Fi wrote:
I have been training with Americans at training camps, but the conversations stagnate at some point, so it is hard to get to know them. They don’t know much about geography or political institutions outside their own country. Is there any topics that I should bring up?
Most Americans (and more generally humans) are bores. Don't bother unless you want them to bore you with some drivel about their opinions on how to do a proper screen in basketball.
Ask them about your elitism. They're quite well-versed in that.
Just watch Fox News and believe everything they say. It's all true, you know!
Then you can talk to the Americans.
Outback Jack Mack wrote:
Ever heard of Fosters? Yellow Tail? wrote:
If Australia decided to put an export tax on alcohol, there are dozens of bars across the US that would have to rethink their Tuesday specials.
That’s a good joke.
But Fosters in brewed in Texas.
Australia is the US’s 23rd largest trading partner.
The US is Australia’s 4th largest export market.
Do the math bozos.
Everyone always focuses on trade. It's relevant, but so is foreign direct investment. US largest source of Australian FDI:
https://dfat.gov.au/trade/resources/investment-statistics/Pages/statistics-on-who-invests-in-australia.aspxSocialist marathoner wrote:
Just watch Fox News and believe everything they say. It's all true, you know!
Then you can talk to the Americans.
Last time I checked, Fox Newsisnt melting down like CNN, MSNBC, etc.
Brennan, Comey, Lynch, and co are throwing each other under the bus for what? Because of Fox News?
Keep living in your world of lies... Rachel Maddox loves it. Oh yeah, she's melting down, as well.
The lame sports they created to then call themselves “world” champions. They can go on and on about that stuff. Even the collegiate version that serves as the board exploitive farm teams for the NFL.
Poor. This country is not even 250 years old. There is very little depth to the US so it is inexcusable to believe that there too much to learn. The issue is that most of the citizens of this country are distracted with their daily lives and distractions. Sadly it is spreading to the rest of the developed world.
Fi wrote:
I have been training with Americans at training camps, but the conversations stagnate at some point, so it is hard to get to know them. They don’t know much about geography or political institutions outside their own country. Is there any topics that I should bring up?
Define "Americans" per your experience.
We need to know that so we can identify your prejudices finitely.
bloviating wrote:
Sadly it is spreading to the rest of the developed world.
So, you agree with Trump and are against imperial expansion?
Dude, I'm totally with you. This my great pain, not just with Americans but with the entire population of the world. I continually find myself making insightful comments and I cannot adequately describe the ennui at the puerile responses that pour out of their mouths in response. I mean, it's a huge wraparound veranda. I'm still pinching myself, ok?
Farting and who's hot usually keeps most people amused for a few miles.
tell them to study london real and joe rogan sports medicine, high performance,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GXs_p-kzU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu-7WSjaVyU
lots to talk about then.
drink whiskey, don't hand with losers.
I like talking about coffee, mountains, weather, movies, animals, cute girls. There are many basic things you can discuss where you literally need no brain.
Fi wrote:
I have been training with Americans at training camps, but the conversations stagnate at some point, so it is hard to get to know them. They don’t know much about geography or political institutions outside their own country. Is there any topics that I should bring up?
Fi, out of curiosity, where are you from?
It’s tough in some ways because USA is large & powerful; we often are remote from other nations; and work/money preoccupy our culture. The tension of the rat race (lack of socialism) makes for some excitement, on the good side. And despite the pressure to fit in, other cultures are just around the corner in the US, if you know whom to ask and are open-minded.
A random American wrote:
Alright, then what should us Americans be reading up on? Give me some specific things to research, not broad topics like art, music, comedy, etc.
Yes, people from other countries are not better at conversation. That is a stupid general statement.
Outback Jack Mack wrote:
NotAnAnglophileBut... wrote:
I’ve noticed this myself. The average American has a very shallow knowledge of history, culture, art, music, politics, comedy, and film. As an American, it can be isolating never really being able to have a real conversation with someone who doesn’t badger you with, “how do you know that?” type comments. I went hiking with some Aussies a few months back and found their better breadth of knowledge invigorating, especially insofar as the quality of the conversation was concerned.
Here’s the thing: what America does matters a lot to other countries. What Australia does matters a lot to Australia and not at all to the US. That’s why we don’t know about them: it’s irrelevant.
And I assure you the average person anywhere doesn’t know much about art, music, film etc because it’s meaningless in the context of most people’s lives. We have work and family. Who has time to dive deep into mediums that don’t pay any bills and are not fun?
I guess its irrelevant like the knowledge of the Roman Empire or classic Greece and its impact on democracy?
Americans are generally incurious people. Only 35% have passports, and I suspect it would be less if they didn't expect the military to have a passport.
Yeah its a great country. I've lived here for over 35 years. But it doesn't know much about having fun, nor does it think about broader issues in the world.
Pretty self serving, but more form ignorance than arrogance I'd guess.