Quote:

---

Originally Posted by excon

Hello Mary:

What makes us great, is that we let a lemon slip through once in a while. What KEEPS us great, is that we repair the damage the lemons do.

excon

---

Agreed.

Hi Excon,

Its going to be very difficult and cost your country A lot of money to repair the damage this lemon has done! I think that I can say that even though I am Irish... Im not hurting anyone am I?!

I thank you all, yes ALL for responding. From my heart I thank you. And thanks for those that lent a chuckle and support. To be honest, I needed it.

Excon - I guess not uncomfortable, but it makes me sad, upset and sometimes, angry.
By the way.. thank you for your service.

Need Karma - I hope I didn't upset you. I was upset myself and just really wanted and needed to share how I was feeling.

I don't think my feelings of upset will ever change but I can't thank all of you enough
For sharing your thoughts and listening to mine.

People on internet boards and newspapers and plenty of other places have been offering their opinions of other countries forever. I'm not sure why it has come to your attention now. We are all interconnected in some way, no man is an island so to speak. Some of the 'bashing' of other countries is done here by americans. Make sure to apply the same standards to others. :)

We accept it because we respect people from all over to have the right to say what they wish. That doesn't mean it isn't rude, that doesn't mean it doesn't upset us sometimes, but in order to have free speech (which I think most Americans agree should be a global thing) we have to tolerate what we don't like as well as what we do like.

Remember too, the media in many countries is quite biased (but not ours :)) and may not portray the US and our actions in the best light. This could be from past disagreements with said country or simply out of misunderstanding. I remember reading in a textbook about a man who moved here from China on business and he was terrified because of what he had heard of America. He thought we all lived two people to a mansion and we all leave our money to our pets when we die, not to our children. He got here and was relieved to find we were normal and hard-working.

Also consider that for governments who are opposed to our administration or our politics in general, the best way to make the displeasure known is to have it's citizens dislike our country and administration as well. It gives the country an upper hand, so to speak, the more people who dislike us, the more likely we are to change.

Depending on what I see/hear people say, I often think their disdain is a result of lack of knowledge about America, what we stand for, and the good things we do in the world. Are we always good? No. But are we evil? No. I know this is a great country; it could use some work, but really, what country couldn't?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jillianleab

We accept it because we respect people from all over to have the right to say what they wish. That doesn't mean it isn't rude, that doesn't mean it doesn't upset us sometimes, but in order to have free speech (which I think most Americans agree should be a global thing) we have to tolerate what we don't like as well as what we do like.

Remember too, the media in many countries is quite biased (but not ours :)) and may not portray the US and our actions in the best light. This could be from past disagreements with said country or simply out of misunderstanding. I remember reading in a textbook about a man who moved here from China on business and he was terrified because of what he had heard of America. He thought we all lived two people to a mansion and we all leave our money to our pets when we die, not to our children. He got here and was relieved to find we were normal and hard-working.

Also consider that for governments who are opposed to our administration or our politics in general, the best way to make the displeasure known is to have it's citizens dislike our country and administration as well. It gives the country an upper hand, so to speak, the more people who dislike us, the more likely we are to change.

Depending on what I see/hear people say, I often think their disdain is a result of lack of knowledge about America, what we stand for, and the good things we do in the world. Are we always good? No. But are we evil? No. I know this is a great country; it could use some work, but really, what country couldn't?

---

Just and incredible and clear explanation! It makes sense and helps a great deal.

Thank you... very much.

When I was working with Individuals from all over the world, they were doing a two year tour and all of them and their families cried upon leaving. They were truly sad to leave us. They missed their homeland very much and looking forward to being with their loved ones again, but it did pain them to leave us as well.

I honestly and sincerely thank you for sharing. It helped immensely!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marydoll

"The rest of the world and the liberal establishment hate the fact that the USA is great."

---

This person lists many reasons why America is hated, some quite naïve.

Quote:

---

I really doubt that! I for one do not think that the USA is not that great... Far from that in fact.

---

Do you mean "I for one think that the USA is not that great?" If so, other than the reason you listed, why?

Quote:

---

Your leader is an idiot who thinks that he rules the world. Well he doesn't. He is a money minded man who should not be in power.

---

Our leader, like every other leader we've had is quite fallible. But your description of him is just an opinion and I have yet to see anyone show me ANY irrefutable evidence it's true. He mangles words but that doesn't make him an idiot. I have yet to hear of his attempted takeover of Europe, Africa, Asia, Central or South America, and one does not get rich by serving for 8 years as president of the United States. I have never seen the mythological Bush that the left has created.

Quote:

---

A great country would have a great leader...

---

Fortunately, America is great because of her people. A great leader is just a bonus but at least our leader has a better approval rating than congress... currently a 10 point advantage on average. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marydoll

"The rest of the world and the liberal establishment hate the fact that the USA is great."


I really doubt that! I for one do not think that the USA is not that great.... Far from that in fact. Your leader is an idiot who thinks that he rules the world. Well he doesnt. He is a money minded man who should not be in power.

A great country would have a great leader....

---

Irelands had there fair share of bad leaders too you know. Not every country's perfect, anyway we voted for him so your appropriate answer should be that Americans are money minded. Plus with our current state with the economy we need a money minded person in power.
Speaking of great leaders who is Irelands prime minister anyway? You know the name of our leader, but who's running your country?
Think about the hipocracy in your statement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marydoll

Hi Excon,

Its going to be very difficult and cost your country ALOT of money to repair the damage this lemon has done! I think that I can say that even though I am Irish.... Im not hurting anyone am I??!!!

---

You see, now that is the common misperception. 535 plus members of congress had a hand in this alleged 'damage' - and that's just for starters.

The reason we accept bashing is because of our culture…we have everyone's culture.
For you non-Americans, this means that some of your fellow countrymen, in times past, have immigrated and brought some of your culture with them. The parts we liked we adopted as our own.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

People on internet boards and newspapers and plenty of other places have been offering their opinions of other countries forever. I'm not sure why it has come to your attention now. We are all interconnected in some way, no man is an island so to speak. Some of the 'bashing' of other countries is done here by americans. Make sure to apply the same standards to others. :)

---

No doubt, we've been making jokes about the French for decades... and Canadians, Mexicans... :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark_crow

The reason we accept bashing is because of our culture…we have everyone’s culture.
For you non-Americans, this means that some of your fellow countrymen, in times past, have immigrated and brought some of your culture with them. The parts we liked we adopted as our own.

---

To me, within your answer there is a great answer... In all of us Americans, is actually
Parts of people all around the world, so, we actually are all a part of each other.
I am being sincere, not trying to be sappy.

I think the British "bash" americans to get back at them.
Americans think everyone from England speaks posh and drink nothing but tea (ect), and they make fun of us, so we do it back, we copy their accent in a stupid manor and say they eat nothing about mcDonalds (ect)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by speechlesstx

Actually magprob you're right, others are following our example. If Americans bash America why not everyone else?

---

That is a very good point... and very true.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Princess-IMYM

I think the brittish "bash" americans to get back at them.
Americans think everyone from England speaks posh and drink nothing but tea (ect), and they make fun of us, so we do it back, we copy their accent in a stupid manor and say they eat nothing about mcDonalds (ect)

---

Hi Princess,

Actually I didn't think the British did bash us :( . But I think we may joke back and forth.
At least that's how it was amongst some of the British that I met. And sooooo funny you said that about us thinking you all speak posh and drink nothing but tea... That is exactly what my British friend thought we thought. Too funny.

p.s. Do you actually drink anything other than tea :D

Acctually it's mostly coffee that we drink, tea isn't strong enough anymore :D
I personally hate tea.
And I suppose not all americans eat anything other than mcDonalds? I kind of guessed that anyway. :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Princess-IMYM

Acctually it's mostly coffee that we drink, tea isnt strong enough anymore :D
I personally hate tea.
And i suppose not all americans eat anything other than mcDonalds? i kinda guessed that anyway. :p

---

I actually love tea :) Goes well with Mc D's. ;)

Actually Mc D's does have the BEST french fries.

I do like the occasional McD's but too much makes me ill... yes the fries are very nice, I agree ^^
My friend dips them in strawberry milkshake! How odd! Do you do that? Or is she just strange?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Princess-IMYM

^^
My friend dips them in strawberry milkshake! how odd! do you do that? or is she just strange?

---

I will not speak ill of anyone... she does what :eek:

I never tried it... I'll have to give it a go. Ya know, there are times we eat other then Mc D's, there is Dunkin Donuts :D

:p I have never heard of that.
All I know is McD's and burger king.