Why are we so different?

[Mickwhitt 4,592]

Hi all,

I've just been reading a thread on the model engineering website over here in the UK. 

A guy asked why the majority of responses to requests for help were negative. Sometimes responders make you feel stupid, or jump on their high horse and start preaching, or sometimes give really bad advice.

I sent in a reply about my experience with Red square and how everyone is positive and good humoured.

Another guy agreed with me and said he was a member of an American group and found it to be so much more positive than uk groups.

Why are we so different? What has happened in England to make us so pessimistic and bitter. What makes America so positive and go get em?

I watch forged in fire and even when a contestant makes a real mess the judges are supportive and kind. Over here we would crucify his effort as a waste of our time looking at it.

Just wondered if you guys have a view of us British.

Best regards Mick 

[ebinmaine 67,277]

This could be an interesting thread.

 

First and foremost I want to give credit to the MODERATORS OF REDSQUARE for keeping this particular website positive and for the most part conflict-free.

 

I believe a lot of the way things are percepted in general is governed by one's own attitude.

The vast majority of the crowd here are positive people in general mindset and that's why we come here repeatedly after we find the place.

 

Here in America there are plenty of places where the general mindset is negative or even confrontational.

I won't bother to give examples because there are so many I could go on for days. That said, I could also go on for days about the positive examples that I see and experience every day.

 

One thing I have noticed over the years. Possibly my own perception and completely wrong. I have noticed that the more people in a given square mile, the more negative the attitude seems to be, at least here in the Northeast.

There are plenty of places where cities and towns are considered to be friendly and I have great experiences there.

But it seems as though negativity attracts to negativity.

 

 

I have only had very limited exposure to true born and bread British folk over the years but I can't honestly say I found them to be negative or upset or cranky or anything close to that.

 

 

I'll be looking forward to seeing what other people say.

 

[rmaynard 15,427]

Maybe it's because it is always rainy over there. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,492]

This is the only “social media” site I use. The people are almost universally positive and helpful even when opinions differ. When they aren’t, the mods usually step in. There are a few exceptions and those posts are ignored and go away or dealt with appropriately by the mods.

 

The mods keep it positive and helpful. Kudos to them!

 

I do not think negative social media is unique to your great country. It is unfortunately normal here as well. It is that RS is so uniquely positive... I hope it stays that way.

 

 

Cheers!

Edited January 27, 2020 by SylvanLakeWH

[formariz 11,987]

@Mickwhitt  Don't think that your feelings are isolated to England. The same happens in many other countries i know including my own. In general, here in the States everyone is positive and supportive. It is evident everywhere in all aspects of life down to the simplest of conversations.One is always presented and treated with the most supportive and positive attitude, and I can tell you from personal experience that it is a feeling that is priceless. Where I am from and other places, the total opposite. Negativity, criticism, and sarcasm just to name a few are the norm. Perhaps besides it being called the land of opportunity that is one of the reasons why everyone flocks here.Many abroad that have never been here or dealt with Americans on a regular basis, not only do not know it, but don't understand it. That is why although I love and am proud of my heritage, this is the place I call home and where my heart is, and everyday I thank the Lord for the day I first stepped in this blessed Land.

[Ed Kennell 38,022]

Without question, the  mods deserve all the credit for making this site so positive.   Trust me, all US sites are not this way.

As far as the general attitude of residents of different countries,   I have worked in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Canada, USA, Wales, and Slovenia.

With the exception of one country, I always felt welcome.  I will not disclose the country that seemed to have a negative attitude, but it was not the UK.

 

[Achto 27,505]

3 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

I watch forged in fire and even when a contestant makes a real mess the judges are supportive and kind.

 

Try watching Hell's Kitchen, that may give you a different view.

 

In my area of the country most people have a fairly positive attitude.  Then again according to one survey of the 10 drunkest cities in America, Wisconsin held 5 places. Actually it should have been 6 places, for some reason they put Oshkosh & Neenah together at #6.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Achto

[Mickwhitt 4,592]

It's not necessarily just a negative mindset, when you ask for help or advice some of the responses are so condescending or downright rude. 

Theres just very little encouraging comment and you're usually made to feel like a chump.  And heaven help if you try to be humourous in your posts. I know we are supposed to be straight laced but come on! Lighten up. It's a hobby and its supposed to be fun.

My most memorable moment is the awe and respect I felt when standing under one of the Saturn 5 Apollo rockets at Cape Kennedy. A nation that created such a machine in such a short time and pre  the computing power we have these days blew me away.

God bless America 

Mick 

[peter lena 8,582]

mickwhitt, i too have stood beneath the Saturn rockets and agree with you on the awe factor, if you get the chance to travel west, make sure you go INSIDE , the HOOVER DAM and the power house, just outside of las vegas , then head into utah and drive the virgin river gorge. look up , AMERICANSOUTHWEST.COM  for pictures and great places to see. KCPUBLICATIONS , IN LAS VEGAS , prints all the national park photo albums . i stopped taking pictures years ago, when you can get a 8x11  color picture  of what you saw  it pails a small photo. YOUR INTREST AND ATTITUDE  IS WHAT DRIVES YOU , i hope you keep it going , pete

[Ed Kennell 38,022]

                                                                                                Look close at the model turbine on display in the power house.

While you're there, stand on the edge of the Canyon and crawl thru the Pueblo apartments on Mesa Verde.

[Stormin 9,981]

10 hours ago, rmaynard said:

Maybe it's because it is always rainy over there. 

 

 Not always. It does stop now and then.

[Stormin 9,981]

  Just to add. Mick, where ever you go, you will find people with different attitudes towards others. Some helpful, some indifferent and alas some who think if you don't know or think like them, your beneath them. The second kind don't bother me. As for the latter I feel sorry for them. They'll get their comeuppance on day.

  Must admit, Red Square is by far the friendliest forum I've ever been on. And kudos to Karl and the Mods for keeping it that way.

[squonk 41,028]

32 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 

 Not always. It does stop now and then.

Not when you're working a rally! 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

It starts with the leadership and goes down from there. It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the basket. There are plenty of rude forums here in the US. Honestly this forum is why I have turned to Wheel Horses instead of Cub Cadets. I love my cubs, but the forums are either inactive or have some rude people in them. I just use them for data mining to fix stuff and try not to participate much. Here at Red Square, its a large family with lots of support from everyone. I am a social person, so here is where I like to talk tractors!!

 

 

 

Randy

[Pullstart 62,795]

I had a slight conversation with @Racinbob at the Big Show a couple years back at the hotel one night.  Us folks here at Red Square came for just one common reason.  Wheel Horse Tractors.  What is interesting, is how we find so many other common interests... and many we had no idea even existed.  I didn’t say Us American folks here at RS, people like you Mick are everywhere in the world!

 

If you asked me to take a 10 hour trip for any of my other hobbies, not knowing hardly a single soul personally... I’d tell you you’re nuts.  One year under my belt, I was planning for the whole family to come along.  It’s not just the tractors that bring us together any more, it’s the friendships.  But it all started because of one common interest.  

 

I’ll hand it to the mods for running a tight ship, but letting us stray out on a looooong tangent once in a while (read about every post).   I’ll also hand it to every contributing member who adds to the quality of this forum.  I’m not talking about who has sent money, though I’m sure it’s appreciated for those who keep the lights on, but contributions from post after post of quality info that a guy like me can come and get answers, and maybe some day help another poor clueless chap looking for some solid information.