What do you think people overseas think about Americans, and why?

Answer 1

Many don't like Americans but I don't think that it is fair to ask them that question. In reality they have limited exposure and can only go by what they get in the media. Many countries have state-controlled media and others are just very liberal and only present them with what the media bigwigs think is important.

Also, many people outside the country erroneously believe that Americans are like what they see on TV shows. It's easy to see how that can happen but in reality 99.99% of the people are nothing like that.

Don't forget that most of our media is based out of Los Angeles and New York. Although those areas dominate the media that are absolutely not representative of the rest of the country. That gives people from out of the country a skewed sense of our culture.

As for being rude I am really sick about hearing this. I really don't understand why Americans are so quick to spew out this stereotype. Rudeness is really a cultural thing. What is rude in one culture isn't in another. Living in Southern California we get more than our fair share of tourists. I have seen so many European tourists that are "rude" simply because they don't understand our culture. I'm sure that many of the things that they are doing are perfectly acceptable in theirs. How about Asia? Ever try riding public transit without being beaten? Hell half the stuff they do there would land an American in jail but it is perfectly acceptable in their culture.

Answer 2

Realize they view us as representations of America as a whole.

At present there are a lot who are somewhat fearful that the world's only super power is so fast to take unilateral military action while stonewalling some other actions to correct things they believe is adversely affecting them (such as climate change). If I was in their shoes, I would probably be as well. In a non-nuclear showdown, we could readily defeat the military and occupy any contry on earth in under 2 weeks with the possible exception of China.

But there is a bigger issue in general. I remember some conversations I had with others while travelling overseas after the 1st war with Iraq. Some thought we should have done nothing. Some thougt we should have relied on embaros and other non-military action. Some thought we should have continued the war into Iraq. I doubt there was any view that had a majority, but the majority had a different view than the action the US took.

In short:
We are independant.
We will not always make decisions that other countries agree with.
We will not always consider what is in other countries best interest when we make decisions.
What we do impacts other countries more than the impact any other single country has on us.

As a result, they will always be respectfully nervous until a 2nd superpower emerges and they once again have to choose sides.

Welcome to adulthood. (And they use to call us the young immature nation)

Answer 3

I think most people overseas (that's so vague) appreciate what America does and all the things we try to accomplish, although they won't always agree with our methods or every decision we make. But we protect, feed, clothe, house, and supply medicine to much of the world. Are we perfect? No. Do we do way more than any other country to help the world? Yes.

Answer 4

When you deliberately set out to antagonize and alienate your allies That is not a good sign, of friendship When your president was lying to the world,to shore up his case for war As france and germany would'nt swallow or stomach the deceit the administration turned thier scorn and anger on these two sovereign nations Especially france why? On the pretext of democracy your nationwent to war agianst the wishes of the security council,the united nations and the 5 permanent members of the security council, Not to mention dozens of world leaders including the pope,nelson mandela the indian and pakistani prime ministers But nothing was going to sway the usa the whole world is wrong,we're right now we'll just lambast the united nations and get on with it, stuff everyone...The last leader who did this(denegrate the world body)was called HITLER

Answer 5

I think you're dangerous.

Not all of you, but the majority of Americans are really arrogant. And considering that you guys didn't even vote for George W. but he's still your president and you all haven't demanded his impeachment says to me that the majority of Americans are also pretty stupid. Or apathetic. Either way, Americans have put the whole world in danger.

Most other people think the same. Go to Europe and tell them you're American. You'll get treated so terribly. Europeans can't stand Americans. Tell them you're Canadian instead.

Answer 6

Personally, I don't like the US government but I like the Americans.I think they are nice (most of them). the idea that people in other country are joules from the Americans is not true (they make you think this way) also the idea that every single person want to come to US also not true( they want you to be live that also). one important thing to do, READ NON USA MEDIA and do not assume everything you see or read in USA media is true, do what people in other country do always question everything and you decided at the end.....I am proud citizen of Saudi Arabia

Answer 7

Well, we should care what they think for starters, but there are a lot of countries out there that like us. You'd be surprised that the majority of Iraqi's really like us and want us here to help them.
I live in Germany and know a lot of people from a wide variety of countries and nationalities and know that not everyone hates us like you all might think.

Answer 8

I know from personal experience that the countries that do hate the U.S. hate it because the U.S. still has the death penalty. Many nations are SO opposed to that. In 2000 the U.S. was the laughingstock of Europe because it took us so long to decide exactly who won the presidential election.

Answer 9

Frankly Scarlet, I don't give a damn what other countries think about us. We are the world power and if they reject our ways, so be it. We do not exist for their approval, or love. We are who we are, and they are who they are. Notice how they seem to love us when disaster strikes and the USA is so generous with money and direct aid? After the disaster is over there they go again, spewing hatred. To hell with them all.

Answer 10

several countries not on the north american continent despise the US. Many americans wear the canadian flag to hide the fact they are american. Basically the reasons are, jealously.! IT is great to have the super power country American! but they sometimes abuse it