Australians on America

[ethics]

Well deserved. I've learned more about Australia from the members here than anywhere else.

[Steve]

I've enjoyed reading perspectives that sometimes mirror general American attitudes; that at other times oppose them; and that always bring a different and fresh perspective. I've learned quite a bit about Australian politics and society, not to mentions some interesting takes on historical events.

I've heard that Australians don't particularly care for Americans, but I can't figure out why, exactly?

[ditch]

Well, it goes both ways. I've learned a lot about the US from being a member here and that's something I am pleased to have done.

Crocodile wrestling is something you guys seem to do a bit of too from what I've been reading recently. Maybe wrestling isn't what the crocs had in mind though.

[ditch]

I've enjoyed reading perspectives that sometimes mirror general American attitudes; that at other times oppose them; and that always bring a different and fresh perspective. I've learned quite a bit about Australian politics and society, not to mentions some interesting takes on historical events.

I've heard that Australians don't particularly care for Americans, but I can't figure out why, exactly?

I think there's a fair bit of resentemnt here re cultural imperialsim as it's called and the war doesn't help. Maybe I can expand on this later as I'm about to jump into the shower and then the traffic. But IT"S FRIDAY.:thumbsup:

[Steve]

If you would, Ditch, I'd much appreciate it. Prolly won't read it 'til Monday evening, though, since it's a holiday weekend.

Have a good one!

[ditch]

If you would, Ditch, I'd much appreciate it. Prolly won't read it 'til Monday evening, though, since it's a holiday weekend.

Have a good one!

Yes I will Steve. Holiday weekend...what's the occassion? You have a good one too.

[Steve]

Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have died fighting in wars.

[ditch]

OK. We had our equivalent, ANZAC Day, last month - Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

[ditch]

I've enjoyed reading perspectives that sometimes mirror general American attitudes; that at other times oppose them; and that always bring a different and fresh perspective. I've learned quite a bit about Australian politics and society, not to mentions some interesting takes on historical events.

I've heard that Australians don't particularly care for Americans, but I can't figure out why, exactly?

It's true for a certain segment of our society but nothing that isn't a part of a global resentment of the US. The reasons include, as I mentioned, the cultural imperialism in the form of fast food oultets for example, seeing America as the planet's warmonger, seeing the US as the planet's greatest user of resources, believing the US has the most over-fed people on the planet, an unpopular president and so on. Nothing new that you haven't heard before and certainly nothing peculiar to Oz attitudes or that you don't hear from the Europeans or Canadians when anti US rhetoric flies. In fact the anti US feelings would, I imagine, be less strongly felt here than in say France or other parts of Europe.


There is so much American in the media, on TV, in the movies..everywhere. It is perhaps more a case of people feeling that enough is enough, give me a break, I don't want to have any more America shoved down my throat, on the air waves, on the screen, anywhere. To give you a small example. The nightly news in Sydney, on several stations, uses reporters from various cultural backgrounds. Its a mix that is generally welcomed, we are a multi-cultural society so should show an even handed attitude, sort of thing. So now a local channel has a north American reporter. "What's an American doing reporting on the news?" is the question being asked. Its asked because Americans are not seen as needing a break, a job or recognition. They have all that already so don't need it here! There's no big deal being made of this issue at all. I'm simply using it to illustrate a point.

The Iraq war has a lot of opposition here and any anti US feelings that exist are increased by that. However, I don't think there is a general dislike of Americans here as you might imagine.

[ethics]

There is so much American in the media, on TV, in the movies..everywhere. It is perhaps more a case of people feeling that enough is enough, give me a break, I don't want to have any more America shoved down my throat, on the air waves, on the screen, anywhere. To give you a small example. The nightly news in Sydney, on several stations, uses reporters from various cultural backgrounds. Its a mix that is generally welcomed, we are a multi-cultural society so should show an even handed attitude, sort of thing. So now a local channel has a north American reporter. "What's an American doing reporting on the news?" is the question being asked. Its asked because Americans are not seen as needing a break, a job or recognition. They have all that already so don't need it here! There's no big deal being made of this issue at all. I'm simply using it to illustrate a point.

This reminds me of a member from Aussie who remarked that even her shoes was American.

But Ditch, who's fault is that? Do Americans hate China because most of our stuff is made there? We tend to blame OUR export of labor. We hate China for something else entirely.

[ditch]

This reminds me of a member from Aussie who remarked that even her shoes was American.

But Ditch, who's fault is that? Do Americans hate China because most of our stuff is made there? We tend to blame OUR export of labor. We hate China for something else entirely.

Exactly. There's a lot of dumb arse opinions here re not liking MacDonalds etc. But if you don't like it don't partonise. It's a simple thing, but so are a lot of those doing the complaining.

[Steve]

I've always been very disappointed at the spread of American brands and culture whenever I've traveled. Why in hell would I want to eat at McDonald's in Australia or Germany or even Canada for pity's sake? I can't even stand eating there in the U.S. But there it is.

Wherever there are American influences, it's because someone thought there would be a market and, as it turns out, that someone was correct. The French are fighting a rearguard action against all foreign influences on their language and culture but I'm afraid it's just a matter of time before the whole world starts to look pretty much the same.

That's globalism, I suppose. Not a good thing, at all, not even to stockholders, in the long run.

[Steve]

split from original thread - Steve

[John R. Beanham]

"Those damned Americans, the're everywhere".

"Those damned British, the're everywhere"

"Those damned Spaniards, the're everywhere"

"Those damned Romans, the're everywhere"

"Those damned Homo Sapiens, the're everywhere"


It will always be so.


JB

[ditch]

I've always been very disappointed at the spread of American brands and culture whenever I've traveled. Why in hell would I want to eat at McDonald's in Australia or Germany or even Canada for pity's sake? I can't even stand eating there in the U.S. But there it is.

Wherever there are American influences, it's because someone thought there would be a market and, as it turns out, that someone was correct. The French are fighting a rearguard action against all foreign influences on their language and culture but I'm afraid it's just a matter of time before the whole world starts to look pretty much the same.

That's globalism, I suppose. Not a good thing, at all, not even to stockholders, in the long run.

Success breeds success. Good marketing satisfies a need. We need fast food like the rest of the west so a good formula wins market share. Not telling you anything you don't know Steve but some people here need to stop and think about why so much of what we consume is imported. Either it's cheaper or it's not locally made or available at all, or the local product is not preferred over the import for quality reasons.

As far as our particular psyche's are concerned, there are big differences in some ways, there's no doubting that. We have a very definite political left here whereas what you call liberal is broadly speaking, middle of the road politico to us. That puts you at the conservative end of the spectrum in our eyes and at the more extreme end are characteristics that we find quaint, odd or a bit wacky. Those characteristics are those that get played up in the media because they make others laugh or scoff. But its the same with any culture isn't it. That's why our Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin get plenty of air time up your way, although they also do or did here, I admit.

I think Americans are a lot less bashful about making their presence felt, are more self confident and skilled in social interaction than we are. What you consider normal we may think of as brash and out spoken. Loud mouthed even. That leaves us with the impression that Yanks are loud, overconfident and maybe even a bit pushy. In 1944 all you're guys here on R & R were "over paid, over sexed and over here". We didn't like to complain too loudly I guess as you were helping save our arses from the invaders.:)

[Elias]

I've enjoyed reading perspectives that sometimes mirror general American attitudes; that at other times oppose them; and that always bring a different and fresh perspective. I've learned quite a bit about Australian politics and society, not to mentions some interesting takes on historical events.

I've heard that Australians don't particularly care for Americans, but I can't figure out why, exactly?

I realise this thread may have done its dash.......

My good friend Copzilla suggests some Australians have what can be described as "Penis envy" of the USA. This may be the case for some, I dont really know.

For most younger Australians I know there isnt any anti-american sentiment, indeed my parents best friends are an american couple who migrated to West Australia. I like others wear US clothing and eat McDonalds

If there are any issues it probably relates to the actions of the US government/corporations and not the people

[ditch]

I think that any penis envy hanging around would be the case with many countries who criticise the US. I think though that there are a lot of genuinely lefties here in Oz who see the US as very conservative and aggressive in its foreign policy. There is a significant amount of hostility arising from that. There's probably what you could call penis envy on the part of some detractors here, but its not that big. :biggrin:

[Swamp Fox]

I suspect that there are a lot of similarities between the Australians, New Zealanders, and Americans, just as there are a lot of similarities between Canadians and Americans. We all wear jeans, go to Mickey D's, drink Coke, and watch Star Trek.

[ditch]

I had missed this post Stanley.

Yes there are a lot of similarities, but who or what is Mickey D's?

[MNeedham73]

Mickey D's = slang for McDonald's

[ditch]

Mickey D's = slang for McDonald's

:doh: Well, OK. That's one more similarity, yes.