This really just proves my point about American Education.

[Pittsey]

But it is a bit unfair to judge an entire country based on fucking Twitter.

Exactly....!

I base my American assumptions on "Meet The Kardashians".

 

[masta247]

Says the Pollack.

Well, our education system is good and I haven't encountered a "Polish person=stupid" stereotype. They say we drink a lot, steal a lot and fight a lot, and we get our share of jokes about being Ex-soviet union and having a lot of villagers. If you say that we're more likely to do these that'd be a generalization that carries a tiny bit of truth, because we have more people like that than most other countries (minus villagers). That's the same mechanism that leads people to believe that Americans tend to be stupid and fat, or that most Asians can't drive, or that heaps of Colombians enjoy their cocaine and Mexicans enjoy jumping the border. Only some do, yet since its more common there than anywhere else it becomes a generalization with a little bit of truth in it.

 

[S O F I]

What you all forget, which I have stated time and time again over the last 9 years, I used to live in America, for a total of nearly 5 years. I am partially American.

You think I "assume" Americans are poorly educated, I lived with you lot and grew up with you in my family. I know Americans know fuck all about the world.

Stop getting mad because you know its true.

There is no immaculate perception, my friend. Repeat after me. No immaculate perception.

lather.
rinse.
repeat.

 

[S O F I]

Also, I don't feel my education was insulted. The real reason probably is that he reminds me of a good friend of mine. He's a good friend but he tries to pass off everything he says as the absolute truth with absolute conviction yet he makes his conclusions on the most limited amount of information. It's not all black and white.

 

[S O F I]

I think there's something in the culture - it appears that it's okay to be an idiot, or a huge ignorant and live normally there. Ignorants aren't discriminated and they hang in packs, so they aren't even aware what they should know, so they aren't making any attempts at fixing themselves. There's nothing that screams "learn how to be a contributing member of your society or you'll be worthless, you're still too stupid". At least that's how I see it.

There is something to this. A lot of it has to do with what Americans value. Americans value individuality, expression, personality, ambition, and entrepreneurship. Intelligence is rewarded, of course, but it's not a goal in itself. It's more like a medium for achieving something. That's why there's an old adage in the US that goes, "If you're so smart, how come you ain't rich?". In former Communist countries where individuality, expression, personality, and entrepreneurship were suppressed, intelligence was the goal in itself. Just BECOME smart. If you're not smart, YOU HAVE NOTHING. Because they didn't have anything. In the US, being smart for the sake of being smart is not really a societal value. It's more about what you can do with that intelligence. I bet in Poland there's a bunch of experts on certain matters of the world in occupations that don't require any of that. In the US, it's kind of like, if you're not smart, you can still reach your goals. If you don't know about the Titanic, you can still be creative, expressive, individualistic. You can still find love. You can still be HAPPY.

 

[Pittsey]

There is something to this. A lot of it has to do with what Americans value. Americans value individuality, expression, personality, ambition, and entrepreneurship. Intelligence is rewarded, of course, but it's not a goal in itself. It's more like a medium for achieving something. That's why there's an old adage in the US that goes, "If you're so smart, how come you ain't rich?". In former Communist countries where individuality, expression, personality, and entrepreneurship were suppressed, intelligence was the goal in itself. Just BECOME smart. If you're not smart, YOU HAVE NOTHING. Because they didn't have anything. In the US, being smart for the sake of being smart is not really a societal value. It's more about what you can do with that intelligence. I bet in Poland there's a bunch of experts on certain matters of the world in occupations that don't require any of that. In the US, it's kind of like, if you're not smart, you can still reach your goals. If you don't know about the Titanic, you can still be creative, expressive, individualistic. You can still find love. You can still be HAPPY.

I find America completely materialistic and obsessed with money. When I was in New York and LA I had people trying to hustle me, people begging for money. People who would do anything for $20. I was embarrassed for them. You rate money higher than self respect? I am too proud to behave like that. I found myself giving money away for stupid shit, as money means very little to me. One guy wanted to freestyle for me outside some club in NY in exchange for cash. Weak. Get a job. He didn't look like he had a drug habit, or that he lived rough. I gave him 20 dollars, because it amused me at the time how he behaved.

It got to the point where I didn't want to talk to people in shops or restaurants as I didn't believe they were genuine. I felt they were fake and after my money and tips. I was glad to get back to London where most people are rude, but the friendly ones are friendly for no ulterior reason.

 

[masta247]

I bet in Poland there's a bunch of experts on certain matters of the world in occupations that don't require any of that. In the US, it's kind of like, if you're not smart, you can still reach your goals. If you don't know about the Titanic, you can still be creative, expressive, individualistic. You can still find love. You can still be HAPPY.

Yes, I guess that for an average Polish person being smart goes far beyond economic success, which often isn't really a priority, or is far less important than it is in America - which is funny because even crappy jobs there leave you with much more money.
Like you said, it's more of a goal in itself. Being smarter = being a better, more complete person, achieving social success with smarter individuals etc.
As far as jobs go being smarter (it would be more about using your brain and having skills, general knowledge doesn't matter much) usually means having way more opportunities, and you have to be above average for most 'good' jobs.
Come to think of it though crappy jobs here will leave you on an edge of survival and you need to use some brains to keep them too, unlike in America where you can be a tool and earn enough to buy as much as an average middle class man here could.

Also it's kind of ironic, since communism was against knowledge actually. You had no individuality or expression but also they discouraged education. They burned books and slayed the "intelligent classes" in Russia.

 

[Chronic]

I find America completely materialistic and obsessed with money. When I was in New York and LA I had people trying to hustle me, people begging for money. People who would do anything for $20. I was embarrassed for them. You rate money higher than self respect? I am too proud to behave like that. I found myself giving money away for stupid shit, as money means very little to me. One guy wanted to freestyle for me outside some club in NY in exchange for cash. Weak. Get a job. He didn't look like he had a drug habit, or that he lived rough. I gave him 20 dollars, because it amused me at the time how he behaved.

It got to the point where I didn't want to talk to people in shops or restaurants as I didn't believe they were genuine. I felt they were fake and after my money and tips. I was glad to get back to London where most people are rude, but the friendly ones are friendly for no ulterior reason.

The store greeters are genuine though!

I wasn't aware of the phenomenon until I walked by a bunch of store greeters. First time I've experienced culture shock.

 

[Da_Funk]

I find America completely materialistic and obsessed with money. When I was in New York and LA I had people trying to hustle me, people begging for money. People who would do anything for $20. I was embarrassed for them. You rate money higher than self respect? I am too proud to behave like that. I found myself giving money away for stupid shit, as money means very little to me. One guy wanted to freestyle for me outside some club in NY in exchange for cash. Weak. Get a job. He didn't look like he had a drug habit, or that he lived rough. I gave him 20 dollars, because it amused me at the time how he behaved.

It got to the point where I didn't want to talk to people in shops or restaurants as I didn't believe they were genuine. I felt they were fake and after my money and tips. I was glad to get back to London where most people are rude, but the friendly ones are friendly for no ulterior reason.

It's funny you mention this. I spent several months with a girl from France. One day, while we were laying in bed talking, she told me my obsession with money scared her. At the time I just though huh? because while money is a large factor in my decision making I never saw myself as obsessed with it. Cultural differences I guess.

Yes, I guess that for an average Polish person being smart goes far beyond economic success, which often isn't really a priority, or is far less important than it is in America - which is funny because even crappy jobs there leave you with much more money.
Like you said, it's more of a goal in itself. Being smarter = being a better, more complete person, achieving social success with smarter individuals etc.
As far as jobs go being smarter (it would be more about using your brain and having skills, general knowledge doesn't matter much) usually means having way more opportunities, and you have to be above average for most 'good' jobs.
Come to think of it though crappy jobs here will leave you on an edge of survival and you need to use some brains to keep them too, unlike in America where you can be a tool and earn enough to buy as much as an average middle class man here could.

Also it's kind of ironic, since communism was against knowledge actually. You had no individuality or expression but also they discouraged education. They burned books and slayed the "intelligent classes" in Russia.

Many Americans aren't as rich as you think they are. A great number live well above their means because of credit.

 

[Pittsey]

It's funny you mention this. I spent several months with a girl from France. One day, while we were laying in bed talking, she told me my obsession with money scared her. At the time I just though huh? because while money is a large factor in my decision making I never saw myself as obsessed with it. Cultural differences I guess.

I thought it was just Americans that were obsessed. It is their barometer for success. Here, success is a bit more difficult to measure. But if you are wearing a very expensive watch covered in diamonds, you are more likely to get people sneering at you. Real money can spot new money a mile off. I am neither of those though. And I prefer to judge a man on more than his bank balance.

Many Americans aren't as rich as you think they are. A great number live well above their means because of credit.

Same the whole world over. Look at Greece, Spain and Italy. Their GDP is over 120%.

 

[Flipmo]

Yeah, when I was in the States I noticed the materialism thing as well. Are you s urprised though? Look at what's on TV. It seems that the most successful shoes are reality based and include the lives of the rich and famous that flaunt their Rolls Royce and take trips to the Pacific Isles like if it was nothing. I can't really say if it's similar in Canada, as I live in Quebec and we have our own deal... but I can say Toronto is a lot like the USA. I've been going there since I've been a kid and I've seen the city change over time. Shit, Toronto is an American city culturally it seems at this point. I can't talk about anything west of Ontario though, haven't been yet. Montreal has its days, but it doesn't seem to be as prevalent.

That being said, I've been told that I was materialist because I said I'd rather be rich than poor - it was just a passing comment. The girl (who was also from France) flipped her shit. That's when I shut her ass down by telling her: "Well, good luck providing for your children if you strive to be impoverished" then she shut her mouth. Yeah, that's right... SHUT CHO MOUTH.

 

[Prize Gotti]

One thing I love about you Americans the most is you're inability to understand sarcasm. You guy's do realize I make posts and threads like I do just to get this kinda reaction out of you?

You don't recognize the same pattern time and time again? Me making a controversial comment, you guys start crying like bitches, and then I get bored and think of something else to do to piss you off.

< Single handedly keeping the board alive.

 

[Da_Funk]

I thought it was just Americans that were obsessed. It is their barometer for success. Here, success is a bit more difficult to measure. But if you are wearing a very expensive watch covered in diamonds, you are more likely to get people sneering at you. Real money can spot new money a mile off. I am neither of those though. And I prefer to judge a man on more than his bank balance.

I couldn't agree more. Diamond studded anythings are stupid and only rappers or teenagers would find them cool.

 

[masta247]

Many Americans aren't as rich as you think they are. A great number live well above their means because of credit.

Yeah I understand that, it's not like it's a country where everyone's rich. It's just that it's possible to survive even with minimum wage and an unqualified person is able to live and buy things he likes from time to time doing a "crap" job. Here the minimum wage is only enough to pay rent for the cheapest places and buy the cheapest food just to get by. And you need a certain level of commitment and smarts to hold onto that job. That's how it looks like if you aren't working towards improving yourself here - that's why those "less capable" people move to England or Germany to do shitty jobs that pay more than they ever imagined.

When I was in Vancouver I don't think people were all about money. They say it's one of the most "American" places in Canada and I've encountered what I'd call assholes and ignorants more than anywhere else BUT I've met a lot of genuinely great people, very open minded and curious too. Even in stores. There was that lady in a Pharmasave shop that helped me a lot the first day I arrived too. I was pleasantly surprised.
I've met people on the bus, near the university campus that would just chat. Strangers eager to show me around and help with things even when I wasn't really asking for it. If anything I think it's more about extremes there - on one hand you have ignorants and people that I'd say had extremely poor value systems but on another hand you have great individuals too.
I'm sure it's similar in most places in the states though I've heard worse things from Canadians, lol.

 

[Da_Funk]

Yeah I understand that, it's not like it's a country where everyone's rich. It's just that it's possible to survive even with minimum wage and an unqualified person is able to live and buy things he likes from time to time doing a "crap" job. Here the minimum wage is only enough to pay rent for the cheapest places and buy the cheapest food just to get by. And you need a certain level of commitment and smarts to hold onto that job. That's how it looks like if you aren't working towards improving yourself here - that's why those "less capable" people move to England or Germany to do shitty jobs that pay more than they ever imagined..

I just wanted to say, the part that I bolded is absolutely, 100% false. It is next to impossible to survive on minimum wage in both Canada and the United States. Hence my comment about people surving on credit cards. Even if you were making 50k/year in North America, you'd be struggling to survive if you had kids.

When I was in Vancouver I don't think people were all about money. They say it's one of the most "American" places in Canada and I've encountered what I'd call assholes and ignorants more than anywhere else BUT I've met a lot of genuinely great people, very open minded and curious too. Even in stores. There was that lady in a Pharmasave shop that helped me a lot the first day I arrived too. I was pleasantly surprised.
I've met people on the bus, near the university campus that would just chat. Strangers eager to show me around and help with things even when I wasn't really asking for it. If anything I think it's more about extremes there - on one hand you have ignorants and people that I'd say had extremely poor value systems but on another hand you have great individuals too.
I'm sure it's similar in most places in the states though I've heard worse things from Canadians, lol.

Yeah, well I hate to be rude (no I don't) but thats what happens when you actually visit a place and see it for yourself instead of making generalized comments (like the one I quouted above) based on the hearsay of others.

 

[dilla]

Credit makes the world go round.

 

[masta247]

I just wanted to say, the part that I bolded is absolutely, 100% false. It is next to impossible to survive on minimum wage in both Canada and the United States. Hence my comment about people surving on credit cards. Even if you were making 50k/year in North America, you'd be struggling to survive if you had kids.

Kids are expensive. I suppose it depends on what you mean by "survival". I think I could survive earning 2k/month there, I think an average low-level worker from Poland would be happier with a 1k/month salary there than what they make here.
Here the minimum wage is about 300$ for a full time job. Prices there are a bit higher, according to most reserch life costs are about 70-100% higher there.
I've met people working for minimum wages there and honestly that's a totally different type of "survival". The survival for a miminum wage here doesn't look too good. Most people in Canada are poor because they don't want to work. We have people unable to pay rent for a total shithole doing a full time job as a nurse or public administration, which pay a little more than the miminum wage.

Yeah, well I hate to be rude (no I don't) but thats what happens when you actually visit a place and see it for yourself instead of making generalized comments (like the one I quouted above) based on the hearsay of others.

Personally I have never had bad opinions about Canada and the US. I do see the cultural differences though and I think generalizations carry some merit. Stereotypes like "Americans are stupid" - I don't agree with.

 

[Ristol]

Ristol is from money!! Are you like the people in The Great Gatsby? You are from the same Island?

Same island, yes. Different part of the island.

 

[ARon]

First Rukas now gotti casey rains us, smfh

 

[Shadows]

I never learned about Titanic in any school i attended. I just remembered asking my mom in the theaters if it was a true story, and she said not the story, but the actual sinking of Titanic was.

I can't be shocked to see people don't know about it. In history class, i always learned about Water Gate, JFK, Abraham Lincoln, MLK, shit like that. Never anything about Titanic.