Nationalistic feelings?

Take this as an expression of my insecurity. There have been a lot of new americans joining the ranks of this close-knit forum lately and I wanted to know what the general feeling was. On one hand i have experienced some very extrordinary kindness from folks here, but have also stumbled across some definately "anti-yank" sentiment as well. so, anonymously let me know what you think.

BTW, i've tried US ww forums, but the solidarity and sense of humor is just not the same. and so i just keep coming back.
-ryan

I think if you take a good look at the Yanks that have copped the ****, they well and truly deserved it. This forum is pretty tolerant, I've survived. :eek: :D

Arrrg, the poll options dissapeared!

here are the options: (maybe an administrator can help out)

1: Bring on the yanks, the more the merrier!

2 Keep the seppos at home, this is an Aussie forum!

3: People are people no matter where they are from

4: I am totally indifferent

5: The Yanks are cool, but they don't understand Australian Woodies.

6: Ryan, quit stirring the ****!

Sorry 'bout that.

Why anonymously? (I'm always in awe of people who can spell anonymous!

My view is that all are welcome in the kitchen as long as they can stand the heat! (not that it's my decision to make!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by *Matt Groening

"I pledge allegiance to - and wrap myself in - the flag of the United States Against Anything Un-American, and to the Republicans for which it stands, two nations, under Jesus, rich against poor, with curtailed liberty and justice for all (except blacks, homosexuals, women who want abortions, Communists, welfare queens, treehuggers, feminazis, illegal immigrants, children of illegal immigrants, and you if you don't watch your step)."

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P ( who mostly loves Seppos, just not the ones who think they live in a place called home and we live in a place called "international")

:) :) :)

Let's not forget that nationalist posts that become offensive are not accepted on this forum.

Having said that, this is what I think:

Australians love stereotypes and love making fun of them. Australians generally love making fun of themselves too. Australians are not so keen on being made fun of by others. I am a dual national English/Australian - ie a pom and and an Aussie (also known as a possie), however a large proportion of the Australians on this site were also originally born overseas.

The anti-yank sentiment is normally aimed at the stereotype rather than the individual. However, if the individual complies with the stereotype then the individual can be treated to the stereotype too.

PS This is a very exceptional forum - do not expect all Australian forums to be the same.

was Matt Groening joking? I cant believe anyone would be that obtuse.

Ryan,


None of your options really describe my feelings to the yanks, cranks or Seppos ( take your pick as to where you fit in these decriptions :D :D :D ).

What usually gets up my nose, and I must be careful as political comments are taboo on this BB, is certain American foreign and economic policies (both past and present) and the attitude of some of your citizens. What we often see may not reflect the majority of citizens but to me reinforces my attitude that you're all Seppos.

So generally I take all you Americans as Seppos until you prove that you are not. So I agree with Simon C when he says the anti-yank sentiment is normally aimed at the stereotype rather than the individual.

However, the individual needs to prove that he is not the stereotype. :D


Peter.

I hate everyone equally.

MHO, I personally welcome people everywhere in life not only here if they share their knowledge with me, or want to acquire some knowledge, however when they go off on an ego trip, are prescriptive and make out that all other people except themselves are fools..................then I take a dim view, say my piece and ignore their posts.

Take care and make yourself a great day, if you don't somebody else will make the great day and you'll loose out by having to put up with a lousy day.

Cya

:)

Ryan

I take people as they are or as they appere to be, no matter what nationality they are.
If they come across as a knob head, I will treat them as a knob head.
If they come across as a good person with a sense of humour, then I will treat accordingly.

I think most people hate the "Holier than thou" thing, which unfortunatly seems to come across when Americans speak, whether intentional or not.

I had a dealing with someone from NY some years ago when I was buying on Ebay.
I bought some rocks which were described as being of great quality.
When they arrived, they were so bad I chucked them out.
I gave the seller bad feed back as I felt I had been robbed.
When he contacted me, he more or less said I should be gratefull for the cpra he had sent me as the USA fianances the world. :eek:
I had dealings with other Yanks that were wonderfull.

So, its all in the delivery.

Al

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ryanarcher

was Matt Groening joking? I cant believe anyone would be that obtuse.

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Ryan, you're going to have to ask him...after all I'm only the messenger! :D:D:D

English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (who plays the part of Ali Gee) after being "misunderstood" in the US a week or two ago said something to the effect that:

" The greatest irony of all is Americans don't understand Irony"

I'm the first to admit that not everything we do or say in the name of humour is funny, but we laugh anyway. Others are unable to make the culture jump, and go home, sometimes after a monster dummy spit!

(Then it really is funny!)

P
:D :D :D

Ryan,

I have lived four years in America, and my wife is American. Almost all Americans that I have met have been warm, friendly likeable people; but every now and again, you run into one who fulfils the stereotype of the Ugly American, that is, the poorly educated, overly patriotic, hypocritically religious, crass, racist one who looks down upon any non-American as inherently inferior. There have been rare instances of Americans who seemed to fit this stereotype posting on this forum, although by far the majority seem to be decent people whom it would be a pleasure to meet.

I think that, at the moment, Americans are struggling to come to terms with the realization that, although they themselves are convinced they are likeable people, they are less popular in the rest of the world than they feel they deserve. To a large extent, I think this is a result of American foreign policy, which has tended to support obnoxious regimes, so long as they are useful to America, and to make little effort to try to alleviate the problems of third-world countries.

Many Americans who have posted on this forum are clearly gifted woodworkers and obviously have a valuable contribution to make; as far as I and probably most members of the forum are concerned, they are more than welcome here.

As for the term 'Seppo', don't take it too seriously; it is like the term 'Pommie b*stard', which is widely used as an affectionate mode of address by native Aussies to English-born ones like myself. It is not intended as an insult.

Rocker

Ryan,

I'm with Ozwinner, idiots can come from anywhere. We have our fair share here in Australia just like every other country.

We have seen some clowns from the US get on this BB to try and show us hicks from downunder which way is up - that's fine if they have something to contribute and go about it in the right way. If they were to assume that we are a bit thick and backward just because we are Aussies then they are just as wrong as Aussies who generalise about other nationalities.

On the other hand we have seen some very clever yanks who have taught me many things and others on this BB judging by their responses.

I welcome and support anyone who can contribute in a positive or humourous way no matter where they come from especially if they can laugh at themselves.

Stay with us, you're OK.

Now aliens from outer space are a completely different matter ...... :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocker

As for the term 'Seppo', don't take it too seriously; it is like the term 'Pommie b*stard', which is widely used as an affectionate mode of address by native Aussies to English-born ones like myself. It is not intended as an insult.

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Your only half right here Rocker...who said Pommie bast*rd was meant affectionately?? :D :D

I guess it could be worse Ryan, you could be a VICTORIAN!!

:D :D :D
P

And we may as well clear something up before you get a bit confused.

When the others refer to Mexicans - it doesn't mean those south of the US border. It means south of the boder Australian style - ie the state of Victoria