America - Overrated?
@soulsister_16 (738)
Switzerland
September 25, 2007 3:23pm CST
Is America and its culture overrated?
I have travelled to places in America that I like and I have even returned to the same resorts more than once in some cases - mainly because the landscape in the area is lovely, the people are friendly and the local facilities serve our needs while we are there.
However, I would never in a million years wish to live there and I feel that the vast majority of the people who do have never actually visited the country - they just like the glamorous idea of it (often they envision Hollywood or Florida or New York), as well as the idea of moving to a foreign country without having to learn a new language. The food is mediocre and the same everywhere (I have visited 10 states so feel I'm fairly qualified to comment). The people there, while friendly, have often never even travelled out of their own state, let alone out of their own country, which can make them narrow-minded to talk to (or perhaps it's just the people that I get to meet). The education system seems faulty, I don't like the influence that religion has on the government, the economy is weak at present (though it's nice to go to America and get stuff half price ), and on balance (depending where you go of course), the weather is not much better than in the UK and if it's good weather that you want, move to France or Italy.
So yes (if you couldn't be bothered to read all that), I do feel that on the whole, America is overrated. Nice to visit, but I'd never want to live there.
How about you? And, oh, by the way, no offense to mylotters who live in America. :)
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
26 Sep 07
I am glad that you included that last line, because I was a bit offended. Naturally, you will prefer your own country to any other. The Phillipines is one of the poorest countries that I have ever heard of and they are coming to America in droves.
But, when I sit down and talk with them about where they come from, they smile and their eyes light up with pride. The only reason that they come out hear in the first place is because there are no jobs out there and the cost of living is through the roof. Unless, there is something that is really wrong in a country, not unlike Mexico, everyone prefers to be in the country they were born in. I am proud to be an American.
@nicolec (2671)
• United States
25 Sep 07
First to address what you said about the country. The food is NOT the same. You won't find grits or hamhock in New York. Creol cooking is good only in Louisianna and BBQ is as different in the Carolinas as it in in Texas. And means something completely different in the north. Basically what you are saying is the equivolent of me saying the UK food is boring because it's nothing but fish and chips or sheppard's pie.
While many people have not travelled very far, the majority of people have. In the midwest, people are very family oriented and many are farmers. Not allowing much time to go anywhere. So yes, I would think it has to do with who you talked with.
The weather is bloody fantastic! The UK is rainy, cloudy and cold. You can get that in Seattle. If you want warm beach and sunshine go to the Carolinas, florida, california or georgia. Or if you want cool, crisp fall days head to west virginia, maryland or pennsylvania. And snowy winters are great in Maine or Colorodo.
Religion has no influence on the government, it's just the president who tries to force his religion on the people. Seperation of church and state is here for a reason.
Yes, we are having our economy difficulties. But we are, whether I think it's right or not, fighting a war. And the amount of money we spend on other countries is more then you or I will see in a lifetime.
So my friend, you have the right to your opinions. And I'm not by any means saying America is better then every other country. I'm just saying it's not as bad as you make it out to be.
