Posted by Knud on May 31, 2000 at 21:54:19:
In Reply to: thoughts on the latest slugfest (Armand and Bob, read me!) posted by Jim on May 30, 2000 at 22:20:43:
I trust you on issues of what is and is not related to bikes in America.
But i agree with Alfred about dimensions. And i really would say, that you also is right, when you say that you have one culture though big variations in race, religion and so on. Europe is diveded in regions (some big some small) with big differences in culture (that's why EU is such a difficult project).
Americans are "young" people (also in their minds) - Europeans are "old" (and a bit tired). The Americans really never had a war in their own country (not counting the Civil War). The European have had several wars in their countries/regions (uncountable really). Americans are romantic/nostalgic - Europeans are... i don't know what (pragmatic/historic??).
We are all human beeings, who try to understand - and learn from eachother. Thanks to the Americans we have the Internet, choppers/crusiers and so on. We also have some things from America, that some of us doesn't like - but tolerate (McDonald ex.). Most of us are very grateful to the Americans for "saving" us, WWI/II. Not Vietnam - but i do understand you have to respect/honour the vets (i also do - but not the decisions).
When we Europeans open the TV we usually are confronted with american language (well, the Germans are not , they "synchronize"). We are so to speak confronted with the American culture every day. How about you Americans - are you interested in European culture (remember there are many)? Or do you think it's outdated (museum?
And BTW my daughter is studying information/media/design on her last year (MD) and need practice as part of it. She has a postive contact to Designworkusa (in the LA area). It's for 5-6 months. But she have to wait 2-6 month for visa. I think America is bureaucratic (or they don't like Europeans).