Mike111 0 #1 April 5, 2006 I read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #2 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? That number will soon go up dramatically because Americans are now required to have a passport to re-enter the US regardless of where they have been. I have made many trips to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico over the last 20 years and never had to have a passport in the past. Now it's required. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #3 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports In the words of Jimmy Carr... "and they say that like its a bad thing" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #4 April 5, 2006 QuoteThat number will soon go up dramatically because Americans are now required to have a passport to re-enter the US regardless of where they have been. No, not true until 2008 http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.htmlOwned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #5 April 5, 2006 Quotebecause Americans are now required to have a passport to re-enter the US It astounds me how much I hear this. It's not true, BTW. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #6 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? Not introverted -- just xenophobic, coupled with a complete lack of curiosity and a sense of superiority. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike111 0 #7 April 5, 2006 well regardless of the figure, the number of US citizens which have a passport and who travel abroad is smaller compared to other countries. that may well be becuase America has everything one needs as it so vast, But surely this view of "we have everything" is rather closed mind ???? I mean theres a whole world with different cultures different to the American one that they are superoir and celebrity culture which seems to infest everywhere. Would you disagree? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #8 April 5, 2006 QuoteNot introverted -- just xenophobic, coupled with a complete lack of curiosity and a sense of superiority. Don't forget the hegemonistic and bloodthirsty aggression. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #9 April 5, 2006 Quotewell regardless of the figure, the number of US citizens which have a passport and who travel abroad is smaller compared to other countries. that may well be becuase America has everything one needs as it so vast, But surely this view of "we have everything" is rather closed mind ???? I mean theres a whole world with different cultures different to the American one that they are superoir and celebrity culture which seems to infest everywhere. Would you disagree? hey, just going 100 miles inland is a different culture. And yes, the point that you can (soon to be could) go to most of North America without a passport is a big part of it. You need to go 6 hours by jet to get somewhere where one is necessary. In terms of recreational destinations, you can get nearly everything you might want within the borders as well. Though in my personal opinion, selecting Hawaii over Mexico is quite often a choice of staying in America versus taking the better choice. As the EU has coalesced, has the need for passports in Europe declined? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #10 April 5, 2006 QuoteQuoteThat number will soon go up dramatically because Americans are now required to have a passport to re-enter the US regardless of where they have been. No, not true until 2008 http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html My bad. When I got mine 2 years ago I was told I would be required to have one by 2006. I don't know whether the Govt. extended the time or if the info I got from the post office was incorrect. Still, the percentage of Americans with passports will go up due to this requirement. It also is true that Americans can travel greater distances within the US, Mexico and the Caribbean without a passport, than can most Europeans travel within Europe without one. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #11 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? You've drawn the conclusions based on invalid assumptions. The reason most Europeans have passports is because most European countries are smaller than some states in the U.S.. If a passport was required to travel the same distances in the U.S. that are commonly traveled in Europe, virtually everyone on the east coast of the U.S. would have a passport. In otherwords, it's simply not a -requirement- of their every day life.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LargeBoy 0 #12 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? 10% too many Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #13 April 5, 2006 QuoteI read today that 11% of Americans have passports, because they believe that America has everything. But surely this is way too introverted, what other cultures????? So we have an extremely large country bordering on another extremely large country to the north. Big oceans on the other side. And what are we comparing it to - Europe? where you can visit 17 different countries within a 4 hour drive? What percent of Chinese have passports? What if you exclude those that live extremely close to another border? Canada would be likely the only really useful comparison as it's geography at least has similar inputs to the idea. Instead of a negative steroetype of a the culture as the base input to this thing, how about a simple look at geography and economics? It's not as fun. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #14 April 5, 2006 I didn't have a passport until I travelled to Europe. Before that, I'd been to: Mexico Canada 22 out of 50 US states 24 US national parks 1 canadian national park I don't think Americans are incredibly introverted... it's just that there's so much to see within our own country and so many microcultures here to explore. New Orleans was so incredibly different from southern California. Key West might've been another country; it was so different. Ditto for Kona. Many of us want to spend time visiting our own home country before taking the time and money to go somewhere like Europe. There's geographical factors to take into account. If the US was a much smaller country like many European countries, I'm sure Americans would go to foreign countries much more often. Our only neighbors are Canada and Mexico, and we don't need passports to go there. For us to go anywhere else it requires a long, expensive plane ride to another continent. We can't just hop on a train and zip over to another country (other than Canada or Mexico, and that's only if you live close to the border of those countries) to visit for a day. There is also a cost factor. I can (and have) spent five weeks travelling the USA for what it cost me to spend 12 days in Ireland. And then, there is the time factor to take into account. Americans have one of the lowest rates of paid days off. We get one to two weeks a year, and most people spread that out, taking a long weekend here and there. Even if someone takes a full week off, to go somewhere like Australia, they'd spend three or four days of that travelling to get there. I plan on seeing as much of this planet as I can. The USA, however, des take up a good chunk of that planet. It's the fourth largest country in the world, and represents 16% of the world's land mass. All the european countries put together represent 8%. I've seen a little more than half the US (and a good chunk Canada), so, looking at the percentages, I've travelled over more land in the US than if I'd visited every country in Europe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #15 April 5, 2006 <> - That's criminal..... get your union on the case I need 2 weeks for summer and a week skiing - just for starters... (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #16 April 5, 2006 When I go back to work, if I return to the same employer (planning on doing so) I will get 3 weeks paid vacation and 2 weeks sick time. However, I'll be working for the government. So, there's pluses and minuses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,490 #17 April 5, 2006 QuoteWhat percent of Chinese have passports? I've got nothing against the rest of your post, but do you really want China to be the benchmark by which your nation is judged? Its like you're taking the easy way out y'know?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #18 April 5, 2006 Quotewell regardless of the figure, the number of US citizens which have a passport and who travel abroad is smaller compared to other countries. that may well be because America has everything one needs as it so vast, But surely this view of "we have everything" is rather closed mind ???? I mean there's a whole world with different cultures different to the American one that they are superior and celebrity culture which seems to infest everywhere. Would you disagree? *** Yup! I don't think there is a view that 'we' have everything. At least not among the people that I know. That 'almost' sounds like a comment a school kid with very low self esteem might make to some stranger they don't really know. It's a matter of priorities and a cost benefit analysis. To travel abroad from the US is not cheap, and the dollar is what now, .72% of a Euro.... The average 'Joe Lunchbox' U.S. citizen sees the 2500.00 for a few days in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter, better spent on other things....like Guns & COLD Beer! Ours is a vast nation, with lots to see and do... One could use all of their 2-3 weeks yearly time off traveling, for decades, and not see much of what there is here. I've traveled to Europe five times so far this year, and I do appreciate that there are different cultures. Some welcome Americans with open arms, and seemingly go well out of their way to be friendly...to both teach and learn with interest. Others seem to have an inferiority complex, and form opinions about 'our' culture that's not necessarily based on fact. They purposely misinterpret simple, innocent things they read to draw negative, bias conclusions about us because in some way...I guess it helps to make them feel 'equal' or perhaps even in their mind, 'superior'. If I were saddled with the same persecution complex 'some' in 'other' cultures carry...I too might find shelter in senseless prejudice. But as anyone with any brains at all knows...it's all pretty much bullshit, differences be damned...we're all a lot more alike than we are different. Right?! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #19 April 5, 2006 QuoteI've traveled to Europe five times so far this year, and I do appreciate that there are different cultures. Some welcome Americans with open arms, and seemingly go well out of their way to be friendly...to both teach and learn with interest. Others seem to have an inferiority complex, and form opinions about 'our' culture that's not necessarily based on fact. They purposely misinterpret simple, innocent things they read to draw negative, bias conclusions about us because in some way...I guess it helps to make them feel 'equal' or perhaps even in their mind, 'superior'. If I were saddled with the same persecution complex 'some' in 'other' cultures carry...I too might find shelter in senseless prejudice. I doubt that you and your family behave that way, but there are quite a number of "Ugly Americans" who come in with an attitude that different is bad. They fully expect everything in other countries/cultures to be like the U.S... it's those folks that probably contribute to resentment against American travelers. Some of us can give all of us a bad rap. All that said, I always keep my passport up-to-date. I've never done it, but I like the idea that I can go anywhere I want on a moments' notice. Ever since a stressful time in college when my passport arrived just in time for a trip to Paris that was planned only a month in advance, I've made sure to always have a passport. But then again, I love to travel, I have parents who love to travel and who have lived worldwide and instilled that love of travel and respect for other cultures in me. I lived abroad as a young child, so I think I grew up with a broader perspective. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 April 5, 2006 QuoteQuoteWhat percent of Chinese have passports? I've got nothing against the rest of your post, but do you really want China to be the benchmark by which your nation is judged? Its like you're taking the easy way out y'know? China was selected for its comparable size and geographic diversity. Very few nations match the US in these aspects. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #21 April 5, 2006 QuoteBut then again, I love to travel, I have parents who love to travel and who have lived worldwide and instilled that love of travel and respect for other cultures in me. I lived abroad as a young child, so I think I grew up with a broader perspective. *** Let me get this straight.... That... you skydive, AND you like Johnny Cash???!! ...Good thing we're married! (to other people I mean!) If ya owned a liquor store...perfection personified! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #22 April 5, 2006 Quote..Good thing we're married! (to other people I mean!) Whoa, whoa, whoa... don't go marrying me off!!!! But thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #23 April 5, 2006 QuoteI doubt that you and your family behave that way, but there are quite a number of "Ugly Americans" who come in with an attitude that different is bad. They fully expect everything in other countries/cultures to be like the U.S... it's those folks that probably contribute to resentment against American travelers. Some of us can give all of us a bad rap. In my travels, I've seen it both ways from both sides of the street. Yes, there's "Ugly Americans" but there also the local shopkeeper that deliberately ignores them even if they're trying their best to order in the local language. A little understanding and an attempt to "meet in the middle" goes a long way, when overseas...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #24 April 5, 2006 QuoteA little understanding and an attempt to "meet in the middle" goes a long way, when overseas... Well put. Smiles work beautifully, too. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #25 April 5, 2006 QuoteQuote..Good thing we're married! (to other people I mean!) Whoa, whoa, whoa... don't go marrying me off!!!! *** Opps! I thought you WERE! What...yer surrounded by IDIOTS?! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
