Americans are rude?

dd74 · 10-14-2005, 01:18 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/14/poll.rude.ap/index.html

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

and is anyone surprized by this? several generations have been raised to feel good about themselves regardless of true achievemment. That is likely one of the biggest failings of our educational system. It's like Lake Woebegon where everyone is above average

grankin · 10-14-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
and is anyone surprized by this? several generations have been raised to feel good about themselves regardless of true achievemment. That is likely one of the biggest failings of our educational system. It's like Lake Woebegon where everyone is above average

I'm not surprised. I had a young couple show up to get sworn in before our Supreme Court, wearing T-shirts and cut-offs. The Court's marshall wouldn't let them in. They appealed to me, and I asked where they got the idea that one could appear before the Court dressed the way they were. They said "We weren't told there was a dress code!" I said "Any fool should know how to dress here" and they got all offended ... but didn't get sworn in with their classmates and family. They came back later, and the Chief Justice decided to be charitable, did it in chambers.

Evans, Marv · 10-14-2005, 02:14 PM

Bill:
I guess you haven't worked in (or near) the education system. There nobody fails - regardless. Additionally (grankin), anyone who appeals or complains always gets a break around the rules (just like they did in your court). If a kid isn't doing well in school, the parents are the first ones to say it's not the kids fault, the administration is second, and the school board is third. My wife teaches 1st grade. She had a kid last year who just wasn't able to perform up to grade level. She knew he needed to be kept in 1st grade for another year, and he would greatly benefit from it and that is what she recommended. Of course, the kid was passed on to second grade and is still performing at the bottom of the barrel - but at a higher level. I can tell you from first hand experience, kids don't have any clue what the real world is going to be like. Their parents sure as hell arent' preparing them.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Evans, Marv
Bill:
I guess you haven't worked in (or near) the education system. There nobody fails - regardless. Additionally (grankin), anyone who appeals or complains always gets a break around the rules (just like they did in your court). If a kid isn't doing well in school, the parents are the first ones to say it's not the kids fault, the administration is second, and the school board is third. My wife teaches 1st grade. She had a kid last year who just wasn't able to perform up to grade level. She knew he needed to be kept in 1st grade for another year, and he would greatly benefit from it and that is what she recommended. Of course, the kid was passed on to second grade and is still performing at the bottom of the barrel - but at a higher level. I can tell you from first hand experience, kids don't have any clue what the real world is going to be like. Their parents sure as hell arent' preparing them.

That's what I was saying, I teach grad school part time, the quality of the students even at that level is pathetic, they expect the world w/o investing any effort.

VINMAN · 10-14-2005, 05:59 PM

The cell phone has created a whole new level of rudeness and obnoxiousness. I pray for the day when the whole nationwide cell system crashes for a week!!

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

My job requires me to testify in court often, and we all know, never show up with anything less than a suit and tie. It amazes me how defendants are dressed....I always thought they would want to put there best foot forward....not show how much their pants can sag below their hips..

legion · 10-14-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UconnTim97
My job requires me to testify in court often, and we all know, never show up with anything less than a suit and tie. It amazes me how defendants are dressed....I always thought they would want to put there best foot forward....not show how much their pants can sag below their hips..

As a rule, I contest all traffic tickets. I've had one in Champaign County and one int McLean County (where I live). I have always showed up in a suit. I've noticed, without exception, if you show up in a suit, the judge will let the ticket stand and impose court fees. If you show up in a t-shirt and jeans, Carharts--just about anything but appropriate court attire, the judge will dismiss the ticket.

Flatbutt1 · 10-14-2005, 08:07 PM

spend just a little time overseas and you'll quickly see how we Americans stand out. Our big mouths give us away immediately. On a recent trip to the Dominican I went to a local night club with a few friends. There was a $10 cover at the door, no big deal right? Well one of our crowd decided a cover was inappropriate and started lecturing the guys at the door about it. Actually told them that things like this was why they were a 3rd world sewer and would always be one. I couldn't get away from him fast enough.

HardDrive · 10-14-2005, 10:07 PM

In short, yeah. American are rude f*cking pigs.

Myself included.

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

In my travels I have found we are only second to the Brits on the perceived rudeness of our nationality. I grew up w/ a home in Singapore as well as the states and have traveled extensively most of my life. I have found that being a well behaved, respectful American abroad was a refreshing surprise to the locals and was always treated very kindly in return ...

err wait a sec, there was that time a local girls dad tried to run me over w/ his FIAT in the Azores, but that's a whole other story that involves my kindness, not my rudeness

tabs · 10-15-2005, 02:47 AM

What the fk do U mean I'm rude....I'm TABS.....

Victor · 10-15-2005, 02:51 AM

AMERCANS?? RUDE !?!?!?

Oh my God! Perish the thought....................

Next they'll be accusing Gemans of not having a sense of humour. This is an outrage!

oldE · 10-15-2005, 04:24 AM

After spending the last two summers working in a visitor information center, I would like to attest to the pleasure I have had in meeting people from around the US. Sure there have been exceptions, but for the most part, people from Alaska to Alabama and all parts in between (and beyond, I had a great time with a bus load from Hawaii!) have been interested, thoughtful and willing to learn. Perhaps that is the key. The fact we were getting those who were seeking out something other than the resorts and casinos ensured those who showed up at our door would be pleasant.
Oh yes, the German's sense of humor cuts loose after he stops worrying about his sense of propriety.
As for the 'education system', my wife also teaches and becomes more discouraged each year. We have raised a generation of 'parents' who have few parenting skills, so that many children come to school unprepared to socialize or behave. ADD & ADHD is so common one wonders where the workplace will get competent staff in 15 years. I used to think those who home-schooled their children were depriving them of the resources a public education could bring into their childrens' lives. Now, from my experience with some of these kids, I realize many have done their children big favors by keeping them in a structured learning environment at home.
It is past time for the pendulum to swing back in the other direction.
Les