Stop the America-bashing!

[Dauphin]

The logical process of some people.

Who invented *insert invention here*?

1) If in doubt, *insert your country here* invented it.
2) If *insert other country here* invented it, highlight the works of a scientist from *insert your country here* and claim credit.
3) If *insert your country here* wasn't involved, find a substitute that did involve *insert your country here*.
4) If all else fails, mention something *insert your country* did invent.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Arrian
I think McDonald's (or "Mickey-D's") is often equated with America, not just because it is ubiquitous, but also because it is a good example of a large, greedy, multinational corporation - and a very successful one at that...

Oh, I absolutely love Mickey D's, of course not for food (which is btw. not sooo bad, I have eaten worse), but mainly for the always clean toilets. When I am driving along the German or European highways and need... somewhere, I avoid to use those stinking darkblue cuboidal containers, but better wait till I see the Golden Arches, mostly just a few kilometers farther. Costs me a coffee, or a burger (I am always hungry ) and things are fine. Sure, I call Mickey D's the "Center of American culture", but that's not more than a joke. Europeans are no less into fast food like Americans are (may be even more), or else MD and BK would not have such a success here.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


Oh, I absolutely love Mickey D's, of course not for food (which is btw. not sooo bad, I have eaten worse), but mainly for the always clean toilets.

That gave me a good chuckle. First, because it's a funny reason to like a fast food joint, and second because that's not something Mickey D's is known for over here.

-Arrian

[Cairo_East]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


Sure, I call Mickey D's the "Center of American culture", but that's not more than a joke. Europeans are no less into fast food like Americans are (may be even more), or else MD and BK would not have such a success here.

I read somewhere that McDonalds would be posting huge losses if it weren't for the Happy Meal. The Happy Meal provides something like 40% of all sales (that percentage might be off, but not by much). I've noticed that Americans are eating much less at McDonald's/Burger King/etc. and more at "family eating" spots such as Chili's, Bennigan's, Outback Steakhouse, etc. I believe there is some economic theory that states that people will consume higher quality goods over cheaper ones when they rise up the economic ladder. I think this may have something to do with it. Or maybe there is a "europeanization" of American food culture. There are a lot more accessible ethnic/national restaurants that have popped up in the USA over the past 20 years.

Perhaps we've come to realize how bad fast food is, and have changed our tastes for the better.

[Arrian]

Well, if that's the case, the Happy Meal figure is a little upsetting, 'cause that means that kids are eating A LOT of fast food... hook 'em while they're young

D'Angelo and Subway are, IMHO, much better places to get a quick meal.

-Arrian

p.s. What the hell are we talking about? Why am I just now asking that? Why can't I go home? Why do people have to work on Fridays? Are we there yet?

[Big Fish]

Just as a general question is it true that Burger king has to be called somthing eles in Britin

PS: the best thing to ever come out of britin was Monty Python and the Holy Grail

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Big Fish
Just as a general question is it true that Burger king has to be called somthing eles in Britin

In the UK it is called Burger King. Why did you think it wasn't?

[Jaguar]

Re: The logical process of some people.

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
Who invented *insert invention here*?

1) If in doubt, *insert your country here* invented it.
2) If *insert other country here* invented it, highlight the works of a scientist from *insert your country here* and claim credit.
3) If *insert your country here* wasn't involved, find a substitute that did involve *insert your country here*.
4) If all else fails, mention something *insert your country* did invent.

O Sagacious One, I concur.


I am happy that this tread has been mostly reasonable discussion. I think it is because people actually attempt to use facts to support their arguments. Yes! Its crazy, but it just might work!

On fast food, I don't think it is really as unhealthy and horrible as people say it is. My favorite fast food type place is Subway. It gives food of a higher quality than places like McDonalds, and it is much healthier.

On the inventions front, I think that many of the inventions in question were first thought of by Europeans, but then refined and mass produced by Americans. Either that, or they were made by someone who immigrated to America.

[Arrian]

Sag,

The "thought process" is great - I like

It is yet another example of ethnocentricity. It's tough to be objective when it comes to your country/ethnicity/religious grouping. Emotion is the enemy of logic and reason, and I can't think of too many things that spark emotional responses quite like one's origins.

-Arrian

[dunk]

My two cents... (US citizen)

I love my country. I feel fortunate to live here.

Americans have also been very fortunate. Our independance from the English was a combination of luck, foreign aid (because England was experiencing the same resentment that we do today), and determination. As for WWII... we defeated Japan, not Germany. The Red Army defeated Germany, and would have marched all the way through France if the US didn't assist the UK on the western front. We were able to emerge from WWII as a dominant power because the only US territory fought on was Pearl Harbor and a couple Alaskan islands.

Americans have also grown arrogant and complacent due to our wealth and military power. So, in this repect, some of the anti-American sentiment is deserved. It is also sad that despite anyone's best efforts, their most negative traits are the ones that perpetuate.

Americans are one of the more diverse cultures on the planet (past or present). There are many things that are a direct result of that. Rock and Roll is probably the best example, for it is a blend of European folk music and African folk music.

Americans are the sons and daughters of outcasts from all around the world, be they European, African (who still remained outcasts here until the 20th century), or Asian. My country used to be a place for the downtrodden to come and become great (late 1800's and early 1900's). It is sad that we have become, in the eyes of many, the oppressors.

I'll concede that we as a country have committed some pretty awful crimes such as the slaughter of the native Americans, slavery of the Africans.

Leave us in. That's all I have to say about this one.

[Spiffor]

Dunk999, I really like your post. Although you love your country, you don't act as an arrogant, know-it-all redneck, but as someone who can think, about positive and negative sides of your country. You just boosted up my esteem of the Americans (I know you're not the only intelligent one, far from it, but the rednecks are often the most noisy)

[Serb]

dunk999,
Great post,

[Harovan]

That's indeed the post of the month , dunk999, *applauds*. And of course, the Americans must and will be left in.

[dunk]

Thanks for the kind words.

[Thunderfire]

Re: The logical process of some people.

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
Who invented *insert invention here*?

1) If in doubt, *insert your country here* invented it.
2) If *insert other country here* invented it, highlight the works of a scientist from *insert your country here* and claim credit.
3) If *insert your country here* wasn't involved, find a substitute that did involve *insert your country here*.
4) If all else fails, mention something *insert your country* did invent.

Very true. The truth ist nearly all inventions involved multiple people
from multiple nations.