What I Noticed Overseas

[GhostHunter]

I went to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia recently. All three were absolutely gorgeous, and worth the visit without a doubt. The natives in Fiji, much to the stereotype, are possibly the nicest people I've ever met.

But what I found interesting was noting the American influence.

Notably, during the 1900-1920s days the conquest of the Pacific was wide-spread, though Fiji remained under British rule.

But all three surprisingly were quite devote to American culture. For instance, all of the bands I asked when talking to natives were American-based. The same went for New Zealand, which when talked about with the family I stayed with actually had a shockingly big economical association with the US, resulted in more culturally-induced Americana.

This isn't to brag, obviously. And without a doubt since we're "number one" that's bound to be the case to some degree, but even I was shocked.

Also, with the media constantly reviewing those who hate us, I was additionally taken back by the great amount of respect all three socities held when I told them I was American.

All-in-all though, a wonderful time. Next year is Russia, and hopefully some parts of Europe.

EDIT: Brings me to wondering, what's the perception of Americans where you all live? Stereotypes? Compliments? Disliking(s)?

[lord vernius of ix]

thats odd from the news's impression i thought we were hated by all lol

[nemafakei]

Well, that's an easy answer. The US government (whoever its figurehead is), and the US political and economic influence is broadly disliked. In terms of culture, it's inevitable that the music and film industries of the US, which have more resources at their disposal, will dominate local produce, which is sometimes resented. On the other hand, pretty much every country in the world is told by its leaders that they have a 'special relationship' with the US, and there are people who look positively on the US.

But whatever we think of the US government doesn't mean that we have anything against Americans themselves. You're not responsible for your government's actions. If a Persian came to the UK, we wouldn't be holding Iran's faults against them - there's a pretty good chance that they're not all that keen on the Ayatollahs. Indeed, as a general rule, people who do travel, who do want to see other cultures, are generally less likely to be the arrogant nationalists (with the exception of outright imperialists, which are probably more common coming from the UK).

If I was being cynical, though, I'd say that some of the respect you received was the same sort of respect that you get when anyone from a more prestigious (read: 'rich') country visits - it's all part of maintaining the tourist industry. Oh, and bear in mind also that in many ways, Australia is to NZ as the US is to Canada.

[GhostHunter]

Well, that's an easy answer. The US government (whoever its figurehead is), and the US political and economic influence is broadly disliked. In terms of culture, it's inevitable that the music and film industries of the US, which have more resources at their disposal, will dominate local produce, which is sometimes resented. On the other hand, pretty much every country in the world is told by its leaders that they have a 'special relationship' with the US, and there are people who look positively on the US.

But whatever we think of the US government doesn't mean that we have anything against Americans themselves. You're not responsible for your government's actions. If a Persian came to the UK, we wouldn't be holding Iran's faults against them - there's a pretty good chance that they're not all that keen on the Ayatollahs. Indeed, as a general rule, people who do travel, who do want to see other cultures, are generally less likely to be the arrogant nationalists (with the exception of outright imperialists, which are probably more common coming from the UK).

If I was being cynical, though, I'd say that some of the respect you received was the same sort of respect that you get when anyone from a more prestigious (read: 'rich') country visits - it's all part of maintaining the tourist industry. Oh, and bear in mind also that in many ways, Australia is to NZ as the US is to Canada.

Actually what I noticed in all three is the American influence was preferable. I didn't come with the intention of comparing and/or gloating what country I was from, rather the people of those countries eagerly told me of their liking for the culture. That's primarily what the topic's about: I was surprised more than anything.

What do you mean they're less likely to become nationalists? Typically I'd argue the more a individual travels the more of a global view they have. Can absolutely tell you that's what the trip did for me, at least.

When you talk about seperation of US government and people, I've always wondered how wide-spread that was. I know from living here it's incredibly hard, especially in terms of the Middle East, to seperate the regime/government from the people.

About the "rich" factor, I don't think that's very true. Of course, Fiji is obviously in such a drastically different economic sphere that wealth-over-povety might hold influence, but that's not the case in New Zealand or Australia.

In totality, both country's seemed wealthy. And by wealth I'm referring to living standards mostly. Sure, a large majority of New Zealanders are farmers (much the way it was in the United States until the 1920s-1930s), but a vast amount also live in Auckland. The standard house, enviroment, etc. is sustainable of a unique and interesting culture, which does thrive there, but still lingers in the realm of voluntary American influence -- or at least that's what I picked up.

Finally, in regards to the NZ-Australia connection, you're right. But yet again, Australia's standard of living (unfortunately this is coming from visiting Sydney alone), from the short display I saw, was also fairly high. When I discussed what it was like outside the cit(ies)y, they  seemed to think it wasn't too drastic of a drop-off.

[veK]

you wanna know what I noticed overseas? and by overseas I mean USA which is overseas from germany.

first of all I was in California and I guess people there aren't the most representive americans at all because they all are much more friendly and in a good mood just because of the weather. if the sun is shining you are much happieer... of course there were a lot of mexicans. those were the nicest people I met. I also met a lot of american people from other cities outside california like New York, Chigaco, Washington...

anyway... what I noticed was that everybody lives with a subtle but constant fear of terrorist assaults. they even got that sign inside the bus which informs you about the current security alert level in the country and what it means. on the one hand this was quite amusing because we just don't know this in germany. I mean the government and intelligence of course cares about such things... but the society doesn't live in that subtle fear. of course we also don't have as much a reason as u.s. citizen have.

but the usa sometimes seemed to me what michael moore describes in "bowling for columbine": the society is deliberately being frightened all the time by the media, no matter if terrorist news or some brutal murder in the neighborhood... the most shocking news are the most famous and cause this light prevailing mood of fear.

it was a very nice holiday though...

[nemafakei]

"In totality, both country's seemed wealthy."

Oh, no, I didn't mean to say that they were poor or anything like that! But tourism does pay for some of that - and the US still has this "number one" reputation as you put it, and in the lack of a significant economic difference, such as exists in, say, Thailand, prestige does hold out.

"Can absolutely tell you that's what the trip did for me, at least."

Precisely my point. Next time you go on holiday, you will, armed with your more global view, impress upon those you meet your internationalism. You probably did so with your openmindedness this time round. On the other hand, it wouldn't occur to a xenophobe (I don't know how many there are in the US, but, what with the size of the country, I'm assuming it's probably slightly more than the UK, in which contact with the continent is more prevalent) to travel to other countries - or they'd actively reject the idea, so you don't see so much of them outside their own countries. You get a good reception because the people who create a bad reception generally don't leave the US anyway.

It's a rather minor point, and, as I say, it's less valid in other countries: if you want sun and sand in the UK, you go to Spain or something (he says in the middle of the one heat wave of the year), whether you're a British National Party member or not (and treat the locals without respect accordingly), whereas if you live in Wisconsin, you go to California or Florida or something.

"Actually what I noticed in all three is the American influence was preferable"

Here, it's a case of 'we like US Band So and So, we like That US Film, but we don't like the fact that there's so much Americanisation as a whole and that even home-grown musicians are singing with American accents': as with the political point, we actively like things that happen to come from the US, but dislike how much of it there is. But I've never been to the antipodes, and I may just be speaking for my little corner of England.

[chatfsh]

My father was in the Air Force so I

[lord vernius of ix]

dude i cant stand our own government lol if you live here, youd know that well probably have a spur of protests or somesort of rebellion or something lol

[Lord J]

I was in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a week, then in Dublin for about three days before returning home in mid-March.

 While in Belfast we spoke to a number of people concerning the recent conflict between Protestants and Catholics, Unionists and Nationalists, etc.  There were ten students and one professor, all American.

 The people in Belfast were all very open and willing to talk about anything.  They were very friendly, and took to us very easily.  The people we talked to about the US presidency all disliked President Bush, and thought the war in Iraq was stupid in the extreme.  That played no role in their acceptance and opinion of us as individuals, however.

 An interesting aside is that, because we were from Mississippi, many of the people we met seemed to equate that with the concept of racism that was so prevelant in years past (though I will say, is not really prevelant at all now).  Of course, the republican fight in Northern Ireland is partially about human rights, which the South (US) parallels.

 Music and culture in NI was very American.  In the course of our stay we saw two live bands, both of which played classic American pop/rock.  For example, one of my favorite memories is singing along in the crowded hotel bar to "American Pie" with all the other patrons.

 I did not spend a lot of time in Dublin, or speak to a lot of people, but one interesting thing I encountered was at a curiosity/antique shop that I stepped into.  I walked in and browsed for a while.  I saw a lot of interesting things, but nothing really stood out or was affordable (or easy to fly back with).

 As I was about to leave, a pair of Middle-Eastern men started to enter the shop and were immediately confronted by the shop owner who pointed at a sign on the door and said, "1 Euro for entry, and I'll give you 2 Euros back for a purchase."  The men spoke a few words then left.  

 As I started to leave, I dug in my pocket and pulled up a Euro and tried to give it to the store owner.  He refused it, saying, "Oh, those guys are always coming in here, not buying anything.  You don't have to pay because you showed a genuine interest."  As I left I wondered if that was truly the case.

[Andrew]

Canadians like Americans overall. We have relatives and friends that work in and about Canada/US. We like taking vacations in each country as well.

I would say that most people hate Bush (but of course I can't speak for everyone, but I havn't heard anyone say good things about Bush). US government is not that great, as it is near impossible to change the government (2 party system with no 3rd party whatsoever makes it no fun)

That's about all.

[lord vernius of ix]

its not flexible at all unfortunatly

[Lord J]

The US two-party system is traditional, though there are many third parties, none of them have been powerful enough to challenge the latest pair.  Of course, Republicans vs. Democrats have not always been the only two parties.  We may see an upset again, as the conservative-Republicans have pretty much built a prison for liberal-Democrats, wheras most people definanitly do not want another Bush in the White House.  I would say that John McCain has a high likelihood of being elected in '08, though that would depend on what kind of competition the Democrats and third parties can put together.  I certainly don't envision Hillary Clinton as a US President.  Don't get me wrong, I'll vote for her, but I think many Democrats would vote Republican if that was the best they could dredge up.  Not many like her.

[Edric O]

The relationship between the United States and the rest of the world today is in many ways similar to the relationship between Rome and its provinces in the first century AD.

Many people - especially those from the middle classes and above - actively welcome the Americanizing/Romanizing influence, because they feel that being American means being part of a prestigious elite.

Anglo-Saxon cultures like those of Britain, Australia and New Zealand are the most easily Americanized because they were most similar to American culture in the first place. The biggest centres of "resistance" are those parts of the world whose native culture is most different from American culture. This means, on the one hand, China and East Asia, and on the other hand, the Middle East (surprise surprise).

[Dunenewt]

  As I was about to leave, a pair of Middle-Eastern men started to enter the shop and were immediately confronted by the shop owner who pointed at a sign on the door and said, "1 Euro for entry, and I'll give you 2 Euros back for a purchase."  The men spoke a few words then left. 

  As I started to leave, I dug in my pocket and pulled up a Euro and tried to give it to the store owner.  He refused it, saying, "Oh, those guys are always coming in here, not buying anything.  You don't have to pay because you showed a genuine interest."  As I left I wondered if that was truly the case.

Oh you get people who come in to shops like that.  They take the free inserts in magazines and petty things like that.

[chatfsh]

In Panama, when shopping in the city, as soon as you opened your mouth and they realized you were an American, all of a sudden the prices doubled on the merchandise you were looking at.  Panamanians were so ethnically diverse that you'd probably have to speak for them to know unmistakably that you were an American fresh off the boat (or rather fresh off the plane in this case).