When people wanted to be American

[airdvr 210]

Watched "The Talented Mr. Ripley" last night. For those of you not familiar Tom Ripley ( Matt Damon) is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich son of a shipping magnate Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law). I was struck by a particular song...Tu Vuo' Fa l'Americano ( I want to be an American). The film is set in Italy in the late 1950's. I don't suppose their will be Italians singing about how they want to be an American ever again, or anyone in Europe for that matter. Sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT-fOr29OfA

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[masterblaster72 0]

airdvr

Watched "The Talented Mr. Ripley" last night. For those of you not familiar Tom Ripley ( Matt Damon) is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich son of a shipping magnate Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law). I was struck by a particular song...Tu Vuo' Fa l'Americano ( I want to be an American). The film is set in Italy in the late 1950's. I don't suppose their will be Italians singing about how they want to be an American ever again, or anyone in Europe for that matter. Sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT-fOr29OfA

Great movie, nice song too. The original is by one of my favorite Napolitan singers, Renato Carosone.

However I think you're way off with your idea that people no longer want to be Americans. Though America has tarnished its good reputation in the last 15 years, I know quite a few non-Americans -- quite a few of them Italians -- whose "dream" it is to live and work in America.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[quade 4]

Um . . . about "Americano" . . . uh, I don't know how to tell you this, but it's NOT the song you seem to think it is. It's NOT complimentary and your translation is way off. It's not "I want to be an American." It's "You want to be an American." The song is sarcastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL_amiWnqFQ

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[airdvr 210]

quade

Um . . . about "Americano" . . . uh, I don't know how to tell you this, but it's NOT the song you seem to think it is. It's NOT complimentary and your translation is way off. It's not "I want to be an American." It's "You want to be an American." The song is sarcastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL_amiWnqFQ

That's one way of interpreting the lyrics. It's a shot at Italians, not Americans. The gist is still that they want to be Americanos.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[Andy9o8 2]

airdvr

***Um . . . about "Americano" . . . uh, I don't know how to tell you this, but it's NOT the song you seem to think it is. It's NOT complimentary and your translation is way off. It's not "I want to be an American." It's "You want to be an American." The song is sarcastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL_amiWnqFQ

That's one way of interpreting the lyrics. It's a shot at Italians, not Americans. The gist is still that they want to be Americanos.

Reading the lyrics, it's obviously a dig by native Italians against their fellow native Italians who affect American mannerisms, clothing, etc.

Here's a link to the lyrics, in the original Italian, and translated to English:

http://www.beginningwithi.com/2010/02/25/learn-italian-in-song-tu-vuo-fa-lamericano/

So if your point is that time was when Europeans so wanted to be like Americans that they tried to emulate Americans - like the "targets" of this song - then to that extent the existence of this song seems to support that.

Ever since the turn of the 20th Century - especially once American doughboys went to Europe during WW1 - there has been a love/hate relationship between Europe - then other regions, too - and America. The phenomenon is at least 100 years old. And I'm not all that sure it's really waned all that much in recent years; it's just evolved.

ETA: Here's an example of this evolution:
http://world.time.com/2013/11/27/chinese-women-are-flocking-to-the-u-s-to-have-babies/?hpt=hp_t2

[Skyrad 0]

I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[grue 1]

Skyrad

I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

The funny thing is that a lot of people look at England the same way. Other than the loving jumping over there part

cavete terrae.

[shropshire 0]

Skyrad

I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

+1

which is a shame because I'd love to visit some friends again.

It's about time that we treated people how they treat us (or better)

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

shropshire

***I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

+1

which is a shame because I'd love to visit some friends again.

It's about time that we treated people how they treat us (or better)

Unfortunately, the politicians have convinced everyone that all of "them furriners" are trying to blow us up. The mass media has done a fine, fine job of helping them.

And the Law Enforcement Community have pushed "Border Security" as the answer.
US Customs has long been "less than consumer friendly" and it's just gotten worse.

Its a shame, really. There are lots of nice people who it would be great to have visit, or even stay a while (which is a whole different discussion), who are rightly turned off by the hoops they have to jump through and the inquisition they have to endure to enter.

I cross between the US and Canada on a fairly regular basis, so I have an understanding of the behaviors and attitudes of the CBP folks. Some are great. Others...

Not so much.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[shropshire 0]

Seems the easiest way to circumvent the Customs Customer service issues is to enter vie the Rio Grande


BUT if every other country treated visiting Americans the same way that they are treated by American Customs then maybe.. just maybe things would change.... Till then I'll vote with my wallet.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Squeak 17]

wolfriverjoe

******I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

+1

which is a shame because I'd love to visit some friends again.

It's about time that we treated people how they treat us (or better)

Unfortunately, the politicians have convinced everyone that all of "them furriners" are trying to blow us up. The mass media has done a fine, fine job of helping them.

And the Law Enforcement Community have pushed "Border Security" as the answer.
US Customs has long been "less than consumer friendly" and it's just gotten worse.

Its a shame, really. There are lots of nice people who it would be great to have visit, or even stay a while (which is a whole different discussion), who are rightly turned off by the hoops they have to jump through and the inquisition they have to endure to enter.

I cross between the US and Canada on a fairly regular basis, so I have an understanding of the behaviors and attitudes of the CBP folks. Some are great. Others...

Not so much.
Im a regular visitor to the USofA, and of all my trips only one entry has been a pain. However I would say that the entry port of LAX could really do with some tidying up. I would avoid coming in through LAX if it were an option (alas many times it's not)
I dont think the entry procedures are all that off putting, but some of the staff could do with a happy stick shoved up there butt.
CBP are the 1st impression you get when entering a country, TRY to be welcoming

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[swisschris62 0]

I don't cross into Canada at all anymore because of all the crap you have to put up with at the crossings.
About 5 years ago I went to cross and they held me up because I didnt have papers in the truck for my dog. I'd been across so many times I would recognize most of the guys there and they knew me AND knew I had a dog. The dog came up in conversation lots of times in the past.
Even though I have tags on the dog, they wanted papers or they were going to quarantine her ( which I would have been billed for).
So I call my wife, who was at work to send them to me. She has to run home, find these papers ( which almost didn't happen) and then faxed them to me.
In 25+ years on the road at the time I'd never been asked for papers for my dog?that was the last straw for me with crossing.
I've heard from lots of guys it's only gotten stupider.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

swisschris62

...I've heard from lots of guys it's only gotten stupider.

Actually, it's gotten easier.

They've created a system called PAPS (Canada into US) and PARS (US into Canada) where all I do is fax everything to the broker with a barcode sticker on it, wait a couple hours and call it to make sure it's been accepted. When I get to the border, the CBP officer scans the barcode and my passport, asks a few questions and sends me on my way. Coming into the US there'a also an ACE manifest which is used in addition to the PAPS to clear me.
I've only been held up at the border for more than a few minutes (run through the Gamma Ray scanner and some place make you pay inside these days coming into the US) a couple times since this stuff was started.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[aphid 0]

shropshire

BUT if every other country treated visiting Americans the same way that they are treated by American Customs then maybe.. just maybe things would change.... Till then I'll vote with my wallet.

For a good overview of the US Customs mind-set, you could read their argument of defense in my ongoing lawsuit against the agency.

It is a one-plank wonder: they continue to assert no court in the USA has the authority to review the actions by US Customs personnel.

We are now at the oral argument phase of the Appeal when the initial finding agreed with that position. 4 years. $75K. Yeah, the folks at the border are oh, so special.

[swisschris62 0]

Are you hauling for a company that crosses on a regular basis which makes it easier for you guys.
I know a lot of guys that quit going mainly because of the border hassle....freight ( that pays) coming back being a secondary issue.
And then of course, i also have a truck I won't turn down to get into other parts.
The time they wanted to lock up my dog was enough for me though, all because that day some supervisor wanted to bust balls. I'll just stay down here where I'm familiar with most of the suprises they throw at you.
On a side note, you hear about the dot guys that got busted up there? They were bribing owners of companies to pay them on some sort of sliding scale as per how many trucks they were sending across. Owners that paid, dot looked the other way. Owners that didn't pay, got level 1's and were either delayed a bunch or put out of service for trivial stuff.
I'm not suggesting it only happens up there....

[kallend 2,156]

Skyrad

I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones.

"Some of my best friends are Americans".

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 2,156]

wolfriverjoe

******I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

+1

which is a shame because I'd love to visit some friends again.

It's about time that we treated people how they treat us (or better)

Unfortunately, the politicians have convinced everyone that all of "them furriners" are trying to blow us up. The mass media has done a fine, fine job of helping them.

And the Law Enforcement Community have pushed "Border Security" as the answer.
US Customs has long been "less than consumer friendly" and it's just gotten worse.

Its a shame, really. There are lots of nice people who it would be great to have visit, or even stay a while (which is a whole different discussion), who are rightly turned off by the hoops they have to jump through and the inquisition they have to endure to enter.

I cross between the US and Canada on a fairly regular basis, so I have an understanding of the behaviors and attitudes of the CBP folks. Some are great. Others...

Not so much.

I don't think it's any worse than before, just different.

When I first came to the USA, in 1977, my wife was asked (in the presence of our small children) if she intended to engage in prostitution.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Skyrad 0]

kallend

*********I've got nothing against Americans, I know some lovely ones, (Even around here ) however, I would not want to be an American, in fact I doubt that I will be visiting America ever again unless things change quite a lot. To many other places in the world where you don't get treated like a criminal when you want to visit.
Its a shame as I loved jumping over there.

+1

which is a shame because I'd love to visit some friends again.

It's about time that we treated people how they treat us (or better)

Unfortunately, the politicians have convinced everyone that all of "them furriners" are trying to blow us up. The mass media has done a fine, fine job of helping them.

And the Law Enforcement Community have pushed "Border Security" as the answer.
US Customs has long been "less than consumer friendly" and it's just gotten worse.

Its a shame, really. There are lots of nice people who it would be great to have visit, or even stay a while (which is a whole different discussion), who are rightly turned off by the hoops they have to jump through and the inquisition they have to endure to enter.

I cross between the US and Canada on a fairly regular basis, so I have an understanding of the behaviors and attitudes of the CBP folks. Some are great. Others...

Not so much.

I don't think it's any worse than before, just different.

When I first came to the USA, in 1977, my wife was asked (in the presence of our small children) if she intended to engage in prostitution.[/quote

What did she say?

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Skyrad 0]

'PAPS and PARS' sounds like something you'd get a clip round the ear for doing at the diner table.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

swisschris62

Are you hauling for a company that crosses on a regular basis which makes it easier for you guys...

...And then of course, i also have a truck I won't turn down to get into other parts...

...On a side note, you hear about the dot guys that got busted up there? They were bribing owners of companies to pay them on some sort of sliding scale as per how many trucks they were sending across. Owners that paid, dot looked the other way. Owners that didn't pay, got level 1's and were either delayed a bunch or put out of service for trivial stuff.
I'm not suggesting it only happens up there....

Yes, we run into Canada quite often. The border guys know we usually have our paperwork straight.

My truck is already turned down to 65, less than the 105 km/h that Ontario and Quebec require (not "my" truck, but you know what I mean).

I hadn't heard of that. My experience with Canadian MOT has been pretty positive. When they say "you were next in line to be pulled over, I know you guys are kept up pretty well so I don't think I'll find much wrong," it's a pretty good feeling.

And despite sounding a little silly, the PAPS/PARS has made crossing the border a lot easier.

US Customs site:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/719

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[swisschris62 0]

Being that you guys cross regularly could be part of the reason it's easier also.
I guess you could compare it to getting on a military base. When I/we show up we usually get through the gate pretty quick whereas some trucks get held up and it takes longer.
Even though we are all owner ops, our company has a good reputation and our safety scores are good. Like your company, we are known to run good equipment, I think it would be safe to say we have a reputation of having some of the nicest trucks on the road.
Other then the incident with the dog I always got across without any problems. For a while they made crossing a little more of a p.i.a. and then the dog thing happened. Between rates, available freight, weather, road conditions, speed limits etc. I decided to keep it in the states.
Be safe out there and hope you get to the house for the holidays...