This question may seem at first a little overboard, but then a few things that are part and parcel of US culture may, in and of themselves, seem a little overboard to someone not from the US. And most American don't even give those things a second glance.
The most pervasive is aggressive and omnipresent advertising. Yes, they have this in most industrialized countries. In the US, it's overboard. It's everywhere. In fact, I bet if one tried to go into business and didn't have an aggressiveness promotional plan, one would find oneself out of business. Yes, it's that competitive. But I don't remember this all-pervasive presence when I lived in England and in Germany. And considering that most of that advertising is along the "it's along about you" theme, maybe other more collectivistic cultures do have concerns about the nature of the culture evolving into something completely unrecognizable.
Another factor is that when Americans go abroad, they tend to want to have their cake and eat it too. The ruined castles and magnificent scenery is wonderful, but when time to eat, sleep, and get ready for the next day comes, we want the familiar comforts of home (not of being at home, but of our home country.) I must admit to a weakness on this issue. When still in Germany and I was travelling around, it didn't much matter where I was, when it came time to eat, I went looking for the Golden Arches. And I'm afraid that we just might not realize how vocal we get when we don't find them readily available.
So, does the US give off the impression that we want the rest of the world to be like us? And do we do that in a "We're superior to you" way?
I think a case could be made on both counts.
Doug H.
The most pervasive is aggressive and omnipresent advertising. Yes, they have this in most industrialized countries. In the US, it's overboard. It's everywhere. In fact, I bet if one tried to go into business and didn't have an aggressiveness promotional plan, one would find oneself out of business. Yes, it's that competitive. But I don't remember this all-pervasive presence when I lived in England and in Germany. And considering that most of that advertising is along the "it's along about you" theme, maybe other more collectivistic cultures do have concerns about the nature of the culture evolving into something completely unrecognizable.
Another factor is that when Americans go abroad, they tend to want to have their cake and eat it too. The ruined castles and magnificent scenery is wonderful, but when time to eat, sleep, and get ready for the next day comes, we want the familiar comforts of home (not of being at home, but of our home country.) I must admit to a weakness on this issue. When still in Germany and I was travelling around, it didn't much matter where I was, when it came time to eat, I went looking for the Golden Arches. And I'm afraid that we just might not realize how vocal we get when we don't find them readily available.
So, does the US give off the impression that we want the rest of the world to be like us? And do we do that in a "We're superior to you" way?
I think a case could be made on both counts.
Doug H.
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