(From Economist.com)
“DUMB and Dumber”, one of the modern classics of American comedy, tells the story of an affable idiot, Lloyd Christmas, who falls in love with a classy beauty, Mary Swanson. In one scene he asks her the chances of “a guy like you and a girl like me” ending up together. The answer is “Not good”. “Not good like one out of a hundred?” asks Lloyd. “More like one out of a million,” Mary replies. Lloyd pauses for a moment, then shoots back, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
That is the American spirit. Americans have traditionally been much more optimistic than Europeans, and happier too. They believe that people determine their own destinies rather than being the mere playthings of fate. They also believe that their children will have a better life than they do.
This helps to explain the dynamism of the American economy. Americans regard failure—even bankruptcy—as a stone in the road rather than a damning verdict. It also helps to explain the appeal of the American experiment. “The American, by nature, is optimistic,” JFK once said. “He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.” Europeans ask, “Why?” Americans ask, “Why not?”
BUT, there’s a but.. continue reading the story “The spirit of Christmas“.
What’s your opinion? How do you see the difference between the EU v US culture?
3 responses so far ↓
Berislav Lopac // Mar 14, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hmmm… I guess that means that the Americans are dumber? ;)
Jan Sitar // Mar 17, 2008 at 9:29 pm
For that would be very useful to take Hofstede dimensions of cultural differences.
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_states.shtml
I would say that Amercans are fare less face preserving than Europenas. That could be seen many times as rude.
They are also showing off themself in weared way. They are many times seen as
Jan Sitar // Mar 17, 2008 at 9:33 pm
For that would be very useful to take Hofstede dimensions of cultural differences.
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_states.shtml
I would say that Americans are far less face preserving than Europeans. That could be seen many times as rude. If we compare Chinese culture as iceberg, where most of it is hidden under the surface, we could say that Iceberg is in case of American culture turned around.
They are also showing off them self in weird way. Many times seen as cocky.
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