Global Geographic Literacy Survey

[CFLarsen]

You still haven’t answered the question.

I have addressed the issue.

I never said it was everywhere.

Why quote something if it doesn't support what you want to argue?

That was just one example of how Americans see things in Europe.

Hey, I can find examples of how Americans have been abducted by aliens.

And you don’t think that Americans visiting a foreign country, seeing anti-Bush graffiti, might not be comfortable with that?

They might not be comfortable. What they should realize is that those who have made the grafitti don't - necessarily - argue against Americans.

If they had something against Americans, don't you think they would have said it? We saw that during the Vietnam War. Why not today? Because people protest against Bush, and not Americans?

I quoted what was pertinent to my point, which is that there is anti-American and anti-Bush sentiment is Europe. The two are often lumped together. Are you saying that Bush has nothing to do with the US? News to me.

You quoted the tiny part that you thought supported your contention, but left out those many other parts that showed you were wrong. That's just plain dishonest.

It doesn’t matter if it’s valid or not, like I said earlier. The fact is, there is anti-American and anti-Bush sentiment. Whatever the reason for it, it’s going to make Americans feel unwelcome.

Of course it matters if it is valid. If it is valid, then Americans shouldn't feel unwelcome. People protest against Bush, not Americans.

Strawman. I never said Danes hate Americans.

Can you make up your mind here? What is it you say about Danes and Europeans and their relationship with Bush (not America and Americans - I'm not buying that).

It would take me 8 hours just to fly to the other end of the country (just the flight time, not including the 3 hour layover in Toronto, or the check in time, or that the airport is an hour away).

So? We are not talking about flying across the country, but flying to another country. It takes me 8 hours to fly to NY, but I have done it so many times I have lost count. I've flown from NY to Hong Kong - that takes 16 hours. So? I wanted to go, so I went.

Sure, it takes time, but what is the most important? A 16 hour flight or seeing Hong Kong for a week?

Not to mention, we don’t have all the budget airlines that Europeans do. You could fly to Berlin today, for under $100 US, according to EasyJet. For me to fly to the States, which is the country next door, would cost me close to $450, on the budget airline, including taxes.

It still costs a pretty penny to fly to the US - easily $600-700.

I also have to check in at least 2 hours early if I’m leaving the country.

So would I.

Not to mention, trains aren’t the practical option that they are in Europe, as we don’t have the population density to justify using them as a primary form of transportation (there are some regions, particularly in the east, however, that do have trains which are used regularly.)

As stated earlier, from downtown London, I could be in downtown Paris in three hours.

That's unfair: You pick one of the fastest connections in the world. Hardly descriptive of train travelling in Europe.

I’m Canadian. Hence why I said ‘province’ not ‘state’ when referring to myself, and my experiences. Maybe you should try reading my posts.

Maybe you should make it clear where you come from, instead of dropping hints.

My contention was that there was anti-American sentiment. How did you disprove that?

Your article was predominantly about the exact opposite of what you quoted. You just left those parts out.

May I - once again - refer you to your own claims?

Americans are treated completely differently than Canadians in my experience. I can recall instances where they were charged more for their rooms, or meals, or had their passports taken by border guards, and had to pay to get them back - where the same border guard didn't even open mine before tossing it back to me. I have photos (not digital, unfortunately), of anti-American graffiti all over various cities, from 2000.

So:

Provide evidence that Americans are treated completely differently than Canadians and that Americans were charged more for their rooms, or means or had their passports taken by border guards and had to pay to get them back (leaving your own passport unchecked).

What kind of "anti-American" grafitti? Was it of the "Bush is bad" or "America is bad" type? Evidence, yes.

You’re splitting hairs. Is Bush not American? Was he not voted in by Americans? Is he not the leader of the United States? Most people who aren’t Americans don’t bother to make the distinction. The leader of a country is often seen as a symbol of that country.

I'm not splitting hairs - I am pointing out that there is a hell of a difference between protesting against Bush and his policies and protesting Americans in general.

France and Europe aren’t the same thing. France is only part of Europe. How many anti-European protests do you see in the States, compared to the anti-Bush and anti-American protests you see in Europe?

I don't know. But let's take the protests in Europe: Have they been against Bush or against Americans?

Anti-French isn’t Anti-Europe. As an example, my father cancelled a trip to France because of the gov’ts position, and won’t go there until it changes. He’ll still go to other European countries though. Why? Because they don’t necessarily have anything to do with each other.

Unverifiable anecdote.

Did you not just do that, in the above quote?

Nope.

Then he launched into a dissertation about why we Americans were so stupid to be impeaching Clinton. I disputed him mildly for a minute or so, then gave it up, preferring to concentrate on the misery emanating from my sinuses and ears than from the seat next to me.

Not to derail, but...why on Earth would you defend the impeachment of Clinton?

On the plus side, I met the future Mrs. BPSCG on that trip.

Joined the Mile High Club, perhaps?

We didn't all vote for him.

Believe me, we know that in Europe. That's why we are not protesting against Americans, but against Bush.

Impasse then, because I am going to base the decision to spend that kind of money on SOMETHING, and if anectdotes are all that are available to me, then anectdotes are all I've got to base that kind of decision on.

So.......[Devil's Advocate ON] You would pay money to Sylvia Browne, if all you had to go on was anecdotes? [Devil's Advocate OFF]

Americans ARE ranted at for Bush, whether they voted for him or not. Bush IS lumped in with Americans in general.

Not in Europe. Of course, if you have evidence otherwise, let's see it.

the major cause for large drop in tourism into USA between 2000 and 2002: terrorist attacks on 9/11.

There's nothing amiss.

I don't think there is any doubt that 9-11 meant a drop, but the strange thing about it is that Outbound Americans only saw a drop of 3% in 2001, a drop of 2% in 2002, and a drop of 3% in 2003. Manny's link shows a far higher drop in Inbound Visitors.

Why would foreigners be more scared of flying to (well, "in") the US than Americans themselves? After all, it was in the US the attacks happened.

There's more to it that 9-11. One aspect would be the dollar: It was very expensive around that time (the highest since the mid-80's), which is a very good "brake" on the number of people visiting the US.

Hm.

 

[Belz...]

He kinda glared at me for reasons I still can't fathom.

"You know it's a different country, don't you?" he growled at me.

"Uh, yeah..." I didn't care to engage him in a dispute of any kind. I just wanted whoever was drilling my eardrums with the Black & Decker to stop.

Then he launched into a dissertation about why we Americans were so stupid to be impeaching Clinton. I disputed him mildly for a minute or so, then gave it up, preferring to concentrate on the misery emanating from my sinuses and ears than from the seat next to me.

Okay. In THEORY, we like everyone. My bad.

 

[BPSCG]

Not to derail, but...why on Earth would you defend the impeachment of Clinton?

Um, because I believed he deserved to be impeached? Let's not go back there, okay?

Joined the Mile High Club, perhaps?

Why would you want to know something like that?

 

[Snide]

Ok, took the quiz. How could anyone get under 20? Maybe 19, given the "most popular religion" question.

Well, they could have rushed through it like I did, and stupidly picked Brazil instead of Argentina

But yeah, it's said that it's so easy and yet so hard for many. Although I could see some mistaking, say, Norway for Sweden if it hadn't been multiple choice.

 

[CFLarsen]

Um, because I believed he deserved to be impeached? Let's not go back there, okay?

...

Why would you want to know something like that?

Maybe for the exact same reason you wanted to see Clinton impeached? An impertinent curiosity about another man's sex life?

 

[Nyarlathotep]

So.......[Devil's Advocate ON] You would pay money to Sylvia Browne, if all you had to go on was anecdotes? [Devil's Advocate OFF]

I see your point but its a bad example, because I am tight fisted with a dollar and I admit it. If all I had to go on was anecdotes and I had to make a decision as to whether to give her money or not, I would pick the more cautious of the two choices, which would be to NOT give her money.

 

[Jas]

I have addressed the issue.

Where?

Why quote something if it doesn't support what you want to argue?

Because it does support that it’s there. Like I said, I never said it was everywhere.

Hey, I can find examples of how Americans have been abducted by aliens.

Who cares?

They might not be comfortable. What they should realize is that those who have made the grafitti don't - necessarily - argue against Americans.

If they had something against Americans, don't you think they would have said it? We saw that during the Vietnam War. Why not today? Because people protest against Bush, and not Americans?

So people should spend their money in a country where the citizens regularly hold protests against the leader of said country? Are you not aware that the leader of a country is often held as a symbol for that country? Were people not burning images of the Danish leader in the Middle East in this past month? Obviously, by doing so, they were indicating that they weren’t at all unhappy with the Danish people, but solely with the leader of the country.

You quoted the tiny part that you thought supported your contention, but left out those many other parts that showed you were wrong. That's just plain dishonest.

How much should I quote then? Is there a specific number of words? That link in no way showed that there was zero anti-American or anti-Bush sentiment. I provided the link, and you showed all of us that you’re capable of clicking on it. Congratulations.

Of course it matters if it is valid. If it is valid, then Americans shouldn't feel unwelcome. People protest against Bush, not Americans.

That makes no sense at all. ‘If it is valid, they shouldn’t feel unwelcome’? Does the validity of conviction somehow erase it?

Can you make up your mind here? What is it you say about Danes and Europeans and their relationship with Bush (not America and Americans - I'm not buying that)

Don’t change the issue. Again, where have I said that Danes hate Americans? You’ve asserted that I said that, now show me where I did.

So? We are not talking about flying across the country, but flying to another country. It takes me 8 hours to fly to NY, but I have done it so many times I have lost count. I've flown from NY to Hong Kong - that takes 16 hours. So? I wanted to go, so I went.

Sure, it takes time, but what is the most important? A 16 hour flight or seeing Hong Kong for a week?

The point was, and I quote:

And it obviously takes a bit more effort for me to leave the country.

I’m not talking about you going to the States, simply leaving the country. Also, please tell me where I said that the time and money involved wasn’t worth it. I never made any assertion as to the value of travel.

It still costs a pretty penny to fly to the US - easily $600-700.

Again, see my quote above. I said leave the country, and posted examples of the country which was the easiest to access from my own. I didn’t say anything about the cost of someone to fly from Europe to the US in that example. Please show me the line you’re referring to.

That's unfair: You pick one of the fastest connections in the world. Hardly descriptive of train travelling in Europe

I’ve traveled extensively in Europe by train, and while that is one of the faster connections, the point is, train travel is an option in Europe. It’s not usually an option here.

Maybe you should make it clear where you come from, instead of dropping hints.

Then maybe you shouldn’t make assumptions.

We've had several incidents here where cars with American license plates are vandalized (usually with antiAmerican, antiBush sentiments.)

Where I am, I can drive 20 hours north, and still be hours away from leaving my province.

can recall instances where they were charged more for their rooms, or meals, or had their passports taken by border guards, and had to pay to get them back - where the same border guard didn't even open mine before tossing it back to me.

Yes, clearly I’m from the States, King of Skeptics and Geographers.

Provide evidence that Americans are treated completely differently than Canadians and that Americans were charged more for their rooms, or means or had their passports taken by border guards and had to pay to get them back (leaving your own passport unchecked).

What kind of "anti-American" grafitti? Was it of the "Bush is bad" or "America is bad" type? Evidence, yes.

From what you quoted of mine:

Americans are treated completely differently than Canadians in my experience. I can recall instances where they were charged more for their rooms, or meals, or had their passports taken by border guards, and had to pay to get them back - where the same border guard didn't even open mine before tossing it back to me. I have photos (not digital, unfortunately), of anti-American graffiti all over various cities, from 2000.

*bolding added
Did I, anywhere in that quote, claim that this was anything other than anecdotal? Please show me where.

As far as the anti-American graffiti, in 2000 (the date referenced above), it consisted mainly of ‘Americans go home’, etc.

I'm not splitting hairs - I am pointing out that there is a hell of a difference between protesting against Bush and his policies and protesting Americans in general.

Maybe Americans don’t see it that way. As I said, the leader of a country is often used as a symbol of the country. If someone is burning an American flag, are they protesting the use of stars at the same time as stripes?

I don't know. But let's take the protests in Europe: Have they been against Bush or against Americans?

So you can’t answer my question then?

But this isn’t an anti-Bush protest:
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9911/19/greece.clinton.02/
Neither is this one, unless Bush owns Coca-Cola, or McDonald’s?
http://www.london-daily.co.uk/news/ld-euro.htm
Where is ‘Bush’ written on this sign (from Germany)?

http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog/spiegel/

Unverifiable anecdote.

Did I say it was anything but? Please show me where I said that relating my family experiences weren’t anecdotal.

Nope.

Uh, okay.

 

[BPSCG]

Maybe for the exact same reason you wanted to see Clinton impeached? An impertinent curiosity about another man's sex life?

On the first, you're incorrect; that was not why I believed (and still believe) he deserved to be impeached.

On the second, you are correct; it's impertinent.

 

[ysabella]

...I finally won by correctly answering a string of geography questions. The Europeans were stunned. One of them said, "I never met an American who knew geography before!" I could tell by the shell-shocked looks on their faces that they only let me play the game with them because they expected to have a good laugh at my ignorance, and that it had never occured to them that there could exist actual Americans who knew things.

They treated me like some kind of anomalous freak for the rest of the trip, and kept asking me questions like, "Were you really born in Los Angeles?" and "But at least one of your parents, she must have come from Europe, no?"

Word. So many Europeans "know" that Americans are total numbskulls. I got the same incredulous reactions. "You know that Brussels is the capital of Belgium?" And the talking-monkey thing: "Come over here and tell Dirk what you said about Flanders and Wallonia! Americans don't know that!"
I think the perception comes from American movies, personally, although it is reinforced by some Ugly Americans. But I think it's useful to note that American movies and TV shows are highly available in Europe and while I can't prove it, I think it's fair to say that more Europeans have seen an American TV show or movie than have actually been to the States. If Bollywood movies were as popular as American ones, and people made cultural assumptions from them, we'd all think that Indians have a deeply romance-flavored lifestyle and burst into song and dance at a moment's notice.
Maybe I'm not "average," since I lived in Europe from 1999-2002, and obviously not everyone is going to do something like that. But seriously, I'm just an American out of the public school system, including a state college.

By the way, 20/20 on that quiz.

Me, too.

I would like to mention that Europeans treated me extremely well, everywhere I traveled (mostly Western Europe, but one trip to Croatia). During the 2000 election ruckus, a lot of strangers asked me about it when they overheard my accent, but it was all quite friendly.
I would like to add, I was living in the Netherlands on 9/11. I was very touched to see how many households hung out their flags as a gesture, the line of people signing the condolence book, and the flowers that piled up outside the embassy. I was also touched by the French paper (was it Le Monde?) that ran the headline "Nous Sommes Tous Americains." I won't ever forget any of that.

I believe that if we all learn about each other, our increased understanding would make us more tolerant and nicer with people from other cultures. Unlike this thread, I might add.

 

[Jas]

Word. So many Europeans "know" that Americans are total numbskulls. I got the same incredulous reactions. "You know that Brussels is the capital of Belgium?" And the talking-monkey thing: "Come over here and tell Dirk what you said about Flanders and Wallonia! Americans don't know that!"
I think the perception comes from American movies, personally, although it is reinforced by some Ugly Americans. But I think it's useful to note that American movies and TV shows are highly available in Europe and while I can't prove it, I think it's fair to say that more Europeans have seen an American TV show or movie than have actually been to the States.

I think the problem is that more American media leaves the States than actual Americans.

But most people assume Americans are idiots, to be honest (not saying that I share that opinion.) We even had a comedy show called 'Talking to Americans'.

 

[Luciana]

There is a whole lot you can tell someone about the history of the conflict and the region as a whole without having them be able to pick it out on a map. For instance, you can say that it is surrounded by Muslim nations. You can say that Jerusalem is considered to be the most important city for all three major mono-theistic religions. (aside: is this true for Islam? Is Jerusalem more "important" than Mecca?). I can understand that fact without being able to point to Jerusalem on a map

The knowledge you mention is extremely superficial.

Any textbook will have maps. Probably in the first page of each chapter. Nowadays, with nice illustrations. Why, if they are not necessary, just to waste ink?

When at school, the teacher would start the class by pointing things at the map.

Is it hard to pick out Israel on a map? No. Is it essential to even begin understanding the conflict? Also no.

Then we'll agree to disagree. If someone believes Israel is floating somewhere in the planet, or placed somewhere in the Caribbean, then I WILL strongly believe that this person doesn't know squat about Israel. Or the Caribbean.

 

[CFLarsen]

Where?

Post #102.

Because it does support that it’s there. Like I said, I never said it was everywhere.

Nobody is saying that it isn't there. But you presented it as if the article supported your contention. It predominantly did not.

Who cares?

It is exactly the same thing: We can't rely on anecdotes.

So people should spend their money in a country where the citizens regularly hold protests against the leader of said country? Are you not aware that the leader of a country is often held as a symbol for that country? Were people not burning images of the Danish leader in the Middle East in this past month? Obviously, by doing so, they were indicating that they weren’t at all unhappy with the Danish people, but solely with the leader of the country.

You seriously need to update your knowledge about what impact the Muhammed issue has had on Danes. There is now a long list of countries that Danes are strongly adviced against to visit, simply because it is too dangerous for them. We have had death threats against Danes living in those countries. Ambassadors have been called home because they weren't safe.

You think it is safe for me to walk in Iran, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, Pakistan, or Indonesia right now? It isn't.

How much should I quote then? Is there a specific number of words? That link in no way showed that there was zero anti-American or anti-Bush sentiment. I provided the link, and you showed all of us that you’re capable of clicking on it. Congratulations.

You should quote in such a way that the gist of the article is conveyed. Not just the small part that supports your contention.

That makes no sense at all. ‘If it is valid, they shouldn’t feel unwelcome’? Does the validity of conviction somehow erase it?

Sure it makes sense. If they distinguish between the American President and Americans, why shouldn't you be able to?

Don’t change the issue. Again, where have I said that Danes hate Americans? You’ve asserted that I said that, now show me where I did.

I have? Where have I asserted that?

I’m not talking about you going to the States, simply leaving the country. Also, please tell me where I said that the time and money involved wasn’t worth it. I never made any assertion as to the value of travel.

You can't make it seem as if I make unfounded claims about your posts, if I never make the claims at all.

Again, see my quote above. I said leave the country, and posted examples of the country which was the easiest to access from my own. I didn’t say anything about the cost of someone to fly from Europe to the US in that example. Please show me the line you’re referring to.

You can't meet every point of mine with "Show me where I said that!", as if I claim that you hold certain views. Try to address my points instead.

I’ve traveled extensively in Europe by train, and while that is one of the faster connections

One of the faster? Is there a faster connection?

the point is, train travel is an option in Europe. It’s not usually an option here.

That depends on where you come from and where you are going to. If you are going from one big city to another, it is an option. If you are going from Bumbleweed, Outback County, New Jersey to Fumbleweed, Take-Route-54-Then-Turn-Right-At-Millie's-Place, Alaska, then it isn't. And that goes for both countries.

Did I, anywhere in that quote, claim that this was anything other than anecdotal? Please show me where.

Then, you don't mind if I dismiss your anecdotes, do you? I asked for evidence, you couldn't deliver.

As far as the anti-American graffiti, in 2000 (the date referenced above), it consisted mainly of ‘Americans go home’, etc.

Show me.

Maybe Americans don’t see it that way. As I said, the leader of a country is often used as a symbol of the country. If someone is burning an American flag, are they protesting the use of stars at the same time as stripes?

Maybe those Americans you speak of should educate themselves and drop their prejudices?

So you can’t answer my question then?

Answer the question: Have they been against Bush or against Americans?

But this isn’t an anti-Bush protest:
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9911/19/greece.clinton.02/Have they been against Bush or against Americans?

No, it isn't. I would be very surprised if it were, because the article is from when Clinton was still President. You have to show that the protests have been directed at Americans and not Bush. To do that, you have to pick protests from the time when Bush has been President. Did you bother to read the article - even skim the headline?

Neither is this one, unless Bush owns Coca-Cola, or McDonald’s?
http://www.london-daily.co.uk/news/ld-euro.htm

Is this against Americans? Or the US participating in a war?

Where is ‘Bush’ written on this sign (from Germany)?

Again, is this against Americans? Since you haven't provided any context, I don't know what the story is behind it. Perhaps you don't care? You'll pick any photo, regardless of context, and see if it sticks?

http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog/spiegel/

Again, is this against Americans? Or against the US using torture?

Did I say it was anything but? Please show me where I said that relating my family experiences weren’t anecdotal.

*sigh*....

But most people assume Americans are idiots, to be honest (not saying that I share that opinion.) We even had a comedy show called 'Talking to Americans'.

Prove that "most people assume Americans are idiots".

I would like to mention that Europeans treated me extremely well, everywhere I traveled (mostly Western Europe, but one trip to Croatia). During the 2000 election ruckus, a lot of strangers asked me about it when they overheard my accent, but it was all quite friendly.
I would like to add, I was living in the Netherlands on 9/11. I was very touched to see how many households hung out their flags as a gesture, the line of people signing the condolence book, and the flowers that piled up outside the embassy. I was also touched by the French paper (was it Le Monde?) that ran the headline "Nous Sommes Tous Americains." I won't ever forget any of that.

There you go. The same headline ran in other newspapers, too.

We don't disapprove against Americans. We disapprove of what Bush is doing to America - and the rest of the world.

I believe that if we all learn about each other, our increased understanding would make us more tolerant and nicer with people from other cultures. Unlike this thread, I might add.

This thread has certainly been testament that the survey clarified some problems.

The knowledge you mention is extremely superficial.

Any textbook will have maps. Probably in the first page of each chapter. Nowadays, with nice illustrations. Why, if they are not necessary, just to waste ink?

Maps are expensive to print - they wouldn't be there, if they weren't essential.

When at school, the teacher would start the class by pointing things at the map.

When a TV newscast report a story, we see...a map. Be it from Backwaters, Ill., to Teheran, Iran. Maps are a starting point of understanding.

Then we'll agree to disagree. If someone believes Israel is floating somewhere in the planet, or placed somewhere in the Caribbean, then I WILL strongly believe that this person doesn't know squat about Israel. Or the Caribbean.

It's not even a belief. It will become crystal clear very quickly.

 

[WildCat]

I got 20/20, but that was ridiculously easy.

What's w/ 41% of Swedes not knowing where the Pacific Ocean is?

And why do only 29% of Mexicans know which way is west? The punch line, of course, is that they only know which way North is.

The polls contention that the Taliban was based in Afghanistan is debatable, it has it's origins in Pakistan and is still active in the tribal regions there.

 

[Kerberos]

I got 20/20, but that was ridiculously easy.

What's w/ 41% of Swedes not knowing where the Pacific Ocean is?

Well it's an ocean far away, and not all that many newsworthy event happen at sea. That one was one of the question where I had to think about it to remember, so I'm not suprised that the Swedes didn't do well on that question.

 

[CFLarsen]

It should also be noted that the "Pacific Ocean" is called "Stillehavet" here.

 

[RandFan]

The National Geographic-Roper 2002 Global Geographic Literacy Survey

IIRC (it's been a while, OK?), I had geography in grammar school from 4th to 10th grade, and 1 year in high school. To me, it's one of the starting points in understanding the world around us. It makes little sense to talk about environment issues, geopolitics, starvation, poverty, diseases, etc, without having a relatively firm grasp of the most basic geographics.

During your own education, how did you learn geography? How important is geography to you? If your own country is on the list, are you satisfied with the results?

I missed this one. No, of course I'm not satisfied with the results. Please note that I think that this is an important topic of discussion so I will thank you for posting this regardless of your motivation. As to the results, I think the reasons are complex and will not yield to any simple explanations and I will look through the thread.

However I also think this illustrates your pathology regarding America. We're not Denmark Larsen. Our problems arguably will not be solved by Denmark's solutions. You like Denmark for good reasons. If you want to poke holes in American arrogance then I concede your point, to a degree. That's fine. But I like America and I happen to think in many ways we do a pretty damn good job.

Yeah, I know, you were only asking us to look at the results and consider whether or not we were satisfied. Sure, we all buy that.

 

[Kerberos]

It should also be noted that the "Pacific Ocean" is called "Stillehavet" here.

Yes, but I'm sure the test was asministered in the native language of the people tested. after all it's a geography test not an English test.

 

[CFLarsen]

I wonder if they translated "El Nino"...

 

[luchog]

Sure. The US is kinda big, no doubt about it. But today it isn't a question of distances. You can fly from Kansas to New York just as easy as you can fly from Kansas to Mexico and Canada.

Isn't there a desire to see something else than the US?

The desire is there, and usually very strong. But the ability is not. It's not a matter of distance, it's a matter of expense. It's a whole lot cheaper for a Frenchman or Italian or German to hop a train and travel a few hundred miles; than it is for an American to hop a plane and travel thousands of miles to Europe or Asia. Hell, it's cheaper for Europeans to travel to different countries than it is for Americans to travel to different states within their own country.

Not to mention the time involved, things like jet lag, etc. It's far more of a difficulty and disruption for Americans to travel to Europe or Asia, than it is for Europeans to travel around Europe. The latter can travel to a half-dozen countries without even leaving their own time zones.

As for Mexico or Canada, there is a lot of travel between the US and these countries. But in the case of Canada, it's not really foreign travel, since they're so similar culturally (with the exception of Quebec).

Just south of your border, you got a whole continent filled with people who speak Spanish and Portuguese. Go to China, and you got more than 3 times the number of Americans speaking Mandarin/Cantonese.

And in both cases, due to tourism or business, use of English is growing rapidly. It's possible to get by in Mexico, and to a lesser extent Brazil, without knowing a word of Spanish or Portugese. In the former case, it's because American tourism is such an important source of income, that English has become a common second language, at least in the urban centers. English has also become very popular in China, particularly among university students.

You can travel thoughout all but the most rural parts of Japan without ever needing to know a word of Japanese; since nearly all Japanese educated since the '70s know at least a basic, functional level of English.

Due to decades of American domination of the technology and business worlds, there is far more impetus for others to learn English, than it is for Americans to learn other languages; which has contributed to a sort of national laziness in that respect. It's simply not necessary, so it isn't done. Unlike Europe, where it's vital to know at least two, usually three or four, languages on at least a functional (if not actually fluent) level.

People from all over the world come to the US. But Americans don't come to the rest of the world.

Yes, they do; just not as much.

 

[WildCat]

Not to mention the time involved, things like jet lag, etc. It's far more of a difficulty and disruption for Americans to travel to Europe or Asia, than it is for Europeans to travel around Europe. The latter can travel to a half-dozen countries without even leaving their own time zones.

Hell, I feel like I can see 40 different countries w/o leaving my own neighborhood.