Kilts on My Big Redneck Vacation on CMT...next

**David Thorpe** · 12th July 12, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The funny thing is, though, it doesn't require one to be a world traveler to understand basic manners. Even a person who has never left their home town should know that boorish behaviour is not acceptable. So I really can't see that as being an excuse for what a lot of Americans do when overseas. After all, being ignorant of other cultures doesn't breed disdain if you're humble about it and act like you're willing to learn. What breeds disdain is being ignorant and prideful at the same time.

A major ***!

**brewerpaul** · 12th July 12, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Ugh. I saw the previews for that show, and came away with the distinct feeling that I was embarrassed to be an American. From what I saw in the preview, this was a show aimed at displaying the absolute worst behaviour possible while being a guest in another country. The entire premise is that it's funny to be rude, crude, disrespectful, and obnoxious. And I'm sure it will only further cement the stereotype that applies to Americans.

Television programming has really gone downhill.

I agree with this 100%. So called "reality shows" are quite ridiculous to begin with and I feel a total waste of television air time, but then television has basically gone downhill anyway. What worsens things is the way people act with little respect or thought. People seem to be entertained when comedy is misrepresented with crude remarks, dumb actions and total disrespect for people around them. I tell people at my work place that watch these shows "If you watch them enough you start to model your own lives like the garbage you are watching" They dont believe me but when televisions repeatedly shows behavior such as this people begin to think it is acceptable and mimic it. Too bad we cant think, meaning the television and advertisers, before we create such junk.

**ScotFree** · 12th July 12, 02:46 PM

Unfortunately, these shows wouldn't be successful if people weren't watching them. What does that say about the television viewing audience?

**brewerpaul** · 12th July 12, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by ScotFree

Unfortunately, these shows wouldn't be successful if people weren't watching them. What does that say about the television viewing audience?

Very little indeed. I killed my cable tv and rely on PBS online, top documentaries, snagfilms (documentary streamed), HULU and Netflix. Though I dont always get news, then again news is cr%^&^P on the networks, I can stream Democracy Now, BBC and other good sources. Wish I could stream BBC 1 Scotland, would have enjoyed the show on the history of the games that aired the other night.......

**James Hood** · 12th July 12, 03:13 PM

In this opinion, despite the inexcusable actions of some American tourists, those overesas judging Americans should please look past those occasional miscreants and make a conscious effort to remember those many, many, many "typical Americans"...

...who gave some or all to liberate so much of the world from a state of hell on earth.

Neither "reality shows" or ignorant, spoiled modern tourists should diminsh the sacrifices of the many "typical Americans" who went ashore at Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Luzon, Okinawa, Inchon, Desert Storm....

And to restate a wise auld hippie sage...

"KILL YOUR TV!"

**ScotFree** · 12th July 12, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by James Hood

In this opinion, despite the inexcusable actions of some American tourists, those overesas judging Americans should please look past those occasional miscreants and make a conscious effort to remember those many, many, many "typical Americans"...

...who gave some or all to liberate so much of the world from a state of hell on earth.

Neither "reality shows" or ignorant, spoiled modern tourists should diminsh the sacrifices of the many "typical Americans" who went ashore at Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Luzon, Okinawa, Inchon, Desert Storm....

And to restate a wise auld hippie sage...

"KILL YOUR TV!"

***

**David Thorpe** · 12th July 12, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

I killed my cable tv...

I did the same with DirecTV about 6 months ago. I too get my news online. Weather comes via Wii and on my phone from the Weather Channel ap.

I do miss Reds games and some of the classic old movies from TCM, but I can live without them. I get a lot more done now.

**dea3369** · 13th July 12, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The funny thing is, though, it doesn't require one to be a world traveler to understand basic manners. Even a person who has never left their home town should know that boorish behaviour is not acceptable. So I really can't see that as being an excuse for what a lot of Americans do when overseas. After all, being ignorant of other cultures doesn't breed disdain if you're humble about it and act like you're willing to learn. What breeds disdain is being ignorant and prideful at the same time.

Very true. But the problem is that some don't see their behavior as boorish. Unfortunately, human nature takes note of things that are out of the ordinary or routine. When was the last time you heard news of a plane successfully flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris? Air France flight 447? So, it's the "ugly American" that is noticed -- and remembered -- all the time. I also agree that whenin a foreign country, the locals look upon you more favorably if you try to adapt to their ways. In my experience, speaking the vernacular, even if it comes out wrong or hopelessly mangled, is the easiest way to get the locals to help you. Of course, being polite helps a lot, too.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 13th July 12, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

....I know some people who have never left their home state, and barely left their home county. So, not only do they not know what other countries are like, they don't even know what other parts of the US are like.....

Reminds me of some folks that I am acquainted with that live on Long Island, and have never been to New York city!