Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Waters
I find the optimism that Americans have today, cute and very amusing.
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It may be harder for you to know what I mean if you hail from Canada Paul (you are prob more familiar), but I kinda liked the 'openness' of many US folks - it was kinda refreshing to me when I lived there - just not used to that
Not talking about the stupidity of some on GFY (that's enough to make ya think all of the US is totally insane), - but with "real people" you get to know.
Sure there was an element of optimism as well, along with... hard to say, call it simplicity. It was obvious a few did not know stuff - but that again was appealing and cute in a way. It's a kind of innocence which you sure would not expect in an industrialized country.
Ended up with a number of very good friends in the US - among them a number of people who went to hell and back in their lives (it was their chosen career which caused "hell" - not military) and have great respect and would extend all help possible if they needed it. Also know a number of US expats here - some very nice people. The comparison with them and a number on GFY is stunning.
The irony is that if the expected current economic problems hit - these are the people who will feel the heaviest toll. It's their homes and assets which they worked hard for, which will be messed up. It's easy to talk about currencies and balance sheets, but different when that can severely affect people on a personal level.
We can all moan about the dollar being low, but that is nothing in comparison to the effects on a population if the problem deepens. And... seriously wish them well and hope they are not 'hit".