Why does the whole world think Americans are such jerks? Is it b/c of the Americans on TV?

Question

I live in the middle of the United States in Arkansas, and I am affraid that people judge all Americans by the idiots on tv. (movie stars , Government officials) I was just wondering if people outside this country think that we are all like the ones they see on TV.
I can tell you that most americans have nothing in common with these people, and most Americans that I know DO NOT approve of the way our govenment acts.

Anyway tell me your thoughts

Answer 1

Not ALL people from anywhere think we're schmucks as a whole.

But, to be honest....Americans are regarded as a bit of a misnomer to the rest of the world.

We're the subject of jealousy because we've been spoiled by all the super-convenient things in life....whereas a large part of the world's populace is still struggling to find food due to their personal nation's economic failures...(just an example.)

We're the subject of hatred, because of again those same factors coupled with a laziness, lack of respect and arrogance exhibited within the younger American generations.
Now, I cannot speak for Arkansas as I've never had enough exposure to the state to have an opinion on it.....but the northeastern part of the nation fits that blanket generalization nearly 100% (this I know because I grew up in PA, but have traveled in and spent considerable time from NY to SC.)

Now, as to what response they're garnering from our media/governmental personalities I can only imagine....Lord knows we're not exactly being properly represented on either end.

TV really is just a bunch of mind-numbing, drive-killing crap. I feel that it's intentionally dumbed down because it will in turn limit the full-potential of the children enslaved to it, and in turn....make them more malleable for some sort of control later in life.
Children today have sooooo much potential for what's available to them, and I think that scares the powers that be, if you will.

And as for the government....eh, we're currently living in the end-days of a failed system that's due for a massive change and revolution soon.

In turn, hopefully we'll be better represented when we actually get someone with two living and breathing brain-cells into office.

And, just to add for what the African fellow said above....that person's correct.... we as a NATION by and large are ignorant to the outside world. All we're fed is stereotype and nonsense.
Shoot man....we don't even know our OWN history, much less ancient history and/or cultures.

Here's the oxymoron : we're the most "multi-cultural" nation in the world (Austrailia and Canada come in close)...but we DO NOT HAVE A CULTURE!! Explain that one to me. We're jealous and hateful of one another...and everyone is too damned ignorant to learn from the other. No wonder, just for that alone...we don't garner more disrespect from our surrounding nations.

Each one, teach one. That's the way it should be....but in America...it's moreso : listen to the media....listen to your fears!! We'll play upon them because you can be controlled through them.

What a bunch of tripe...

Answer 2

I grew up outside of the USA, and though I had caucasian relatives, I was not exposed to the culture very much. But I did understand them somewhat through the contact that I did have with them.

However,

I can remember as a young teen wondering what African Americans were like, and truly, the only exposure to that culture was either The Cosby Show, or other tv shows which often involve black people as criminals or undesirables. And although I knew, intellectually that this was not reality, I really couldn't get a grasp on what African Americans were really like until I went overseas and experienced the culture for myself.

Your leaders are your representatives, and it is unfortunate that your administration is failing in reflecting the values of the typical American. I know this to be true, having lived in North America. However, I don't know that my views are shared by the typical non-American

Answer 3

I lived in Italy for a while. TV is PARTLY to blame. We come across as a bunch of "stupid uncultured rednecks" because of our penchant for fast food and reality TV, not to mention we're under educated and culturally ignorant of other countries' customs when we travel.

They way we are that makes them dislike us. Individualistic, free-thinking...etc...etc...The majority of Americans that came to Italy while I was there were Always VERY loud, brash, rude, uncultured and underdressed. I say underdressed because in many countries being underdressed is considered rude, insulting and just plain uncouth. Tennis shoes and jeans can really set you apart and set you up for the cold shoulder. Also, besides being loud, a lot of the Americans there got drunk all the time. Most people there do not drink to get drunk. They just have a good time.

AND they refused to speak Italian in Italy. That really sends a bad impression. If an American at least attempted to use the language, they were treated much better.

Politically...Good old Dubya has really sent ANY compassion that other countries held for us after 9/11 down the old crapper. (AND THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF COMPASSION FOR US RIGHT AFTER 9/11. I moved there 2 weeks after 9/11. I saw the rallies and Italians and French would hug me after speaking to me and realizing I was an american.)

THEY REALLY HATE HIM and CANNOT understand how he could be re-elected. We're in a war that the world disapproves of and we went in there despite repeated requests from MANY nations that we not go there. We defied everyone else and acted like the Arrogant Big Shot and really stirred up the hornet's nest.

Every other country sees the bad things that are taking place: we have no exit strategy, we are killing innocents, we really got ourselves into a HUGE mess and no one will help us. It's earned us more enemies. We keep trying to prove we know what we're doing and it's making things worse. Bush is still in power along with his cronies, even though they've proven that many of them are corrupt and have no regard for the offices they hold or for the country they are supposed to be serving. Its all about revenge and money.

Soooo put it all together:
and we all come across as greedy, stupid, complacent, lazy and fat.

THAT IS WHY THEY ALL HATE US.

Answer 4

Much of the world dislikes Americans because of the actions of our government. Our government is continually talking about freedom, human rights, diplomacy...while at the same time invading countries on false premises, torturing prisoners, holding people without trial for years on end, and doing dozesn of other acts contradictory to what they say. A hypocritical government gets no respect from the rest of the world.

It's been my experience, in traveling widely throughout the world, that much of the world realizes the difference between our government and the people in the country. I've met a lot of people that are angry at America's government, but treat American people as nicely as any other people. They often want to talk about the problems with the US government, they're almost always respectful and friendly. Especially when I tell them that I agree with them about the hypocritical acts of my government...

Answer 5

Hmmm....the only television show that I believe accurately depicts American life may be "Desperate Housewives"...except we're generally much more coy and a bit more scrupulous - or not! lol Seriously, we're just like y'all (ha!) except a bit brasher (must be our inherent savage spirit), put ice in our tea (and ruffies ~ hehe) and are licensed to carry (don't worry, we don't shoot unless necessary). Although for the most part we are a judeo-christian society, we do seem to be a bit over-sexed (possibly due to those pesky hormones injected into our meat), but other than that we're nothing like those ridiculous caricatures Hollywood has purported! lmao By the way, we American women have never met an Englishman we haven't enjoyed passing out with....oops I meant passing the time with, either. *wink* All you need to bring is your lovely accent and I guarantee these women will utterly fall at your feet. We adore y'all!

Answer 6

Fellow American's don't know how good they have it..other countries see that we are not greatful and hate us for it. Most people would die for freedom that we have and many have and will continue. The people on tv and government officals just top it all of because they do seem like jerks to the rest of the world.

Answer 7

This is because Americans are very ignorant about the outside world! I'm African and I went to grade school in Virginia. And right from school, u guys are not taught anything to do with other countries. I remember a girl asking if we lived on trees in Africa! How ignorant is that? We only took American history... there's so much going on in the world other than WAR! Not to sound condescending or anything!

Answer 8

I am an American & I am ashamed to say that yes, we are percieved as quite a bunch of jerks because of our blatant outspokeness, our absurd too-liberal views on just about any subject...the main thing we are criticized about is our "tell all" mentality! The way we are portrayed on tv does not help one bit either.

Answer 9

People tend to not like us for several reasons:

Who we elect for office

How some Americans act when they visit other countries

How many of us appear to be prejudice

Unfortunalty, there are many things. We are a great country, but we tend to take things for granted and brag a lot.

Answer 10

You are right. But it is all jealousy. We have everything at our finger tips (and take it for granted - hence the resentment).

Not to mention that we spread money all over the world. Regardless of the fact that there is always an agenda that is good for US policy (duh). The more a nation tries to help, the more they are hated. It is twisted. If you give someone an inch, they want a mile. People are phucked in the head.

Screw them.