Are we all becoming Americans?

Question

The reach of America has spread all over the world. Disney now runs parks in different places, McDonald's has restaurants everywhere, American TV shows are watched in different parts of the world, American sports are practised by a lot of people outside America, American music and film stars are recognized all over the world,...

Answer 1

It is a dichotomy. While we adopt more and more of American institutions, we also begin to dislike them and yearn for diversity at the same time. it is like a cultural backlash.





McDonalds is eveywhere, but after a while people start looking for something better and different - as an example.

Answer 2

The funny thing is that the world is like this: The USA and the REST OF THE WORLD.



The USA has set itself up to be deliberately different. It was supposed to have adopted the SI System by the year 2000 -- THE REST OF THE WORLD uses metres, kilogrammes, etc -- but not the USA.



The REST OF THE WORLD cannot even send a fax to the USA because the USA has DIFFERENT PAPER SIZES to the rest of the world!



The rest of the world has its own video and TV system, magazine size, spelling, dictionaries, printers, software, screen ratios, and loads of standards.....



The Rest of the world is concerned about pollution, but the USA didn't sign up for Kyoto!



The most popular game in the world -- bar none and hands down -- is FOOTBALL (Association Football or what US Americans call "Soccer"), the USA has had a team in the top 20 for years, but the game is NOT "American" in any way.



Games that are extremely popular in the USA tend to be of minority interest in the rest of the world.



I am sorry, but companies like McDonalds or Disney or movie stars do not have any lasting or historical effect on even American culture!



For example, in an typical European home, the HiFi, VCR and TV will probably be Japanese, German or Dutch. German or Japanese air conditioning, kitchen appliances, and computers/ gadgets. The music will be British Pop, and the foods and drinks local.



You can find a few products from the USA -- mainly Cars (Ford, General Motors, Chrysler), but they are in competition with or partnership with European and Japanese cars. Movie Special effects and computer graphics are done in the UK, and it seems that everyone is filming in New Zealand these days! The musical instrument market once dominated by Selmer, Rickenbacker, Gibson and Fender is now totally run by Japan -- Yamaha, Suzuki and the like.



Even Time Warner is owned ultimately by Sony from Japan... so Hollywood is basically Japanese these days!



Coke, pepsi and cigarettes are made under license, so what is actually American?



All I can come up with is: Fast food (McDonald's, Pizza Hut, California Raisins, Peanuts, Bubble gum, etc)

Casual clothes (GAP, Levis, Wranglers), software, TV shows, Movies, Slimming Diets.



... hardly a global domination! LOL!

Answer 3

"First, globalization is more than just Americanization. It would be difficult to say exactly what Americanization is, since the thing we call "America" is constantly changing. When we talk about American Cultural Imperialism, what is it exactly that is being (allegedly) imposed on others? What aspects of American culture are really in play? Most Americans would probably agree that the United States is the greatest of all countries, but there are few patriotic individuals anywhere in the world who would say otherwise about their homelands. An Indian, an Australian, a Brazilian; all may marvel at the United States and comment on its greatness, but each believes in his heart that his own country is great in ways in which the United States is not."

Answer 4

haha? this is a joke, no?



I really hope we do not all become americans! I respect everybody, even insects... but american attitudes like you display are making me sick.



open your eyes and realise that the Burger king Nation is going to fade away over the coming years



They created nothing that made this world a better place... they have no respect for other values and cultures.



They are stupid, ego-centric and abuse their impact on the world.



I'm against violence, I'm not an extremist, but I never respected America for all the things they did in this world. Please open the hidden agenda's and see what happened in the past, what is happening now and what will happen in the future...



Misery and hypocracy are wordes invented by americans

Answer 5

There is still a lot of world out there that America has not reached. Tough concept, unless you're a person who travels all over the world and then you would have a broader perspective.

Answer 6

The original idea of being American was so a person could be free from persecution: have the freedom of speech religion and freedom to pursue happiness( like marrying whom you want). If that is what you are asking then it would seem so. It is the best way, it's only when you get greed and selfishness that this becomes a moot idea.

Answer 7

it's sad, but true. and as american culture spreads, so does disease and obesity.

other cultures have so much to offer; it's a shame they're so eager to abandon that in exchange for the american lifestyle.

americans are consumer whores, and if the rest of the world becomes just like america, there will be no resources left.

Answer 8

No.



Just because a McDonald's shows up in Manila, doesn't mean the people are changing their entire culture.



The world is not becoming American.

Answer 9

When the Emperor of Japan signed the peace treaty at the end of WWII, he said there was other ways to take over the world. I believe they are doing it.

Answer 10

I am. But, I don't believe eating Big Macs makes you American. I am more like the Ugly American.

Answer 11

You obviously have not traveled much. Western Europe and Australia have their own distinct cultures. Your rather elitist attitude is one of the reasons the U.S. is not loved by most nations.

Answer 12

Yes.The fruition of the Kingdom of God is in Christendom. Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.Ancient Israel to the present Christendom is a constitutional republic. ...and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands.

Answer 13

america is world power so thats why american stuff is everywhere

Answer 14

thats a good kwestion



hu eva believes australian heritage mite still be australian but we hav got most of american things lyk

australian idol dancing with the starz and more

Answer 15

I actually think that the trend reversed, since Bush came to power.

Answer 16

Only fair, since we've taken a lot from other cultures around the world and made them our own...

Answer 17

Nope. You are forgetting that Japanes stuff are in America too. - IPODs, Cars, TVs, DVDs - These are Japanese stuff too.

Answer 18

but yet so many countries hate America with more than a passion.

Answer 19

No I'm still Hispanic.

Answer 20

well, if you are overweight, fat, obeise, don't exersice, sue you dog for peeing on the rug, hate Bush, then yes, you probably are becoming an american.

Answer 21

i guess.. most people wanna be.. but i don`t.. i just wanna go shopping there:P

Answer 22

YES, IT IS THE STEREOTYPE CULTURE THESE DAYS.

Answer 23

Maybe we are all becoming "Earthlings"

Answer 24

No, we are all becoming taxpayers.

Answer 25

i guess u could say that

Answer 26

Not fast enough!!!

Answer 27

Well, I'm not.

Answer 28

no we are not,,but thats just wat america wants..