is concerned with the freedom movement and partition, and the Muslim invasion period is treated with extreme caution - a lot more emphasis is paid to the advances and the reign of Akbar the Great, wheras the bloodshed and signicant upheaval is slightly glossed over.
And the curriculum in England is more focused on the social changes of the Norman conquest, Tudor England, and the Industrial Revolution. The content of the World Wars is also very european focused.

Well, my first year of high school, we had US History. Sophomore year, we had World Cultures. Junior year is US History (again). And senior year is European History. That is just my school though.

[Banburyhammer]

(Original post by lindie)
Ugh. I get angry just thinking about how awful my history education was. (We don't have RE in America). Basically, (at my school), we studied Ancient civilizations over and over and over again. Sometimes we would break and study WWII or the American Revolution. One time we studied the Civil War. Occasionally we would have "civics" which was like American government. One year my German history teacher had us study Vietnam "conflict", Iraq/Iran war, Nixon/Lydon B Johnson. Oh, we studied September 11th once (which was weird because I was alive when it happened.)

Never studied WWI, barely know the basics.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Droid

Well we did the Romans, Greeks, and all the Kings and Queens since William the Conqueror at primary school as well, but frankly at that age its all a bit useless. You dont really get to see all the nuances of Roman society (like the tradition of slavery and the beneifts as well as horrors it could bring) at 8 years old. Mainly cause a lot of it involves plain old hardcore sex - the Rape of Lucretia is frankly one of the pivotal moments in human history but you just cant cover that sort of thing. Or good old Nell Gywn.

[Top Banana]

Fat, stupid, jingoistic, cheesy and arrogant.

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Top Banana)
Fat, stupid, jingoistic, cheesy and arrogant.

Cheesy, yes. Arrogant, for the most part. Stupid, depends on where you go. Fat, again depends on where you go. I would suggest visiting the US if you haven't already, to see if these ideas hold true.

[mare?]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
Without a doubt, it is still active, but it is not very prominent in politics. I genuinely believe that if we did not go in to Afganistan, more people in the Western world would have died. The Taliban committed countless atrocities against their own people. It was an Islamic theocracy; millions lived in fear. Civilian deaths by NATO forces are more prominent, but it is like that in every war. Now there is not really a safe haven for Islamist groups to train and to hide. Of course we are proud of our troops, and it is true that some idiots congratulate themselves for things which they have no idea how it works. I think the War in Iraq was pointless, but the War in Afghanistan was more than justified. If we just let the Taliban rule Afghanistan, what do you think would happen?

My point was not to discuss whether the war is justifiable or not but rather to reflect on the status quo. I'm not as optimistic as you are: millions still live in fear, terrorist groups are still active in the region (and as fragmented as ever), women are no less oppressed, the central government still lacks a backbone, the Afghan diaspora continues to grow etc. With this in mind I disagreed with you when you claimed your country has "saved" the Afghanis. (Also I just deeply, deeply hate that word lol ^^).

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by mare?)
My point was not to discuss whether the war is justifiable or not but rather to reflect on the status quo. I'm not as optimistic as you are: millions still live in fear, terrorist groups are still active in the region (and as fragmented as ever), women are no less oppressed, the central government still lacks a backbone, the Afghan diaspora continues to grow etc. With this in mind I disagreed with you when you claimed your country has "saved" the Afghanis. (Also I just deeply, deeply hate that word lol ^^).

What I said, as well as what you said are just opinions. I believe that ISAF forces and the ANA and police did positive things. Although millions still live in fear, it is indisputable that life for the average Afghani is better now than it was 10 years ago. Also, I did not claim that my country did everything, the UK, as well as many other countries all worke together. If you think that the world would be safer for Afghans as well everyone else, then I think you need to reevaluate the whole situation. I am definately not belligerent, and I am not very patriotic at all. I genuinely believe that getting involved in Afghanistan was the right decision.

[CallumTM]

This is the stereotype of America as far as i'm concerned (well, that i know of), ie. You're obese, stupid, think you're amazing and you're all religious nut jobs. i'm from England btw, also i love this show and i want to move to america when i'm older (hopefully to Ohio).

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by CallumTM)


This is the stereotype of America as far as i'm concerned (well, that i know of), ie. You're obese, stupid, think you're amazing and you're all religious nut jobs. i'm from England btw, also i love this show and i want to move to america when i'm older (hopefully to Ohio).

Obese and stupid: it really depends on where you go. The people who think America is the greatest country in the world are usually people with conservative views (less than half of the US). As for the religious nutjob part, the places where the people are the most religious is in the Midwest and the South. Most of Americans belong to a religion, but most would not consider it an important part of their life. Once the so-called Baby Boomers die out, America will be even more liberal and secular. Most of my friends, in both England and the US, belong to a religion only because their parents do. Once they go to university, I expect most of them to abandon their religious faiths. But then again, I have gone to Catholic school my entire life, so if I went to public school, things would be a little bit different.

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by CallumTM)


This is the stereotype of America as far as i'm concerned (well, that i know of), ie. You're obese, stupid, think you're amazing and you're all religious nut jobs. i'm from England btw, also i love this show and i want to move to america when i'm older (hopefully to Ohio).

By the way, I really enjoyed the clip. And also, good luck on your plans to move to the US. I plan on studying and living in the UK so I guess we are both in for a bit of culture shock.

[ihatepoems]

Sacrificing humanity for patriotism


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by ihatepoems)
Sacrificing humanity for patriotism


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Can you elaborate? I don't disagree with you; I just want to see what you are trying to say.

[Millie228]

The common stereotypes about Americans tend to be that they are:
- fat
- slow
- ignorant
- uncultured
- unsophisticated

I know that not all Americans are like that, but part of what's strange is that even Americans who aren't like that, won't actually disagree with it. If you meet an American who don't fit the stereotype, he/she may be from NY, or maybe Connecticut or Boston. They won't disagree, they'll just say "that's the Southern states, not us". In fact, they'll be even more discriminating towards South state people than most Europeans are.
But NY is not US. Even New Yorkers talk of NY as the ultimate European capital - because none of it represents the US. NYC citizens are as far from the average American as one can be. The Southern states consists of a hell of a lot of people - Texas is a very large state. So these people take up very much of the US, whether the average American likes it or not.

Obesity and ignorance apart - the Americans I know are either from LA or NY. Although still slightly above an attractive weight, they don't represent the "King of Queens" America many seem to think of. I get along with Americans well, as most people do, but I do sense that we are not compatible on certain areas. I think I can say that Americans carry their "heart on their sleeve" more than Europeans do. I was born and raised in Northern Europe - and in a relatively non-social family also - and I am used to a different mindset. I am naturally skeptical towards over-enthusiastic people and those who proclaim their friendship or love very suddenly. I think in an "easy come, easy go" kind of way - if someone call you their BFF after a first meeting, it doesn't take them much to find a new one either. The American girls I know are very affectionate and welcoming, but I can't help but feel that the friendships are somewhat shallow. In the same sense I know that guys who appear to become incredibly intimate straight away, or most likely the same way with every girl they meet. I am more the type to build up to a genuine friendship or relationship. Not to say that Americans aren't very social - they are - but they rarely make my closest friends. There is an "Oprah" stereotype - "I love you all" - and that has proven to be true for me.

[ihatepoems]

The millions of men, women and children US armed forces have killed in the past 100 years in countless countries, is sickening. We hear about the names of every soldier that is either injured or killed, but do we ever hear of the many innocents who have been brutally slaughtered? All the time your government has fed you false diet of propaganda that plays on your patriotic tendencies, and coax you to rise up against a practically non-existent enemy.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Millie228)
The common stereotypes about Americans tend to be that they are:
- fat
- slow
- ignorant
- uncultured
- unsophisticated

I know that not all Americans are like that, but part of what's strange is that even Americans who aren't like that, won't actually disagree with it. If you meet an American who don't fit the stereotype, he/she may be from NY, or maybe Connecticut or Boston. They won't disagree, they'll just say "that's the Southern states, not us". In fact, they'll be even more discriminating towards South state people than most Europeans are.
But NY is not US. Even New Yorkers talk of NY as the ultimate European capital - because none of it represents the US. NYC citizens are as far from the average American as one can be. The Southern states consists of a hell of a lot of people - Texas is a very large state. So these people take up very much of the US, whether the average American likes it or not.

Obesity and ignorance apart - the Americans I know are either from LA or NY. Although still slightly above an attractive weight, they don't represent the "King of Queens" America many seem to think of. I get along with Americans well, as most people do, but I do sense that we are not compatible on certain areas. I think I can say that Americans carry their "heart on their sleeve" more than Europeans do. I was born and raised in Northern Europe - and in a relatively non-social family also - and I am used to a different mindset. I am naturally skeptical towards over-enthusiastic people and those who proclaim their friendship or love very suddenly. I think in an "easy come, easy go" kind of way - if someone call you their BFF after a first meeting, it doesn't take them much to find a new one either. The American girls I know are very affectionate and welcoming, but I can't help but feel that the friendships are somewhat shallow. In the same sense I know that guys who appear to become incredibly intimate straight away, or most likely the same way with every girl they meet. I am more the type to build up to a genuine friendship or relationship. Not to say that Americans aren't very social - they are - but they rarely make my closest friends. There is an "Oprah" stereotype - "I love you all" - and that has proven to be true for me.

Yeah, it is true that us northerners blame the south. Then again, for us, it is better to blame the south (deservingly for the most part) than for us to accept blame. Almost no one I know fits the stereotype, but it would pretty much hold true in the south. If I said that all Europeans are liberal, you would most likely point to the nations that are the most liberal; where the notion may hold true.
And the Oprah stereotype is more or less accurate.

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by ihatepoems)
The millions of men, women and children US armed forces have killed in the past 100 years in countless countries, is sickening. We hear about the names of every soldier that is either injured or killed, but do we ever hear of the many innocents who have been brutally slaughtered? All the time your government has fed you false diet of propaganda that plays on your patriotic tendencies, and coax you to rise up against a practically non-existent enemy.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Basically every civilization has invaded and slaughtered entire peoples and thier lands. America is just prominent and the most recent. And I, as well as most young Americans, do not support much of America's foreign policy. As for non existent enemy, who are you referring to?