What are the differences between the USA on tv/in the movies and real life?

[Prowler]

We've been getting bombarded with American TV every single day for many decades. Most of us around the world never visit the country, let alone live in it. The closest we get to see a glimpse of life in the USA is through fictional tv shows and movies. The question is: what is real and what is either not real or just highly exaggerated?

Asides from the obvious ones like not everyone being rich and good looking and superheroes not existing, of course. I very much know the Ninja Turtles aren't real, fret not. . Just like the streets of Japan aren't filled with teenagers with super powers.

[ToTheNines]

One random thing I hate is characters going to a bar and just ordering “beer”. You always specify what brand and bottle or draft.

[CyberCubed]

Well it depends what movie you're talking about, but most of them are very close to reality. Both action movies and/or comedies.

We Americans are raised from birth into believing we can achieve anything and we can, "cheat the system." Americans are raised to lie, cheat and steal their way to victory at any costs. We believe we can rule the world. We believe might makes right.

There's a reason all the biggest movies/TV shows have action superhero stars where one man can take out an entire army or a group of soldiers or aliens/monsters or whatever. Or comedies portray us like Leonardo Dicaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street."

America is the greatest country of the world, we are the greatest country. Other countries wish they could be us, they envy us. I am proud to be an American. God Bless the American people, god bless America!

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

One random thing I hate is characters going to a bar and just ordering “beer”. You always specify what brand and bottle or draft.

Well they can't just name drop real life brands without permission, I guess...

And it's possible some bars might just serve one specific brand of beer.

[ssjup81]

Ignoring everything CyberCubed just said, it probably depends on the show or movie. Some things I guess can be accurate, but with most forms of media, imo, it just isn’t like that. As mentioned, in Japan you’re not going to see a bunch of high school kids (or junior high ones) hanging out super late doing things like karaoke like you might read in a manga or see in an anime since school takes up a chunk of their time. If you see a student out kind of late, they’re likely coming home from a club activity (which is mandatory in junior high school, forgot if it was for high school, but senior high school isn’t compulsory and optional, but most go anyway) or juku (cram school) or an Eikaiwa (English language school). You won’t see a bunch of people with crazy hair colors, ESPECIALLY in school. There’s a dress code and that includes hair. Your hair color has to be a natural color…foreigners and “half” are an exception since they do have hair colors aside from black. You’ll also hardly ever see a Japanese person being loud or outspoken…only in fictional works.

I’d say that the main thing in shows or movies that get overlooked is that the US is way more diverse than what is shown, especially in places like Chicago or NYC. Looking at shows like Friends or movies like Home Alone you just wouldn’t get that impression.

For myself, when I moved to Japan, people were surprised I was from the US. They thought I was Brazilian. Surprised I was never mistakened for being African. Anyway, it was assumed because of so much media from the US showing mostly white people. Even in anime, a foreigner character…blond hair and blue eyes. It was assumed that since I’m black, I must sing gospel music too or know rap artists or listen to it. I got those types of questions because in media, black Americans like that stuff. They saw a pic of my cousin, they assumed he played basketball since in media, black guys play sports. The girls did find him attractive though and called him “ikemen”. That’s a high compliment for a guy.

So yeah, I feel it’s a bit of a misrepresentation, but you can only market stuff to an audience that you know will work.

[Coola Yagami]

Originally Posted by ssjup81

Ignoring everything CyberCubed just said, it probably depends on the show or movie. Some things I guess can be accurate, but with most forms of media, imo, it just isn’t like that. As mentioned, in Japan you’re not going to see a bunch of high school kids (or junior high ones) hanging out super late doing things like karaoke like you might read in a manga or see in an anime since school takes up a chunk of their time. If you see a student out kind of late, they’re likely coming home from a club activity (which is mandatory in junior high school, forgot if it was for high school, but senior high school isn’t compulsory and optional, but most go anyway) or juku (cram school) or an Eikaiwa (English language school). You won’t see a bunch of people with crazy hair colors, ESPECIALLY in school. There’s a dress code and that includes hair. Your hair color has to be a natural color…foreigners and “half” are an exception since they do have hair colors aside from black. You’ll also hardly ever see a Japanese person being loud or outspoken…only in fictional works.

I’d say that the main thing in shows or movies that get overlooked is that the US is way more diverse than what is shown, especially in places like Chicago or NYC. Looking at shows like Friends or movies like Home Alone you just wouldn’t get that impression.

For myself, when I moved to Japan, people were surprised I was from the US. They thought I was Brazilian. Surprised I was never mistakenly for being African. Anyway, it was assumed because of so much media from the US showing mostly white people. Even in anime, a foreigner character…blond hair and blue eyes. It was assumed that since I’m black, I must sing gospel music too or know rap artists or listen to it. I got those types of questions because in media, black Americans like that stuff. They saw a pic of my cousin, they assumed he played basketball since in media, black buys play sports.

So yeah, I feel it’s a bit of a misrepresentation, but you can only market stuff to an audience that you know will work.

This reminds me of the Chicago days, where we lived in a mostly Mexican part of town, so naturally you'd only see Mexicans and black people a few blocks over.

Our grandma from Santo Domingo (I'm half Domican) came to visit us one. After a few days she finally asked my dad 'where are all the Americans?'. Dad said 'what do you mean? everyone you've seen is an American'. She asked 'No I mean, like the blonde hair and blue eyes. Like on the TV and movies?"

Dad explained while we lived in a Mexican neighborhood, everyone there was an American. The 'white people' lived farther out in the downtown and suburbs areas. And yeah, back in those days I'd legit only see white people in person whenever we went to museums and zoos and stuff that were in larger areas. But the part that got me was 'like on the TV and movies'. I imagined you just... don't see white people in Santo Domingo, not counting tourists.

[Prowler]

Funny how those Japanese people assumed you're from Brazil. Apparently Brazil has a large black population due to Portuguese slavery during the Atlantic slave trade, but they're not anywhere near the majority of that nation's population according to some quick stats I googled.

My country has been invaded by Brazilian immigrants in the past decade... I think I can count on one single hand the black Brazilians I've seen in my life. Of course it can get tricky with some people when it comes to "mulatos", but it's not like I'd be asking for details anyway . Most Brazilians I see out there are either white or what we'd call "mestiço" here. So no, if I see a black person my first thought won't be Brazilian.

99% of blacks here are either from former African colonies like Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau or descend from people from those places.

[CyberCubed]

Don't the Japanese hate gaijin? They know us as filthy American dogs.

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Don't the Japanese hate gaijin? They know us as filthy American dogs.

No. Only the ones who purposely act like idiots and disrespect the rules and culture, like Logan Paul, or those who have the whole purity nonsense mentality, which you’ll find no matter what country you go to. You’ll always have people like that. I think more older people may have that mentality though….those who lived through WWII. And there’s prejudice towards Koreans by some. And even though they’re technically not foreigners, I heard there was a bit of prejudice by some towards the Ainu.

There are places, albeit rare in Japan that don’t allow foreigners but that’s due to problems with those from the past. I forget where, but I recall there being an onsen that wouldn’t allow foreigners because years ago, they had issues with behavior from Russian tourists.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by ssjup81

No. Only the ones who purposely act like idiots and disrespect the rules and culture, like Logan Paul, or those who have the whole purity nonsense mentality, which you’ll find no matter what country you go to. You’ll always have people like that. I think more older people may have that mentality though….those who lived through WWII. And there’s prejudice towards Koreans by some. And even though they’re technically not foreigners, I heard there was a bit of prejudice by some towards the Ainu.

There are places, albeit rare in Japan that don’t allow foreigners but that’s due to problems with those from the past. I forget where, but I recall there being an onsen that wouldn’t allow foreigners because years ago, they had issues with behavior from Russian tourists.

I know a lot of people living in Japan -- and VERY different kinds of people, and radically different ages. Still, I get the same general impression: tourists that go there just wanting to see the sights and buy weird stuff and food and take a lot of pictures go back happy, but the ones actually looking to have a good time and mingle with the culture are shunned. Not overtly, as the Japanese are very polite. But there is this wall of... I won't call it contempt, but a layer of something like it at a lower level. Almost the reverse of a zoo, if we are the animals somehow coming into their environment and they are the proprietors of it (of their country, in this way).

Not all, of course, but I've heard way too much in this way to ignore it.

[Prowler]

All countries have racist people and I refuse to single-out Japan for that aspect. And the stereotype about Japan being racist also extends to many other countries in Asia. Similar things are said about Korea, China, Thailand, etc.

Which is why I find it particularly funny when SJWs in North America claim that only White people can be racist. If they told that to the couple of Malaysians and Korean I've met they'd LAUGH in their faces

Back to Japan, I know one fellow Portuguese who's been to Japan several times. Especially in the past between 2005-2016 when it was a little bit cheaper to go there. He said wonderful things about the country and that if you want to really make a good use of your trip there you need about 2 weeks on a first trip, even if that sets you back a bit. He also recommended staying in business hotels because they're more affordable.

He did mention, however, that in hotels, they put all the foreigners in the same floor because Japanese guests don't seem to like being in the same floor as foreign guests. And also how, with the tourism boom in Japan in the last several years, Japanese people in general have gotten more and more fed up with foreigners.

Having said that, you can observe the same exact phenomenon(sick of tourists) here in Portugal and also in the Czech Republic and Croatia.

I live in Lisbon and it's disheartening how I can't go to many parts of my city that I was born and raised in and lived my entire life in and not get swarmed by tourists and surrounded by sh*tty tourist traps, while traditional Portuguese shops are closing. Why the hell are there Tuk-Tuks in the historical centre of a EUROPEAN city?! And why is a historical neighbourhood like Alfama known for Fado music full of Indian run-shops and the houses seem owned by rich tourists from Germany and Northern Europe?

Same thing with Prague. Prague natives hate the fact they cannot enjoy their gorgeous city centre anymore for similar reasons.

As for Croatia, the lovely town of Dubrovnik has practically been ruined by tourism.

So no, I can't fault Japanese people from Tokyo or Kyoto being resentful if mass tourism is causing the same issues in those places.

We're all tourists and I love travelling, so ironically I contribute to the same problem when visiting other nations but one good way to combat that is not eating at tourist traps in city centres. Their prices are overpriced, anyway.

I don't doubt that Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc. societies are more closed off than European ones; mind you. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I mean, it is their countries. Who am I to tell them how to run their home?

I mean look at Portugal. It opened its doors wide to immigration with the last Socialist government... and it became a mess and Portuguese people also became pissed off and voted the Socialists out of power for the Social Democrats and the biggest far-right party in the country became the 2nd most voted party, sadly. It's a shame the far-right gains so many votes worldwide, but unfortunately, they are the ones who have the more sensible ideas about immigration compared to the borderline open border approach some centrist parties(Social Democrats, Socialists, etc.) have. I think the biggest political parties need to be a little more strict on things like immigration in order to minimise the amount of people voting for far right lunatics.

And no, I don't hate immigrants or anything like that before anyone asks. Portuguese people immigrate a lot in fact and my brother lived in Belgium for a decade when he was in his 20s/30s. But that doesn't mean immigration shouldn't have rules and that immigrants shouldn't need to adapt when they move abroad. So I can't say I fault Japan and South Korea is they have stricter immigration policies than many European countries. No one wants their own nationality to become a minority in their own country, to put it point blank.

Especially since Old World countries like European and Asian countries are usually built around a specific ethnic group. Unlike New World nations like USA, Brazil, Argentina, Australia etc. where the natives got slaughtered and settlers from countries of other continents moved in. There is no American or Brazilian ethnicity for example. Which is why people from those countries are on average more ready to accept a foreigner as one of their own than people in European and Asian countries are.

No one here would consider a Swedish or Italian guy who moved here as an adult as a fellow Portuguese person, even if they assimilate well and learn our language. Just like if I moved to Sweden or Italy and learned their native languages, assimilated into their society and even might get dual citizenship for some tax purposes... they would not consider me Swedish or Italian. And I wouldn't want to either. I'm Portuguese and will die as one. And no, if I moved to USA, Brazil, Canada, Australia or Argentina; I'd not consider myself one of them either even if most people in those countries would accept me as one of their own.

Nothing wrong with this, surely?

[CyberCubed]

I always used to think the Japanese were an honorable race. Movies, samurai films, anime, and videogames made me think Japan held honor to the highest esteem, and that if you disgraced yourself you also disgraced your own family. I mean the Japanese are always bowing, wearing kimonos and drinking tea while sitting on their knees, only honorable people do that.

And besides that the Japanese practice martial arts and their daily kata's, they go to work 10 hours a day and give their 110%, work on either videogames or anime, while the rest sell sushi and other sea creatures at the shops.

Instead from what I'm hearing about Japan is they're no better than the rest of the world, and to think many of the Japanese treat us like we're mongrel dogs. Oh those wacky Japanese!

[Wildcat]

I don’t know if anything is that exaggerated about American culture in American movies. It’s probably pretty accurate. Depends what you’re comparing. Don’t know how we are depicted in foreign movies.

From what I’ve seen on YouTube and Mrs. Eats (her husband is Asian but grew up in the US) Japanese culture is too strict. A lot of Passive Aggressiveness too it seems...that’s not healthy. I’m sure it’s more relaxed now but many traditional habits are still around. I’d still like to visit but not live there.

Sonic is apparently not very popular over there so that’s disappointing. He still gets attention of course and merchandise unique to them but he doesn’t resonate with the Japanese much I guess.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I always used to think the Japanese were an honorable race. Movies, samurai films, anime, and videogames made me think Japan held honor to the highest esteem, and that if you disgraced yourself you also disgraced your own family. I mean the Japanese are always bowing, wearing kimonos and drinking tea while sitting on their knees, only honorable people do that.

And besides that the Japanese practice martial arts and their daily kata's, they go to work 10 hours a day and give their 110%, work on either videogames or anime, while the rest sell sushi and other sea creatures at the shops.

Instead from what I'm hearing about Japan is they're no better than the rest of the world, and to think many of the Japanese treat us like we're mongrel dogs. Oh those wacky Japanese!

Originally Posted by Wildcat

I don’t know if anything is that exaggerated about American culture in American movies. It’s probably pretty accurate. Depends what you’re comparing. Don’t know how we are depicted in foreign movies.

From what I’ve seen on YouTube and Mrs. Eats (her husband is Asian but grew up in the US) Japanese culture is too strict. A lot of Passive Aggressiveness too it seems...that’s not healthy. I’m sure it’s more relaxed now but many traditional habits are still around. I’d still like to visit but not live there.

Sonic is apparently not very popular over there so that’s disappointing. He still gets attention of course and merchandise unique to them but he doesn’t resonate with the Japanese much I guess.

Can't speak for Portuguese movies since I don't remember every seeing an American character in any I've seen. Let alone about other European countries and their movies. But when it comes to anime/manga, the depiction of Americans while not extremely negative by any means, you guys are usually portrayed as loud and arrogant. While European nationalities are always more portrayed as classy and good looking, particularly the French and Italians. Also, Japanese seem to have a fascination with the Prussian era when it comes to Germany.

And to be fair, that's the reputation Americans have in a lot of countries throughout the world lol. Add a significant layer of belly fat and a cowboy hat and it's 100% the stereotype.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Also, Japanese seem to have a fascination with the Prussian era when it comes to Germany.

Just the Prussian era?

[sdp]

Watch Roseanne, that's what true America is like.

[CyberCubed]

It's unironically true a lot of Americans are fat and just lay on the couch all day. Back in the 90's they would just watch TV all day (and not good TV, just whatever was on like game shows or random sports), but nowadays they would be staring at their cell phones and watching tick tock videos or stuff like that.

Fat disgusting Americans who are lazy and just collect welfare all day and are on food stamps. And then they have the audacity to complain about being poor or the economy. Nothing gets my goat more than fat, lazy, undeserving useless slobs. Anyone who is not giving their all every day is a waste of society.

[neatoman]

Is it true that Americans have largely lost interest in baseball?

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

It's unironically true a lot of Americans are fat and just lay on the couch all day. Back in the 90's they would just watch TV all day (and not good TV, just whatever was on like game shows or random sports), but nowadays they would be staring at their cell phones and watching tick tock videos or stuff like that.

Fat disgusting Americans who are lazy and just collect welfare all day and are on food stamps. And then they have the audacity to complain about being poor or the economy. Nothing gets my goat more than fat, lazy, undeserving useless slobs. Anyone who is not giving their all every day is a waste of society.

Don't you drink 1 liter of soda everyday?

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by neatoman

Is it true that Americans have largely lost interest in baseball?

I could give you a very long answer, but it’s definitely less popular than football, basketball and hockey. Hockey has shot up in popularity here over the past 15 years. Tiktok level attention spans aren’t helping baseball, even with the new pitch clock.

There’s an official MLB partner league (a tier below minor league) team in my small town and the owners invested a ton of money into the stadium and there’s always a good crowd. But I think people just enjoy drinking beer and eating weiners, the games are all just exhibition matches.