Does this annoy you?

Question

Speaking in general, American teens have awful geography.

In my Spanish class, a boy told a girl that she looked Arabic, and she didn't know what that was (Arab, Middle Eastern) The boy said it meant that she was "like, Indian" Indians are South Asians, they are different races and American teens should know what Arabic is post-9/11.

In my English class, we got to do brochures on any country in the Middle East or Europe...one student selected India and no one realized that India is not in the Middle East.

It's not just teenagers...many people think that Indians are Middle Easterners, that Hindus and Muslims are the same, and that Middle Easterners and South Asians are the same, these people are a disgrace!

Answer 1

It's sad, but true. But keep in mind that if you ask a random person on the street about those things, they'd probably answer the same way. It's just the American public's deemphasis on global affairs.

Answer 2

Americans are widely known for their lack of intelligence with Georgraphy. Basically this is because Americans are only used to themselves, America to them is the world. I heard around 10% actually own a passport. I don't think most Americans know much about other countries. They tend to have this ignorant arrogant attitude.. "We're the best country in the world, no one else matters"

I'm not bashing on them though, I do like them really. But not the stereotypical ones. Having little knowledge..ok its understandable! Aslong as they're not arrogant and stuff!

They need better Geography teachers! And more should be done to talk about the world in which they're in and not just the country.

Answer 3

Yes, its true that American students don't know geography, and its a discrace.

But its also true that everyone knows their own area and their own country first. When I was in India, many people asked me questions about America based on American television shows. And they didn't know American geography as well as most American kids.

Anyway, you're right, but its not just because American kids don't work at it.

Answer 4

We're the empire.

America, the great power.

Citizens of the empire of the day are often ignorant of affairs outside the homeland.

It's part of the life-cycle of empires.

I'll bet the average roman coudn't tell a gaul from a breton, and had no clue that ireland wasn't part of england, or that moors didn't come from mongol-land.

Answer 5

Not everyone can keep up with labels and categories for ethnic backgrounds. Dark skin and eyes can look like several different nationalities especially if they are a mix. Do you expect people to know where you came from judging by the way you look?

Answer 6

Who cares? I know the guy at the gas station is Indian. And the guy yelling balalalalalala is Arabic... Isn't that good enough?

Answer 7

What annoys me is my tax dollars seem to be wasted on schooling these days. You bring up a good point. What are our kids learning in school about different cultures?

Answer 8

Very true, we certainly need society to know where certain countries are, especially since we're at war.

Answer 9

sometimes i think that teen boys and girls are afraid to be smart. like i know they know the meaning of a word i use because we had it in vocab just yesterday but they play ditzy because apparently it funny or something

just deal with it, these people can either be complete idiots or just playing the stupid card to gain acceptance

Answer 10

im 13 and i hate history...so w/e