American wanting to know about views from Poland

I was reading in the forum about views of the US. I thought to myself WOW. It said about how we are self centered and all about money. In a way that is so true. I assumed every society wants the most. You know "keep up with the Jones." Doesn't most countries want money and so forth. I am not saying that is a good thing. Money doesn't always make people happy. Here girls die because of not eating because they want to be the skinny society wants. I seen a show about how a girl at six began dieting. She would eat paper because it would fill her up. I thought that because I lived here all 28 years of my life.

Polish people who have never been to America know it from TV only and base their opinions on it. They show high-crime movies and think that's the way it really is. A Pole once told me he is afraid to go to the US because they shoot everybody.

Don't they ?

no they don't shoot everyone I am still here:) But in the big cities crime is so high, over stupid stuff. lIke shootings for am IPod, sneakers. of course material things. The problem here is legal system. Yes people go to jail, but someone is always backing the bad guy. I guess it is the job of some. Do you live in POland. I work at a bank and there are a few women from Poland, they go back to see family. They say it is such a beautiful place. I am terrified of flying anymore after September 11, when they hi-jacked the air planes and flew them into the world trade center. I wish I would get there. Let alone find some familiy over there. Everyone here has lost contact. :(have you ever been to poland?

Yes...

My grandma moved from Poland to America in the 20th century. She's 80 something now. And she's still alive :)

Plus I am an American and I have to say that you can't base your opinions on what you see on tv, like Krysia said. Everywhere in the world there is crime and violence and there is also a good share of kind people and things. That's just part of the package. So don't think all Americans hate other nations and are bad people [not saying you do just making it clear because there are a lot of might think otherwise]. Personally, I find every country interesting and want to visit Europe someday :)

anywaaays, i've rambled enough and gone off topic. but i just wanted to make that clear. :p

And we do NOT shoot everybody! And I'm sorry if you have to encounter an asshole that just so happens to be from the US.

BWoo!! Back from the states? What do you think? Care to share some of your experiences? If not, what was the most annoying thing about America?

i have discovered that they put something in the water that makes you quite like the place... which explains alot... i keep meeting really nice people...

along with a few idiots...

...did i tell you about the guy in n'awlins who told me that their cathederal was the oldest catholic church in the... world...?

thus, again, what I said, you never know till ya come here :) lol

I still agree we should get rid of these competetive fast food places ....

subway is good though, we keep subway :) LOL

i checked out a place called Qdoba - keep that one too... and bring it to PL

hmmm. google search, where the heck did you visit on your visit ? :)

ok mexican,, yes, quite popular mexican food is here.. :)

I'm not surprised that those outside of the US have their opinions about us formulated by what they see in films and on TV. Actually, a lot of American culture was formed based on what AMERICANS saw in the movies, too. It's still happening that way.

That said, American media are not always accurate depictions of real life for everyday Americans. Most of us go to our jobs, come home, make our meals, take care of our kids and the chores, have a little time for hobbies or entertainment, and go to bed. All without shooting anyone! :-) On the weekends we catch up on some sleep, get the rest of our chores done, perhaps enjoy a dinner out - maybe a movie - and visit with friends and neighbors.

Most Americans are pretty decent, in their own way. But Americans live more and more in an environment of fear - fear created and purposely disseminated by our elected leaders, I'm sorry to say. But also just everyday fears of financial security, popularity, safety for ourselves and our loved ones, and many other things. It's a pretty fearful society these days, but few acknowledge it conciously. That's one reason why so many of us die from stress-related disorders - we've been afraid so long, we've gotten used to it and don't recognize stress even though we live with it every day.

Is any of this the same for Poles and/or other Europeans? I always envision life in Poland as much calmer, more natural, less competitive - am I living in yet another delusion?

I don't live this way...what's the point? Actually, I don't know anyone who lives in fear. Call us laid back, but what the point?

I don't think that it only applies to Americans. It applies to all the people who watch too much TV.

The real problem with America is too many people believe the media, that breeds the fear so the Gov. can control you. Like being afriad to fly because the Govern ahh sorry terrorists attacked N.Y. Believe me Americans should fear other Americans far more than terrorists.

And since I moved to Poland it helped me stop shooting people. almost 3 years and I haven't shot anyone yet !

Yeah, but I bet that you are a cap wearing, bald steroid homophobic lazy drunkard by now, innit? :]

No, but I can picture it :) LOL We think things that are 100 yrs old...old :)


Bingo. I was gonna say that too :)

And Mexican food kicks a$$

Yeah pretty much, but the steroids just made my ass really big so I can't fit on the tram !

Hey, It is all up to You. Please don’t my make me to give you lesson in democracy. Cause it… Aaah forget it. Don’t play X box anymore, and you’ll be fine.

environment of fear?

from what?

I fear nothing.......

I love where I live

Next week I`m going to Fla.. because I can....

Patrycja19,
Maybe not "fear" as in "terror," but anxiety and stress caused by such things as:
* Bush with his colonialism mentality and fealty to the fossil fuel industry - not to mention his finger on "the button"
* the deteriioration of the Social Security System - future financial security - needing to work the rest of our lives because retirement will be impossible with the funds we've been thinking all our lives would be available to us - because they won't

* sky-rocketing fuel prices
* insecure borders and the prospect of an imminent "dirty bomb" detonation
* again - insecure borders and an overwhelming influx of illegal aliens - mostly Latino - who, although hard-working for the most part, are also causing a deterioration in the quality of life in many towns where they congregate and live

* fewer and fewer good jobs, due to outsourcing, leading to more financial anxiety
* corrupt politicians who cannot be trusted to act in the best interests of their constituency
* the die-off of honeybees and the prospect of massive food shortages that will result if the trend cannot be reversed
* an absence of a government that we can count on to provide assistance when disasters strike (don't forget Katrina)
Fisz,
When you say "I don't know anyone who lives in fear" you prove my point - most Americans aren't aware of their own toxic levels of anxiety. We're a nation living in denial.

Ok so you have a different view than me. You have valid points and it's perfectlay normal to have such an opinion. As long as me, myself and I don't have this feeling and live the way I choose; regardless of the media and Bush, than I'll be ok :) Live my life and die. This doesn't mean that things don't bother me. I've voiced my opinion many times about our administration in this forum and they weren't positive ones :) I do what I can (vote) and that's all I can do.

You can assume the worst for our country...more of you and we'd be pathetic and lose all hope. You have to think positive. I know we've created one of the biggest f- up's in history, but we can snap back with the right people in office. May take some time, but it's possible.

amen, get some coffee, were in for a bumpy ride!! lol

yes,
I think TV and media in general portrays the world in a very different way that is actually is.
One of my older aunts sees the world through a TV screen and I she has developed anxiety attacs over the years. She refuses to come to Toronto, becuse there is too much crime and shootings. I have been living here and it is a pretty safe city, as long as one doesn't wonder after 11 pm, especially dowtown. I am being street smart and I am OK. Living in a big city has it's pluses and minuses.

I remember the frenzy over the SARS in Toronto. There were some people form other parts of Canada who envisioned everybody on the public transport system wearing masks, which was not true, but that's how the media reported the breakout of SARS in Toronto.

I understand the power of media and how difficult it is at times to stay rational.
Lets stay realistic.

theyve been insecure,, illegal aliens been coming to United states since
I can remember, but now since they want to put a stop to it, they are getting
riled up, why do you think they come to the land of livelyhood? how else you
going to feed your family??

every president since we nominated minus a few, know when the balls in their court
they hold it over the nation.. whats new???

social security,, hmmm hearing that is been gone since I was a kid,, still there..
I dont agree with the crap they pull, but as long as people work and pay it will
be there,, how is it going to not be there?? are people of the united states going
to stop all consumer production and become couch potato's??


again, bush with the ball in his court.. when he leaves the next guy will hopefully
put a stop to it.. he is soakin us dry.

you have some points, but look at the great depression?? what the heck, they
survived it, my grandfather lost everything just about less the home the lived in
thats fear!! when you cant provide for your family, because the whole city you
live in is getting food rationed off and practically starving. weve come out of it before
we will come out of it again.. you are trying to instill fear, which makes people
stop living,, im not buying it,, if I thought of this daily, my life would be crap..

its the war thats crunching us, because all the govt spending is going towards it.
all these other issues suffer because of it,, why do you think our senators are trying
diligently to stablize our states spending, bush isnt having it..

what is so retarded is, all these news men following govt officials who are just having the time of their lives on govt money, makes me sick, we work they play.. and

dont get me started on the ones who get busted for looking at child porn..

Rakky-

As you can see from our posts, you're already the minority:)


Huh?

Don't be so paranoid ;)

we live far more comfortable then our parents did. and their parents and their
parents.. and so on and so on.. :)

I can tell you, when my lights went out last week, I had to pee in the dark, thats
fear!! what if a spider was on the toilet?? lol

This seems a source for a revolution of thought the way I reflect it back in different terms. This may sound irrational to some. But what would happen if people really took the time to re-evalutate things in their lives. ..Denial might explain it all... but I was listening to alternative public radio--( ;) I do this often.) I was taken aback at the sound waves hitting my ears. this man. Bill McKibbens-- I would be curious to know what people living in Poland think about his views. I'm only setting out the link because I'm curious of what people think.

billmckibben.com

is Less, could it be true? "less is more" -mentality. Could it work?

I think people would have to snap out of the dilution of wasteful possesions and the curse of the pirate... ;)
Lust over gold.


We need something of an abolistionist for this job.

abolistionist: a person who favors the abolition of any law or practice deemed harmful to society.... [on a global level as well]

What is the deal with Poland and the stigma of baseball caps? When I was travelling there everyone thought I was trying to be 'gangster' because I was wearing a hat. I don't understand...