I'm an American and after I started traveling abroad and meeting people from other countries I began to realize how unconnected Americans are to the rest of the world.
Most Europeans seem to speak at least two languages if not more, while the Average American speaks only English, and Americans tend to carry an attitude that English is the only language that matters. The majority of history classes in American schools center around American history.
Also, electronics sold in America tend to be incompatible with other countries. For example, televisions and DVD players in Europe tend to be mostly multisystem (PAL/NTSC), while American equipment are typically NTSC only, and PAL/NTSC equipment is VERY hard to find in the US. This is likely in part because Americans generally have no interest in foreign films.
So why are Americans so unconnected with the rest of the world? And when will this change?
2006-12-20 11:54:51 · 12 answers · asked by tim 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Because Spain is to France as Indiana is to Illinois. There are two different languages in one case but not the other. And I've taken classes in European history, Ancient History, and yes, American history. Saying that American history is the majority of history classes in America is probably incorrect. Other than that I have to poop and I love you.
2006-12-20 11:59:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most Europeans speak more than one language because most are surrounded by nationalities that speak different languages. Americans have Mexico and that's it. While Americans may feel English is "the" language, to an extent, that is true. English IS the language of business around the world.
Yes, American History is based on American history but I doubt World History classes are based on American history.
The PAL system is based Europes 50Hz electrical system while NTSC is based on the 60Hz system. It has nothing to do with foreign films since film is projected at 24 frames per second. In addition, a PAL TV is incompatible with television broadcasts in the US.
Based on those two examples, I would not say Americans are disconnected. However, some of it relates to the basic concepts of the original settlement where the founders wanted to break away from their European 'parents' (just over 200 years ago) while Europeans, and others, have mingled and traded with each other for over 2000 years.
2006-12-20 12:07:20 · answer #2 · answered by drhowarddrfine 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
For all your travelling, you remain ignorant. Most Eurpoeans HAVE to speak more than one language in order to communicate with their neighbors. You can travel from the East Coast to the West coast, a distance of over 3000 miles in the U.S. and guess what... we all speak the same language. Drive north into Canada, and guess what... They speak English there too. We have little reason to learn a foreign language.. it's not necessary for our ability to communicate with our neighbors.
And whether you like it or not, English IS the current WORLD language. English, at this time in history, IS the only language that matters with respect to world wide communication. If you can speak English, you can communicate ANYWHERE in the world.
And as far as I am aware, having asked several teachers that I know, World History is still being taught in our government run schools.
As far as electronics and electricity goes, I'm a retired electrical engineer with a PhD, and I will tell you our electric power is the most practical in the world. Our power is 60 cycle, 120/240 Volts, alternating current. Electric power in Europe varies from country to country. Some is direct current, some is 400 cycle AC and none of it is compatible with their neighboring countries. You need to travel in Europe and be ready and able to have to use power converters. HOW CONVENIENT!!
I happen to have video equipment that will play both PAL and NTSC, but I will admit I'm in the minority. As long as we can watch what we want to watch... who cares what the format is?
Why are Americans "so unconnected" with the rest of the world?
My first answer is, we have a middle class... people who work all their lives unable to afford to travel to Europe, and many Americans just don't care what happens in Europe, they have no interest. Good or bad? Who knows! Will it change? Europe has little to offer that interests the average American, so my answer is, "I doubt it!"
2006-12-20 12:22:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I too have travelled and thought a lot about this. I think the biggest reason we aren't fluent in more than one language is because we simply don't need to be. I think I heard a statistic that said only 2% of US citizens have passports. I think the biggest reason we are "un-global" is our geographical location. Europeans tend to be more globally-minded because they are surrounded by different countries and cultures and have to learn to live with them and accept them. As far as size, all of Europe is comparable to the US, each country being comparable to a state, so they live in much closer quarters than we do.
Honestly I don't think this will ever change. We as a nation are arrogant and prideful. US propaganda tells us we are the best country in the world, the most advanced country in the world and every other country is below us. This has a lot to do with how wealthy we are compared to the rest of the world.
Don't be too discouraged though, there are sects of Americans who are more globally aware. I think the greatest problem here is how we are oblivious to all the suffering going on in the world, some of that even caused by our own foreign policy without us knowing. Even when Americans do learn of this, we are so geographically segregated and conditioned to our nationalist propaganda that we don't care.
The only way any of this will change is by changing yourself, and then educating others. Anything good and lasting that happens starts with individuals.
2006-12-20 12:04:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
What do you mean America is unconnected to the rest of the world? The telephone, Internet, cellular phone, fiber optics and television were invented in this country. We've connected the world together. So why have we distanced ourselves from the rest of the world? Perhaps we're just a bit too busy walking on the moon and driving our RC cars on the surface of mars to care about other countries that don't have a bunch of oil to offer us.
2006-12-20 12:06:49 · answer #5 · answered by Wiseass 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because most americans been brainwashed at an early age to believe they live in the best country in the world , speaking the world's most important language and have the world's best political system and Hollyood is making films at the highest quality , and there is absolutely no need for americans to look elsewhere to broaden their knowledge of the world because USA is the world.
2006-12-20 12:09:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Insular is a better word and it will never change. It's getting wose all the time.
However, as above, I think geography is the main culprit.
2006-12-20 11:57:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's very simple. We're the most stuck up
and elitist nation in the world. In plain terms
we think our sheeeet doesn't stink.
Give me thumbs down if you want be we all
know it's true.
2006-12-20 11:59:47 · answer #8 · answered by Semaj S 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Good question...I would have to agree with you. I would guess because we are so seperated from the rest of the world geographically and have few borders.
2006-12-20 11:57:42 · answer #9 · answered by Laughing Man Copycat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Congrats and welcome to the rest of the world.
Looks to me like seeing the world really "opened your eyes". I hope more Americans do the same.
The rest of the world has been waiting a long time.
2006-12-20 12:01:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋