Originally Posted By Any Huis I've rented a car 3 times in England and every time I "blended in" (and saved much money) by renting a stick shift. The shifting with my left hand was harder, but also a fun challenge. Both of your points, fkurucz, is that using an automatic is EASIER. Isn't doing things the EASY way the very definition of laziness? I too do a lot of things the lazy way, and in many ways I too am a "lazy American". That's why I'm a few kilograms overweight!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I'm going to pop in and say that adjusting to right-hand drive with an automatic is probably SAFER, not just EASIER (most of my cars have had manual transmissions, which I prefer)
Originally Posted By gaston lives Honestly, I don't swear...I actually say "freak" when i refer to wtf. Sorry to offend as that was not the intent. My wife can't drive stick, I can, but she can't. She probably wouldn't feel safe in a stick especially since driving on the WRONG side of the road. I think they shoudl offer automatics without worrying about whether we're lazy or not.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< That's why I'm a few kilograms overweight! >>> I think we should outlaw the use of the metric system as well as Spanish.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I agree.^ I listen to LP radio at work, today I was singing along with Linda Ronstandt to "when you wish upon a star" suddenly I realized we weren't singing the same words. Her version was in spanish.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl If I'm visiting another country and their drivers are looking into my car to see if I'm using an automatic or a manual so they can judge me on my "blending in" skills instead of worrying about the road ahead... I think I'd be more worried about them and their anal retentive-ness rather than my lack of ability when it comes to driving a manual transition. (That said I have no problem with the use of Spanish or any other language spiels at Disney or anywhere else, nor would I expect another country to have everything available in my language when I visit.) ~Beth
Originally Posted By Tiggirl Whoops... my post above was in reference to this: <<I've rented a car 3 times in England and every time I "blended in" (and saved much money) by renting a stick shift.>>
Originally Posted By MPierce I will have to correct a statement I made earlier. I just purchased a car that has the capability of automatic or manuel shifting. I have to confess I am lazy most of the time when I drive it though. Just as I am when I use all of these new fangled apliances, like, televisions, Central air-conditioning & heating, gas cooking stoves, refridgerators, dishwashers , microwave ovens, washer, and dryer, indoor plumbing, computers, and all that other stuff that has turned me into a Lazy American. Kind of over the top comparisons don't you think? I really don't mind the Lazy-American tag. I retired after 35 years with the same company. A job I got after the honor of serving my country for 4 years. So yep, I'm one Lazy-American now. By the way I'm from Texas, so I can't blend into most cultures, including the vast majority of the United States. I suggest reading up on the average work week for Americans compared to the rest of the world. I think you might be surprised, but don't worry, I would never be so bold as to call another countries citizens lazy just because they worked fewer hours or had more vacation. More power to them. Not that any of this has anything to do with announcements at WDW being done in Spanish, before English or appropriate.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I'm going to pop in and say that adjusting to right-hand drive with an automatic is probably SAFER, not just EASIER (most of my cars have had manual transmissions, which I prefer)<< Exactly. Its already hard enough to drive on the other side of the road, in unfamiliar territory. But to have to shift with the left hand, is asking a lot. Anyway, what I do when in London is WALK, which is even less lazy than driving a stick shift car (and I ride the tube as well).
Originally Posted By disneyhabit I wish our politicians would get off their lazy behinds and do something right for America. As for that mayor in TN. What a jerk. It goes to show you how weak and scared our politicians are to say anything that they might offend the minority in this country (are the Americans minority yet). As to lazy, how many Americans work in this country and pay taxes just to give it to people on welfare, illegals, etc. I’m tired of hearing babies being dropped in the Arizona deserts and women being shipped here from the Middle East to have their babies in our hospitals at our expense so they can be American citizens, that should stop! I’m tired of being taking advantage of and paying for everyone else it would be nice if I could keep more of my money than give it to the greedy government so they can blow it on programs that don’t work. English only in America!!!!
Originally Posted By dsnykid When I lived in Dallas for two years, I did so on a work visa, which meant the company first had to prove I was not taking a job away from an American, which I felt was totally fair. When I got there, one of the first things I did was begin to learn Spanish. Why? Because, illegal or not, the children I taught and cared for spoke it. A few years later, we travelled to Mexico and in a group of 8, I was given the best treatment of all of us because I had the manners to speak to our hotel staff in spanish and ask how their days were and to say thank you. It was a small gesture, but as one of respect, it also ended up in maing my trip more enjoyable. So if Disney chooses to play the spanish safety speech first for their guests, more power to them.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>Sorry, MPierce, but I DO think it's a trait of "laziness" that we (Americans) have to have our stupid automatic transmissions<< I'm Australian and I can only drive a "stupid automatic" car. I have never been behind the wheel of a manual and couldn't drive it no matter HOW much cheaper it was ... I don't think that's lazy, it just wasn't practical for me to get my manual permit. No one in my family has a manual car, so I wouldn't have been able to practice. Also, I'm SO closed-minded that I wouldn't even consider renting a car when I go to America, because I would be too anxious about driving on the other side of the road I take public transport when I'm overseas.
Originally Posted By Any Huis SO sorry to open so many "cans of worms"! In retrospect, I guess I can agree that renting an automatic in England might be SAFER -- in addition to easier (and lazier). My whole point about us Americans being "lazy" with our automatic transmissions comes from the last time I needed to buy a new (used) car. Because of the costs of repairing stupid automatic transmissions, and the better gas mileage that stick shifts get, I will ALWAYS only drive a manual transmission. But DO YOU KNOW how hard it is to find a good used vehicle with a stick shift??? As Goofy would say, "Gawrsh!" When I looked at the listings of used cars, over 95% of them have automatics in them! When you look at this ratio, and contrast it with the exact opposite ratio in Europe, you have to conclude that "Something is different". I happen to believe that Americans are "addicted to comfort", and thus, "lazy". Another example (which I've brought up in this thread) is our refusal to learn other languages. Ever heard the following joke?: What do you call a person who speaks 2 languages?...... Bilingual What do you call a person who speaks 3 languages?...... Trilingual But WHAT do you call a person who speaks ONLY ONE language?...... An American Go to almost any other nation and the majority of people speak 2 or more languages. Only in America do we insist that the rest of the world speak OUR precious language.
Originally Posted By disneyhabit What is up with driving an automatic to a manual, it is personal preference not laziness.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I happen to believe that Americans are "addicted to comfort", and thus, "lazy".<< I suppose that your car doesn't have an electric starter either.
Originally Posted By disneyhabit What is so wrong with speaking ONLY English in America, it is our language. I find nothing wrong with people that want to broaden their horizons and learn other languages but don't get down on anyone that prefers to speak English in their native land. As far as other nations, if they want 2 or 100 languages then so be it.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ Actually the first languages of the America's would be any "Indian/Aboriginal/Native" language. So if you want to get technical about the language of the America's perhaps we should all learn Cherokee or Mohawk.
