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rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

I would like to ask an honest question, which I have no doubt will outrage someone, but, welcome to my life.

I am a U.S. citizen, and will be coming to Taiwan soon. I am very curious about other Westerners in Taiwan, particularly their views on the current sitution in the U.S.

I am "one of those"... Lemme put it this way: I would renounce my U.S. citizenship in a second if I didn't think it would close a thousand doors for me. (if you are cracking you knuckles to tell me that those doors are open because of how great we are, save keyboard wear, and don't bother). I'm fed up with my country, and am saving up money to find better place to live with less ignorant people. Most here aren't sympathetic to my p.o.v.--what am I likely to run into amonst teachers and other westerners in Taiwan, or anywhere else you have been for that matter?

thanks.

Toe Save · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:44 am Post subject:

We are a diverse community. You are going to meet people from all over the world as you would being an expat anywhere. Our opinions are as diverse as our hairstyles. And opinions are like buttholes, everyone's got one and both produce similar results. Wink

I've met some right wing Americans whom I am honoured to call friends and others whom I wouldn't pee on if they were on fire. Likewise, there are liberal Americans whom I'd rather eat bark than sit down with.

Of course, all Canadians that you meet are potheads. Everyone of them. Twisted Evil

Americans are the lesser of he problematic expats you'll meet. Wait until you get to know a few Saffies. 98% of them are backstabbing wankers.

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

I figured as much, that there was a good diversity. When I was in Russia I encountered a lot of expats who were strangely obsessed with Russia, and always denounced America for Russia. Strange I thought.

Regarding Canadians, I have always liked Canadians, and based on what you've said, I think I'm going to like them even more...

I am embarrassed to ask--what is a Saffie?

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:56 am Post subject: Re: ...

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

As long as an unusually high amount are potheads, I hope to make friends with a few Canadians on Taiwan. I think I've only ever met one Canadian I didn't like; and he was half American come to think of it, whatever that means.

Toe Save · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:28 am Post subject: Re: ...

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

But, so it goes.....

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

I believe you may find some Americans here who believe Bush should be tried at the Hague for war crimes. But, as it's been said before, opinions vary. Thank goodness. Otherwise those long discussions at the all-night cafe could get pretty boring.

Cat

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

I'm getting at something different though with this post. Most of the world, polls seem to show, would like to see Bush at the Hague. I would like to see him and Clinton both there. This is a lonely position to take here at home, but I think that's going to change...

I was wondering if there are any "insane"--I get called that a lot--types like me in Taiwan.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject:

You don't have to be insane to come to Taiwan, but it helps. In fact, it's the one thing that keeps me from going crazy!

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Dr_Z...you're the man! "Many of us.........................and general low-lifes." Too funny!! Laughing

That's good stuff!!! eh? Very Happy

Selah,
American guy who's part-Canadian Cool

How about those Raptors and Warriors?

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

OP,

I don't have much time for people who renounce their country.

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Listen, there are plenty of places in America for you to go where people are anti-Bush, vegan, artsy, etc, etc.

Try Seattle, Colorado, Austin, etc.

Frankly, I wouldn't spend 10 seconds listening to you in the pub - and it's NOT because you're American.

rupert shellgame · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 109

This guy probably smiles contently while he pays his taxes. I guess only Soviet dissidents and Iranians have the right to bite the hand that feeds. But when you live in a great place like America, you should be thankful, and shut up. But then you do a background check on this hand that's been feeding you; you read its history; then, maybe you find out what it's been doing behind your back of late.

And then its apologists start to sound like, well, morons.

I don't want to carry this on in here, let's meet in a pub so you can teach me more.

Jamer · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

My suggestion to you would be to stay in the United States.

IMO the fellow Americans here are mostly apolitical to more middle grounded. I actually came here more left wing and have become more right as I lived here simply because you'll find out many things about America through living in other cultures namely that we complain/whine about everything and that we are not the most racist folks on the planet (yet we make ourselves out to be like we are); consequently, I've become more conservative as I have realized that personal responsibility is an important thing-and it is one of the things you'll learn quickly here.

I would say, and don't take offense to it, stay in America and stay with likeminded friends because really not a whole lot of those people out here in Asia(from my experience). Always think Europe too, if you really need to leave USA.

GO OBAMA!!!!!!(gonna start campaigning for him here in TW)

foreignertobe · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 24

I am also an American, living in a smallish town in Taiwan. I grew up in "the South" (though a Northern transplant) and now would not live anywhere in the US outside of NYC or a few other limited places. Outside of the US, it's easy to figure that people must be better. This is hardly my first time living abroad, and I've travelled like a b*tch as well.

It really is just trading one set of undesirable traits/beliefs for another anywhere you go. Everywhere, you will find put-together, sane individuals who seem to be intelligent, thoughtful and experienced. Then you get to know them, and they're bumpkins, but in a nicer dress. Even in a country with a population of a slightly higher average IQ, and even with the questionable overall worth of an IQ rating, the ability of a human to comprehend more of "the whole," one certain prerequisite for any level of sophistication, seems to be unavailable at IQs below a certain level. The average of all societies is well below this level.

Of course, you could also just be looking for drinking buddies who don't talk about a Christian version of god. In that case, most of the world outside of the US is your oyster.