[Cll_ws]

More than anything i'd say that Americans seem to be the worst when it comes to stereotyping other countries people. But i'm unsure whether a lot of them understand that the stereotypes don't accurately reflect a country's population!

They also seem to bring up war a lot, like really really often. Even people born long after the wars, probably people who know nothing about them, use historical war victories as points in arguments with people from countries that they've fought throughout history, or even fought alongside (in that case they say they either bailed them out, or won it single-handedly). I find it strange. Most people from most countries aren't so passionate about these historical events that they'll be bothered by an American reminding them of them and then be hurt or embarrassed by the comment, it's as if they expect there to be hundreds of years worth of lingering bitterness or something.
The thing is though, I genuinely believe that a lot of Americans are that passionate about those things, so much so that a similar comment the other way around might result in them getting a little defensive haha

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
More than anything i'd say that Americans seem to be the worst when it comes to stereotyping other countries people. But the worst thing about that is that i'm really not sure whether a lot of them understand that the stereotypes don't accurately reflect a country's population.

They also seem to bring up war a lot, like really really often. Even people born long after the wars, probably people who know nothing about the wars, use historical war victories as points in arguments with people from countries that they've fought throughout history, or even fought alongside (in that case they say they either bailed them out, or won it single-handedly). I find it strange. Most people from most countries aren't so passionate about these historical events that they'll be bothered by an American reminding them of them and then be hurt or embarrassed by the comment, it's as if they expect there to be hundreds of years worth of lingering bitterness or something.
The thing is though, I genuinely believe that a lot of Americans are that passionate about those things, so much so that a similar comment the other way around might result in them getting a little defensive haha

Your statement is true. If I had a dollar for every time I heard an American say "we bailed (insert nation here)'s ass out when we won world war two", I would be rather wealthy.

[Awyk]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
We are poor losers. See I can admit flaws. As for the agressive foreign policy of America, do you think I personally had anything to do with it? Of course not; neither did most people. America has arguably the most vocal anti-war sentiment in the entire world. We do get involved a lot, but only because of the idiots in Washington. Do I blame all the British for things like maybe hmm say....conquering most of the known world and killing millions of people? Of course not; it was the King or Queen at the time. The poor decisions of one man cannot reflect 300 million people. Also, if America did not spend trillions of dollars on aid for poor nations, millions would be dead. The US and UK were not wanted in Afghanistan, but we got rid of the Taliban and saved the entire country. Sometimes our foreign policy is unwelcome, but it needs to be sometimes, as we are the world's only superpower. Britain has arguably the worst foreign policy historically; look at Northern Ireland. If the British never took the land from the natives, no terrorism would ever have emerged.

Oooo, so you got rid of the Taliban who were not a treat to your country in the first place and you because of that you saved many peoples lifes? Do you have any idea how many people have and are still dying not only in Afghanistan by also in Pakistan because of your stupid drone attacks which last time I checked killed for innocent people than it did insurgents. Stop letting your media shove horse **** down your throat you didn't save anyone you just pissed everyone off and not only did you get your own soldiers killed but also soldiers from around the world, and please don't forget about Vietnam yeah it might have been a while now but don't forget about events where your soldiers killed up to 500 innocent people including children and women and your use of defoliants which ever up to today are
Causing birth defects in children and it seems like you learnt nothing about
It because even lately she have been getting new about increase of birth defects in Iraq.

This may seem like a long rant and tbh your country has done little good for us and it is you who elect these people into power so please don't blame it on your government and I'm not targeting you but please understand why people don't like you.

I apologise for any grammar mistakes its 5 in the morning and I've had no sleep at all

[ConnorTheYank]

[QUOTE=Awyk;38853524]Oooo, so you got rid of the Taliban who were not a treat to your country in the first place and you because of that you saved many peoples lifes? Do you have any idea how many people have and are still dying not only in Afghanistan by also in Pakistan because of your stupid drone attacks which last time I checked killed for innocent people than it did insurgents. Stop letting your media shove horse **** down your throat you didn't save anyone you just pissed everyone off and not only did you get your own soldiers killed but also soldiers from around the world, and please don't forget about Vietnam yeah it might have been a while now but don't forget about events where your soldiers killed up to 500 innocent people including children and women and your use of defoliants which ever up to today are
Causing birth defects in children and it seems like you learnt nothing about
It because even lately she have been getting new about increase of birth defects in Iraq.

This may seem like a long rant and tbh your country has done little good for us and it is you who elect these people into power so please don't blame it on your government and I'm not targeting you but please understand why people don't like you.

I apologise for any grammar mistakes its 5 in the morning and I've had no sleep at all [/
QUOTE]
First of all, the Taliban were a threat to America, to the Afghans and Pakistanis, and to the rest of the world. Examples: 7/7, 9/11, Madrid bombings, etc. Even if the Taliban were not directly involved, they can also be blamed with many other atrocities. If you think the Taliban were not a threat, then I think you are insane. I am liberal by most standards, but the Taliban, and groups like it, make it their goal to end civilization in the West and to impose Islamic theocracy on the entire world. This is indisputable. And I am not old enough to vote yet. Also, I have nothing to do with Vietnam; that was before my time. That is the equivalent of myself blaming you for the atrocities of the British Empire. Also, the UK was right behind the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. I do not beleive that the US saved your ass in WWII; all the Allies worked together. But there are countless things America has done for the rest of the world (keeping the Soviets at bay, inventing numerous things, etc.) I can accept that despite Britain's bloody past, they still do good for the world today. Both the US and UK spend billions in aid (which saves millions of lives). And the grammar mistakes are fine; its really early lol.

[Cll_ws]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
Your statement is true. If I had a dollar for every time I heard an American say "we bailed (insert nation here)'s ass out when we won world war two", I would be rather wealthy.

haha, I admire your honesty!

Regardless of the things I brought up though, I do like Americans, they're always very friendly and a lot more welcoming than anybody in this country!

[Top Banana]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
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.

Dont think those are my views! I love Americans personally. Went on a road trip when I was younger from Connecticut, through New York, all the way up to Canada. Loved every minute of it.

[CallumTM]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
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.

The Newsroom is a great show, it's only just aired a couple of months ago. It was written by Aaron Sorkin (the guy who created the west wing), you'd probably enjoy it
The UK is alot less sociable than America, I understand that in the USA that it's perfectly acceptable for one to just strike up a random conversation with anyone, here in the UK people usually keep to themselves, I mean you could ask for directions and such but a general conversation, people might think you're a bit weird :P also, if you want you can message me if you fancy a chat/get to know more about the UK

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Top Banana)
Dont think those are my views! I love Americans personally. Went on a road trip when I was younger from Connecticut, through New York, all the way up to Canada. Loved every minute of it.

.I didnt think they were your views, but they are the common view towards Americans (I guess I came off as a bit defensive sorry lol). I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! I enjoy visiting your country as well.

[mare?]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
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.

How easy it is to dismiss some valid points by saying they're just opinions. Yes, you and I both are just voicing our opinions.. but yours is indisputable apparently. Suit yourself, but if you're really interested in the sources behind my claims, here are a few (1, 2 & 3).

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.

I don't know how to respond to the bit above because I haven't said anything of the sort. I think pondering counterfactuals is pointless anyway. Also, in the last bit you're defending yourself but this isn't a personal attack on you.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by CallumTM)
The Newsroom is a great show, it's only just aired a couple of months ago. It was written by Aaron Sorkin (the guy who created the west wing), you'd probably enjoy it
The UK is alot less sociable than America, I understand that in the USA that it's perfectly acceptable for one to just strike up a random conversation with anyone, here in the UK people usually keep to themselves, I mean you could ask for directions and such but a general conversation, people might think you're a bit weird :P also, if you want you can message me if you fancy a chat/get to know more about the UK

People would think you were weird if you did that here too, at least where I am. Or they'd assume you're from New York. Or else in need of money.

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by mare?)
How easy it is to dismiss some valid points by saying they're just opinions. Yes, you and I both are just voicing our opinions.. but yours is indisputable apparently. Suit yourself, but if you're really interested in the sources behind my claims, here are a few (1, 2 & 3).



I don't know how to respond to the bit above because I haven't said anything of the sort. I think pondering counterfactuals is pointless anyway. Also, in the last bit you're defending yourself but this isn't a personal attack on you.

Only one thing I said was claimed to be indisputable, the rest of my views were merely opinions. And after I looked at your information, I gained more of an understanding about your views. The government is corrupt, and soem ISAF troops disregard civilian lives (but that is based on the psychological impacts of war). And in the last part, I wasn't defending myself, I was just trying to make it known that I was not the typical war-mongering Americans who love to debate about war. But the whole situation in Afghanistan was a catch-22. NATO could not just leave a blatantly Islamist group rule a whole nation with millions of inhabitants (how would the citizens of NATO member countries feel about that?). If NATO got involved, there would be civilian casualties and other things. People have to understand that Afghanistan has never been conquered, and it people are wary of foreigners. But any nation that is ruled by a bunch of psychopathic religious nutjobs cannot just be left to its own devices. Sure, ISAF gets a ton of negativity for the bad things going on in Afghanistan, but it reallys poses the question as to what would happen if nothing was done at all. Afghanistan is still the way it was thousands of years ago, clan warfare is constant. There are thousands of clan disputes, and the war never really affected that. Afghanistan, sadly, will most likely be a nation in turmoil for the rest of time. The Western world and Afghanisatn are like two separate planets; no real progress will ever be made as these cultures are just so different. Since the Taliban is deposed, I support the US's to pull out. But if the Aghan people embrace an aggressive, dangerous ideoligy, then they obviously do not care about themselves or the rest of the world.

[Awyk]

[QUOTE=ConnorTheYank;38853548]

(Original post by Awyk)
Oooo, so you got rid of the Taliban who were not a treat to your country in the first place and you because of that you saved many peoples lifes? Do you have any idea how many people have and are still dying not only in Afghanistan by also in Pakistan because of your stupid drone attacks which last time I checked killed for innocent people than it did insurgents. Stop letting your media shove horse **** down your throat you didn't save anyone you just pissed everyone off and not only did you get your own soldiers killed but also soldiers from around the world, and please don't forget about Vietnam yeah it might have been a while now but don't forget about events where your soldiers killed up to 500 innocent people including children and women and your use of defoliants which ever up to today are
Causing birth defects in children and it seems like you learnt nothing about
It because even lately she have been getting new about increase of birth defects in Iraq.

This may seem like a long rant and tbh your country has done little good for us and it is you who elect these people into power so please don't blame it on your government and I'm not targeting you but please understand why people don't like you.

I apologise for any grammar mistakes its 5 in the morning and I've had no sleep at all [/
QUOTE]
First of all, the Taliban were a threat to America, to the Afghans and Pakistanis, and to the rest of the world. Examples: 7/7, 9/11, Madrid bombings, etc. Even if the Taliban were not directly involved, they can also be blamed with many other atrocities. If you think the Taliban were not a threat, then I think you are insane. I am liberal by most standards, but the Taliban, and groups like it, make it their goal to end civilization in the West and to impose Islamic theocracy on the entire world. This is indisputable. And I am not old enough to vote yet. Also, I have nothing to do with Vietnam; that was before my time. That is the equivalent of myself blaming you for the atrocities of the British Empire. Also, the UK was right behind the Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. I do not beleive that the US saved your ass in WWII; all the Allies worked together. But there are countless things America has done for the rest of the world (keeping the Soviets at bay, inventing numerous things, etc.) I can accept that despite Britain's bloody past, they still do good for the world today. Both the US and UK spend billions in aid (which saves millions of lives). And the grammar mistakes are fine; its really early lol.

You may be mistaken between Taliban and al Qaida, and seriously Taliban was a threat to Afghanistan at the most it should have been left to negotiating with them not overpowering them and killing innocent people pissing them off a lot more and don't forget that without the Taliban the soviets could have gained power in Afghanistan and it was the bush family who funded them at the time. Americans did little in ww2 in Europe, you joined in at the end and if you had any sense you would have joined the league of nations which we then would have had a chance at preventing ww2. And you couldn't name the countries you guys messed up in and I'm not even on about Vietnam even recently you ruined Libya and lord knows what has kept you out of syria plus you ruined top gear -_- ( I don't like you for that)

[Awyk]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)
Only one thing I said was claimed to be indisputable, the rest of my views were merely opinions. And after I looked at your information, I gained more of an understanding about your views. The government is corrupt, and soem ISAF troops disregard civilian lives (but that is based on the psychological impacts of war). And in the last part, I wasn't defending myself, I was just trying to make it known that I was not the typical war-mongering Americans who love to debate about war. But the whole situation in Afghanistan was a catch-22. NATO could not just leave a blatantly Islamist group rule a whole nation with millions of inhabitants (how would the citizens of NATO member countries feel about that?). If NATO got involved, there would be civilian casualties and other things. People have to understand that Afghanistan has never been conquered, and it people are wary of foreigners. But any nation that is ruled by a bunch of psychopathic religious nutjobs cannot just be left to its own devices. Sure, ISAF gets a ton of negativity for the bad things going on in Afghanistan, but it reallys poses the question as to what would happen if nothing was done at all. Afghanistan is still the way it was thousands of years ago, clan warfare is constant. There are thousands of clan disputes, and the war never really affected that. Afghanistan, sadly, will most likely be a nation in turmoil for the rest of time. The Western world and Afghanisatn are like two separate planets; no real progress will ever be made as these cultures are just so different. Since the Taliban is deposed, I support the US's to pull out. But if the Aghan people embrace an aggressive, dangerous ideoligy, then they obviously do not care about themselves or the rest of the world.

Afghanistan has shown significant improvements and neither of them are because of the crappy military action you took there and hopefully it will improve to a point where it is able I support itself by it self. But Afghanistan should have been left to NATO by entering Afghanistan as you did you lost trust and wonder why people hate you I'm sorry but these places hold tons of history and some of the most beautiful scenes on earth yet Americans are hell bent on destroying it. And before you give the excuse of terrorist attacks 5 thousand at max lost their life's due to terrorist attacks and all my best wishes go to their family's but please don't forget the 1,600 civilians who died in just the first 6 months of 2011 and that's for a war which has been on for years so you can imagine how many have died and don't forget the confirmed 1.2 million deaths you caused in Iraq which has also been confirmed to be about oil so non of that they wore turbans do they were terrorist malarkey.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Awyk)
Afghanistan has shown significant improvements and neither of them are because of the crappy military action you took there and hopefully it will improve to a point where it is able I support itself by it self. But Afghanistan should have been left to NATO by entering Afghanistan as you did you lost trust and wonder why people hate you I'm sorry but these places hold tons of history and some of the most beautiful scenes on earth yet Americans are hell bent on destroying it. And before you give the excuse of terrorist attacks 5 thousand at max lost their life's due to terrorist attacks and all my best wishes go to their family's but please don't forget the 1,600 civilians who died in just the first 6 months of 2011 and that's for a war which has been on for years so you can imagine how many have died and don't forget the confirmed 1.2 million deaths you caused in Iraq which has also been confirmed to be about oil so non of that they wore turbans do they were terrorist malarkey.

I would like to see the evidence of these 1.2 million deaths caused by US involvement. But, you don't have any, since the us was not responsible for those deaths. The USA got involved in Iraq to get rid of a terrible dictator who was oppressing his people. The US put a stop to that and most Iraqis are glad. As for afghanistan, if they continue to support killers who want to destroy the US I have no issue with killing them first, before they can harm us.

[Awyk]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
I would like to see the evidence of these 1.2 million deaths caused by US involvement. But, you don't have any, since the us was not responsible for those deaths. The USA got involved in Iraq to get rid of a terrible dictator who was oppressing his people. The US put a stop to that and most Iraqis are glad. As for afghanistan, if they continue to support killers who want to destroy the US I have no issue with killing them first, before they can harm us.

Orb surveyed the figure and Greenspan has admitted that the war was about oil. Also America was responsible for those deaths because they exaggerated the political unstableness and managed to find a way in for oil so please shush. An the Taliban want to destroy you for being utter pillocks, if someone came to your house and destroyed it and killed the men so you would have no income then destroyed you possessions what would you do? Seriously another American who does not understand what his stupid country has done.

[kwilliams54]

Superpower, the use of the word superpower.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Awyk)
Orb surveyed the figure and Greenspan has admitted that the war was about oil. Also America was responsible for those deaths because they exaggerated the political unstableness and managed to find a way in for oil so please shush. An the Taliban want to destroy you for being utter pillocks, if someone came to your house and destroyed it and killed the men so you would have no income then destroyed you possessions what would you do? Seriously another American who does not understand what his stupid country has done.

What? The war had nothing to do with oil. We have gotten less oil out of Iraq since, than we got before entering. The Iraq war was about removing a terrible dictator from power. Don't try and insult our country.

The taliban were responsible for killing thousands of Americans, ON OUR OWN SOIL. Also, if you don't care about American lives (which you clearly don't) then think about all the Afghans that are killed by the Taliban on a daily basis. They are murdering scum and they had to be stopped.

The USA is not the evil, oil grabbing nation you think it is. Don't hate the USA just because it is doing good in the world.

[ConnorTheYank]

[QUOTE=Awyk;38869573]

(Original post by ConnorTheYank)

You may be mistaken between Taliban and al Qaida, and seriously Taliban was a threat to Afghanistan at the most it should have been left to negotiating with them not overpowering them and killing innocent people pissing them off a lot more and don't forget that without the Taliban the soviets could have gained power in Afghanistan and it was the bush family who funded them at the time. Americans did little in ww2 in Europe, you joined in at the end and if you had any sense you would have joined the league of nations which we then would have had a chance at preventing ww2. And you couldn't name the countries you guys messed up in and I'm not even on about Vietnam even recently you ruined Libya and lord knows what has kept you out of syria plus you ruined top gear -_- ( I don't like you for that)

I can tell the difference between al Qaida and the Taliban, which is why I said the bit about them not being directly involved in 7/7 and 9/11. But many al Qaida fighters were trained by the Taliban and both groups are close allies, as well as them both having a very similar ideoligy. Also, most of the insurgents in Afghanistan after the 2001 invasion were foreign fighters (al Qaida), not native Afghanis. As regards to Afghanistan and the Soviets, the Afghan insurgents then were not called the Taliban and their aim was to keep foreigners out of their country, not to impose Shariah law upon it (like the Taliban). While it is true that many of the insurgents that fought the Soviets joined the Taliban, a similar amount joined groups that would evolve into the Northern Alliance (who fought against the Taliban and were allied with ISAF). Also, most British people hated Qaddafi, as he supplied the materials to the IRA that were used to bomb British citizens (which definately caused an uproar when it happened). You must not also forget that the Lockerbie bomber was Libyan and was supported by Qaddafi (yes, most victims were American, but it is still one of the deadliest bombings that took place on British soil, or in this case, aerospace). Also, I am aware that America has screwed up a lot of countries in the past, but so has the UK, so if you blame me for that I can blame you for the atrocities that the British committed in expanding the Empire (which poses the question: Why is the Commonwealth so big and how many people died/were killed to establish it).

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by Awyk)
Afghanistan has shown significant improvements and neither of them are because of the crappy military action you took there and hopefully it will improve to a point where it is able I support itself by it self. But Afghanistan should have been left to NATO by entering Afghanistan as you did you lost trust and wonder why people hate you I'm sorry but these places hold tons of history and some of the most beautiful scenes on earth yet Americans are hell bent on destroying it. And before you give the excuse of terrorist attacks 5 thousand at max lost their life's due to terrorist attacks and all my best wishes go to their family's but please don't forget the 1,600 civilians who died in just the first 6 months of 2011 and that's for a war which has been on for years so you can imagine how many have died and don't forget the confirmed 1.2 million deaths you caused in Iraq which has also been confirmed to be about oil so non of that they wore turbans do they were terrorist malarkey.

Your first point is very debatable, but the main problem I have with your argument is the fact that Britain was involved in both wars. Don't tell me Blair was forced into doing it by Bush. Also, the civilian casualties probably would have greatly increases if no action was taken in Afghanistan. Iraq was totally pointless, but as far as I can remember, Britain is a sovereign nation that can make its own decision. If it made the decision to get involved in Iraq, they are just as much to blame as the US.

[ConnorTheYank]

(Original post by kwilliams54)
Superpower, the use of the word superpower.

I don't use this term to boast about American military power. It is a term that is neutral and used by most historians, regardless of it is in the US or UK. The US is considered a superpower because of its number of nuclear weapons, its military strength, its military technology, and similar attributes. But the word superpower is not just about the military. It also has a very large population, a diversified (and for the most part) successful economy, and a high standard of living. I don't believe that America is the best nation in the world; I am by no means patriotic, and I am sorry if I came across as such.