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I’m American, and I frequently notice that most people are always talking about how much everything sucks. If somebody sees a movie, there is a 50/50 chance the

I’m American, and I frequently notice that most people are always talking about how much everything sucks. If somebody sees a movie, there is a 50/50 chance they will be talking about how they didn’t like it because they thought the writing was awkward in one scene. When talking about a car they will complain about how the dashboard feels. When talking about their relationships with other people they will complain about how this person is too familiar and that person is too distant. It’s as though everyone is employed as the Roger Ebert of their lives and everything they come into contact with. This approach to life seems bound to make anyone stressed even if they live in complete prosperity. Are people like this everywhere or is this more of an American thing?

newsoul2019 7y ago
I noticed this in myself when I started writing a lot of Yelp reviews. Eventually I wrote several hundred, but ended up deleting the account.
arethuza 7y ago
An example regarding movies: there seemed to be an outrage around 'First Man' that it wasn't patriotic enough - but the movie was about one of the most awesome things any country has done and about a man who was a hero to people across the world (including me). I'm not from the US and the movie seemed to be about one of the best things the US has ever done and still people complained about it!
- bazooka_penguin 7y ago
  Because they cut the US flag planting scene and then when responding to the hubbub over it the staff and Armstrong's sons said it was more of a moment for humanity as a whole. You dont see why some Americans would be angry? I mean the arms race era wasnt even that long ago and the project was literally an American (and some canadian) effort borne out of nationalism in the first place.
  - arethuza 7y ago
    Out of interest, have you actually seen the movie?
    - bazooka_penguin 7y ago
      Nope. Personally I'm not invested in the moon landing enough to actually pay money to see a movie about it regardless.
      - arethuza 7y ago
        But isn't that kind of the point, you are repeating negative apparent negative aspects of something when in the movie they make it very clear that the program was about beating the Soviets and I'd say it presents a very positive picture of the US.
        bazooka_penguin 7y ago
        I'm just telling you over what and why Americans were pissed, and that the outcome should've been obvious to the producers. I'm certain most Americans and even most canadians would have seen a negative response to such a decision coming. It's not a part of a negativity culture or complaining or anything, they should've just put the flag planting scene in if they wanted to avoid the negativity.
noahmoss 7y ago
Is that really a problem for things like movies and cars, though? When I watch a film, part of the fun is critically examining and discussing it afterwards. If I'm making a huge purchase like a car, I'd want to be extra-conscious about things I'm not 100% satisfied with. Sure, don't be critical about everything in life, but it has its place.
- djakjxnanjak 7y ago
  Sure, make a careful decision when buying your car. But after you buy it, like it! You made a big commitment, and switching costs are high, so you’ll be happier if you feel you made the right decision. After watching a movie, critically analyze it if that makes you happy. You aren’t married to it because you saw it - disliking it won’t hurt you. But when you’re thinking about whether you should go with your friend to watch a movie they want to see, don’t agonize over it for hours, just see it or don’t. There are a million things going on in any movie and you can always find something interesting to pay attention to. If you can afford to spend $15 and a few hours, find a way to enjoy it.
- kristofferR 7y ago
  It's a huge problem, why purposefully degrade your own happiness? Find the beauty in things, not the flaws. Of course chose wisely, but once you've chosen something stop looking for the flaws.

newsoul2019 7y ago

I noticed this in myself when I started writing a lot of Yelp reviews. Eventually I wrote several hundred, but ended up deleting the account.

arethuza 7y ago

An example regarding movies: there seemed to be an outrage around 'First Man' that it wasn't patriotic enough - but the movie was about one of the most awesome things any country has done and about a man who was a hero to people across the world (including me). I'm not from the US and the movie seemed to be about one of the best things the US has ever done and still people complained about it!

bazooka_penguin 7y ago
Because they cut the US flag planting scene and then when responding to the hubbub over it the staff and Armstrong's sons said it was more of a moment for humanity as a whole. You dont see why some Americans would be angry? I mean the arms race era wasnt even that long ago and the project was literally an American (and some canadian) effort borne out of nationalism in the first place.
- arethuza 7y ago
  Out of interest, have you actually seen the movie?
  - bazooka_penguin 7y ago
    Nope. Personally I'm not invested in the moon landing enough to actually pay money to see a movie about it regardless.
    - arethuza 7y ago
      But isn't that kind of the point, you are repeating negative apparent negative aspects of something when in the movie they make it very clear that the program was about beating the Soviets and I'd say it presents a very positive picture of the US.
      - bazooka_penguin 7y ago
        I'm just telling you over what and why Americans were pissed, and that the outcome should've been obvious to the producers. I'm certain most Americans and even most canadians would have seen a negative response to such a decision coming. It's not a part of a negativity culture or complaining or anything, they should've just put the flag planting scene in if they wanted to avoid the negativity.

noahmoss 7y ago

Is that really a problem for things like movies and cars, though? When I watch a film, part of the fun is critically examining and discussing it afterwards. If I'm making a huge purchase like a car, I'd want to be extra-conscious about things I'm not 100% satisfied with. Sure, don't be critical about everything in life, but it has its place.

djakjxnanjak 7y ago
Sure, make a careful decision when buying your car. But after you buy it, like it! You made a big commitment, and switching costs are high, so you’ll be happier if you feel you made the right decision. After watching a movie, critically analyze it if that makes you happy. You aren’t married to it because you saw it - disliking it won’t hurt you. But when you’re thinking about whether you should go with your friend to watch a movie they want to see, don’t agonize over it for hours, just see it or don’t. There are a million things going on in any movie and you can always find something interesting to pay attention to. If you can afford to spend $15 and a few hours, find a way to enjoy it.
kristofferR 7y ago
It's a huge problem, why purposefully degrade your own happiness? Find the beauty in things, not the flaws. Of course chose wisely, but once you've chosen something stop looking for the flaws.