Good Question, Vietnam
From Harper's: http://www.harpers.org/GoodQuestionVietnam.html
Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. From questions submitted by Vietnamese people to the U.S.-Indochina Educational Foundation for its “FAQ About America” project. Originally from Harper's Magazine, January 2005.
I took it upon myself to answer these. For fun.
When did your culture form?
Around the 18th century enlightenment. It's all about me, me, me.
What does a typical American look like? Do actors and actresses in Hollywood movies possess characteristics of a typical American?
There is no such thing as typical American, though the cast of Happy Days would be a close proximity. I don't know what actors and actresses are like. They play fictional characters. So, yes. Like the typical American, they are good at faking it.
What is Hollywood?
Hollywood is a neighborhood located in Los Angeles in California. It's not a particularly nice neighborhood, though it is home to some of the major film and television studios. I used to go dancing there quite frequently, and enjoyed shopping on Melrose Ave.
There are many sexy scenes in American movies. Does that reflect the daily lives of Americans?
No. Most Americans sit on their asses and watch these movies as opposed to doing anything sexy.
How many people in the U.S.A. like to drink Coke?
Many. It's good mixed with rum or whiskey.
Why are American presidents so bellicose?
I just want to say... I am a college graduate and I had to look up bellicose. Maybe that's why they are so bellicose, cause people like you throw big words at us and make us go to dictionary.com. Assholes.
Does the U.S. really wish for peace and happiness for other countries, as they always announce in public?
We wish for peace and happiness so much that we are willing to kill half the world for it. Yeah, that's a lot of wish!
What do Americans think about Communists?
Hates them, though could not tell you why.
People say that Americans look down on people of color and people from Third World countries. Is that true?
Yes, it's much easier to take advantage of people when you think you are better than them. White Man's Burden ftw.
Are Americans extravagant?
They all long to be.
Americans are very combative, aren’t they?
Not by themselves. In fact, most Americans are very nice, friendly people. But get them in a group and they can be trouble.
Why do many Americans like to be single nowadays?
How else are they supposed to lick it, hit it and split it?
Americans seem to be superficial and not sincere. What do you think about this?
Your mom seems superficial and not sincere. So ha!
Do you think using an excessive amount of slang will gradually destroy the beauty of the English language?
Fuck off.
What will happen if the American president doesn’t carry out the promises that he made in the campaign?
I think the more important question is what will happen if they do?
What percentage of the U.S. population wants to be a good friend of Vietnam in all fields?
I am not sure how one can be friends with a country. But I can guess not a large percent... we are still a little peeved about that war that we couldn't win. But I would love to be friends with Vietnam, bet it throws some great birthday parties.
How can the post-traumatic stress disorder be solved? What are the U.S. responsibilities in solving it?
I don't know that PSTD can be cured. And the U.S. rarely takes responsibilities for its actions, why would this be any different?
Why does America appear to be the major factor of almost every war?
America has taken upon itself the duty of the "world police" when it suits their needs. Which is most of the time.
Which aspects of life are American people most interested in?
Americans, when it comes down to it, just want what any human being truly wants: to live a happy, peaceful life and see their childran grow up safe and content. Though other things get in the way, like ideals, materialism and the consequences of both. When it really comes down to it, they are just like everyone else.
I have learned America is a free country; what is the real freedom in this country?
I don't know what freedom truly means, I don't know whether it is worth killing for, I don't even know if it is worth dying for.
Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. From questions submitted by Vietnamese people to the U.S.-Indochina Educational Foundation for its “FAQ About America” project. Originally from Harper's Magazine, January 2005.
I took it upon myself to answer these. For fun.
When did your culture form?
Around the 18th century enlightenment. It's all about me, me, me.
What does a typical American look like? Do actors and actresses in Hollywood movies possess characteristics of a typical American?
There is no such thing as typical American, though the cast of Happy Days would be a close proximity. I don't know what actors and actresses are like. They play fictional characters. So, yes. Like the typical American, they are good at faking it.
What is Hollywood?
Hollywood is a neighborhood located in Los Angeles in California. It's not a particularly nice neighborhood, though it is home to some of the major film and television studios. I used to go dancing there quite frequently, and enjoyed shopping on Melrose Ave.
There are many sexy scenes in American movies. Does that reflect the daily lives of Americans?
No. Most Americans sit on their asses and watch these movies as opposed to doing anything sexy.
How many people in the U.S.A. like to drink Coke?
Many. It's good mixed with rum or whiskey.
Why are American presidents so bellicose?
I just want to say... I am a college graduate and I had to look up bellicose. Maybe that's why they are so bellicose, cause people like you throw big words at us and make us go to dictionary.com. Assholes.
Does the U.S. really wish for peace and happiness for other countries, as they always announce in public?
We wish for peace and happiness so much that we are willing to kill half the world for it. Yeah, that's a lot of wish!
What do Americans think about Communists?
Hates them, though could not tell you why.
People say that Americans look down on people of color and people from Third World countries. Is that true?
Yes, it's much easier to take advantage of people when you think you are better than them. White Man's Burden ftw.
Are Americans extravagant?
They all long to be.
Americans are very combative, aren’t they?
Not by themselves. In fact, most Americans are very nice, friendly people. But get them in a group and they can be trouble.
Why do many Americans like to be single nowadays?
How else are they supposed to lick it, hit it and split it?
Americans seem to be superficial and not sincere. What do you think about this?
Your mom seems superficial and not sincere. So ha!
Do you think using an excessive amount of slang will gradually destroy the beauty of the English language?
Fuck off.
What will happen if the American president doesn’t carry out the promises that he made in the campaign?
I think the more important question is what will happen if they do?
What percentage of the U.S. population wants to be a good friend of Vietnam in all fields?
I am not sure how one can be friends with a country. But I can guess not a large percent... we are still a little peeved about that war that we couldn't win. But I would love to be friends with Vietnam, bet it throws some great birthday parties.
How can the post-traumatic stress disorder be solved? What are the U.S. responsibilities in solving it?
I don't know that PSTD can be cured. And the U.S. rarely takes responsibilities for its actions, why would this be any different?
Why does America appear to be the major factor of almost every war?
America has taken upon itself the duty of the "world police" when it suits their needs. Which is most of the time.
Which aspects of life are American people most interested in?
Americans, when it comes down to it, just want what any human being truly wants: to live a happy, peaceful life and see their childran grow up safe and content. Though other things get in the way, like ideals, materialism and the consequences of both. When it really comes down to it, they are just like everyone else.
I have learned America is a free country; what is the real freedom in this country?
I don't know what freedom truly means, I don't know whether it is worth killing for, I don't even know if it is worth dying for.