superconfessional

[DaBestSpoona]

USA USA USA!! fuck u foreigners!

love it or leave it!

wake up wake up, its the first of the month!!

Yeee haaaw!!!

Happy 4th ya'll!!

Even though u speak english better than me and my wife/first cousin, you still a foreigner cus you foreign looking and all the perfect business school level english u speaking sounds like ching chong ching chong to me.

[haploid]

w/e fuck u guys we have LIBERTY!!!

[julzkind]

I'm so torn sometimes between being a mother and pursuing my passion in life.

I fucking love my son, I live for that kid...and altho the retail aspect of my job sucks--my company is great and I LOVE what I do.

When I'm home I don't want to be anywhere else and when I go to work I kick ass...and soon I'm gna be full-time and anyone who works retail knows, it's hell on your personal life.

So that's where I've been at in my head...no time for much else in-between, but I'm cool w that.

[dino might]

i really need to find a good drug dealer

[po_boy_fuuma_hatesbargerz]

Going to NY next week for the first time in many years (first time in my adult life) and I might have more to say later on, but basically it boils down to me coming back to America from Asia for the first time in years and just noticing how depressed and inactive everybody seems to be - Americans still have it really good, way too good, but there's a lot of paranoia and commiseration - I don't know what to make of that but I suspect it's probably what everyone else would suspect it to be.

Basic observations I've made as some sort of reborn foreigner this past 10 days - America is dark and quiet, America has lots of grass that doesn't serve anyone while requiring too much petroleum to keep groomed, America is inconvenient without a car, you get tired of riding in said car all the time, cell phone reception is terrible here, the TSA is only one example of things gone terribly wrong, America is really cheap but everyone thinks it's expensive and things could/should be cheaper, Americans are really, really religious and can seem kind of crazy at times, Americans are pretty careless and don't work very hard - nor do they care if you see that, Americans don't like smoking, Americans don't like to drink that much unless it's between 9pm-1am, Americans are eating themselves to death and seem to be enjoying it, etc, etc. Same things you've already heard. It's just kind of shocking how transparent it is once you go away for awhile. Kind of depressing.

I definitely think there's truth in what you see, and it's cool, being a native-born American whose traveled a lot (volunteer/med/etc concept) internationally to kind of take a step back and have another perspective.

I was raised in Southern California and have had to drive a car for all my life. The only time I could forget about that was when I lived in San Diego and just rode my bike all year long. However, I still had a car when I wanted to drive up to LA/go surfing/go down to Baja for surfing. Driving a car is awesome (265 hp+ turbo), but I would definitely prefer more public transportation options, and having to ride a bike 1.5+ hr in each direction each day gets old really fast.

While a lot of people bitch about TSA, I usually just keep my head down and have had no problems flying 10-20x a year nationally and internationally.

As for Americans not working hard, my parents were foreign-born (nomad concept) and worked their asses off here, and my ass kind of learned (eventually) how to do the same. But I definitely have this perception that a lot of the longer native-born Americans don't work as hard. I think that's more my preconceptions more than anything else, as most of my peers are pursuing prestigious academic programs, and those that dropped out either got into heavy drugs or created start-ups and now are just rich and party around the world. That, or I just don't associate with people who don't work very hard. (an aside, fobby asian people study like lightyears beyond everybody else. However, there's a definite social trade-off there, as the ones who study the absolute hardest are usually the most socially inept, but there are outliers and ymmv)

As for mindless consumption, I think that's more the prerogative of the older generation. Sure, there's definitely a lot of people my age (mid-late 20s) that are giant assholes who drive SUVs and eat KFC 24/7, but I think a lot more kids realize that we're fucking up the world one gallon of gas at a time, and realize they need to do something about it. Social justice and overconsumption are constant topics in my social sphere, and a lot of us do what we say – working either in NGOs, or actively working with eco-friendly / social consciousness thinktanks in DC or elsewhere.

So in a nutshell, I think that overconsumption and mass propagation of shitty consumer media (jersey shore) is definitely the background of the current American society, but there are pockets of hope and possibility there, you just have to look for it. And I guess on that note, that's kind of how it is for most societies (Euro and otherwise), maybe the ratios of idiots:good guys is different, just that there's a great mass of morons, and a few bright superfuturians amongst them.

I'm just an optimist, though.

[southfive]

pfft the rest of the world will be on what we on as soon as they get their shit together. if the world was a club the USA is the bouncer, the bartender, the dj, the hot waitress, and the manager. you know like real countries fuck wit us and i dont give a fuck who dont

[tac0tron]

I'm proud to be an American...sometimes. I've traveled a lot as well and have seen how much of the world view Americans, and some have valid points, while others could be completely ignorant. Regardless it doesn't matter to me.

[dismalfuture]

This is getting kinda long for superconfessional but I agree with you a little bit XY. I just don't have much faith in America though, and having nothing to do with politics -, it's the people I deal with here, who are supposed to check out my purchases or make my sandwich, I dunno - back home in Asia people in general are willing to jump up and make sure their job is finished, without a doubt, whatever it may take. There's definitely this 'American cool individual' thing people need to impose when doing their job.

FWIW the TSA is really bad man, you can't tell me you like waiting in line for hours at some of the checkpoints? I was in St. Louis doing a tiny domestic flight in the middle of the day on a Thursday, and the line was over 100 people and it took an hour. They were wanding 80 year old people who were white as snow, full-body scanning people who had nothing but a pair of shorts and a tee on and yelling at them to stand in the right scanning position, it was a circus.

The security lines in Korea and Japan that I just went through a few times the past few months - they run like clockwork, a run through security takes just as long as it did 20 years ago. That and they have lots of cute young girls always doing security, who are always pleasant.

[haploid]

RINqibpWOzQ

[dismalfuture]

almost everything here doesnt apply to NYC cept cell phone reception and TSA. The other day I paid 26 dollars for a bowl of tsukemen and a oolong cha for lunch. Rent in my building ranges from 3700 to 4800, cept for a few rent controlled people who pay 300 a month. People I know go out a around 11pm to drink on weekdays because theres too many choads\bridge&tunnel\guidos on the weekends. Everyone I know works like 60-100 hours a week because we really like\want our bonuses. The only grass we have is our local parks and its infested with crustys and junkies.

This sounds like life as I know it, down to the dollar. I imagine NYC people working menial jobs are far more unpleasant than their counterparts in Asia, though. I still love going to random places in Japan and seeing cute girls in polyester work uniforms and hats/visors. Might need to explore this a bit with some cosplay girls.

[po_boy_fuuma_hatesbargerz]

This is getting kinda long for superconfessional but I agree with you a little bit XY. I just don't have much faith in America though, and having nothing to do with politics -, it's the people I deal with here, who are supposed to check out my purchases or make my sandwich, I dunno - back home in Asia people in general are willing to jump up and make sure their job is finished, without a doubt, whatever it may take. There's definitely this 'American cool individual' thing people need to impose when doing their job.

FWIW the TSA is really bad man, you can't tell me you like waiting in line for hours at some of the checkpoints? I was in St. Louis doing a tiny domestic flight in the middle of the day on a Thursday, and the line was over 100 people and it took an hour. They were wanding 80 year old people who were white as snow, full-body scanning people who had nothing but a pair of shorts and a tee on and yelling at them to stand in the right scanning position, it was a circus.

The security lines in Korea and Japan that I just went through a few times the past few months - they run like clockwork, a run through security takes just as long as it did 20 years ago. That and they have lots of cute young girls always doing security, who are always pleasant.

Regarding pride in work – I definitely think there's a lot of that lacking in USA proper, especially middle-lower class blue collar work. There's no way in hell a 7/11 or Subway sandwich maker is going to be happy or take pride in what he makes. Regarding that, I visited Portland a week or two ago, and have genuinely been surprised by the quality of literally everything I've eaten/dealt with/purchased. There's a lot of hype / hipster quality to Portland, but the people there seriously put a lot of pride into what they create, be it ice cream or quality furniture. There's definitely an emphasis on local-pride and quality, and I think it shows in all that they do.

As for Japanese security, you're definitely right. I haven't been to TKYO in the last few years (mostly euro / se asia travel), but when I was last there, I was amazed re: the movement of lines. I guess I've become a sheeple and gotten used to TSA bullshit. Anyways – thanks for the discussion, i really appreciate your views on most shit. And the rest of you idiots posting AMERIKKKA FUK YA, I have no words.

[pieiskewl]

I like how you just subtly threw a positive aspect in there. Very nuanced of you

shut the fuck up

smokers get too much shit in this country

fat people and car drivers really deserve more shit

@dis

overconsumption is definitely the trend in this country

people who live in cities (imo) are more jaded to viewing the positive aspects because it seems like less shitheads live in the cities in america, but in suburbia you can be sure of the overconsumption. all the fucking mcmansions, vast majority of my peers in highschool didn't and don't care about anything else other than consumption. getting a car, going shopping, buying stupid shit, etc. all on their parents' dollars. really disgusting, i felt and feel like i can't relate to these people. i really hate how a car is a necessity in america, it sucks. too much talk about consumptions, like fuck i don't care what you got for christmas. and congratulations that daddy bought you a rangerover enjoy it in your empty huge house. fuck. i honestly don't get it. dis is right, there is so much shit in america. so many hollow lives. i constantly think what are these people living for. and on the returning shit to costco or wherever i don't get that, i'd be way too embarrassed.

i've thought this for a bit: the problem in america is that people don't want to suffer, they can't handle the mildest discomfort or the smallest problem and that's really the root of all the shit. that and people are really way too entitled here. no humility at all, no shame, no guilt, no self respect

edit: too many religious crazies in this country who get too much respect as well. i hate that secularism is seen as a negative in this country as well as being "liberal" like the fuck

[dismalfuture]

I'd open every cell in the SAT cram school, send them back to Asia - imagine that.

[DaBestSpoona]

dismal sign up for Global Entry, its like VIP TSA lines its free with some cards like amex plat.

My japan TSA story

I was holding my wife's carry on, which had two large wrapped bottles of Yuzu wine, which she forgot to put into the luggage, of course she gets escorted to a different line. Cute agent asks me what the bottles are, in my best Japanese I tell her "Jibun no haha no omiyage desu"(Gifts for my mother). She busts out this smile like I totally made her day, thanks me and sends me on my way. In america I would probably had the bottles tossed and my cavity searched.

My American TSA Story

On a trip to Japan right after 9/11 there was this Arab family in front of me that looked suspicious, everyone looked way too normal, american flag stickers on their luggage, usa baseball caps on the kids, eddie bauer clothing, merrell shoes, harry potter books, father holding a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, like they looked more american than stereotypical americans. Alarm goes off on their xray scan of their check in suddenly two TSA agents grab me, and drag me into a room for questioning for a half hour, my wife not notified of what's happening to me. They let me go without an apology and what could have been a bomb in the overhead of the arab family who happened to sit 3 rows in front of me on my flight.

[dismalfuture]

also, I should qualify - I have no problem with consumption and the buying of stuff - it's fun, we all do it - but we are talking about the general populous buying low-quality crap with the emotional disconnect. That is really disturbing.

My dear old parents would agree with a lot of this stuff that is said, but they too are as guilty as most of filling their house with needless crap that doesn't serve any purpose nor have any intrinsic value.

Imagine how things would shift if Americans agreed to pay more taxes for the common good? We had the cash for clunkers thing, but that just drove the prices of used cars up.

Imagine if America adopted the kind of environmental policy that other countries use - taxing cars based on engine displacement (this alone would probably be like the environment quitting smoking after 100 years) - yes, you still have the freedom to drive a Cadillac Escalade, a Hummer, an 8.4L V10 truck - all you need to do is pay the environmental tax that goes with it. A 1.2L 3-cyl car can also get you to point B. In countries that do this, the bigger engined cars become something of a status symbol even, which Americans like as well.

[pieiskewl]

i mean overconsumption as well

i.e. girls in my highschool who told me about how they have closets so full of clothes they can't shut the door, and yet continue to go on $1000+ shopping sprees at the mall every month, all of this furnished by their parents. or having like 10 tvs in your house. or 6 car garages.

i feel uncomfortable asking my parents for things that i don't really need

and not to get into politics but taxes are what america needs, fucking raise them. i get the feeling that some americans don't realize that taxes are how the government gets an income to pay for things that they feel so necessary, like defense spending

[DüM]

WE ARE ALL HOLLOW.

EAT YOUR CHlLDREN.

[dino might]

are we really talking about this still?

[DüM]

dino, your American attention span can't handle this length of discourse?

PSHAAWWWW

[DaBestSpoona]

dino wants to go back to chomping on popyes in a park fulla crustys

[dino might]

amen. thats my kinda america.

say what up next time, dick.

[DaBestSpoona]

I will next time, I had to get home to drop off the dog asap. BTW I like the fried chicken at brooklyn bowl.

[dino might]

hush, before diddy finds us.

back on track now with more lazy american talk

[broneck]

[america]

jSJQEl5vcAo

[/america]

[boy better know]

im contemplating buying a dreamcast just to play shenmue

[Bona Drag]

^^

would rep 4 changing subject but must spread [ll]

i was about to jump into the whole america fuck no thing but let's just move on

[Nov Spur]

Yeah, so, Shenmue. Great game that.

[mr fluffernutter]

my interview seems to have gone well.

fings cross

[Desi]

today my bank account is the highest it has ever been.

[ilurkaround]

turn down some mildly unattractive chick at a bar then left immediately to eat a flavorless super burrito.