229 years ago

229 years ago we told you Brits to take a hike so that we could do things like come up with our own spelling and grammar system, practice nutty religions (ex. The Quakers), talk about politics with impunity, and keep all those tax dollars for ourselves.

Are you still bitter?

I know that different countries teach different viewpoints on things - history books vary based on who the "good guy" is where they are published. For us, the revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independance was a glorious moment in history. What is the English perspective?

 

Isn't Independance Day July 4th?

 

Yeah, but it's this 3 day weekend... I'm like 3 days off

I was talking to a buddy who recently visited North Korea and their take on the war is pretty far off from what we see. Pretty hysterical actually. I remember seeing childrens books in a museum in Germany during WWII and you would be astonished. Teaching things like you should turn in your parents if they are hiding people in the attic. I'm just curious as to what the English perspective is on our independance. Is it something they see as a highlight in history, something they just don't care about, or do they maybe have an entirely different perspective like we are a bunch of traitors or they teach that people like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Nathan Hale, etc. are bad guys.

 

Brits/English , when I was 18 my mates and I all went abroad to Spain two years in a row, they soon learned our angst at being called British or English.

Is everyone over the pond American I guess when the US looks across the water its pretty much England they see, I can't remember the stats but I remember that the US was one of the worst countries for knowing anything as regards countries/location/borders outside of their own backyard.

 

LOL... here's what we learn about foreign geography in school:

Canada is that grey thing at the top.
Mexico is that grey thing at the bottom.

They don't matter. They aren't part of the U.S.

 

Yeah, I recently had this conversation with two people each from different countries. I told them that I thought that the problem was ignorance brought about by arrogance.

I equated it to the old belief that the Earth was the center of the Universe. I think most Americans think that about the US. Why care about anything outside of the US?

But if you look at it from a global perspective most other countries reinforce that idea. The US has the power to dictate most countries’ foreign policies. At the same time we really have a huge influence on the world through pop culture. It's amazing how familiar people in other countries are with American movies, TV, food, and clothing.

As more and more Americans are becoming more self-centered everyday I think the problem is getting worse. Why would someone want to learn about what’s going on in some other country when American Idol is on!!!

As far as nevets original question of each county’s perspective on history it is pretty funny. In fourth grade we have a whole class set aside to tell us how great Texas is. Yet in Mexico schools there’s no mention of the Alamo.

 

I think for most Americans it's worse than that Smyrl. Most are so centered on just their town & neighborhood that going to the other side of town and finding a place to eat is a big adventure.

I feel fortunate that I've gotten to live outside the US. Living in Germany for 3 years was a very enlightening experience... and you don't even have to leave the country as many don't even know what other parts of the US are like... Boston vs. Atlanta vs. Seattle vs. San Diego vs. Denver vs. Houston vs. Indianapolis... I mean the list goes on and on, but all those places are different from each other & those are just large cities... not to mention all the smaller ones and the flavors they add. It's a shame really as there is a lot to experience and see not only in the US, but in the world, and most of us dont think about anything just past the street we're on.

 

I've had the opportunity to travel and see Canada and the US coast to coast. It always amazed me that the further south in the states I was, the less people knew about their neighbor, Canada. Most have never even heard of BC, never mind Vancouver. Mention a burg like Abbottsford, BC and you've lost them.

I've spoken to more people from England, Germany, Africa, etc... who knew more about Canada than people in the States did.

I also remember learning about the US in elementary school right along with all the things we had to know about our own country. It's a shame they don't teach more..it's so worthwhile.

 

I've spoken to Americans who think that Australia is literally some back water country in which our national pastimes are wrestling crocodiles and hunting dinner. Truly. This was years ago mind you, perhaps times have changed.

 

It is always imporatnt that you are aware of your surroundings.. It pays alot to be curious.

 

Years ago that the national pastimes were wrestling crocs and hunting dinner or years ago that Americans said that?

-Signed,
Curious American

 

I find it funny and ironic that even with the 'dumbing down' of the English language, the average American's knowledge and usage of their own version of English is appalling.

Yeah, that was a problem back then. The British Empire was far too large to maintain and like any large empire (eg, Romans), it collapsed. The monarchy tried to tax everyone to raise enough cash to maintain the expenses, however the monarchy lacked brains because (like almost all European monarchs) they were inbred.

I think they've gotten over it by now. Besides, how can they be bitter anymore when they're laughing at the retard you Americans voted in for a second term (sorry, first term. You guys were to stupid to stop a guy who wasn't elected get into power)

yeah, "history is written by the victors" someone once said. I've got a feeling that they view it as just another colony that was becoming unviable declaring independance, etc (or something to that effect). *shrugs*

Speaking about the geographical ineptitude of Americans, the average American still seems to think that down here in South Africa, we have no developed infrastructure (eg electricity), ride around on animals like in Tarzan, sleep under mosquito nets and live in mud huts, etc. That's after being told that SA actually isn't a former Soviet state and isn't in Europe, and is (surprise surprise) in Africa.

 

Man it was so sweet when Tarzan rode elephants. I rode an elephant one time. It was smelly, but it made me think I could really do something up there on that big powerful beast, like stop poachers. Unfortunately, I was at a fair so there really wasn't any poaching to stop, but if there was.... I’m just saying.

 

lol, thats great

 

Nah... in the National Parks they use AK-47s and Jeeps to stop poachers (I kid you not). No poacher messes with a group of guys with large automatic weapons Although, I've seen anti-poacher footage of guys trying to take on a bull elephant with measly .22 rifles. All it did was piss off the elephant and, well, the park patrol dudes suddenly had engine trouble, so they couldn't help them. Heh heh heh...