What is your opinion of the United States?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
You're kidding, Right? So, French people don't think that France is the best country to live in the world?

Many do. But I sure think it is an arrogant posture.
But I have yet to meet one Frenchman who actually expects foreign people to acknowledge France superiority. That would be a supra-arrogant attitude.

[Az]

So French people don't think that people want to immigrate to their country? even people from the 3rd world?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
So French people don't think that people want to immigrate to their country? even people from the 3rd world?

Of course they do. We have enough immigrants to know. However, we're not gung-ho about saying "See ? We have immigrants ! We are obviously the best country in the world !".

Besides, the belief that France is the best country in the world is discreet. Nothing like the loud chest-thumping and boasting that I have seen here from our American posters.

[Az]

Oh what's the difference? Americans polled didn't go all gung-ho about it! They just answered the question! and they said the true.

The "discreet" thing is pure bull****. So, people are not chestthumping *******s, but just smug bastards. How is it better?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
The "discreet" thing is pure bull****. So, people are not chestthumping *******s, but just smug bastards. How is it better?

The belief is much less influential in one's spirit, when it's not repeated all day. Besides, it helps making it less spread in general.

This is the only poll I found on the topic, and it's not perfect. The question is: "Among the EU countries, which one looks ... ?", and categories are, in order:
Best governed; Easiest to find work; Best healed; Best retirement conditions; best economic management; Best daily life (I think it's the most important question for what interests us).
It shows the 89% belief that one's country is the best is not universally shared, even in a country rumored for its arrogance like France. The only outstandingly acknowledged superiority by the respondents is the field of welfare, which has always been a serious concern here.

[Kidlicious]

There is one thing that I don't really care for, and that is when people blame victims. 9-11 was not our fault. I think that some people say it is just because it fits into their worldview, but that's just wrong.

[Az]

You don't have to repeat it all day to believe it. If you believe it, you believe it. And since it's spreads throughout family and friends, it's not important, anyway.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
You don't have to repeat it all day to believe it. If you believe it, you believe it. And since it's spreads throughout family and friends, it's not important, anyway.

You have to repeat it all day to act according to it (which is what the US administration is still doing, with a wide support from the population). And you also have to repeat it all day to piss foreigners to no end with it.

[Az]

Yes, because people come across foreigners all the time.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
Yes, because people come across foreigners all the time.

Strawman

[Az]

don't dodge the argument.

What I meant is that you've said that people repeat it all day long. which is bull****. The internet is rather unique in that way.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel people repeat it all day long. which is bull****. The internet is rather unique in that way.

That may be true. I have no way to confirm, since the only American I know IRL doesn't talk about it (of course, the fact that he shared a flat with an Iraqi made politics quite a taboo )
However, from the very limited input I have, it seems the Chinese don't hesitate to be uber nationalist IRL too, repeating at whatever excuse that China is the best country in the world. At least, Chinese who live abroad.

[Az]

Just look at UR.

[monolith94]

America? It's not much, but it's home.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Azazel
Americans are NOT stupid. Americans know when their country does stupid things. Just look at a person such as MtG. you'd hardly see ANYONE call him a pinko liberal or whatever. These are the people who are the majority in the USA.

You can't be serious.