What is the American Stereotype?

So these kids came over from france and visited our french class. They said the typical american stereotype is that Americans are all very very fat.

If you aren't in the U.S, what do you think of when you here 'American?'

WOW i wasnt expecting that everyone would get so defensive. Well English isn't my native language unlike most of you so I guess that would be why "ignorant" wasn't exactly the word I was looking for, and probably not what I meant.

I meant it as in consciously and willfully unknowledgeable. 

I speak Spanish, English, Portuguese and am currently learning French. Mexicans don't expect Americans to know Spanish, but I do think most Americans expect us to know English.

Traveling to the US without knowing English isnt well looked at by Americans, but most Americans come to Mexico and expect everyone to understand them even if they only know how to say "cerveza".

Original Post by love_lipstick:

 but I do think most Americans expect us to know English.

because english is our country's language.

I think it depends on the source, I don't really watch the news on tv a lot. Personally I feel that newspapers tend to be more comprehensive, and have stories in them that don't necessarily have any bearing on the US in anyway.

For example in the paper last week was the story on the man in Austria that kept his daughter in the basement for 24yrs. No real direct ties to the US in that story, yet I live in the mid-west where stereotypically people are even more ignorant of the rest of the world and that was in the local paper. I agree that there are willfully ignorant Americans, but I don't agree that that is even the norm. Many of the people I know pay attention to world news and it is available to those interested. Many of them also at least know basic greetings in other languages, and if traveling to another country at least make an effort to learn some phrases.

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by love_lipstick:

 but I do think most Americans expect us to know English.

because english is our country's language.

 English isnt mine either. But I speak it.

Original Post by narfblast:

 

For example in the paper last week was the story on the man in Austria that kept his daughter in the basement for 24yrs.

OMG! i need to research that! we were talking about that in our marriage and family class. i can't believe he had 6 children with his OWN daughter!

 i'm not for capital punishment, but this guy should definitely get it. a slow death too. like freezing him to death.

Original Post by love_lipstick:

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by love_lipstick:

 but I do think most Americans expect us to know English.

because english is our country's language.

 English isnt mine either. But I speak it.

 where do you live?

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by love_lipstick:

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by love_lipstick:

 but I do think most Americans expect us to know English.

because english is our country's language.

 English isnt mine either. But I speak it.

 where do you live?

 Mexico City. In Spanish known as Distrito Federal.

In Illinois last year, people were outraged that children will have to take state standardized tests in English. They were upset because the children would be at a disadvantage if they couldn't speak Spanish. Now the real question: wouldn't they be at a greater disadvantage if they never learned English but remained in the US? It must severely limit your career choices.

Granted, I just came back from Miami, and everything there was in both Spanish and English and when I checked into my hotel room at the Mariott, the placards in the room were all Spanish side up. So maybe those kids are planning on moving to Miami.

I'm welcoming of the Latin American cultural influence on the US. I feel that in many ways it will help make the US a better place. But I draw the line at needing to learn the languages of immigrant's home countries to accommodate them when they came here willingly.

And in all honesty, I think that we should tighten up the immigration policies from Latin America and allow more people in from places with more serious problems, like certain countries in Africa and Asia.

but see, i don't expect you to know english. i do expect you know spanish.

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

In Illinois last year, people were outraged that children will have to take state standardized tests in English. They were upset because the children would be at a disadvantage if they couldn't speak Spanish. Now the real question: wouldn't they be at a greater disadvantage if they never learned English but remained in the US? It must severely limit your career choices.

Granted, I just came back from Miami, and everything there was in both Spanish and English and when I checked into my hotel room at the Mariott, the placards in the room were all Spanish side up. So maybe those kids are planning on moving to Miami.

I'm welcoming of the Latin American cultural influence on the US. I feel that in many ways it will help make the US a better place. But I draw the line at needing to learn the languages of immigrant's home countries to accommodate them when they came here willingly.

And in all honesty, I think that we should tighten up the immigration policies from Latin America and allow more people in from places with more serious problems, like certain countries in Africa and Asia.

 I COMPLETELY agree with you. :]

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

In Illinois last year, people were outraged that children will have to take state standardized tests in English. They were upset because the children would be at a disadvantage if they couldn't speak Spanish. Now the real question: wouldn't they be at a greater disadvantage if they never learned English but remained in the US? It must severely limit your career choices.

 EXACTLY!

I never said i "expected" you or any other American to know Spanish specifically.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

but why english?  why not italian or apache or iriquois?

it's because english is the language of colonization.  and for that reason, that just-learn-to-speak-english attitude is elitist and offensive.

 i guess i am elitist for thinking that immigrants should learn my country's language. ;)

my parents learned the language, i dont think other's are better than my parents, sorry.

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by pgeorgian:

but why english?  why not italian or apache or iriquois?

it's because english is the language of colonization.  and for that reason, that just-learn-to-speak-english attitude is elitist and offensive.

 i guess i am elitist for thinking that immigrants should learn my country's language. ;)

my parents learned the language, i dont think other's are better than my parents, sorry.

 I NEVER said immigrants shouldn't have to learn their country's language. I agree with you.

Original Post by love_lipstick:

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by pgeorgian:

but why english?  why not italian or apache or iriquois?

it's because english is the language of colonization.  and for that reason, that just-learn-to-speak-english attitude is elitist and offensive.

 i guess i am elitist for thinking that immigrants should learn my country's language. ;)

my parents learned the language, i dont think other's are better than my parents, sorry.

 I NEVER said immigrants shouldn't have to learn their country's language. I agree with you.

 lol, im talking to pg. we're on the same page since we both agree with what heather wrote. =)

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by love_lipstick:

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by pgeorgian:

but why english?  why not italian or apache or iriquois?

it's because english is the language of colonization.  and for that reason, that just-learn-to-speak-english attitude is elitist and offensive.

 i guess i am elitist for thinking that immigrants should learn my country's language. ;)

my parents learned the language, i dont think other's are better than my parents, sorry.

 I NEVER said immigrants shouldn't have to learn their country's language. I agree with you.

 lol, im talking to pg. we're on the same page since we both agree with what heather wrote. =)

 lol ok then :]

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

In Illinois last year, people were outraged that children will have to take state standardized tests in English. They were upset because the children would be at a disadvantage if they couldn't speak Spanish. Now the real question: wouldn't they be at a greater disadvantage if they never learned English but remained in the US? It must severely limit your career choices.

EXACTLY!

Whereas, if they learned English, and retained the Spanish...They'd be bilingual. Putting that on your resume greatly increases the chance of being hired, especially in California!

Re: the non-US news:

In Chicago (which, yes, is in the mid-west, but mind you, is a participating world-class, diverse city) there are two real providers of cable programming. One offers BBC, one doesn't. I think that's a bit odd.

Then again, I used to read Al Jazeera in English to know what is going on in the Middle East, without so much "Proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free" flag waving bias, and was sadly disappointed to find that it's a blocked site at work. I have to do that at home now.

And I like The Guardian/The Observer as well...

I find that there are people out there who seek out non-US news.

Original Post by nasuoni:

Original Post by peacelovehominy:

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

In Illinois last year, people were outraged that children will have to take state standardized tests in English. They were upset because the children would be at a disadvantage if they couldn't speak Spanish. Now the real question: wouldn't they be at a greater disadvantage if they never learned English but remained in the US? It must severely limit your career choices.

EXACTLY!

Whereas, if they learned English, and retained the Spanish...They'd be bilingual. Putting that on your resume greatly increases the chance of being hired, especially in California!

 Exactly.

Another reason I've been learning Spanish. ;-)