Recently, I've come across a forum topic on another site where many members put down America and it's people. It starts out asking why Americans are so bad at geography, and in a few pages switches to why Americans in general are bad. Although they have many valid points, all can be applied to almost any country, so why pick on America? and not everyone in America is that bad or ignorant. Here's the link if your interested, but they use strong language so you are warned:

http://sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=6500...light=geography


I have also come across a video on Youtube ripped from a television episode talking about how the American education system is extremely flawed and not competitive like most other countries. Because of this, people are forced to send their kids to bad schools because of location. I found the video to be very illuminating, and it makes me glad I got out of the public school system and went to a charter school. Here's a link to the video, it's 40 mins long, but very good:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA


I'm anxious to hear other people's opinions on America and it's people. So what do you think of Americans? But let's not be insulting with any negative opinions, although I don't mind them. Give you reasons for any improvement we need.

It would be just like how many Americans think All germans get drunk for a good time. It's stereotyping, and America is such a well known country, therefore is a big target. Your asking for what do we need to improve because you read that other dont like America for various reasons. Maybe it's others who need to look beyond stereotypes ect. and see us for who we really are, maybe it's others who need some improvement.

The movie "beerfest" has that stereotype about germans. And the fact that America is so well known, that it makes Americans a big target, makes sense.

That's right 'ussr1943' In your eyes,the rest of the World, seem Third World to Americans ,and we are the Dumb ones.

I don't quite understand what you said DSTM, could you possibbly rephrase for my sake.

thanks
-Ussr1943-

From what I'm understanding it's some sort of critizism on my comment, I'd like to apologize no I do not think the rest of the world is wrong but as with many of my posts I mean one thing but cannot put the right words to make that meaning come out correctly.
My point was that alot of people critizize America, and before you critizise someone else you should first critizise youself. ( I know I butchered the spelling and probably what ever phrase I'm trying to get accross, i hope you can put together what I mean.) There are , however, many good point other from outside our country can make good aguments of. But this hsouldn't mean they should disslike us/hate us.

I read your last line,felt it wasn't necessary.A knee Jerk reaction by me,and in hindsight I shouldn't have Posted.
You don't have to opologize for anything, 'ussr1943'

As an American, who has been overseas in the Navy, I have an opinon. Most the world see's us as @$$holes because all they see are the rich and pampered who can afford to jet over to where they want, the military who have base's in their country and most military are kids who go wild overseas, and the media which only puts out what gets ratings. Not always the truth, but factual. I don't have a real high opinion of some middle east countries, but all I have to go on is what I see in the news so I'm really not getting an unbiased view.

Oh, dear,

America isn't perfect and some folks don't like Americans.


I'm going to move to some other perfect country where everybody loves it's citizens.

I would appreciate it if the good folks of this board would recommend these countries

and I'm sure it is going to be a difficult decision selecting among them.



I think the answer to this thread's question will include all, or most, of the answers to the question:

"Why do many people not like people of another country?"

Topic heading indicates America is the Country nominated for discussion.

I understand that.

I still believe that the answer to this thread's question will include all, or most, of the answers to that question.

I think its cause they are jealous that there country isnt like ours.....

Perhaps John, but America is a unique country like all the other countries, with it's own unique history, people, and place in the world (literally and metaphorically). While it could probably be found that many people just aren't too fond of many other countries besides their own, I want to know people's opinions strictly on America. Not only do I live in America, but many people have taken it upon themselves to single out America among the hundreds of countries, and pick on and make fun of us.

So what is everyone's opinion on this, or are you even one of the people who do make fun of America? If you are, don't be afraid to post why you don't like America, but please no insults.

my opinionis it does'nt matter what country your from your always going to get people putting you down every country has its plus and negatives but as was stated earlier your country is so big it makes it easy prey

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

Also, what many, if not most, non-Americans learn about the US is through the distorted and biased media of their country or region. Even in the US, our biased media distorts our perceptions of our country.

America is relatively large and extremely diverse. If I were to ask a first time visitor about his or her preconceived notions of the US, no matter what they were, I'm sure I could show them an America that exactly meets whatever they expected. The problem - it probably wouldn't be reflective of what America really is.

America is a Super Power and the rest of the World watches closely your Actions and Inactions on the World Stage.
America is on the News Daily, and due to America being engaged in conflicks around the World,of course you are the centre of attention and scrutiny by other Countries. It is impossible to please all people all of the time.The media is to blame for a lot of the negative publicity,and one must look deeper into America's involment in World affairs to get the true picture. People from other Countries are too Quick to draw conclusions.IMO.

Total agreement

Although this may seem a tad off-topic, it really isn't intented to be - honestly.

When traveling in the UK, we had little Canadian flag stickers attached to our luggage and side of our camera, etc, which is far from unique. In fact, several other couples staying in the same hotel had done the same thing.

Turned out two of the couples were actually Americans and simply believed that 'Canadians get treated better than Americans' when travelling.

Very odd indeed.

We North Americans should stick together, eh.

I recently had a friend who came back from overseas, and she said she was so mad and sad at the same time of how she was treated in britan being american.

Stereotypes are bad. You should treat people for who they are, not what nationality. I'm not surprised at the couple disguising themselves as Canadians. What did the average American citizen do causing so many foreigners to look down on us?

I believe I answered your Question in # Post 15.
The average Citizen isn't doing anything to deserve this treatment.IMO.

Must admit that in the real world Americans abroad are the most obnoxious people I have come accross. Demanding, moaning, whingers that I have met. They make little attempt to comunicate in a foreign language, but prefer the say it louder until they understand method. That said I have met a few nice ones.

Then there is the British, the most violent, drunk, troublemaking nation on the planet. But were not all like that.

So me thinks its all down to sterotypes and the media for portraying nations and having/causing a negative impact on global relations.

Well, good grief, bilko -

if you are a bunch of "violent, drunk, troublemaking" people, it's no wonder you see others as "demanding, moaning, whingers" who make "little attempt to communicate in a foreign language".

Geez - if you would learn to speak English we wouldn't have this communication problem.




Just kidding - but it seemed like a funny thing to say at the time.

The problem is that we as humans are stupid. We believe we are inteligent but the reality is we are not. Why do you need to ask this question at all, the reason is you have little understanding of human nature. Our likes and dislikes for the best part are influenced by our background, by that I mean those aspects of our lives that have shaped us to the type of people we have now become. Part of this shaping comes from our Patriotism and also our internal propaganda machines (like our Media). You Americans are seen as cocky, self opinuated, gun ho, vien and many other things because in many ways you are those things but in reality as individuals you are just nice people. This niceness is also true of the people of Iraq, Afganistan or any other country that you have formed opiniuns about. It is not the individual that is in question it is the impression of that individual as suppled to us all from the powers that be and our behavior is as a result of their influence over us. If we were clever we would not be destroyng the world we live on or each other, but then we are not are we! the powers that control us are and we stand by and watch them and support them. Your country is about power and control because power and control is what gives you the quality of life you have. You are molded into believing your country is the best and as such you will overlook its faults because you want to believe you are the best and why shouldn't you. The thing is its never about you, it's about your government maintaining control (or any other government for that matter) and they need to manipulate our behaviour, control our thinking and influence our decisions in order to do that. There is a lot more to consider but it would be over kill considering all you asked was one simple question about why people percieved you the way they do. I am trying to write a book (time and money permitting) called Black and White where all will be explained. If you see it on the shelves in the near future please read it and you might find the answer to your question and many other questions besides. Best regards Kev

Actually, the initial post in that forum thread makes some interesting, if irrelevant, observations. Namely, that the US doesn't teach much as far as rote memorization. Memorizing facts that may or may not be relevant to you in later life has never been a big priority in the US, although lately, from what I've been told, GWB's No Child Left Behind plan has left a lot of schools doing exactly that - teaching to the test.

Makes one wonder why some of the most creative people in the world come from a nation that does so little with respect to teaching their children to memorize large collections of facts. Is it ins spite of, or because of, the lacksadaisical attitude towards memorizing that the US has so many creative people?

Is not that we do not like America.
What bothers people is that USA citizens call themselves "America".
America is NOT only the United States. America is not even an english word! America is also: Canada, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Venezuela, Brasil, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador and many others. So, America is NOT ONLY the USA and will never be. How come is possible a person from the USA when I told him I was from South America he told me: " I didn't have idea there was South America". Isn't it being ignorant?

You've gotta be kidding me.

Here is yet another story of how evil and greedy capitalist America is. Shame on us!!

I'm with jwinathome on this one. Are you telling me that we could clear up this whole mess if we stuck to calling ourselves... United Statesians? Seems a bit absurd. That's like hating someone because they say they are 'Asian' or 'European'.


We often fear what we don't understand.

Interesting that so many nations despise us, but still snatch up whatever aide we offer, and then complain if we try to take it away.

Funny too how there are so many "americans" from South America fleeing over the border into the US. If we stopped referring to ourselves as Americans, would it solve the illegal immigration problem as well?

NO, NO KIDDING HERE. USA people is in no way better than others.

Is it equally ignorant to be oblivious of the fact that even in 1776 the only people in the entire Western Hemisphere to specifically refer to themselves as "Americans" were Americans living in the 13 original colonies?

Is it ignorant to not know that when America declared its independence in 1776, it was the ONLY independent nation in the Western Hemisphere?

Is it ignorant to point out that Chileans and Mexicans never call themselves Americans?

Isn't it ignorant of Latinos to call Americans "Norte Americanos" when Canada, Mexico, and all Central America are ALSO part of the North American continent?

And by the way... "America" IS an English word, though it is derived from the Italian, NOT Spanish, name of Amerigo Vespucci.

Where do a bunch of South Americans get off naming themselves "Latinos," when it was strictly the Caucasian, European, and ancient Romans that spoke Latin??? If anybody has a right to call themselves after ancient Latium, you'd think it might be Italians?

I gotta say, after reading some of the posts in that thread on the sciforum.com the initial post contained a link to, I agree. Most of the posts in that forum appear to have been written by either children or uneducated, ill-informed adults.

This is a VERY interesting and strangely relevant speech. I wonder what it is like having a President who I consider smart? I haven't had one in my lifetime, as far as I know.
Eisenhower's Final Address...

Eisenhower warned of some of the dangers of being a military-industrial complex. Now that we are one, perhaps that is one of the main complaints politically against the US.

As for Americans personally, we are certainly raised to think that we are the "best" at everything. We are the richest, most powerful, and most influential nation the world has ever known (the sun never set on the British Empire, but they never had the influence that we have, largely because of the technology and globalization of the world today). Most Americans never leave the country and when they do, their experience in a foreign country is either Mexico (Cancun for Spring Break) or Canada, both of which are heavily influenced by their proximity to the US and by the tourist industry. Americans aren't the only ones that this happens to, however. Most people in just about every country seldom leave or even move to a different city than they grew up in. Europeans seem to be the most travelled, IMO, and seem to be at least familiar with the most number of languages (Romantic and Barbaric languages, primarily, which all share many similarities). Anyway, my point was that the more you travel and are exposed to different cultures/regions, the more you see that we all really aren't that different. I have noticed it in my life (I grew up in the Middle East from 11 years old to college and have travelled through Europe and Asia many times). The first time I left the country (not including Mexico) was landing at the airport in Amsterdam and thinking how strange everything was. After a few times there and travelling to a few airports in the US, I see many more similarities than differences.

Anyway, I have started rambling...

Uh,

people from all over the world call citizens of the US "Americans".

Canadians, columbians, Chileans, El Savadorians, Venezueleans, Brazilians, Mexicans, Bolivians, Ecuadorians and many others call US citizens Americans.

I guess they are being ignorant, too.

I don't see how Americans donating to charity is evil and greedy... unless you're referring to the charities themselves, but they're supposed to use the money for other people and the article doesn't say otherwise.

I was being sarcastic.

Ooooh! I get it! Very nice! How can Americans be all that bad if we've willingly given twice as much money to charity as any other country? I didn't read between the lines with your post lol .

No prob.

I actually love America. Its the greatest nation on God's green earth.

Why Do Many People Not Like America?
Reply from Jwnathome:
I actually love America. Its the greatest nation on God's green earth.
Do you think that might have a little to do with the attitude towards Americans from others. That same attitude is also echoed by the American government. Gods earth is full of many great nations but not all of them shout about it. Open your eyes to the possibility that perhaps America is no greater than any other nation and even if it was do you believe that shouting about it will win you favour. Be warned China, India and Russia will soon be in a position to Knock America off it's perch and people love to see the mighty fall especially when the mighty have shown contempt and very little regard towards others.
Regards from someone who loves the world and all it's people. Kev

Why do so many people like America?

Actually, Kev, I would think that if someone doesn't think that their country "is the greatest nations on God's green earth", whatever their country, there is reason to question their viewpoint. What is so wrong with their country that they prefer another one? At least in the US, one can voice their opinion and work within the system to change things that they may not like. In many countries, one can not speak out or try to make things different.

Would you really prefer to be dominated by China, India, or Russia? Be careful what you wish for.

We aren't, but America is trying to.

Well,

yeah - we want your oil in the outback!

Not talking about Australia, 'John Who'. I was refering to the Middle East,and I figured you would have guessed that.
America and Australia are friendly Nations,and co-operate fully with each other for a better World.IMHO.

Does that mean we don't get to keep the oil?




More to the point, I don't believe the US is attempting to dominate the Middle East. Heck, we totally owned Kuwait after we pushed Saddam's Iraq back out of it. From what I can tell, Kuwait is not the 51st state. If it weren't for the non-Iraqi fanatics in Iraq, we'd be mostly out of there, too.

At least, that's my perspective.

By this time I suspect a lot of our members will think, "Oh dod, here's that darn Polly Anna again' - eep and gentle grin.

Re: I actually love America. Its the greatest nation on God's green earth.

I like the United States of America too - but (and here goes ...) ...

Hmmm ... I could say, "I actually love Canada. It's the greatest nation on earth". (Therefore you're wrong and yours is not) ...

Or ... I could say, "I actually love Canada and feel it's one of the greatest nation on earth".

And since the topic of this thread is "Why do many people not like America?" - it could be simply a misunderstanding with them thinking an American is saying his Country is the best - ergo, your Country is less so.

I like Scarlett's question ... "Why do so many people like America?" That's an easy one - it's filled with terrific people just like so many terrific people from so many other countries. And on a very serious note here - there are few other countries that give as much, per capita, away in financial assistance to countries with less!

I dont normally have much to say in this part of the forum but Im going to have a say on this topic!
First I would like to say that I dont dislike America but loath nearly all your goverment dissions in other words I hear (and I am guilty to) a lot of anti American sentiment about this and that but I dont hate Americans only what the Goverment does. I think your Goverment puts on its sherriffs badge and acts like the worlds police man, which then people start stereo typing all Americans.
I watched a story the other day from 60 minutes (USA version) about a group of national guards men and women from Ihio (sorry if I got the state incorrect). It was a great story about theses men and women away from home and looking out for each other and about there familys at home. After watching the segment all I thought about was I hope they all get back safe.
So what Im trying to say it really doesnt matter where you come from as there is good and bad in all races of people!

Well said, Monty007! - and welcome!

Monty007 I agree with you our government is out of control and too busy acting as "World Police" to concentrate on whats wrong internally (well, if they ,the politicians, did that they wouldnt have jobs now would they). I love my country but hate my government, which is as it should be.

I think it also has to do with the way some of us act when we travel abroad. Lets face it some of us act like everyone should conform to us.