Comments on: Unpleasant Realities of American Life

By: Zhu

Zhu — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:48:09 +0000

Don't worry, I'm well aware that Canada and the U.S have different cultures. But sometimes, to my French mind, it's "America", as in "North America". I guess I should precise. I love living in the new world but there are stuff I don't like, same as with every places. But you are right, when you look closely the drawbacks of the two countries are very different. I assume I was in full "old world" mood when I wrote the article!

By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:26:07 +0000

Late comment. I’m a little confused that you said you live in America and not so great things about American life since you live in Canada.
I know the US and Canada are similar, but we are still very different and some of the drawbacks of each are distinctive.

Also the political parties in Canada are much more than in the US-There’s Cons, Liberals, NDP, Green Party, Bloc Party, Marijuana Party and Communist Party. It’s just Canadians tend to vote more for the major three-Cons, Libs and NDP. And here in Ottawa, people talk about two things: Politics and Hockey.

Anyways, my main beefs with living here are the lack of doctors and medical specialists, the deplorable state of the education system and the weather. (I’m still not used to the winter and I’ve been here my entire life! )

By: Zhu

Zhu — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:11:34 +0000

I agree that apathy is a worldwide issue. That said, in France where I’m from, there are no compulsory registration or voting system and participation is still much much higher than in North America.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:16:05 +0000

The voter registration is a false comparison. Most European countries have compulsory registration, even if not compulsory voting, and some countries have the latter. The US and Canada do not — it’s a right, not an obligation. Give people the option in Europe and you probably wouldn’t see statistics all that different. Apathy is international.

By: Mardé

Mardé — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:51:49 +0000

Good descriptions of the way things are in the U.S.ofA. At times you seemed to be lumping Canada in with the U.S., other times not. I'm also fed up with the emphasis on religion and belief in God here in America, and I've lived here all my life. Those are telling statistics you gave about belief in God here in America (73%) versus Canada (16%). I'd seriously consider moving to Nova Scotia if they'd take me but I'm too old and would never get Canadian citizenship. All in all very good comments you made. .-= Mardé´s last blog ..Updike’s Rabbit =-.

By: Max Coutinho

Max Coutinho — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:33:27 +0000

Hello again,

Political apathy: Europeans are always talking about politics, even if/when they do not understand a thing about it. But we are all registered to vote, even if we don’t.

Religion is everywhere: that is shocking. Politics and religion should not walk hand in hand, and I have noticed that in North America they do. It is unthinkable, in Europe, to have a political candidate having to defend its Christianity to the electorate…we simply do not care (as long as you serve the people properly). We do not care if the candidate is married or not either (again, as long as it does its job successfully). And soon we will follow Iceland’s example and we will not care whether a candidate is gay or not, as long it is a good politician and does good to the nation.
I would prefer if people would yield to spirituality instead of religion…but oh well, the world is not perfect.

Driving is a way of life: I know. If I lived there I would have to take a driver’s licence (thank God I don’t LOL).

Buy or die: I like that in North Americans.

Whose debt?: awful! Thank God Europeans are more cautious.

The power of marketing: detestable!

Eat, eat, eat: Urrrghhhh.…

Have fun!: I agree with you “Consistency, people…”

Media Hysteria: again, I agree with you “Less pictures, more talk, people!”.…the media fatigues me! I am a fan of MJ but have O.Ded on him recently *nodding*.

Great post, girl!

Cheers
.-= Max Coutinho´s last blog ..A comment on two issues… =-.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:36:25 +0000

Two things– the death of personal responsibility, where everybody is suing someone else because they couldn’t figure out that coffee is HOT, and the absolutely appalling educational system. Most kids (and adults) in the US couldn’t, for example, point to spain on a map.

By: Zhu

Zhu — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:54:27 +0000

@DianeCA — It’s funny how you really need to get out of a place to see its good and bad sides!

@Seb — No worries! The lack of transportation drives me crazy too, especially given that I hate driving everywhere. I miss the subway/ tramway.

@Muse — Sorry about that! You shouldn’t get me started on oversized vehicles anyway

@the fly in the web — Yes, it’s ironic that you NEED to have a credit card and that everybody, from the gov’ to companies, encourage you to spend so much.

@Final_Transit — Yes, even I feel the individualism, but it’s hard to pinpoint… I imagine the feeling is more extreme when you come from India or Asia.

By: Final_Transit

Final_Transit — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:40:49 +0000

Nice, I feel quite the same. Driving and debt are things that bother me the most, esp since my bike got stolen yesterday and I have to pay tons of debt to university (don’t know how).…!!

Coming from India, I also felt a strong reaction to the individualism here — not always an unpleasant thing, but it often seems selfish, you know.

By: the fly in the web

the fly in the web — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:19:48 +0000

The debt thing goes for the U.K. and, to a lesser extent, for France.
The man in my life has not had a loan for over forty years and does not have a credit card.….his choice.
He wanted to open a new bank account and found that he had an ‘unacceptable’ credit history!
We are hoping to visit friends who have moved to Missouri and they are already sending us warnings…