If you are American, have you ever travelled outside of the US? Have you gone to a country that you heard was so horrible only to discover that it was nothing like what the news and papers made it out to be? I've been to Pakistan multiple times. I'm American, born and raised. Half Irish and half German. And I'm going again October 7th. On my first trip there, I was scared out of my mind. But now, I am comfortable with going anywhere I want to there and knowing I'll be OK.
Why do people get these stereotypes? Have you been to someplace you'd only heard bad things about only to discover that those were either in tribal areas (where you never ever went and which were few and far between) or that it was uncommon? What was your experience?
2007-09-27 23:22:27 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've been to England, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Mexico, France and Italy.
One of the things that is so very important for Americans to understand is that, no matter what our egotism leads us to believe, most people in the world do not want to trade passports with us.
They want their own countries to be better, they want to be free of too much outside interference from others, they want to live their lives in peace and to build a better life for their children.
I have not yet been to anyplace that people "warned" me about - well, except for NYC. *chuckle*
Hubby and I want to, though - there's a wonderful group called i-to-i which coordinates "volunteer vacations", and they have something for every kind of interest, be it planting trees, learning to cultivate plants for homeopathic remedies, learning to cook in the local style (by volunteering in the kitchen at a hospital for indigent people), etc.
We've already picked the first projects we want to volunteer for, although we probably won't be able to do an extended volunteer stint until he's retired..
Here's some info about them:
http://www.i-to-i.com/projects/volunteer/
2007-09-28 03:57:15 · answer #1 · answered by Raven's Voice 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've lived in 8 countries on 3 continents over the last 25 years.
Nothing we believe in the US about foreign countries is true, in my experience.
First of all, I've never been in a country where the people think the US is 'all that' since people are usually proud of their OWN nation!
Second, I've dodged bullets whizzing by in business district downtown Buenos Aires during riots, which were NOT REPORTED on US TV, as BA is always presented as a peaceful vacation spot, and I've spent many peaceful hours in Cape Town and Johannesburg South Africa, where I was told (before going there) that I'd be raped within 5 minutes of getting off the plane!
French waiters have been very kind to me, even though I spoke no French, and the British are not snobbish. Germans are sweet, and the people in the Pacific Rim all called me 'Oprah' for some reason, but they were wonderful, and it wasn't all poverty and starvation.
I wonder where the media goes, because it certainly isn't to the real countries out there!
2007-09-28 19:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by nora22000 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have traveled quite a bit, some in Europe, some in South America and rural Mexico. I have had similar experiences to you. I was warned that Mexico was unsafe and scary where we were going. I LOVED it! It was the same with Ecuador. The people in both areas were poor, but very welcoming.
I had a similar experience with Paris. So many people told me "Why go there? Its dirty and the people are horrible." WRONG! Paris was beautiful, the people were great. I had no problem. I am stunned by how parochial most Americans are. I am a corporate travel agent. I work in a very large office. Many of the people I work with have never been out of the state and say they are afraid to travel. What a shame! America would be a very different place if people would open their eyes to the fabulous world around them! We are going back to Ecuador in November. I can not wait!
2007-09-27 23:51:04 · answer #3 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Why did you no longer point out approximately Indonesia. it rather is the rustic with the main important muslim inhabitants interior the international. yet they are muslim by way of faith. Culturally they are all Indians. Their airline is stated as Garuda. The distant places money be conscious exhibits the image of a hindu god. ultimate inns in Indonesia are stated as lodge Ganesa, lodge Ramayana, ingesting Water lorries are named "Theerth Ganga" actual muslims of Indonesia are very diverse from muslims residing someplace else.
2016-10-05 11:50:38 · answer #4 · answered by savitz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only 30% own a passport.
40% cannot name which foreign countries border with the USA.
100% believe denial is a river in Egypt.
.
2007-09-27 23:26:35 · answer #5 · answered by kloneme 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
brother i agree with you i have been to srilanka { i am an indian from india} and found that there was no such things as reported in media, media hypes so much. there were no ltte and govt. fighting going on streets and it was a beautiful country and i will love to go there again.
2007-09-27 23:29:19 · answer #6 · answered by Basit J 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
it is all ways better to make your own judgement
2007-09-27 23:51:54 · answer #7 · answered by mikail brown 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋