What does the rest of the planet think about Americans?

Question

This question is for everyone outside of the USA. Be brutally honest with your answers. Don't hold anything back

Answer 1

I have no problem with most of America. There are some stereotypes...and some of them may be true.

1. Centric (not knowing much about the world outside USA)
2. Boasters (biggest everything)
3. Bullies (current foreign policy)
4. Wasters/not environmentally friendly (not wanting to support biofuel production to its max...see Bush's comments on the use of corn for biodiesel)

Having said that, there are plenty, more than plenty of Americans who are concerned and friendly and humble and just like everyone else. Unfortunately, we don't hear much from them, as the newscasts prefer stories that are shocking and awful. So the world's view of the typical American is probably skewed.

Answer 2

I would tend to agree with much of what's been said above so I won't repeat it all here.

The only thing I'd add is that Americans, especially those who don't travel out of their own country much, seem to be very ignorant about the world outside of the US. A friend of mine was asked (before moving to Norway) if "they have toilets there"! The people she talked to thought it was a third world country. A bit of knowledge of non-US geography and history wouldn't hurt.

A tad indoctrinated-ish perhaps?

Just my impression though - and I've known plenty of American TCKs who are totally different and a lot more well-rounded in their view of the world.

People seem to be in touch with their religion too, in the sense that they go to church, say their prayers, etc, which is not as common in some other places.

I think for some people America is a bubble. Nothing much goes on outside. From the European perspective, this can make Americans look pretty ignorant.

Answer 3

I was an american and I'm ashamed to admit it. For a nation to "elect" the village idiot not once but twice and think it was a good thing to invade a country that was NO threat, makes america the short-bus finalist. Helmet and drool bib firmly in place.
And look at what his policies have done; worldwide suspicion of american policies no matter how trivial. He turned a Clinton era budget surplus into a world-record deficit. He invaded one country under the pretext of WMD's (which he knew full well never existed there) and now he's trying it again with Iran.
So when the world cheers when yet another planeload of US service men delivers thier corpses in the dead of night where people are not allowed to see, you'll know full well why.
If you don't, congrats, the Bush propaganda machine has worked wonders with you...

Answer 4

I am a Canadian. There is one husband and wife I know who are Americans and they are nice people..which surprised me because I always contended that I didn't 'like' Americans. I guess you can't really judge anyone by their country anymore than you can judge them by race, colour, or religion

.................but I still think that as a country they tend to be very nationalistic...and they think they are right...and that they live the 'right' way. I dont understand why they would go into another country and invade it...to try to turn it into a democracy (Vietnam, Iraq) Who appointed the USA government keeper of the world?

The USA government should mind their own business; they have no night...no more than a parent has the right to walk into another parents home and tell them how to operate their household or dicipline their children. They are going to start WW3...if they havent already

Answer 5

i think that by that question, we are talking about Bushes affects on the people, im from England and think and know that no UK people thaink wrong of us citizens but believe real strong that it is Bush who is a war machine, just like Blair and that shouldnt have any affect on the good honest people that live in either the us or uk, were partners in this war so we should stick behind our president and prime minister and ride out the storm, but no one from developed countries think that the people are bad, apart from that some americans are loud, up themselves, have too much confidence, and some have really annoying accents, hope this helps

Answer 6

Not everyone else hates the USA. I mean, I have a friend that lives in England, has all her life, and she finds Americans interesting. She thinks our culture is different, and likes our accents. My friend has absolutly nothing against America.

Answer 7

Well, I am here in the USA, but, a friend from Taiwan told us once. They thought Americans were Thieves. They come to their country to vacation and steal things. We told him; "We not Stealing, we were just taking Souvenirs"!
Holiday Inn can testify to that from the 60's when everyone took their Ashtrays and Towels because of their "Logo".

Answer 8

I don't mind the majority of Americans, but there seem to be to many ignorant and cocky people there.

I find it sad and annoying that there are so many people that think Canada has snow 24/7 365 and that we all speak french.

Answer 9

American people - great; u just gotta love them! America/american Government-er not so good; bunch of warmongers to say the very least (tyrants,madmen,hypocritical wan***s.............) I do think some American people can come across as arrogant; yet i think this is an attitude causal of their leadership. Either way i think they are as good as the rest of us (no better mind!), just different and probably misunderstood and unfairly labelled (again; probably more to do with peoples reaction to the leadership of America - it's they who are obnoxiously loud if you aks me !!!!)

Answer 10

I already got one violation notice for this, thanks.

But I will point out that ASK THE PLANET is only open to US citizens. What does that say for itself, especially considering the wording of your question?