So.... who were the people "interviewed" on the Daily Show?

[question everything]

by Jason Jones?

Interesting that the "Iranians" - were they? - said Mister Obama. I doubt that many Americans, when asked who is our President, will say Mister Obama. Will just say Obama.

[TahitiNut]

1. Every time I've traveled abroad, I've been stunned at how much folks know about the U.S.

Aussies, Kiwis, French, Swiss, Japanese, Germans ... it never failed to amaze me. I have to believe that, while not EVERY Iranian is as informed as the fellow who could name all the recent Presidents, it's not that hard to find Iranians who do.

In every country I've visited, people are political 'wonks' who discuss, argue, study, joke about, and generally LIVE politics. It's one of the favorite topics of conversation (even when an American isn't around). It has always served to feed my disappointment in my fellow countrymen ... it's tragic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Last year when we went to visit family before the election

people were discussing the US elections with the same passion Mexican Elections are discussed.

Just because Muricans are provincial and ignorant does not mean others are...

Yes, your experience has been mine too.

I wonder how many people, even here on this board, have travelled abroad and own a current passport.

[TahitiNut]

4. Of all my life's experiences, travel abroad (even, strangely, Viet Nam) has been the MOST valuable

... by far. When I reminisce, those experiences are the richest and most rewarding. I LOVE meeting people in their "native habitat" and wallowing in the torrent of diverse stimuli. No other experience comes close to being a 'guest' (even unwelcome by some, like in Viet Nam) in another country. Even in Scotland and England, with the formidable language barrier, the local culture and perspectives were gifts to forming the person I have tried to become.

[question everything]

10. No to mention the percentage who actually vote in their own

elections.

We were in Venice, Italy, a few months ago, and a guy who "suggested" we go visit the Morano glass factory (we got a free ride) was all excited about Obama.

[RoyGBiv]

3. I've experienced that a lot ...

My job brings me into contact with a lot of people from various parts of the world who, if they know English, know it as a second language. They use the term "mister" a lot, even in places American's generally wouldn't, as a show of respect.

They don't know my last name, for instance, but they often refer to me as Mister "Roy." If I tell them things they don't want to hear, the "mister" tends to get dropped.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. RLOL... indeed

Mister does get dropped... as well as Ma'am

What is funny is when I was working as an EMT down in TJ we at times got kids from this side of the border volunteering.

My kids, my volunteers, were very respectful. Partly I was their Commanding Officer... so I guess it went without saying... though I led by example that is for another day.

But our ahem visitors, usually didn't know that using things like Sir or Ma'am would go a long way in gaining trust. Or for that matter that social space is not as wide as it is here in the US. Yes, go to Mexico, tables are narrower.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Social Space

This is my biggest issue when dealing with people from other cultures. My personal bubble is bigger than most. I come from a place with a *lot* of space. Even houses in the poor area of town were commonly 1500 - 2000 square feet. People held conversations standing five feet away from each other.

I had to do a lot of adjustment dealing with some people when I moved out into the real world. My biggest problem initially was with recent immigrants from Vietnam. The personal space issue combined with completely different understandings of how one negotiates anything, including when negotiation is even proper, and I didn't know how to deal with it at first.

I've learned a lot and can now generally adjust my behavior for a given situation, as well as adjust my expectations of what kind of behavior I will encounter and what is and is not a disrespectful or threatening gesture or turn of phrase. This is a skill that is unfortunately not taught anywhere I've ever received any kind of training or education. Learning it through experience often leads to many misunderstandings.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Two stories that illustrate this

One of my patience was a Pole who travelled the world after Solidarity, and he got hurt in Mexico

Now he saw my last name and IMMEDIATELY assumed I spoke Polish and started talking to me very fast in Polish.

So I immediately told him NO Popolsko,,, I don't speak Polish. He was a little confused by it, but then switched to English. The ER at the hospital was not that shocking to him, as it was to our North of the Border customers, since Polish hospitals were not that better equipped, We contacted the Consulate and actually they came very fast, were very careful and very nice.

Now contrast this to the Israeli Consulate. We had an Israeli with a heart attack that needed, requested, a medical evacuation. Well the fun started with the series of excuses of why they could not get to the hospital, they forget we drive the city. We knew they were full of it. When they finally got to the hospital, the Charge D' Affairs moved into my much narrower social space in a threatening manner, his security person behind him. He also told his compadre that he was surprised to see somebody white in that place damn racist. So I started ahem speaking Hebrew with him and actually put him in his place, damn near caused an International Incident when I told his security guy to ^(*^*( get off my hospital grounds after I saw his weapon. I quoted the conventions to them, in English, my hebrew is not that good.

Short story patient was taken care off... long story this was all about social space as well as how to invade it, and using body language.

The good news is I spoke the lingo good enough to put them in their place and had spent some time in Israel so I did understand what was going on. An unwritten rule in the ME is that women are seen as lower life forms by some folks, even in diplomatic staffs... and yes, even in more democratic Israel. Most American tourists never suffer from it.

Oh and don't get me started with the US Consulate... useless *)(&&(* of shit.

[RoyGBiv]

8. We have this problem ...

Sexism, essentially.

I'm the only male that works in my office.

There are many male students from other cultures who flatly refuse to deal with other employees when a contentious issue is at hand, including my immediate supervisor. Luckily, she understands it and doesn't take it out on me, but it's very frustrating for her and the others.

Pisses me off too 'cause I end up having to deal with all the idiots on a daily basis and pretend they're not sexist, scum-sucking toads.

We attempt as much as possible to force these people to deal with whoever happens to be free, but when push comes to shove, we are unfortunately in a position where we have to err on the side of not starting a riot in the halls.

The only sweet revenge is that when they have an issue that needs to be appealed to the Chancellor, they *have* to do that in person, and she's a woman with a *very* nasty disposition for people who don't show her appropriate respect. I refer more stuff to her than I actually need to, but she knows why and handles it well. These people either learn to adjust, or they have a very unhappy existence during their time with us.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Well it is not just in other cultures

I write for the Role Playing Game industry. I have cooties

True story from a local convention some years back. I was talking with both the President and Head of Marketing for a company long gone, they are both women. My hubby is seating at the table for gamers or demos, and this guy comes around. He starts asking HIM questions, never mind he didn't have a company badge but a regular attendee badge.

My hubby told him, he knew noting (white lie) and told him flatly, there you have the president, the head of marketing and one of the writers, I guess they'll know the answer.

This guy would simply not talk to women, since we could not be ahem real gamers.

And trying to sell my game at cons that is a problem

Granted, gamers are a sub-culture but in the US... that is a serious problem.

Let's not go into other aspects like social inadequacies or the jokes regularly made about soap and water and how deadly it will be to a gamer, like garlic to a vampire. Yes, I could write a MA or PhD thesis on that sub-culture and it would not be fully flattering either.

:-)

[bertman]

11. Interesting observation about how other cultures are immersed in their politics.

I work with some pretty bright people. Most of them are liberals. Amazingly enough, they have almost ZERO interest in learning anything about the issues that are affecting all of us here in America.

Whenever I bring up something about healthcare or gay rights or the ongoing war funding it's like I'm talking to blank slates. They are interested, but they have no background on any of it. They just do not take the time to learn about any of this. And it's not that they don't have the time. It's that they give other things a higher priority in their lives.

What could be a higher priority in a democracy than being knowledgeable of the issues and the people who represent you?

GRRRRRR. Don't get me started.

This is why we have a corporatocracy, not a democracy. Sadly, it's not going to change anytime soon, IMO.