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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:16 am Post subject: WHAT TRAITS TEND TO DEFINE PEOPLE OF YOUR NATIONALITY? |
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Yes, I'm asking you to generalize and perhaps even stereotype as you think of the traits that might define people of your nationality.
Stereotypes, by the way, often have a basis in fact, as social psychologists are quick to point out, much to the chagrin of the PC crowd.
Back in 1996, two business execs co-authored a book, The Stuff Americans Are Made Of and identified seven common traits:
1) Insistence on choice
2) Pursuit of impossible dreams
3) Obsession with big and more
4) Impatience with time
5) Acceptance of mistakes
6) Urge to improvise
7) Fixation with what's new
I see a certain business bias in their list, as well as incompleteness. To this list I would add:
 Demand for independence/indiviualism
9) Desire to root for the little guy
10) Insistence on fair play
11) Need for a sense of humor (and self-effacement)
12) Obsession with sports
From their list, I would make the following modifications:
2) Pursuit of dreams
3) Obsession with bigger and better
So, if you're American, what would you add to or change about this list (and why, if you're inclined to say)?
If you're of a different nationality, what defines it, in your view?
Or, if you prefer, what do you believe defines Koreans?
Finally, which nationality is most like Americans, for better or worse?
My bet is on the Aussies (decades ago I would have said Canadians) |
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RJjr
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Turning on a Lamp
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:11 am Post subject: |
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13) Sense of entitlement
14) Lack of responsibility
I'd say we used to be like Britain the most. We worked hard, earned a lot, and had a robust economy. Now, I'd say we're more like Nigeria, with all of the economic problems and financial scam artists. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| RJjr wrote: |
13) Sense of entitlement
14) Lack of responsibility
I'd say we used to be like Britain the most. We worked hard, earned a lot, and had a robust economy. Now, I'd say we're more like Nigeria, with all of the economic problems and financial scam artists. |
C'mon, RJ. You (we) are not that bad, so put away those whips and chains of self-flagellation (unless you're enjoying it). |
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RJjr
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Turning on a Lamp
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| RJjr wrote: |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcz_NHAFGS0 |
Its quality entertainment.
But a comedian's rant does not a quality source make.
America has a lot of problems but its not Nigeria. Check the hyperbole for a moment and you'll agree with me. |
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RJjr
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Location: Turning on a Lamp
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:34 am Post subject: |
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| I didn't say America is like Nigeria. There's a big difference between a nation that has been around for hundreds of years and its people that have been around for a few decades. Previous generations of Americans built America into the greatest nation to ever exist. However, our generation's disrespect for the sacrifices and accomplishments of our forefathers is evident by how we're squandering the inheritance. I would never compare our grandparents' generation to Nigerians. Likewise, I wouldn't compare our grandparents to us either. There's a reason why they're called The Greatest Generation while we'll never earn that title. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:30 am Post subject: |
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| There's a reason why they're called The Greatest Generation while we'll never earn that title. |
Certainly not if you resign yourself to defeat at the starting line.
They got through things by pulling together. The same sense of community will be needed again if we are to get through the present crisis. The hero of any adventure story is not the guy relaxing in the hammock sipping a beer. The hero is the guy to gets out there, makes sacrifices, suffers and overcomes in the last chapter. |
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Chuvok
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Location: Russia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:05 am Post subject: |
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americans are:
1.) Gluttonous
2.) Overindulgent
3.) Poorly Educated
4.) Arrogant
5.) Superficial
6.) Materialistic
7.) Adolescent
8.) Jingoistic
9.) Loudmouthed
10.) Ignorant
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Chet Wautlands
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: |
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Countries with large immigrant populations generally have less unifying traits than those with less immigration.
That having been said, I was surprised by how accurate that list seems. Certainly American mythology is full of these traits. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:38 am Post subject: |
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WHAT TRAITS TEND TO DEFINE PEOPLE OF YOUR NATIONALITY?
| Chuvok wrote: |
americans are:
1.) Gluttonous
2.) Overindulgent
3.) Poorly Educated
4.) Arrogant
5.) Superficial
6.) Materialistic
7.) Adolescent
8.) Jingoistic
9.) Loudmouthed
10.) Ignorant
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So you are American, after all. |
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Chuvok
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Location: Russia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| Kuros wrote: |
So you are American, after all. |
Nope, just critisising yours, fatty!
Lose weight, yank! |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| Chuvok wrote: |
| Kuros wrote: |
So you are American, after all. |
Nope, just critisising yours, fatty!
Lose weight, yank! |
How much do I weigh, exactly?
Your insults are weaksauce and your trolling subpar. |
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rusty1983
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: WHAT TRAITS TEND TO DEFINE PEOPLE OF YOUR NATIONALITY? |
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| ManintheMiddle wrote: |
Yes, I'm asking you to generalize and perhaps even stereotype as you think of the traits that might define people of your nationality.
Stereotypes, by the way, often have a basis in fact, as social psychologists are quick to point out, much to the chagrin of the PC crowd.
Back in 1996, two business execs co-authored a book, The Stuff Americans Are Made Of and identified seven common traits:
1) Insistence on choice
2) Pursuit of impossible dreams
3) Obsession with big and more
4) Impatience with time
5) Acceptance of mistakes
6) Urge to improvise
7) Fixation with what's new
I see a certain business bias in their list, as well as incompleteness. To this list I would add:
Demand for independence/indiviualism
9) Desire to root for the little guy
10) Insistence on fair play
11) Need for a sense of humor (and self-effacement)
12) Obsession with sports
From their list, I would make the following modifications:
2) Pursuit of dreams
3) Obsession with bigger and better
So, if you're American, what would you add to or change about this list (and why, if you're inclined to say)?
If you're of a different nationality, what defines it, in your view?
Or, if you prefer, what do you believe defines Koreans?
Finally, which nationality is most like Americans, for better or worse?
My bet is on the Aussies (decades ago I would have said Canadians) |
sense of humour? seriously? |
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rusty1983
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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British people -
cynical
sarcastic
cold
aggressive
caring
piss-takers
masochists
lacking in a certain self-confidence yet full of self-importance
hate the establishment
arrogant
easy-going
liberal
DRUNK!!!!!hahahahaha |
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ManintheMiddle
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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RJjr observed:
| Quote: |
13) Sense of entitlement
14) Lack of responsibility
I'd say we used to be like Britain the most. We worked hard, earned a lot, and had a robust economy. Now, I'd say we're more like Nigeria, with all of the economic problems and financial scam artists. |
Guess what, bruddah? I actually tend to agree with you on this one. The liberal agenda since the late 1960s has made even many conservatives this way, which is quite sad. I applaud Obama for at least saying that we all need to tighten our belts and stand up to the plate. And I suppose some of it is almost inevitable in a society which has more than enough time and disposable income (until recently) to indulge. I also believe hedonism is on the rise because of the decline in religious values, to some extent.
Chuvok wrote:
| Quote: |
1.) Gluttonous
2.) Overindulgent
3.) Poorly Educated
4.) Arrogant
5.) Superficial
6.) Materialistic
7.) Adolescent
8.) Jingoistic
9.) Loudmouthed
10.) Ignorant |
You're list is redundant, indicating that you perhaps lack focus or education yourself. I do concur with no's. 1, 2, 5, and 9 however. We can't all be poorly educated since our institutions of higher learning lead the world. Many of our private schools and public magnet/charter schools are first-rate, too. So you're overgeneralizing.
rusty:
You're list about Brits I mostly agree with. The only people I've ever met more arrogant than overseas Brits (re: Hong Kong) are the French. Maybe that's why they fought the Hundred Years War.
Just to set the record straight (since you use "yanks," a dead give-away): recent studies now show that Aussies are more obese on average than Americans and Brits aren't far behind.
Odd, no response from the Canucks here. |
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