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A few things that I've heard from people who visit the U.S.:
That our schools are safe. People in other countries heard about school shootings and thought people brought guns to schools.
People are poorly dressed. Met someone from France who could not believe that people wore sweat pants in public.
Everything is BIG! Big cars, big houses, big buildings, big country, big people...
People are more polite here. Someone told me once that Europeans are very direct and confrontational and are not shy about criticizing you if there is something they do not like about you. This may not be true for all parts of the country.
I have heard both that schools in America are much better than they thought and that schools here are not very good.
Also wanted to add that people have said clearly many Americans are not fat and there are overweight Europeans, but it is the size of some people that Europeans are not used to. Some Americans are so obese that they look round.
Where else do we suppose to where sweat pants? Do the French not go to the gym or go jogging.
Last edited by Chicagoland60426; 03-19-2011 at 03:47 PM..
A number of my Japanese friends (and expat Americans who now live and work there) have stated they are shocked just how hysterical and hyperventilatory the news media and the people are. No logic, all emotion. No attempt to get the truth, mere hype and attention to ratings alone.
Where else do we suppose to where sweat pants? Do the French not go the gym or jog.
One american says one french person thought something. That doesn't mean anything. I know here, in the UK, people do wear sweat pants in the street, but mostly if they are running or poor and chavy. I believe that's the same as the US. I imagine it's similar in France.
One american says one french person thought something. That doesn't mean anything. I know here, in the UK, people do wear sweat pants in the street, but mostly if they are running or poor and chavy. I believe that's the same as the US. I imagine it's similar in France.
Its not limited to the poor and thugs( our version of chavs) here, at least not in my region. In the midwest US, sweat pants attire been merged in the mainstream. The girls I see where them with the leggings tucked inside the boots in the winter. The guys wear them with gym shoes or atheletic/sport sandals.
Its not limited to the poor and thugs( our version of chavs) here, at least not in my region. In the midwest US, sweat pants attire been merged in the mainstream. The girls I see where them with the leggings tucked inside the boots in the winter. The guys wear them with gym shoes or atheletic/sport sandals.
Just a few years ago, wearing pajamas( spongebob variety in particular) out in public was a fashion statement.
Well maybe you have that sort of thing (as you pictured), but I'm not much into fashion. Thanx for clarifying what a thug was.
Most people that arrive in the US are in complete shock to how poorly dressed, poorly groomed the average American is. They are also very surprised how un-aesthetically pleasing the majority of the nation is. The outright lack of care into appearance is visible in the decline of most major US urban centers. Quantity over quality is the mentality of America.
Most people that arrive in the US are in complete shock to how poorly dressed, poorly groomed the average American is. They are also very surprised how un-aesthetically pleasing the majority of the nation is. The outright lack of care into appearance is visible in the decline of most major US urban centers. Quantity over quality is the mentality of America.
61 million people visited the US last year. You talked to or have access to information stating the thoughts of 'most' of these people? I know you're just making a broad sweeping statement based on little knowledge like we all do, but still.
About what Ramses said, in my experience it's true that when I live abroad, people are much more into being well-groomed and the standards are different enough that even well-groomed by American standards will be seen as near-homeless attire in some places. I don't really like it when people are negative about it either way, like Europeans who think Americans are being dirty or rude by dressing the way they do and Americans thinking that Europeans are snobs or unmanly for dressing the way they do... neither is the case, it's just different cultures with different styles.
On a side note, can someone explain to me why mullets are still in fashion and seem to be a permanent staple in Russia?
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