11% of Americans have passports!!!!!

[shropshire 0]

Size isn't important... because the original post quoted a %.... Geography also makes no nevermind... I would suggest that a demographically similar country would be a better comparison ... Possibly Australia ?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[pop 0]

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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?????

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.

What happens if you dont have it? Do they not let you in?

7 ounce wonders, music and dogs that are not into beer

[Nightingale 0]

Size is important when you look at geography. It is easier to travel in Europe because the countries are smaller. All of Europe takes up 8% of the world's land mass. America takes up 16%. If I travelled as much in Europe as I have in the US, I'd have seen every country there. The US is so big that there's a lot of cultural diversity within our country. There's an amazing difference between New York City and Key West. About the only things they have in common is that most people speak English and the area is considered to be part of the United States. They differ vastly in climate, geography, culture, architecture, food, slang, accent, clothing and lifestyle.

It's not that Americans don't want to travel. Most do. It's just that there's so much to explore within our own borders, and it's cheaper and more convenient to travel here instead of flying across an ocean.

To put things in perspective a bit, when I flew from Los Angeles to New Orleans, the distance was about 1800 miles. The distance between London and Venice is about half that, only 919 miles, and Barcelona to Prague is only 1044.

[shropshire 0]

yeap, fair does.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Mike111 0]

ok well if you look at geography and economcis, there is a different factor... but surely just getting out of the USA (nto saying all AMercians at all, but some think that thir country is the world) - that is a closed mind attitude regardless of hoq big it is. I could stay in europe for everything i wanted ot od, btu will choose to go to places i might not want to just to simply a different culture which is totally different.

[Mike111 0]

Very fair point.

[Mike111 0]

Lol im not jealous of the American culture at all, in fact i Kinda disagree with it in sme ways btu thats just IMO. However, cost can effect things, btu surely theres to the world than just the USA?

[shropshire 0]

Hi Mike - sorry mate but are the keys on your PC in a different place to everyone elses?


P.S dont mind me, I'm just being an arse

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Mike111 0]

But 100 miles may give you a different culture, but not as different than say if you went to Egypt? Im not saying that one should go out ofd the USA, btu the view that the USA is everything is a little closed mind.

[Mike111 0]

yup all the keyboards the fault!!!!! i can type!!!!!!

[shropshire 0]

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[ExAFO 0]

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Not introverted -- just xenophobic, coupled with a complete lack of curiosity and a sense of superiority.

Don't forget the hegemonistic and bloodthirsty aggression.

So surrender your citizenship.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[Mike111 0]

and move where?

[airtwardo 7]

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but some think that thir country is the world

***

As do 'some' of the population of EVERY country!

I've spoken with people of many varying cultures, invariably there are some that do not feel compelled to go anywhere father from home, than they can throw a rock....I certainly don't perceive them as thinking they are superior to someone that does want to travel and see other things...

I was driving from Milan to Rome last week, it was surprising the number of 'working people'
(fuel stops-restaurants-clothing stores) I spoke with along that trip that had never been to ROME
(less than 5 hours by car)...much less the U.S.

% of people in Italy that hold passports??
Who cares!

Having one or not, it's not the measure of person's or country's attitude, world view or worth.

Right?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Mike111 0]

Lol i liek the subtle persuasion at the end!!!

But yer fair point, i accept that in eveyr country, UK aswell - i mean christ people elect a PM becuase of his looks, Fuck me.

Lol i was only referring to the USA cos it first came to mind

Although one could argue thta the American celebrity image of itself may cause that attitude, whereas in other countries where that is less so it might not be a factor.

[airtwardo 7]

[reply
]Lol im not jealous of the American culture at all, in fact i Kinda disagree with it in sme ways btu thats just IMO. However, cost can effect things, btu surely theres to the world than just the USA?

[airtwardo 7]

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>> i was only referring to the USA cos it first came to mind<<

>>the American celebrity image of itself may cause that attitude<<

***

Maybe you feel 'we' have this so called "Celebrity Image" because you....


For some reason, in your mind... PUT us first?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[ExAFO 0]

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and move where?

Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Iran come to mind...

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[kelpdiver 2]

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But 100 miles may give you a different culture, but not as different than say if you went to Egypt? Im not saying that one should go out ofd the USA, btu the view that the USA is everything is a little closed mind.

No one is saying it's everything. But it is a heck of a lot. I spent a decade where the furthest I got out of California was Las Vegas. Yet I skied and scuba'd like mad, did one skydive, hike multiple 14,000ft peaks, ate ethnic food from just about any culture on earth...all within a single state. Me personally, I don't travel to a different place for the sake of culture in and of itself. I'm there to see things, or do things. And it would be nice if there is some interesting food in the deal.

And you're discounting the distance factor far too much. You flying to Cairo is like me flying to Chicago. In my case, that's a tad more than halfway across the country. Distance = time, dollars, and effort.

And yes, for better and worse, Americans work more hours per year than any other country. We look at the French and their 35 hour work week and wonder many things, ranging from how nice that must be, to no longer they were so desparate to keep the US out of Iraq and their profit making.

Certainly you can choose work and employers with better policies. I don't think I've ever done our average 46 hour week for more than a week at a time, and typically I've enjoyed 3 weeks of vacation time, or whatever I wanted during pure contracts.

Those with family and 2 weeks - no surprise they don't leave the country.

[Mike111 0]

Very fair point, and admirably put.

[Mike111 0]

lol top holiday destinations!!!!!

[Mike111 0]

Fair point again.

God i think im losing this argument!!!

[Mike111 0]

Its true - all the reality shows with "celeb" values. oh come on, so many TV programmes give this fake image of all the USA is skyscrapers blah blah blah. But isn;t America mainly made out of a lot of wildlife area and small towns?

[kelpdiver 2]

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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.

Though I've certain seen some of this, I think there in a general world wide problem with the Ugly Tourist. People on vacation can develop this very interesting attitude about the role of everyone else at the destination. 'Serve me or GTF out of my way.' And since it's their rest time from the rest of the year, god be damned if I'm going to do anything that smells remotely of work on my vacation.

[airtwardo 7]

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Its true - all the reality shows with "celeb" values. oh come on, so many TV programmes give this fake image of all the USA is skyscrapers blah blah blah. But isn;t America mainly made out of a lot of wildlife area and small towns?

***

Yeah..they're called 'flyovers'...as in that's what you have to Fly Over to GET to the skyscrapers!


And come on!!!

That's a low blow....judging us on our Television programing!(It does suck)

Do I accuse you of walking about, doing the Monty Python 'goose step' and complaining...
"My BRAIN hurts"


Quick note on TV programing and image...
While in Russia a while back, at the time the only 'American' programing there was ancient re-runs of three shows....

Dynasty, X-Files, and Dukes of Hazard.


And....yes, some people actually thought that was an accurate representation of 'life 'in the US of A!


We all drive around at 150 mph in old muscle cars...chasing Aliens...then return to our 21 room mansions for a three course meal cooked by the servants.



....MY muscle car won't even do 130!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~