Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lukychrm42]

I think a basic textbook definition would be along the lines of anyone willing to work hard enough can succeed.... but success means many different things...

If people come to America because they want to make money, then there's that success, but others might come for freedom (yes, it does happen) and be able to live their lives on their terms.

My director regularly says to me, "You are too much unique."
Even in America, people sometimes think I'm something of a 'free spirit,' (if you'll forgive the hippy-dippy associations), but here his statement connotes displeasure at my lack of conformity. Well, I wasn't brought up to be "a good, hardworking Korean who thinks like everybody else and doesn't upset the status quo," but to be myself with a character including certain values (like hardworking, good citizen, etc.) To me, freedom to be who I am/ want to be is definitely part of the American Dream deal.

Just my cheesy 2 cents.

[madhusudan]

My American Dream is a decent amount of land paid in cash with a fence around the entire thing. Don't enter it. On that land I will do exeactly as I please. I hope to get off the grid and provide for most of my needs myself. Because people today don't trust others, maybe some Eurofag thinks I shouldn't have the right, but thank the gods I do.

[newton kabiddles]

Rock n Roll star.

[Pooty]

[Kuros]

The American Dream is America's noble lie.

Its how individuals being individuals can yet form a society: for the American dream is about the individual and yet about our commonality in a shared society all at once.

If anything endangers the American dream, it will be the continued fracturing of our society. The American dream is not about walling off your own kingdom apart from your neighbors, and if the American dream is endangered, its because too many Americans mistake the American dream as being just that.

[The evil penguin]

I can't remember.... why are americans despised so much in many developing (and developed) countries around the world??

[Rteacher]

This Wikipedia article gives some good cultural examples and also notes that hippie counterculture of the 1960s opposed the traditional American Dream by valuing spiritual gain over monetary gain.

Unfortunately, that spirit became co-opted, commercialized, and corrupted (paving the way for "new atheism"...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream

Of course, millions of people associate "American Dream" with this "son of a plumber man from Austin, Texas" ...
http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/superstars/dusty_rhodes/entrance/dustyrhodesentvid
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/dustyrhodes/bio/

[toowise]

Dusty Rhodes?

[antgonz]

"They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it." --George Carlin

[FixedGearJerk]

American Dream = Being able to drink a beer in a park without getting a $200 fine. . .

Still bitter over that one.

[itaewonguy]

doesn't it mean,
a family 2 cars in the drive way, a mansion, couple million dollars in the bank! and early retirement..

[McLovin]

My American Dream (I'm from the States) is to live in Asia the rest of my life, married to gorgeous Asian lady.

[kiknkorea]

[Otherside]

When I dream of Mena Suvari from American Beauty and then have to change my shorts when I wake up.

Next time, I'll tell you about my Swedish dream

[browneyedgirl]

Not having your life decided for you by someone else. Being able to fail or succeed based on your own actions.