How do people from Indonesia view those from the United States?

Question

I've been in contact with recent Indonesian immigrants and just want to know how we are viewed as a people and as a culture.

Answer 1

Indonesia is a third world country composed of thousands of separate islands. Expectedly Indonesians are not well educated and are very prejudiced people, like foreign rednecks. They have deep and violent prejudices against people from the next island over, or the other side of their own islands let alone other countries. You will hear the word bule (albino) a thousand times a day as an American in Indonesia. That is assuming you are white, which Indonesians freely assume about Americans and they rarely believe my brown friends who also claim to be American (funny all Americans were brown once).
If you are somplace few westerners travel you will be revered in the same way an exotic zoo animal is, gawked at but not intentionally hurt. If you are someplace they have seen enough white people they will look at you like a walking ATM. They almost all view Americans as fat and sweaty, which an amazing number really are.
All that said, the muslims there are not all terrorists. Like people everywhere some are nice and some are just jerks.

Answer 2

The majority of Indonesian people tend to think that most Americans are nice and friendly and quite well educated, As for culture, well, compared to Indonesia, America is still a young country, cultures , heritage and traditions take a lot of years to get etstablished.

Answer 3

There maybe many different perspectives on the Americans, but I don't there should be fear from Americans to Indonesian immigrants. In general, Indonesians are friendly to other cultures, unless of course, you offend them in any ways.

Answer 4

One thing I know - if you're a tourist especially - they'll see you as a rich person. This is due to the fact of you have US Dollars. They are generally friendly and would like to help you out. Some of them might view you as what it is seen on TV sitcoms, and hollywood movies. it just depends on which area you are going in Indonesia. If you're going to Bali or Jakarta or Medan, they might are already used to foreigners and thus doesn't have any previous judgement on you, but people from smaller regions might have not seen a people from other countries before and might be a little afraid. They might just see you as westerner - that's all.

Answer 5

I have met many Indonesians and for most of them, they view foreigners ( from Canada, USA) as very fortunate people and therefore often envy us. They will often be "embarassed" to speak with you as they think we are much better then them which is wrong as we can surely learn something from their culture.
They are friendly people and will love to communicate with you .. even though they have at times not much English...
This is one thing I have noticed!
Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Depend on whom you meet. The youngs will think americans are cool people and be amazed of the way you talk, wear, and behave. The olders uneducated ones might have some prejudices, they have built frame on their mind how americans in general and should react accordingly. If they are immigrants then they have more open minds and might adapt to your country quite fast!

Answer 7

normal indonesian people will see an american as friend or tourist.... but there are some stupid fundamentalist that will see an american as enemy of their religion... ( they even did some teror, such as suicide bombing in bali to kill their "enemy" )..

Answer 8

Rich and Free.

Answer 9

Who gives a ratsass! I sure as hell don't.