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Why I like americans

Discussion in 'General Discussions - USA & Canada' started by BeeAmma, Apr 8, 2010.

  1. BeeAmma

    BeeAmma Silver IL'ite

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    I wanted to start a thread about our general experiences with Americans. Just like India, in the US also you have the entire spectrum from left-wing liberals to right wing conservatives. However, in general I find Americans to be kind and willing to learn and experiment. Sure we may not understand the rationale behind a lot of things they do (goes both ways) but I do find that they are incredibly adventurous, innovative and open to trying out different things from cuisines to religions to fashions. They are trailblazers in innovation.

    In some ways I think this is similar to India where you have so many religions co-existing and so many cuisines that we try and experiment with and modify them to our tastes. We assimilate different influences and keep evolving.
     
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  2. BeeAmma

    BeeAmma Silver IL'ite

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    No one is able to come up with any reasons why they like americans or is the topic too boring to bother responding:)?
     
  3. SriVidya75

    SriVidya75 Platinum IL'ite

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    Bee

    I guess just because of their nature to embrace and welcome and willing to experiment and try new things, so many immigrants are able to survive in US :) just like anyone can come down and settle in India..JMO

    Just like there are friendly Indians and grumpy Indians, there are similar americans also.....I have come across some pretty friendly, willing to try our cuisines, some even want to try our dresses not just salwar but sarees etc, some wanted to come to temple and see what we do actually as a prayer ...yep different kinds of interests and inquisitiveness.

    At the same time, I remember one American manager (pretty old guy aroudn 60+) who asked me on the first day of my job in that company, as to why am I working, why dont I stay back home and take car eof the house and kid :) I just smiled at him and changed the topic...

    I guess some get along with anyone and everyone and some just want to keep it to the point i.e work thats all..I have seen both kinds...and one good part is...they also make pretty good friends with us :) yes just like us, there are some americans who like to keep their friendships not just for work, but out side work also...like get togethers and shopping/movies etc..
     
  4. Coffeelover

    Coffeelover Platinum IL'ite

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    I live herefor past 30 years. Had and have wonderful American Friends ( I mean both white and African Americans). They don't ask personal questions such as income, property etc. When you are in need of help, they are here. Once I did not have a car to take my son to school. One american lady whom I never seen before came and helped me. Now she is my good friend.

    We feel ( Indians) that they don't have discipline and moral code etc etc. They do. I know few of my friends have a strict policy regarding children dating, work and studies. We can learn lot form them,. People ( Indians) assume that all american are bad as american think that and have elephants and tigers at home. ( this was before google days).

    I agree with you. People are nicer in every culture. we need to look for them and enjoy their friendship.:coffee
     
  5. BeeAmma

    BeeAmma Silver IL'ite

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    Thanks Srividya and coffeelover.

    I find their willingness to constantly explore new things and innovate very fascinating.

    For example we find them people here trying to learn new languages, arts and crafts, running marathons later in life. We can learn something from that.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2010
  6. Ranchu

    Ranchu Local Champion Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    When I see this thread , the first thing that comes to my mind is :
    Working out regularly :bowdown

    I just adore their interest in Cycling / Skating / Running / jogging / or even walking..
    None of these are practiced in indian living. Until I came to US i have personally never spent time doing exercises.. Now I make it a point to do it atleast 3 times a week.

    Other than this , yes they enjoy every little aspect of life . say - hiking, wines, food, flavors, candle making, glass making, horse back riding,etc..
    Am not including skiing coz thats not common between india and america.

    Also 2nd best is their patience and importance to other's privacy. Not peeping from behind during an ATM queue :rotfl
     
  7. Gauri03

    Gauri03 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    I was a teaching assistant for a couple of courses during my PhD. I was struck by the honesty and integrity of the American students. They definitely have their share of bad eggs but most of them displayed a genuine desire to learn. The students would rather turn in a blank homework or test than copy someone else's work. On more than one occasion I received homeworks that had been copied verbatim by more than one Indian student. It was quite disheartening.

    To be honest many many Indian students are quite brilliant. But the system they are educated in exacts a heavy price for failure. They are terrified to fail and rightly so. Entire lives are dependent on their success and they carry that fear into the American education system. They lever learn to love 'learning'. So when they face a problem that they can't solve, they choose to copy, Google, whatever else they can do to get that answer. They just haven't been taught to say 'I don't know' without being ashamed.
     
  8. geetha mahesh

    geetha mahesh Bronze IL'ite

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    I have lived here for almost 3 years now.I feel that Americans are smart they know they get more by letting us in.I always felt they genuinely have regards for hardwork.There is subtle racialism at times..like the other day I was talking to a patient and he said to the nurse..'cannot understand what these folks speak'..another one said'Doc you need not be nervous to talk to him'...these are some hilarious embarassing experiences I have had..at the same time..I met a lady in Walmart in 2007..It was just two months I was here then.She wanted me to read out something written on a cosmetic product.I read out to her..she was happy and said that her doctor was an Indian and she liked him a lot..
    Although we are brown skinned they trust us completely and have high regards...
    I have enjoyed my work here same as I did in India..no change..
    I think we have lot to learn from Americans also lot to teach them too!!..haha..they are wonderstruck at how we can live as vegetarians entire life?..I keep telling them I have survived 29 years of my life so they can do it too!!!...
    Also the other day one of them was asking me how I could marry a person whom I hardly knew(meaning arranged marriage concept)..then I asked her how much she really knew her husbnad when she was in love?..she was actually realising arranged marriage was not a risk anymore!!..hehe..
    I owe a lot for coming across the shores,have learnt a lot for the last three years and still learning..basically has been a new realisation of my true self..how much I can stretch myself to accomodate people of different colour and culture!!..

    In this country you have to rely on yourself the most..which by default increases your self confidence..does anyone second my thoughts??

    cheers!!
     
  9. bhuvnidhi

    bhuvnidhi IL Hall of Fame

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    In general a lot of Americans are honest and accept the fact that they do not know about a particular subject.We find it very difficult to say "No".

    They like experimenting and they are willing to change as well which keeps them occupied.They respect others privacy.

    There was a funny incident which happenned when I was in MN.It was a friday night.We had an offfice party and we were walking towards the parking lot in downtown where we have a lot of pubs .Suddenly there were a bunch of white teenage boys and girls who were pointing fingers towards me and started running towards me.There started the fun.Me and my friends thought they are those drunk kids from the bar(we thought they might have guns too:bonk) and we started running.One girl just ran fast and stopped right in front of me.OMG!You should have seen how scared I was.

    Guess what the girl was asking about the Salwar I was wearing.It was a traditional(with all glitter works) pink salwar which I wore for the party.They all started asking me where I get and how much does it cost ..whether they get in St.Paul or hopkins..is there any Indian shop to buy.That was fun!

    Everytime I wore salwar to office I will have atleast five people saying it is lovely.They are definitely open minded.
     
  10. BeeAmma

    BeeAmma Silver IL'ite

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    Yes, it is truly incredible how accessible and affordable gyms are to everyday people.
     

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