Typical Americans

[B-Wing]

Not to mention we only have TWO countries that border us...Not exactly a stone's throw away.

I think its also fair to say that most people would find neither of those countries particularly appealing to visit. Certainly there are spots in Mexico that attract vacationers, but overall there's just not much incentive to go there or to Canada.

Still, I think its perfectly safe to say that Americans are, on average, not very knowledgable about the rest of the world nor much interested. We're content to enjoy our freedoms and ignore the rest of the world's problems. Now, I am from a small town in Alabama, so I suppose the sampling of the populace whom I base my observations on were hopelessly ignorant to begin with, but I feel like I could confidently claim that no one I know well (who hasn't played TW games) could guess which continent Armenia is on. Most probably don't know that South Africa refers to an actual country. And those who didn't have relatives in the Korean War probably don't know which Korea is evil (just kidding).

I'll admit something that I'm kind of afraid to say. Its likely due to our media's bias for negative news, but I never seem to hear positive things about other parts of the world and it seems to have impressed upon me that most other places are poor, corrupt, and chaotic. That's what I generally assume about countries I know little about. I realize that I'm most likely sadly mistaken, and hope that I am, but that's honestly the way I think and its obvious in others. I think that's even true of Americans' view of different American regions. Most media I'm exposed to portrays cities as scary, unfriendly, dangerous places, and not suprisingly do I not only have no desire to live in one, but I can't imagine why anybody would. Maybe most Americans aren't like me, but if they are, it would go a long way to explain our cultural introvertedness.


BTW, that was a great pic, Strike For The South. :)

[Aenlic]

I used to work with a guy whose nickname was Cooter. He likes guns. He's a Texan. Strike's pic has some scary realism to it.

[Strike For The South]

I used to work with a guy whose nickname was Cooter. He likes guns. He's a Texan. Strike's pic has some scary realism to it.

I know! the Iraqi Erndhart connection is a scary one

[Leet Eriksson]

Those are the biggest mantits i have ever seen

Also you win this thread SFTS

[Husar]

I'll admit something that I'm kind of afraid to say. Its likely due to our media's bias for negative news, but I never seem to hear positive things about other parts of the world and it seems to have impressed upon me that most other places are poor, corrupt, and chaotic. That's what I generally assume about countries I know little about. I realize that I'm most likely sadly mistaken, and hope that I am, but that's honestly the way I think and its obvious in others. I think that's even true of Americans' view of different American regions. Most media I'm exposed to portrays cities as scary, unfriendly, dangerous places, and not suprisingly do I not only have no desire to live in one, but I can't imagine why anybody would. Maybe most Americans aren't like me, but if they are, it would go a long way to explain our cultural introvertedness.

Well, I´ve been to South Africa.
Before a trip to Durban they told me it was dangerous there and we would only go to the somewhat safer part. Stories about taxi drivers shooting at each other over a passenger. Well, when we were there all that indicated that crime might be around were a lot of guards with submachineguns(who actually made me feel rather safe).
When travelling to Prague we were told about having to be careful because of higher crime rates, well, I walked home with only a friend at night, nothing happened on the whole trip.
Maybe I was just lucky, maybe my belief in god helps, but in my limited experience I witnessed more violence in primary school than in any "really" dangerous area I´ve been to, so my personal views are also somewhat spoiled. Then again, I´ve never been to a real warzone.

[doc_bean]

I think its also fair to say that most people would find neither of those countries particularly appealing to visit. Certainly there are spots in Mexico that attract vacationers, but overall there's just not much incentive to go there or to Canada.

Canada is actually a pretty popular destination over here, at least it's one of those countries people mention they would like to travel to if they had the money. It's mostly the Rocky Mountains that attract. I know a guy going to Mexico in a few days, not sure why he wants to go there though. The US used to be a VERY popular dream destination (California, mostly) but isn't that high on most people's list anymore.

That said I'd still like to fly to LA, rent a car, visit the national parks in the 'area' and lose some money in Vegas