I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents said.

[Lazer LXXVII]

I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents said.

Basically i had a 10 page research paper, and i had a choice of 5 topics. One of them was to interview an immigrant to the United States, and find out what they like most about the United States, what they like least, and how it compares to their homeland. I decided to do my parents since we all came over here from Poland, and i thought the answers were interesting, so ill post them on here to share.



-What do you like about the culture of the United States?
The openness and tolerance for different cultures, other nations do not accept other cultures as well as the United States does, other cultures are really secluded from other influences. They are usually not as open to other different people.

-What do you think about the cultural values of the United States (in terms of family, lifestyle, and etc)?
The family models in the United States are too weak, some people are too busy or too negligent to sit down and eat dinner as a family. The typical American family has far too weak family values, and should appreciate what they have in their family more. Young teenagers try to leave their homes too early, and want to be an adult too soon. Rather than going to school and continuing their education, they are focused on working for a living instead. The typical American lifestyle is like most other lifestyles, some very hard workers, some who don’t work quite as hard.

-If you could change anything about the culture of the United States, what would it be?
Its hard to talk about changes in multi-cultural nations, because every single culture that can be found here contributes to the overall culture of the United States. One particular thing that should be changed are the family values, and there should be an increased focus on raising children. Americans rely too much on fast food and other unhealthy junk food instead of eating a healthy meal or a healthy snack, far too much reliance on fast food. Although this is a trend for the rest of the world, everyone is becoming more interested in fast food. The public schooling system is too weak on education, and the overall education standard should be higher.

-What do you like about the government and politics of the United States?
We always had a view of the United States as a true democratic country, it was founded with the intentions to allow people to achieve what they want through hard work. It is a country where you should be able to go far by putting in a lot of effort. The free market system allows everyone to achieve goals and success through hard work, skills, and talent. But recently there has been too much corruption, power hunger, and lobbyists in the government and politics. It seems like the only country with true capitalism is beginning to fade, and the free market system is collapsing.

-If you could change anything about the government of the United States, what would it be?
We wish the politics and government would go back to those described by the founding fathers in the United States constitution. The media has also way too much influence on the people of United States, especially those are unsure about the politics. The media has too much brainwash control over the people.

-What else do you like about the United States? (foreign policies, technology, medicine, anything, etc)
The United States is pioneering in many ways like medicine, technology, industry, and they contribute to the well of the whole world. It is a big part of the engine that powers our advancement in civilization. We also like how the United States provides humanitarian aid to the rest of the world like no other country does, and giving help where it is needed, like organizations similar to the Red Cross. We support the strong military of the United States, it helps in many crises around the world, although some mistakes have been made.

-What made you decide to immigrate to the United States?
Better life opportunities, and to escape the remaining aspects of socialism in Poland. The times were too tough in Poland because of the transition from socialism to the first stage of the free market system.

-What were your expectations of living in the United States?
We didn’t have very high expectations, because if we have had set our expectations too high, it would be harder to achieve them. But we expected to put in a lot of hard work, and have a better life ahead of us.

-Did living in the United States meet your expectations or fall short of them?
Yes it met our expectations.

-Have you ever regretted immigrating to the United States?
Absolutely not. But we hope for good and prosperity for our family and country.

-How long have you lived in the United States?
Since 1992, so about 17 years.

-Would you consider your homeland as your home, or would you consider the United States as your home, why?
Both. The United States is our home now because we live here, and have everything here. However, Poland will always hold a deep place in our hearts, because that is where our family is and where we were raised. This is why we have two citizenships.

-What do you miss most about your homeland?
Family, friends and the food.

-Do you ever visit your homeland? How often would you like to?
We visit about every two or three years. But we would like to visit as often as we can.

-Would you consider moving back to your homeland?
We never thought about this. But its still an open question for the future.

-What do you miss the least about your homeland?
Its hard to say, our home country has been changing the last many years. Its nothing like the environment that we grew up in, but its always better to remember the good things instead of the bad things. After the many years of living here, you forget about all of the bad things like the economical crises and corrupt government that were over there. But nothing was ever too bad, it was our choice to come here. But we were young when we came to the United States and open for new experiences.

-Do you still hold any traditions that are common in your home country?
Of course, on a daily basis, but especially on the holidays. Everybody should always preserve their traditions.

-What are some of the traditions that you continue over here?
Wigilia, which is the most important family event that occurs on Christmas Eve, where everyone comes together as a family for the holidays. Wielkanoc is our second biggest tradition, which is our traditional celebration of Easter. We always cook traditional Polish foods, and we speak Polish in our home.

-What is your favorite part of your homeland?
The natural environment such as the beautiful lakes, mountains, sea, forests, and everything. The history, our family, our friends, and the memories we have there.

-What is the biggest difference between living in the United States and living in your homeland?
There are very many differences. In the culture, in the economy, and in the lifestyle. Its taken many years to adapt to the different land.

 

[stillman]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Very interesting thread. I hope the answers weren't too biased (maybe they would say different things if you were some stranger at their door taking the answers?)

What really struck me was the mentioning of US's great and wonderful heath care system when this only applies to those who can afford the care. Just my opinion on that matter.

I like how they chose to leave their old country as a means of escaping serious problems. I believe this is a great way to protest something you don't like. Marching around with a sign, chanting, riots, etc doesn't seem to affect a country's leaders, but I beieve emmegrating (leaving altogether) sends a very strong message to the government of both the old and new home countries. To the new country (like US and Canada) it says these places are preferable and generaly safe places to live. To the old country it says we can't bear it here anymore, maybe the government should get with the times, etc.

 

[lAmebAdger]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

very interesting thread indeed.

i like how it gives a balanced view on the pros and cons of the united states without having much negativity either.

i also like how easy at least these two people have been able to integrate... and... i love polish food! (my best memories of eating meat-related food are in poland)

 

[Kaysaar]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

I'm interested to see how you'll turn that into a ten page paper, as a few of your parents answers were rather succinct. I think they did hit the nail on the head with their observations of the American family model - which is something I've noticed as well. Do you know why they picked the USA rather than another country in Europe, or Canada?

 

[Lazer LXXVII]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Well its not an essay, its some strange research paper format he wants. So i can include the questions in the paper in bullet form, and that can count toward my 10 pages.

And i think they chose the US because it was 100% capitalism (at the time). From what i remember hearing over the years from them, eastern Europe was falling apart at that time, western Europe was socialist (but not the same type of socialist that was in Poland, that had way too much communist influence), and Canada was socialist as well.

They just wanted something completely new, they wanted to work hard and get what they deserve.

 

[lAmebAdger]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

sadly, there's a great deal of luck involved in getting what you actually deserved in many cases today...

there are ways to influence that luck, though: hard work, perseverance... and networking

 

[trashX]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

What really struck me was the mentioning of US's great and wonderful heath care system when this only applies to those who can afford the care.

Where was healthcare mentioned? Did I miss something?

 

[Garbad_the_Weak]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

What really struck me was the mentioning of US's great and wonderful heath care system when this only applies to those who can afford the care. Just my opinion on that matter.

Its strange to me how people think they should have the right to something they can't pay for. Reality is "you eat what you kill," not "the world owes me a living."

 

[phool]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

We love to see the 'lazy bum' as a parasite on the economy, can't we extend the same contempt to the disabled, insane..? Is drive really something we can hold an individual responsible for to a greater degree than qualities like intelligence, place of birth, or richness of parents?

You could just say people who are misfortunate enough to be born in poor circumstances with poor qualities or chances for personal success are inevitable, people who, however hard they try given their natural ability, will simply never be able to support themselves to the extent of affording medical insurance, but doesn't this void the touted 'fairness' which underpins capitalist thinking?

Perhaps I'm projecting.

 

[Garbad_the_Weak]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

We love to see the 'lazy bum' as a parasite on the economy, can't we extend the same contempt to the disabled, insane..?

They obviously are parasites as well, but the difference is they can't choose to be otherwise. And yes, I hold people responsible for the choices they make. You don't have to be a Harvard molecular biologist to be a worthwhile human being -- a logger who obeys the law, supports his children, and contributes to his community is doing just fine. And tbh, the people who are born with everything and still are losers are worse than the people who are born with nothing and never manage to get going. Everyone acknowledges this.

 

[Ash Housewares]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Feed the troll more will ya

 

[phool]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

They obviously are parasites as well, but the difference is they can't choose to be otherwise. And yes, I hold people responsible for the choices they make. You don't have to be a Harvard molecular biologist to be a worthwhile human being -- a logger who obeys the law, supports his children, and contributes to his community is doing just fine. And tbh, the people who are born with everything and still are losers are worse than the people who are born with nothing and never manage to get going. Everyone acknowledges this.

Sure, I'm just suggesting that lazy people aren't choosing to be lazy any more than retarded people are choosing to be retarded. One may be more a product of their upbringing and less a product of their genetics but they have equally little control over either shaping influence. I mean it's convenient to draw objective comparisons, but just?

 

[Tanooki]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Lazy people, when they find they're no longer being fed by others, amazingly cease to be lazy.

Very few people have ever starved to death because they were lazy.

 

[Rashiminos]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

And yes, I hold people responsible for the choices they make. You don't have to be a Harvard molecular biologist to be a worthwhile human being -- a logger who obeys the law, supports his children, and contributes to his community is doing just fine.

That logger is not necessarily able to afford even adequate healthcare, let alone the high-quality care wealthier people purchase. An accident happens, and things are definitely not fine.

 

[Lazer LXXVII]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Lazy people, when they find they're no longer being fed by others, amazingly cease to be lazy.

Very few people have ever starved to death because they were lazy.

This.

People are only lazy when they can get away with it. But when its either starve to death or go out and get a job, everyone will work for their food.

I was never against helping people, just about everyone deserves a bit of help. But far too many people take advantage of the help.

 

[lAmebAdger]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

far too many people don't see the benefits in leading a life that "stands on its own two feet", self-conscience benefits that is

and those who do, but can't seem to succeed in getting it, however hard they try, still lead a more fulfilled life than if they didn't try..

 

[stillman]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

I wasn't even talking about beggers. I'm talking about you mother and father (for example) when they are too old and sick to raise the fortune they need to pay for their meds. I'm no expert on USA, but I believe the system currently works where a hospital bouncer throws them out on the street right away if they fail to pay up in advance, is this correct?

In the example I just gave, the hard working older people worked all their lives full time and they still can't afford to pay up or afford health insurance. I guess the US way is to chuck them into the 'useless trash begger' pile.

 

[lAmebAdger]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

*beggar

well, many people see things this way too... in America.
some complain about being given a choice which of their two cut off fingers they want to have sown on again, of course one finger differing from the other in price and both fingers together being unaffordable...

 

[phool]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

Lazy people, when they find they're no longer being fed by others, amazingly cease to be lazy.

Very few people have ever starved to death because they were lazy.

Superficially this is true, but it doesn't consider the issues of foresight and risk management. While they will be strongly incentivised against immediate damage to their health and wellbeing they likely won't naturally build a buffer to safeguard themselves against potential injury or illness. If the worst should happen, they would in fact be benefitted if the govt forced them to set aside some of their money by artificially inflating the price of food where the extra few % is being set aside for insurance.

In America medicine and healthcare seems to be ridiculously expensive anyway, to the point where the idea that the honest hardworking type certainly can't expect to support a small family with insurance or in case of medical need, don't people travel across to Mexico and stuff to pick up their prescription because it's a tiny fraction of the price?

 

[Garbad_the_Weak]

Re: I had to interview immigrants for a research paper, so here is what my parents sa

That logger is not necessarily able to afford even adequate healthcare, let alone the high-quality care wealthier people purchase. An accident happens, and things are definitely not fine.

That's life. We all live in a world of limited luxuries. He still has more than 99% of the world population at any time. Can he really ***** because someone may have more?