Stupid Americans

Not too much to blog about, but a few things that I did want to write about before I forget or they get lost in the mess of things I might have to say in a day or so. Corporate Finance class today, a 3hr lecture in which I got to early so I could plug my computer in and be able to keep up w/the class. There was ONE plug-in spot which, thankfully, I got. I turned my computer on once and it seemed fine, then I bumped the cord which turned it off and I could not get it to turn back on. I tried the other outlet in the spot and still nothing. During the break I walked down the hall and tried another outlet--nada. So great.. I haven't been here a month and my computer dies.. crap. After classes I met Dino so he could help me with some things and we brought my computer to IT, embarrassingly enough, it started right up after I was being so dramatic about it to the guy. Dino just rolled his eyes like "ooh this figures.." oh well I'm glad it works!

In my second class (International Management), we started talking about culture and its influence on our daily lives. One of the exercises we did was to discuss with someone from another background (country) to talk about how you view your country and what stereotypes your partner has about your country. I worked with a girl in my dorm from England who I know would never intentionally say anything to be mean or anything but it still sucked that Americans have the reputation of being "stupid, lazy, ignorant, conservative, and greedy". None of which surprised me in the least and like I said I know it was nothing personal but still it sucked. Its frustrating because thats what people say/think about us but yet I can't help but notice how many "American" things they seem to do or like. For example, in my other classes they always talk about the American model of accounting, of government, of management, you name it and it seems like the US comes up in some way. In Sports Econ, they sent people from the Euro football league to the super bowl to try and replicate that here in Europe. Just so many things that originate in the US and become mainstream in more than just our country and yet no one ever has nice/respectful things to say about Americans in general. I just want to say "well we can't be that stupid if you're doing things that originated in America." I would never want to have this mindset coming here that the US is right or the center or anything and wanted an open perspective but all I hear is negativity and I feel like I'm starting to get defensive in a way. About the "fat" stuff.. yes I agree, it is so unhealthy to be overweight and is a negative thing. BUT on the other hand, and in no way a defense for it, the lifestyles are completely different. We don't have special lanes designated just for bikers or ways of public transportation that can eliminate the need for vehicles completely. Or incentives from the government to be/stay healthy, or gyms on every corner. When it's snowing 15+ inches in small town Wisconsin how on earth are people expected to get as much daily exercise as if you are in the city and have to walk/bike an average of probably 3miles/day in decent weather? Americans are not the only ignorant ones.