Lu
Administrator
Posts: 5,469
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Post by Lu on Feb 11, 2008 6:00:57 GMT -5
Right now, I can't think of any misconceptions concerning my country...I'll think about the subject..
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bookworm
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"Everything you can imagine is real" - Pablo Picasso
Posts: 973
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Post by bookworm on Feb 11, 2008 11:24:07 GMT -5
I guess a lot of people view Greeks like they were presented in My Big Fat Greek Wedding... You know really loud, obnoxious, stubborn... I don't think they are wrong, maybe just a little over the top... Oh the thing about the constant meat eating and having dinner with 100 of your closest relatives is totally true! ;D
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Feb 11, 2008 12:52:20 GMT -5
I agree with Emily and Kristie about the US. But I think a lot of our the views that other countries have are correct. Even if most Americans don't agree with him, Bush still has acted badly when it comes to foreign policy. And other countries are rightly upset. And I've traveled abroad with groups and Americans are bad travelers - we def. say (by how we act, dress, etc) "we are americans!" When I travel, I try to not be like that, but most americans don't care. They'll go to Italy and eat at McDonalds, attempt to enter religious sites in shorts and sneakers, and not even attempt to learn some of the language before traveling to another country... I spent the fourth of july in south africa when i was 13 and our tour leader bought as sparklers so we could celebrate our independence day and we were running around outside the restaurant with them - that is a great example of some obnoxious american travelers.
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Paige
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
Posts: 1,787
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Post by Paige on Feb 11, 2008 13:27:00 GMT -5
I agree with everyone who's mentioned things about the US, but there quite a few misconceptions about individual states in the US too. Like in Kansas, you would be surprised how many people visiting Kansas expect to see cowboys and Indians running around shooting each other and all of the wild buffalo. None of that goes on anymore, especially being there aren't any buffalo here...
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Isa
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Post by Isa on Feb 11, 2008 20:47:37 GMT -5
Oh yes, we get that too sometimes, mostly from first-time European travellers (no offense, guys!). Some still expect to see people living in teepees or igloos... but to be fair, I think that's how Canada is marketed out there. When I was in Paris last fall I saw an Air Canada ad promoting flights to Montreal and it featured a log cabin by a lake!!
Another misconception would be about the size of the country. Some people seem to think it's possible to drive from the Rockies to Niagara Falls in just a few hours, lol!
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Feb 11, 2008 21:19:53 GMT -5
All the beer commercials always show Canada as a vast country expanse, too. When I was in Mexico once, a group of Mexicans told my friend that she had to be from Canada b/c she was so pale. Apparently the US gets sun, but Canada doesn't. But really I have to go south (eventually) to get to Canada (random trivia: Detroit, MI to Windsor, ON is the only place that occurs). They finally agreed that she must be from Alaska.
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Isa
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Post by Isa on Feb 12, 2008 8:25:41 GMT -5
;D
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Post by bookaddict on Feb 12, 2008 17:39:31 GMT -5
Apparently the US had advisory warnings against Quebec Drivers.
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Feb 12, 2008 19:12:00 GMT -5
Zelda and Memccart, Michiganders are horrible/scary drivers--this is no misunderstanding, it's the truth Well we here in Michigan just generically despise everything that is Ohio, so I'll give you that one. But I think we just drive fast.
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Post by swissmiss on Feb 12, 2008 19:45:08 GMT -5
I agree with what everyone said about the US. I try not to be the loud obnoxious American when I travel, and when I went to Europe I noticed a lot of people like that! When I was in France, many of the French though I was british lol, I think that was a good sign. At least, I stuck with it. I don't know what people think about Colorado. Everyone here either skis or snowboards, so that's a true one
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Feb 13, 2008 9:17:48 GMT -5
Apparently the US had advisory warnings against Quebec Drivers. ;D Well, I have to admit we're not the best drivers. Probably the worst in Canada along with BC.
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Bina
First novel published
Posts: 2,472
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Post by Bina on Feb 13, 2008 11:15:27 GMT -5
I´m not too sure abour the misunderstandings people have of Germany. I mean obviously we´re not all bavarian and neonazis. But people especially the older ones here are the sort who watch you park your car and when you bump another they call the police. Or they just walk away looking dissapointed when you do everything right. Or yesterday my shopping bag ripped and about 20 people stopped to take a good look but no one helped me pick things up. Okay I´m biased, I´m still mad about that. Maybe it´s just my bad luck.
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Post by Carma on Feb 13, 2008 11:39:06 GMT -5
haha, I know some for the Germans! Beer, bratwurst, lederhosen...
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Post by Pilleriin on Feb 13, 2008 11:47:55 GMT -5
I just wanted to write that.
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