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Originally Posted by MAC_Whore
Conversely, would most Canadians be able to list all 50 states? Since you asked.
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Oh probably not many, but that was my point - it's not relevant. I would not expect someone from the US to know all our provinces, same way I would not expect a Canadian to know all 50 states. This is of national interest mostly, not really important in general knowledge to people outside of said country.
Oh and btw what I said about people thinking Switzerland and Sweden is the same - it's not a case of mistaken identity, I'd tell them I live in Switzerland and they would say something like "Oh so you speak Swedish?" or say something about IKEA - lol They did not know that they are actually 2 different countries.
Quote:
What I am illustrating here is the fact that people tend to know what's in their immediate area. People in Europe tend to know what's in their immediate area. People in Asia tend to know what's in their immediate area. People in the US tend to know what's in their immediate area. This is all normal. Due to the fact that the US is rather huge, what's around us is 50 states, Canada and Mexico. Just because what happens to be around European countries is a lot of other European countries doesn't make anyone in the US or Europe more or less educated, it simply means different geographical circumstances.
Nutshell: Most people know what is immediately around them. Somehow people see that is ignorant when it occurs in the US, but it is apparently much more palatable and chic if your knowledge of your immediate surroundings consist of European countries. |
I agree that one's immediate surroundings probably rank over knowing countries in Asia or the Far East or something, but the lack of knowledge in very basic geography I have witnessed from the average American worries me, especially as it is such a powerful country. I am sure there are many factors to blame, such as the media which tends to be very national-centric and maybe the school system where the curriculum maybe doesn't emphasize geography and world events enough? I don't know that's just a guess. I certainly don't think Americans are "too stupid" or anything of the sort to learn such things - it's probably a lack of exposure to these subjects. I mean, only 20% of all Americans have passports for foreign travel, and whenever I am in the States I immediately notice that the media has much more strong emphasis on local or national events and politics, international events are often only briefly touched upon - at least, not nearly as emphasized as in Europe or Canada.
I remember seeing a documentary once and many people on the street were randomly stopped and asked to pinpoint on a map, where Iraq is located - I was astounded most people couldn't even place the country their own nation was fighting a huge war against.
That said, when I traveled in Asia, many people also didn't know much about geography, and didn't know where Canada was, etc. But, I can't hold them to the same standards as the western world - many of these adults never had the opportunity to attend school as kids, or only got a very very rudimentary, basic education.
I do think world events and geography should play a much more important role in
all schools, regardless of country. I think it can't hurt for all of us to know a little bit more about our "neighbours".
