Perspective on the US from an expat working in China

[ZenGum]

I was struck by the irony of this.

Here is a paste from Riddil's post about China:

- The Chinese people are proud. They feel bad because they KNOW there are problems with China. But no one wants to admit their problems. So as a foreigner it's impossible (and rude) of me to mention most of these things to any Chinese person. Even if they may agree with me, they will fight tooth-and-nail to defend the reputation of their homeland

Now for "Chinese" read "Americans", and consider this thread.

FWIW, I believe (and I interpret Riddil as saying) that the problems in the US are much less bad than those in China. I would certainly like to visit the US, and possibly even live there. I might barely visit China, but from what I've heard, I certainly do not want to live there.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by classicman

Point made. I just interpreted it differently. To simply state that "Americans are short-sighted or lazy or whatever" without any relevance is meaningless. I certainly did not read into it that he preferred China to the US in any way. Again - I'll just step away and let him speak for himself and his posts.

I think I see what your saying.

What I am saying is, there are comparsions being made there. What is preferred is another topic. I only point this out because you and others are trying to say that China is not the topic and no comparisons are being made, but they are. Riiight there!!! Many times in the first post, and I'm not sure how many other various posts...Maybe he doesn't mean to compare, which seems likely, but he is! Oh jeez.....

BTW- I think you're a good noob so far.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Cicero

BTW- I think you're a good noob so far.

So why don't you race him to 2,000 posts then?

[classicman]

I think I see what your saying. Point made. Again - I'll just step away and let him speak for himself and his posts.

thanks and how's the weather today?

[Cicero]

Because I didn't warm up to him right away.

[classicman]

[quote=Cicero;413813]Because I didn't warm up to him right away.
[quote]

note the italicized "HIM" in your post. I'm too old and spoken for anyway.

[classicman]

nor I to you, but there is an old aying the slower starting fire burns long and deep.

[Cicero]

Did it just get like 10 degrees hotter in here?!? Someone open a window...

wow...*clears throat*


This topic just got really good.....

[classicman]

LOL - you started it!

OK, thats a lie.

[ZenGum]

Ok, but I'm claiming cupid credit.

[classicman]

It's over - I'm out! - - - - Actually I think she was insinuating of her attraction to you Zen, not me!

[Cicero]

lol!!

Well let me know when you guys come up with something on that...

[Shawnee123]

Damn, I was waiting for the romantic running down the beach culminating in passionate love-making. This movie sucks.

[Cicero]

Me too...but Zen and Classic just won't do it.....


Italics...yes...italics.

[Riddil]

WOW, man, I'm really sad that I got too busy at work these days to read & respond. I missed a lot.

Hehe... it seems I REALLY struck a nerve with Cicero. I really enjoyed the whole "student stringing words together while teachers applaud" thing, that's really great.

Anyhow, I know I'm not an expert in that field. I'm just some guy on the internet posting my opinion. I didn't start my post saying, "I'm a Harvard trained socio-politico-environment-business wig-wam doo-dah theorist". I'm just a dude working on assignment in China.

But, you may want to read "The World is Flat". It's an interesting book that talks about what America needs to do to try to stay competitive in the changing world.

Anyhow, I'm grateful I had so much help from folks in this thread to backup my intent. Aliantha and others really said it all for me. Thanks!

My addition to their comments....

I think it's a mistake to think that you're OK, just because you're better than the guy next to you. As a person, and as a culture, I think it's best not to compare yourself to others to see if you're OK, and just roll-over and go back to sleep. Try to stay introspective and understand what things can get better, and improve.

I probably was a bit too caustic with my "Americans are lazy" words. Hell, I hear it all the time from my co-workers here. Every time they say to me, "So, I hear that Americans only work 40 hours a week. They think 50 hours a week is a hard work week. Is that right?" My first reaction is to become defensive. But... yeah... in the end they're right.

Anyhow, I don't want to get stuck on that point, because in the end "laziness" is a subjective idea, and impossible to really debate. My point, as mentioned by others, was just to point out (my own opinions) about observations of America from the outside. I hope it was informative, or at least entertaining to everyone. I'm not saying I'm right... I'm just saying, "this is how I see it".