--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know, Americans think that they're…" description: "\"You know, Americans think that they're such progessive and free thinkers, but we're as uptight as any other country when it comes to speech and languag..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/495/jim-norton-2848_america_you-know-americans-think-that-they-re-su_2528443.png" --- # You know, Americans think that they're such progessive and… ![“You know, Americans think that they're such progessive and free thinkers, but we're as uptight as any other country when it comes to speech and language and content.” quote by Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/495/jim-norton-2848_america_you-know-americans-think-that-they-re-su_2528443.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/495/jim-norton-2848_america_you-know-americans-think-that-they-re-su_2528443.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/495/jim-norton-2848_america_you-know-americans-think-that-they-re-su_2528443.png) > “You know, Americans think that they're such progessive and free thinkers, but we're as uptight as any other country when it comes to speech and language and content.” [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Americans claim progressive freedom but enforce strict speech norms like many societies. **In simple terms:** People say they’re free yet limit speech. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden restrictions. Themes freedom speech culture hypocrisy Mood critical reflective Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - political debate - online forums - media regulation - education - public speaking Key Concepts social norms censorship self‑censorship Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance free expression with respect? - What limits are truly necessary? A Different Perspective Freedom can be curtailed by law or social pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Free thinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-thinker/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [“As the sole surviving child of that family, I find myself left with certain difficulties in the area of speech and language, problems of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-limburg/as-the-sole-surviving-child-of-that-family-i-find-myself-left-with/) Joanne Limburg > [The pack includes analysis and summary forms as well as very explicit links between assessment and individualised intervention...these materials are often lacking in published…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-armstrong/the-pack-includes-analysis-and-summary-forms-as-well-as-very-explicit/) [Linda Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-armstrong/) > [“The form of observation , which underlines all speech and language development, always expresses a peculiar spiritual character , a special way of conceiving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-cassirer/the-form-of-observation-which-underlines-all-speech-and-language/) [Ernst Cassirer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-cassirer/) > [Every American should be forced to live outside the United States for a year or two. Americans should be forced to see how ridiculous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/every-american-should-be-forced-to-live-outside-the-united-states-for/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [What this nation most wants, most yearns for, most needs is someone where people know, all Americans know, that even when they disagree well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sestak/what-this-nation-most-wants-most-yearns-for-most-needs-is-someone/) [Joe Sestak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sestak/) > [I know very few Americans, though I like the way they think. They think big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-bardot/i-know-very-few-americans-though-i-like-the-way-they-think-they-think/) [Brigitte Bardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-bardot/) > [I didn't know that Americans don't like to watch movies with subtitles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoyeon-jung/i-didn-t-know-that-americans-don-t-like-to-watch-movies-with-subtitles/) [HoYeon Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoyeon-jung/) > [I don't really know what Americans are like. I've no idea. I know a few things about them. In my imagination, they have warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-horsley/i-don-t-really-know-what-americans-are-like-i-ve-no-idea-i-know-a-few/) [Sebastian Horsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-horsley/) > [You can't be Canadian without being aware of at least one other country, the United States, 'cause it's so important to us. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/you-can-t-be-canadian-without-being-aware-of-at-least-one-other/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [We need a national service that throws us all together, the urban with the rural, the Fox News types with the MSNBC crowd. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cohen/we-need-a-national-service-that-throws-us-all-together-the-urban-with/) [Richard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cohen/) > [It's really important, obviously, for people to realize that it is a very small percentage, only 1 percent of our total economy, of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bush/it-s-really-important-obviously-for-people-to-realize-that-it-is-a/) [Laura Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bush/) > [I know that sometimes we, as Americans, we reach outside of our means, and every once in a while we like to 'police the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-shadows/i-know-that-sometimes-we-as-americans-we-reach-outside-of-our-means/) [M. Shadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-shadows/) > [Above all, we know that although Americans can be led to make great sacrifices, they do not like to be driven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/above-all-we-know-that-although-americans-can-be-led-to-make-great/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [While I don't claim to be an expert, I know this: Americans want a government that serves them, not any elite or clique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-x-suarez/while-i-don-t-claim-to-be-an-expert-i-know-this-americans-want-a/) [Francis X. Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-x-suarez/) > [I know Americans talk a great deal about the price of things - more, I consider, than is entertaining, sometimes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-jeannette-duncan/i-know-americans-talk-a-great-deal-about-the-price-of-things-more-i/) [Sara Jeannette Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-jeannette-duncan/) ## More by Jim Norton > [I unloaded trucks for a living and I hated it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-unloaded-trucks-for-a-living-and-i-hated-it/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I wanted to do a talk show that reminded me of the old school ones I loved as a kid, without all the fake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-wanted-to-do-a-talk-show-that-reminded-me-of-the-old-school-ones-i/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [It's surreal to be hanging out on Ozzy's patio with him talking politics. It's so funny when people doubt that he's with it because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/it-s-surreal-to-be-hanging-out-on-ozzy-s-patio-with-him-talking/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [If someone doesn't like a comedian that's fine; a lot of people probably don't like my standup, and that's fine. But I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/if-someone-doesn-t-like-a-comedian-that-s-fine-a-lot-of-people/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I figure I do a lot of things, none of them particularly well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-figure-i-do-a-lot-of-things-none-of-them-particularly-well/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [With 'Mouthful of Shame,' all of my fans or the majority of them said it's the best thing you've ever done and that meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/with-mouthful-of-shame-all-of-my-fans-or-the-majority-of-them-said-it/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [The deeper the pit, the more humor you need to dig yourself out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/the-deeper-the-pit-the-more-humor-you-need-to-dig-yourself-out-of-it/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I hope you accidentally drink leukemia at a picnic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-hope-you-accidentally-drink-leukemia-at-a-picnic/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [What a shock that a guy who makes $2 million a week behaves exactly like I would with $2 million a week. As far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/what-a-shock-that-a-guy-who-makes-2-million-a-week-behaves-exactly/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [Comedians want honest discussion because it affects us. We make our living talking, so anything around language affects us greatly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/comedians-want-honest-discussion-because-it-affects-us-we-make-our/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [You really are a badass, edgy guy who tells it like it is...about couscous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/you-really-are-a-badass-edgy-guy-who-tells-it-like-it-is-about/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [Ozzy Osbourne is one of my favorite interviews, he's so good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/ozzy-osbourne-is-one-of-my-favorite-interviews-he-s-so-good/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [People are just self-centered-it's all about them. And we're telling people it's okay to be 'all about you' because you're a victim and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/people-are-just-self-centered-it-s-all-about-them-and-we-re-telling/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [Anyone who can't tell the difference between a joke and hate speech is just stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/anyone-who-can-t-tell-the-difference-between-a-joke-and-hate-speech/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) [Explore all 148 Jim Norton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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