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-- TV Special: "What the World Thinks of America"

TV Special: "What the World Thinks of America"

Did anyone catch the special "What the World Thinks of America"? I saw it last night here in Canada and thought the poll results were really interesting.

It's a collaboration of 10 broadcast networks from around the world (including Israel, Jordan, France to name a few) giving insight to world opinion of the United States.

Go to http://www.cbc.ca/news/america for more information.

hmm, very interesting...

I didn't catch this, but I'm sure that it was interesting to see what other people thought about America. Especially if some countries voted opposite what people normally think they would vote for.

These results were the most interesting (however not suprising) to me:

6%
Percentage of Canadian respondents who said the U.S. is a better place to live than Canada. Ninety per cent said it was not better than Canada.

44%
Percentage of American respondents who said the United States is the most cultured country in the world. Fifty-four per cent disagreed.

4 out of 5
Proportion of overall respondents who said they would not like to live in the United States if given the chance.

3 out of 4
Proportion of American respondents who said they would not like to go live outside the U.S. if they had the chance. An overwhelming majority of American respondents (96 per cent) said people outside the U.S. want to come and live there.

quote:

Originally posted by Heatscore 4 out of 5 Proportion of overall respondents who said they would not like to live in the United States if given the chance. 3 out of 4 Proportion of American respondents who said they would not like to go live outside the U.S. if they had the chance. An overwhelming majority of American respondents (96 per cent) said people outside the U.S. want to come and live there.

This is the most interesting part imo. How come such a big amount of americans seem convinced that the U.S. is the best place in the world to live in? Media propaganda??

I would not like to live in the states, but if I was to move there I would probably choose California, where there at least seem to exist some liberal ideas.

quote:

Originally posted by King of Clubs This is the most interesting part imo. How come such a big amount of americans seem convinced that the U.S. is the best place in the world to live in? Media propaganda?? I would not like to live in the states, but if I was to move there I would probably choose California, where there at least seem to exist some liberal ideas.

For middle America ... apathy and misconceptions perhaps? Most people on the East and West coast are relatively well travelled however. I myself have had the pleasure of living in and visiting virtually all of Europe, but I'd still rather live in the US (with the exception of maybe Vienna). Especially with Europe's unemployment situation ... Ha and people think America's 6.1% is bad ...

quote:

Originally posted by occrider For middle America ... apathy and misconceptions perhaps? Most people on the East and West coast are relatively well travelled however. I myself have had the pleasure of living in and visiting virtually all of Europe, but I'd still rather live in the US (with the exception of maybe Vienna). Especially with Europe's unemployment situation ... Ha and people think America's 6.1% is bad ...

I don't know about the rest of Europe, but in Sweden we have an unemployment of 4,4%. The rest of Europe can't be that much worse I think.

If someone would like to live in America most of all (like you, knowing other places), then thats not strange to me, but 4 out of 5 americans beeing convinced that their native country is the best place to live in is. If someone made that question in a survey here in Sweden I bet at least half would say that they rather live in another country. And we have better living standard than the U.S. for example.

I think that the biased media image of America and all the "God bless America"-bullshit is the reason why U.S. citizens are beeing indoctrinated that there is only one country out there. That would explain misconception at least.

quote:

Originally posted by King of Clubs I don't know about the rest of Europe, but in Sweden we have an unemployment of 4,4%. The rest of Europe can't be that much worse I think.

It would behoof you to avoid the big powerhouse economies of the EU then. Both France and Germany are pushing high 8%s and those numbers have increased in q1 2003 I believe.

http://www.oecd.org/xls/M00037000/M00037564.xls

I would be interested to see if they have average unemployment figures for the entire EU.

But at any rate, I think a lot of it would have to do with distance ... if you're living in Europe it's far easier to make the move to virtually any other country in Europe, decide if you like it, and if you don't or get homesick, simply move back home. For America, your options are not all that great, either Canada or Mexico. Making the transition to live in Europe is a VERY large committment whereby most Americans are either financially incapable of making such a transition or unwilling to take such a risk.

I didn't know the unemployment figures in France and Germany are that bad.

You made a very valid point about distance. I didn't really consider that. Although the comitment of moving abroad is big for a european as well, it is a lot bigger for say a US citizen moving over here. Especially considering the freedom of movement that the EU brings to its inhabitants in terms of getting work and other benefits.

But I still think that a fair deal of blind patriotism has a lot to do with the outcome of that poll. And the question wasn't if they would move abroad now in their current situation, it was if they would like to go abroad to live there if they had the chance.

quote:

Originally posted by King of Clubs I didn't know the unemployment figures in France and Germany are that bad. You made a very valid point about distance. I didn't really consider that. Although the comitment of moving abroad is big for a european as well, it is a lot bigger for say a US citizen moving over here. Especially considering the freedom of movement that the EU brings to its inhabitants in terms of getting work and other benefits. But I still think that a fair deal of blind patriotism has a lot to do with the outcome of that poll. And the question wasn't if they would move abroad now in their current situation, it was if they would like to go abroad to live there if they had the chance.

I agree with you. Personally when i moved from Europe to the US, I experinced serious culture shock. Lots of things were new for me, but I got to learn them. But, like Occrider said, once you've lived in Vienna, you want to stay there. I also find the quality of life better in Europe in general, but that's just me.

id stay in the US, but only in certain places. Of course, if i lived in the ghetto, id rather live in europe anyday.

quote:

Originally posted by occrider It would behoof you

you said behoof...hahahahahaha....

quote:

Originally posted by DrummeRaver86 you said behoof...hahahahahaha....

yah i think its behoov or something, but its still a word.


as for the discussion of moving, living and all that garbage i have talked to a number of people about that. (especially Swedes, Clubs)

there does seem to be an antisentiment about the US, especially in Europe. i do believe there are a lot of people in the US that dont get out much, so they have maladjusted viewpoints of what others in the world think of them and their country.

overall i think this is a distance issue as has been stated. a US citizen looking for the closest near-abroad country has really only Mexico or Canada (and poss Latin Am/Carribbean) to look towards, and thats often quite a distance from any one point in the US. Europe has a different scenario where travel internationally is regular, and much less of an ordeal. this, is due to distances largely.

strangely enough that doesnt really answer the question. because especially when talking to Swedish people you learn that many havent been to some places in Sweden, tho they wont think twice about flying to Thailand as is quite in fashion here. Personally i asked my roommie why she was flying around the world to Thailand, instead of the US or Latin America (not to be self centered, just out of curiousity). She said she hadnt considered it at all-

this is interesting to me because speaking to people from Europe they often have a preconcieved notion of what the US is, and how it operates. and IF they have actually visited the US, and thats a big if, they further build up notions about they entire country based on California, New York, Florida or elsewhere (depending where theyve been) that truly undermine the vast differences in people and landscape in a country of 300 million people.

thats why i thot Kings remark about how living in Cali would be 'more liberal' or more acceptable to a European. i dont necessarily agree as for me CA is *very* American in values, etc. despite possible liberal leanings.

then again i live where all the Californians move to when they get fed up- Colorado. so maybe im just bitter/biased|

OH!

repeated tonight (june 22nd) on CBC at 5 p.m.

Damnit!! Anyone know if it's on in the U.S.?

Hey Biz, hows it going? Are you enjoying Uppsala?

Yeah, there definetly is an antisentiment towards the U.S. here in Europe. And especially in these days considering the vast hate towards the U.S. foreign policy, George Bush etc..
In Sweden it's not that big and if you compare to southern Europe it's nothing.
I've been living in Florence, Italy this spring and a lot of people truly hates americans with a passion down there. One of my best friends is a guy from LA, who is a very cool, laid back guy. He was against the war and stands politically where all the rest of the people I hung out with does. But he had to take alot of shit down there just because he was born american. Sometimes in a bar we were asked not to speak in english, because it could start trouble. Once we were refused to buy pot from a guy, just because my friend was american.. There were alot of these kind of things happening. And Florence is kind of an american colony, there are tons of them there. I saw a huge fight between italians and americans once etc..
And if thats bad, you should see how its like in France!!
Its very sad. I really dislike the US of political reasons, but I would never hold that against an american person I met. I try to judge a person after their personal qualities and not by where they were born. Just for the record, I am friends with pro-bush americans as well.

I've beeen to the U.S. a number of times. New York, Florida, Chicago etc. but I wouldn't say that I have been given my whole perception of the USA from those journeys, more from meeting americans, reading, TV etx. And given the huge influence that the US has over Europe and especially Sweden, you cannot escape having an opinion on the country.
You are most probably right about California. I never even been there, but I always pictured it the most liberal part and the weather there beeing great also, thats where I'd choose to go if I ever went to the U.S to live.
And about Thailand, you have to realize how much you get for your money if you go there.. Its so cheap its crazy. Plus it's beautiful, the parties are great, the weather is incredible etc..

very interesting. I will watch the show tonight, and state my opinion after.

quote:

Originally posted by King of Clubs Hey Biz, hows it going? Are you enjoying Uppsala? Yeah, there definetly is an antisentiment towards the U.S. here in Europe. And especially in these days considering the vast hate towards the U.S. foreign policy, George Bush etc.. In Sweden it's not that big and if you compare to southern Europe it's nothing. I've been living in Florence, Italy this spring and a lot of people truly hates americans with a passion down there. One of my best friends is a guy from LA, who is a very cool, laid back guy. He was against the war and stands politically where all the rest of the people I hung out with does. But he had to take alot of shit down there just because he was born american. Sometimes in a bar we were asked not to speak in english, because it could start trouble. Once we were refused to buy pot from a guy, just because my friend was american.. There were alot of these kind of things happening. And Florence is kind of an american colony, there are tons of them there. I saw a huge fight between italians and americans once etc.. And if thats bad, you should see how its like in France!! Its very sad. I really dislike the US of political reasons, but I would never hold that against an american person I met. I try to judge a person after their personal qualities and not by where they were born. Just for the record, I am friends with pro-bush americans as well. I've beeen to the U.S. a number of times. New York, Florida, Chicago etc. but I wouldn't say that I have been given my whole perception of the USA from those journeys, more from meeting americans, reading, TV etx. And given the huge influence that the US has over Europe and especially Sweden, you cannot escape having an opinion on the country. You are most probably right about California. I never even been there, but I always pictured it the most liberal part and the weather there beeing great also, thats where I'd choose to go if I ever went to the U.S to live. And about Thailand, you have to realize how much you get for your money if you go there.. Its so cheap its crazy. Plus it's beautiful, the parties are great, the weather is incredible etc..

hehe, yah Thailand is hella cheap, my roommate got back and told me about it. tho i still have her TV damn you TV3!

and im not saying that Thailand isnt beautiful, its just interesting how people in Europe will more likely search for a vacation elsewhere other than the states/N Amer before traveling there most of the time. I understand its often cheaper than going to North America, but then again if cost were the only issue many Americans wouldnt go to Europe either!

Yes, Sweden is nothing like S Europe it sounds like, and i have met many great people from that area that arent at all hostile like that. It has been a wonderful experience in Uppsala, tho i leave Tuesday morning! such a shame|colin

be�hoove ( P ) Pronunciation Key (b-hv)
v. be�hooved, be�hoov�ing, be�hooves
v. tr.
To be necessary or proper for: It behooves you at least to try.

v. intr.
To be necessary or proper.


On another note:


It's very hard (and expensive) for a person living in North America to pick up and leave for Europe unless you have family/friends in the country you're moving to.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveSaenz be�hoove ( P ) Pronunciation Key (b-hv) v. be�hooved, be�hoov�ing, be�hooves v. tr. To be necessary or proper for: It behooves you at least to try. v. intr. To be necessary or proper.

thanks for that Dave

I find living in Toronto, Canada to be just fine and after visiting several other US cities, would likely prefer to stay. I have a brother living in Boston now for a few years and he agrees however also agrees that it's hard to make comparisons like this because some factors just can't be measured. The only thing I gripe about is the winter here, which I hate. If the weather was like it was in in maybe California year round, I'd be more than happy here. I've considered emigrating to Barcelona one day... but I definately need to do more research about it first, let alone actually go there to visit first! Anyways, sorry about the off topic tangent ..

back to the show ..

I have had some limited experience of the US myself. Mostly Seattle though but I've been there a couple of times now. I have always had a great time there and met a lot of very cool people.

Anyways, usually I'm staying with an american couple whom I'm glad to call my friends and we've talked several times about travelling and various differences between europe and the US and when I read this thread I come to think about the differences in amount of vacation time during the year.

Here in Sweden everybody with a full time employment gets 5 weeks vacation. No matter if he/she only worked one year at the same company or six. In the US you start with one week and then it gradually increases with the amount of time you've spent at the company. To reach the equivalent of 5 weeks you have to stay with the same company for 15-20 years, or so I'm told (please correct me if I'm wrong).

So, to take the couple I usually stay at. They are both almost in their mid twenties and haven't worked long enough to get more than one week off. This one week is all they got and has to be spread out over the whole year for any occasions that might require a day off, say a short anniversary celebration. This doesn't leave them much time to go travelling very far. They both wanna go to europe but only when they have saved up enough to basically be self sufficient for a month or more (they might loose their jobs if they take a way for a month though). Getting that day off to celebrate their anniversary seems to be hard enough. Both their employers are pressing them to take minimum of vacation time.

Spending more than one day on getting to and from the vacation spot is really not desireable. Something a person with 5 weeks vacation have no problem doing. Interrailing or backpacking for a month is no problem with 5 weeks but for people with only one week it's impossible. If they wanna do this they have to do it before they get their first jobs, or inbetween jobs, or later in life when they earned enough vacation time at the company.

And regarding Swedes going to Thailand and not the US. Well, Swedes alwasy wanna go where there is sun and where everything is cheap. US has lot of sun in certain places but is not near as cheap as Thailand. Hence the hordes of drunken swedes in locations such as Thailand and various mediterranean islands (excludning Ibiza since nothing is cheap there )

Furthermore, if US people wanna get some sun, or snow for that matter, they can get plenty of that within their own country. Swedes cannot (Snow yes, sun no).

So the incentives for US people to go abroad is naturally lower then for people in most European countries and I think it's somthing to keep in mind when discussing this issue.

[/rant]

quote:

Originally posted by DaveSaenz be�hoove ( P ) Pronunciation Key (b-hv) v. be�hooved, be�hoov�ing, be�hooves v. tr. To be necessary or proper for: It behooves you at least to try. v. intr. To be necessary or proper. On another note: It's very hard (and expensive) for a person living in North America to pick up and leave for Europe unless you have family/friends in the country you're moving to.

Oops ... haha yea that was idiotic. Oh well what do you expect ... I get more absent-minded when I'm trying to post in between work

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Oops ... haha yea that was idiotic. Oh well what do you expect ... I get more absent-minded when I'm trying to post in between work

oh boy...look what i started!

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