# I give up . . . We Americans ARE idiots **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 1, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265 "2001-06-01T22:48:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2001, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/21 "2001-06-02T18:39:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*Hm. I would think that knowing that your large, powerful neighbor to the south tends to ignore you would be bad for the national ego, not something to exploit for laughs. Guess that’s just me. \*\* Well, everyone knows that too much heat kills the genes for self-deprecating humour. Seriously, though, try living in a country where you have winter 9 months of the year, and for most of those 9 months, a power outage or going outside for a walk can kill you. What are you going to do about it? Nothing you can do but laugh (or drink insane amounts of vodka, like _another_ cold country we know of). Oh yeah, I got an email with a listing of “Things overheard in national parks said by Tourists” - can I post that here, or would that violate copyrights? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2001, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/22 "2001-06-02T18:42:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by featherlou \* > \*\*Oh yeah, I got an email with a listing of “Things overheard in national parks said by Tourists” - can I post that here, or would that violate copyrights? \*\* Email it to me! Please! Think of where I live! Ginger ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2001, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/23 "2001-06-02T19:05:59Z")
Done and done. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/24 "2001-06-02T19:08:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GingerOfTheNorth \* > Listen up, America! (Dopers Excluded) We’re JUST LIKE YOU. Except maybe more polite. Not from what I’ve seen on CSPAN’s “Prime Minister’s Question Time.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/25 "2001-06-03T03:20:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Hm. I would think that knowing that your large, powerful neighbor to the south tends to ignore you would be bad for the national ego, not something to exploit for laughs. Guess that’s just me. That’s fine, dear. We know the US ignores _everyone._ I think Rick Mercer is hysterically funny. Moving along, as someone once said: Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, whereas Canadians are malevolently well-informed about the United States. Seriously, though, I think it’s probably time we stopped obsessing about the US so much. You always hear things like “We don’t want our health care system to be like the American one!” Why don’t we ever hear things like, “We DO want our health care system to be like the Swedish one”? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/26 "2001-06-03T05:05:11Z")
**matt\_mcl** , that’s the same thing going on - we, for the most part, don’t know anything about the Swedish one. Some Americans think we’re all communists or socialists because of our health care system. I think this is why Keifer Sutherland’s career never really came into its full flower. :rolleyes: I need a smack. ---
**Author:** ![Wastrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Wastrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wastrel)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/27 "2001-06-03T05:16:23Z")
Canada…why does that name sound SO familiar? See I’ve lost faith in Texans, at least. I was at the Dodgers vs. Astros game on Friday, and it started to rain, and the roof was open. I remarked to a friend why it was taking them so long, and, she being from California, said “Because they’re Texans.” Lo and behold, a guy behind us, diehard Texan, shouted “Well, we had our own country!” :rolleyes: God help us all, I’m moving to Canada. Wherein do I buy me an igloo, **Ginger**? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/28 "2001-06-03T05:23:18Z")
I realized it when I flipped through a copy of TV guide. It’s sad… ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/29 "2001-06-03T05:41:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wastrel \* > \*\*Canada…why does that name sound SO familiar? > > See I’ve lost faith in Texans, at least. I was at the Dodgers vs. Astros game on Friday, and it started to rain, and the roof was open. I remarked to a friend why it was taking them so long, and, she being from California, said “Because they’re Texans.” Lo and behold, a guy behind us, diehard Texan, shouted “Well, we had our own country!” > \*\* “well, I think it’s pretty obvious why you don’t have your own country any more.” or “You think that once being a country make you so great. Even Utah was a country once.” ---
**Author:** ![Wastrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Wastrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wastrel)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/30 "2001-06-03T05:46:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ITR champion \* > “well, I think it’s pretty obvious why you don’t have your own country any more.” > > or > > “You think that once being a country make you so great. Even Utah was a country once.” \*\* [hijack] _buzzes in_ Things I should of said to that guy? “Yes you are correct! You win the Idiot of the Day Prize!” I really didn’t want my ass to be kicked though. But thanks ITR. I’ll keep those in mind. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/31 "2001-06-03T05:46:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wastrel \* > \*\*God help us all, I’m moving to Canada. Wherein do I buy me an igloo, Ginger? \*\* Oh hey, I’ve got an extra one in the back room. Check under the Umingmak and muktuk. Watch out for Nanuq! He’s a little owly today. No seals were up at the surface so he had to make do with tuktu. Tuquituq kuyaq nanuk, tuqutuq qaalunaaq! ---
**Author:** ![Wastrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Wastrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wastrel)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/32 "2001-06-03T05:51:59Z")
Great, thanks Ginger! Now where can I buy me some flannel, one of those cool hats, and a “Free Quebec from the Clutches of Canada” sign? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/33 "2001-06-03T05:54:03Z")
I told ya, in the back! Oh waitaminnit, I have a free touque from a case a’ beer around here somewhere. And I have lotsa flannel - there are flannel trees in my back yard. What tartan do you like best? And sorry, babes, but “My Canada Includes Quebec.” Ginger ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/34 "2001-06-03T06:16:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Great, thanks Ginger! Now where can I buy me some flannel, one of those cool hats, and a “Free Quebec from the Clutches of Canada” umm, **Wastrel** , I doubt that the separatistes would have their manifesto in English… as for the rest, Mark’s Work Warehouse will have flannel and touques. ---
**Author:** ![Wastrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Wastrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wastrel)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/35 "2001-06-03T06:24:36Z")
Yeah I realized that **Northern** , but I’m American, so it’s excused. I didn’t even realize Canada existed until today, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/36 "2001-06-03T13:47:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wastrel \* > See I’ve lost faith in Texans, at least. I was at the Dodgers vs. Astros game on Friday, and it started to rain, and the roof was open. I remarked to a friend why it was taking them so long, and, she being from California, said “Because they’re Texans.” Lo and behold, a guy behind us, diehard Texan, shouted “Well, we had our own country!” > > :rolleyes: :rolleyes:[sup]2[/sup] Yet another Texan who doesn’t know that California was also its own country? Shocking! ---
**Author:** ![alibey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alibey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alibey)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/37 "2001-06-03T15:38:26Z")
anyone notice that they tended to stayaway from people in the military? apparantly we (well some of us) seem to be more aware of the rest of the world then the rest of the Americans (civilians). I always try to watch his bit on "this hour has 22 minutes on CBC (CKWS out of Kingston) it is always funny. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/38 "2001-06-03T17:38:51Z")
p.s. Since I live in Marina, California, Whenever someone tells me he’s from Texas, I always say, “Oh, you’re from back Easth, huh?” To tell you the truth, I might end up getting arrested for that. More than a few of them thar Easterners from Texas damn near went into coronary arrest upon hearing that. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/39 "2001-06-03T17:39:54Z")
Drat. Missed it in preview. Oh, you’re from back East, huh?" ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265/40 "2001-06-03T18:02:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alibey \* > \*\*anyone notice that they tended to stayaway from people in the military? apparantly we (well some of us) seem to be more aware of the rest of the world then the rest of the Americans (civilians). I always try to watch his bit on "this hour has 22 minutes on CBC (CKWS out of Kingston) it is always funny. \*\* I have to tell you, **alibey** , my ex is Army and actually lives in Kingston (as I used to), but is probably MORE clueless about the rest of the world than anyone on that show was. Send a man across the country, send a man overseas, and he still won’t learn more than he has to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-give-up-we-americans-are-idiots/67265.md?page=3)