"Went there as a german soldier on a semi work related trip, wearing uniform. The sheer number and the way people thanked me for my service (apparently as a german I qualify for this by extension), gave me discounts or even stuff for free (Starbucks) was astonishing. In germany, the public treats its servicemen with what one federal president called "a friendly non-interest". The US showed me a different world... But I also gotta admit that it was frightening to a certain degree. It feels like... a bit too much of everything. Too much admiration, too much trust in what the uniform stands for, too much "automatic repetition" of the phrases and as a result too little normality. Still a memorable and enjoyable one-time experience"
0
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Kris 3 year s ago
@25 It's "arse" in the UK
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Cornie 3 year s ago
Kris,
It's arse in every English speaking country .... except the USA.
It's arse in every English speaking country .... except the USA.
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Vernon 3 year s ago
#8 People in the U.S. go out of their way to recognize and thank soldiers and other armed forces personnel ever since 9/11, primarily because it's the right thing to do and it's what middle-Americans have always done, but for many it's because of a lingering guilt from the Vietnam War era. All the old hippies and leftists here were spitting on soldiers in airports and calling them baby killers, and now their grandsons are fighting the wars, and rushing toward the chaos as policemen and firefighters. And they are ashamed.
Cheers to all you visiting foreign servicemen - but keep in mind that the free beer you might get now was not always how you would be greeted here. Things have changed for the better.
Cheers to all you visiting foreign servicemen - but keep in mind that the free beer you might get now was not always how you would be greeted here. Things have changed for the better.
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Jasper 3 year s ago
Merv,
Yes your points are true, but hippies spitting on soldiers and current soldier-hero worship is shorthand for larger societal points that are equally as valid. Post-Vietnam, soldiers were devalued, dismissed, and denigrated in myriad ways in the U.S. for decades, and soldiers now are treated as symbols of the devotion and love of country that a non-serving public only wishes they could embody. The generalized respect currently shown to soldiers and first responders is, I think, a sign that the public knows deep down how much those people are actually worth when they are really needed. Finally, some respect.
Yes your points are true, but hippies spitting on soldiers and current soldier-hero worship is shorthand for larger societal points that are equally as valid. Post-Vietnam, soldiers were devalued, dismissed, and denigrated in myriad ways in the U.S. for decades, and soldiers now are treated as symbols of the devotion and love of country that a non-serving public only wishes they could embody. The generalized respect currently shown to soldiers and first responders is, I think, a sign that the public knows deep down how much those people are actually worth when they are really needed. Finally, some respect.
1
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Matty 3 year s ago
Merv,
Revisionist thinking is fun, isn't it, little Antifa drone?
Revisionist thinking is fun, isn't it, little Antifa drone?
-2
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Merv 3 year s ago
Matty,
Prove it.
Prove it.
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Lonzo 3 year s ago
Weirdos europeans 
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Marsha 3 year s ago
Sadly for the real homeless people, there are many scammer fake homeless beggars. They ruin it for the truly needy.
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Diana 3 year s ago
Marsha,
Indeed. I saw plenty of "street people" begging in Amsterdam and Prague (I made a fool of myself trying to help a desperate old woman in Prague by waving down a policeman to get her help - turned out that was her job). Not the socialist utopia I thought it was. Apparently there are just as many desperate, under-served people on the streets of European cities as there are in the U.S.
Indeed. I saw plenty of "street people" begging in Amsterdam and Prague (I made a fool of myself trying to help a desperate old woman in Prague by waving down a policeman to get her help - turned out that was her job). Not the socialist utopia I thought it was. Apparently there are just as many desperate, under-served people on the streets of European cities as there are in the U.S.
0
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Vickie 3 year s ago
Diana,
In Europe, the fake beggars are Gypsies. We have them in the US too, but they have more.
In Europe, the fake beggars are Gypsies. We have them in the US too, but they have more.
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Zeke 3 year s ago
As an American I find these funny. Thanks IZISMILE for not posting the insulting ones - I'm sure there are plenty - but right now that would not be appropriate - we have enough negativity to fill a bus.
5
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Beck 3 year s ago
Zeke, Nicely said.
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Vanessa 3 year s ago
#24
"The sheer size of the place is amazing. Each state is its own little country. I lived there for 7 years and visited some different places, and each time I crossed a state line it was like crossing a border in Europe — everything was different again."
Yep. But consider that some states are larger than some European countries.
Also, regarding the sugar content of food mentioned in many posts... Yeah, way too much sugar for this American in a lot of food products.
"The sheer size of the place is amazing. Each state is its own little country. I lived there for 7 years and visited some different places, and each time I crossed a state line it was like crossing a border in Europe — everything was different again."
Yep. But consider that some states are larger than some European countries.
Also, regarding the sugar content of food mentioned in many posts... Yeah, way too much sugar for this American in a lot of food products.
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Mira 3 year s ago
yanks are dumb in general and in particular...
6
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Elvira 3 year s ago
Mira,
Almost as dumb as your comment
Almost as dumb as your comment
1
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Nada 3 year s ago
#4 Lived in the south for 60+ years. I've never seen a sign on the interstate advertising "Porn & Booze" next exit. I call BS.
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Kiah 3 year s ago
Nada,
I live in Missouri, it's very much a real thing here. Odd how the overly christian areas have such blatant adds for something they consider a "sin".
I live in Missouri, it's very much a real thing here. Odd how the overly christian areas have such blatant adds for something they consider a "sin".
It's arse in every English speaking country .... except the USA.
Cheers to all you visiting foreign servicemen - but keep in mind that the free beer you might get now was not always how you would be greeted here. Things have changed for the better.
Yes your points are true, but hippies spitting on soldiers and current soldier-hero worship is shorthand for larger societal points that are equally as valid. Post-Vietnam, soldiers were devalued, dismissed, and denigrated in myriad ways in the U.S. for decades, and soldiers now are treated as symbols of the devotion and love of country that a non-serving public only wishes they could embody. The generalized respect currently shown to soldiers and first responders is, I think, a sign that the public knows deep down how much those people are actually worth when they are really needed. Finally, some respect.
Revisionist thinking is fun, isn't it, little Antifa drone?
Prove it.
Indeed. I saw plenty of "street people" begging in Amsterdam and Prague (I made a fool of myself trying to help a desperate old woman in Prague by waving down a policeman to get her help - turned out that was her job). Not the socialist utopia I thought it was. Apparently there are just as many desperate, under-served people on the streets of European cities as there are in the U.S.
In Europe, the fake beggars are Gypsies. We have them in the US too, but they have more.
"The sheer size of the place is amazing. Each state is its own little country. I lived there for 7 years and visited some different places, and each time I crossed a state line it was like crossing a border in Europe — everything was different again."
Yep. But consider that some states are larger than some European countries.
Also, regarding the sugar content of food mentioned in many posts... Yeah, way too much sugar for this American in a lot of food products.
Almost as dumb as your comment
I live in Missouri, it's very much a real thing here. Odd how the overly christian areas have such blatant adds for something they consider a "sin".