Japan Wants Foreign Tourists to Avoid Public Flatulence

[GUT]

Aussies have good reason to be proud to the point of arrogance, as do we. Both countries, to a large degree, were founded by the rejects and misfits that England didn't want, and both have succeeded wildly.

You'll have a hard search too, at least in my experience, to find an American who doesn't regard Australians as kindred spirits.

Yep I like most Americans.

Some seem to take themselves way too seriously though. But then I know some find us way too laid back, there also seems to be a major sense of humour gap at times.

[GUT]

Probably the biggest issue I have with Americans, and it's nowhere near all of them, is that if you don't do things the American way, you simply must be wrong.

[Rosella]

Down here in Melbourne, and I have seen it on the Gold Coast too, the main feeling I've got from Chinese tourists is how highly regulated and supervised they are. They seem to move in huge groups under the supervision of a Chinese tour operator from tourist bus to approved souvenir shop to tourist destination to restaurant like a flock of sheep. Unlike the Japanese, who spend a whole lot of time photographing everything in sight, Chinese tourists seem to be on a tight schedule with not much time to relax or do anything much individually.

[GUT]

Down here in Melbourne, and I have seen it on the Gold Coast too, the main feeling I've got from Chinese tourists is how highly regulated and supervised they are. They seem to move in huge groups under the supervision of a Chinese tour operator from tourist bus to approved souvenir shop to tourist destination to restaurant like a flock of sheep. Unlike the Japanese, who spend a whole lot of time photographing everything in sight, Chinese tourists seem to be on a tight schedule with not much time to relax or do anything much individually.

Strange idea if a holiday, huh?

[Mayerling]

Probably the biggest issue I have with Americans, and it's nowhere near all of them, is that if you don't do things the American way, you simply must be wrong.

If you have a copy of Ambrose Bierce's marvelous "The Devil's Dictionary", he defines "Un -American" as. "Intolerable, heathenish". Good ole' Ambrose.

As for that major gap that sometimes appears in our sense of humor, since we are on the verge of seeing the Donald nominated you can wonder if our sense of humor has just gotten out of control.

Jeff

[Abby Normal]

Aussies have good reason to be proud to the point of arrogance, as do we. Both countries, to a large degree, were founded by the rejects and misfits that England didn't want, and both have succeeded wildly.

You'll have a hard search too, at least in my experience, to find an American who doesn't regard Australians as kindred spirits.

Well just don't try to live there if your American. I know of four different cases of Americans, one my nephew, who had tried to live there. My nephew is a boat builder, a nature boy, one of the kindest, meekest souls you would ever meet and truly a lovable character. They all got hounded out of the country. All of them said that the Aussies were to a person, the meanest, most arrogant people they had ever met.who obviously hated Americans.

Compare that to my neighborhood near dc. Lots of diversity and lots of transients from other countries that come to live here with all the government work. We welcome all with open arms. They are like celebrities at our neighborhood pool. From my experience, it seems Americans are the most accepting freindly country on earth. I know we are the most charitable.

Now I also think that part of the "ugly American" thing comes from the fact that Americans work hard and play hard. And we expect good customer service. Like ice in our soda and promt attention. And stores not to be closed at two in the afternoon.I think we can be less laid back too, especially east coasters. And then I think there is resentment that comes from us being the last superpower.
To that I say thank god it's us and not a country like Russia or china.

[Rosella]

Abby, I'm sorry that the four people that you know felt unwelcome here in Oz.

All I can say is that I know several Americans who love it here. Australia is a very diverse country. We have people from over 200 countries who live and work here. Over 30% of our population was born overseas. I don't these all these people from all over the world would stay if they felt unwelcome or Australians were nasty or arrogant towards them.

For myself, I was born in England and travelled a lot overseas both before and since I settled in Australia decades ago. Emigration is a difficult process for everyone who undertakes it, but I don't think you can generalise about a country or its people from the experiences of a handful of people.

For instance, I lived for a little while in France. Some people I met were rather rude and didn't like Anglos very much but I didn't take from that the view that all French people were like it, and they weren't.

I've never felt uncomfortable or unwelcome in Australia. I think it's a great country and its people are on the whole warm, friendly, generous, humorous and blunt. I invite you to come to Australia and see for yourself.

[Robert]

Any complaints about Aussies should really be addressed to the cultural attache :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nULFMp4jKBo

[Abby Normal]

Abby, I'm sorry that the four people that you know felt unwelcome here in Oz.

All I can say is that I know several Americans who love it here. Australia is a very diverse country. We have people from over 200 countries who live and work here. Over 30% of our population was born overseas. I don't these all these people from all over the world would stay if they felt unwelcome or Australians were nasty or arrogant towards them.

For myself, I was born in England and travelled a lot overseas both before and since I settled in Australia decades ago. Emigration is a difficult process for everyone who undertakes it, but I don't think you can generalise about a country or its people from the experiences of a handful of people.

For instance, I lived for a little while in France. Some people I met were rather rude and didn't like Anglos very much but I didn't take from that the view that all French people were like it, and they weren't.

I've never felt uncomfortable or unwelcome in Australia. I think it's a great country and its people are on the whole warm, friendly, generous, humorous and blunt. I invite you to come to Australia and see for yourself.

Thanks rosella
Fair enough. It just kind of upsets me when I hear the stories these people tell me about how they were treated, especially my nephew. Also, because when I was in high school we had an new Aussie family move in and they were treated like royalty. Especially the kid, whO was immediately taken in by me and the other high school kids.

Speaking of France. I know they have a terrible reputation, but when my wife and I went we loved the French and they treated us great.But We were warned before we left.Now my wife took a crash course in French and learned enough how to converse, so I think that obviously helped. And it was right after the le blue won the world cup and I was a fan-they liked me for that. We met some local couples at a club and after the wives went to bed, me and the dude, who was a jim morrison fan, went to the cemetary where he was buried . Itwas an amazing surreal adventure through paris in the middle of the night.Had a blast and Paris is awesome.

[GUT]

If you have a copy of Ambrose Bierce's marvelous "The Devil's Dictionary", he defines "Un -American" as. "Intolerable, heathenish". Good ole' Ambrose.

As for that major gap that sometimes appears in our sense of humor, since we are on the verge of seeing the Donald nominated you can wonder if our sense of humor has just gotten out of control.

Jeff

I figured it was all a joke.

[GUT]

Any complaints about Aussies should really be addressed to the cultural attache :



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nULFMp4jKBo

Yep, uncle Les will sort it out.

[GUT]

France is actually a place where Aussies are treated like royalty, if they think you're a Pom they don't treat you so well, but once they realise your an Aussie the whole attitude changes.

[Robert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITpyt9IK-uQ

[Rosella]

Yes, when I lived there it was before I came to Australia, Gut. I was still a Pom then. I've been back since and from all my trips there have only been a very few French people who didn't like 'Anglo Saxons' and acted with disdain or rudeness. That was in Paris, the rest of the country was fine.

[c.d.]

I have always heard that Aussie women find American men very attractive and sexy. Is that true? Oh God, please let it be true.

c.d.