An acquaintance from Singapore asked me a few questions trying to understand the so-called "American mentality."

His questions:

1) Why would neighbors have so much to say about the new house getting built? They can literally stop a project just because they don't like it aesthetically.

2) Why are there so many Judge Mathis/Greg type of shows. "What not to wear", "10 years younger."

3) How come the TV can go on on on on on on on for days about Lindsay Lohan getting arrested, Anna Nicole Smith, (Princess Diana, now??) etc.

4) How come they can have so many engraved nominations of liberty and democracy when prejudice and restrictions are everywhere

5) WHy do americans talk so much? I was at a social function and was amazed how can they talk among themselves and not yawn?

6) They seem to constantly search for trivia knowledge to share. This trend is VERY American.


My observations/answers:

1. Americans like order...and I do kind of agree with that philosophy.

2. Because the American people love to convince themselves they have "justice for all" -- yet justice is only for the rich/privileged.

3. They are ASSUMING that the American public is interested in the lifestyles of the rich and the famous. It also is a distraction from dealing with what really ails American society.

4. Because they are hypocrites.

5. They get nervous when there is quiet...like they have to fill air. The average American has no use for quiet, solitude.

6. It is pseudo-intellectualism on their part. By spouting of this type of info they self gratify themselves into think that they are educated.