Why do Americans always use the Internet in a way that suggest they are the only Internet users in the world?

Question

When visiting websites on all topics, including Yahoo answers, Americans always write and communicate with an assumption that the question is writeen by an American, and that all readers are American.
Examples would be: "In this country...", "because our constitution...", "Just go to 'INSERT US ONLY SHOP HERE'" and so on.
Do other people notice this too? Is it just me that gets frustrated by this? ANd Americans, Why do you do it? Do you really not notice that a large % of the people you are communicating with every day online are from the other 95% of the world?

This is not intended as a racist question, I really want to know why things are this way?

According to Morgan Stanley estimates, 36% of Internet users are now in Asia and 24% are in Europe. Only 23% of users are in North America, where it all started in 1969 when two computers -- one in Los Angeles, the other in Palo Alto -- were networked together.

(I really appreictae the great answers that are coming, expecially thos from American users, I thought these stats may help a little too)
Sourced: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/internet_growth.html

GoBobbyRocks makes a good point, this is the categorised USA version of Answers, however until an International version is linked, the rest of us will still use .com as an International domain.

Answer 1

Because so many people in America don't look beyond their own backyard. They for some reason don't realize that the net and other places are now global and that we (myself included, I am an American) must learn that we are only a fraction of the world. This is going to be the biggest problem for Americans in the future, which can cause it to become a third world country. Americans (and what I should really say is North Americans, because most people who live in the US don't even realize that there are two Americas.) today must learn cultural etiquette and understand more other nations. Not only when writing online but in dealing with product marketing and the global climate. So from one North American I apologize for my ignorance in answering without really taking the time to think before writing. You are so right about your question. For too long North Americans have only thought about being a Super Power and what exist on our own homeland. We have alot to learn and time will show that without change and understanding, plus proper education and understanding of the world today, the US will suffer both economically as well as politically.

Answer 2

Our way of life in America permits us to be ignorant of other countries and cultures. Subconsciencously we think that we are smarter than other people around the world and everyone else is either stupid or irrelevant.

Because of that we assume that everyone on the internet must be american. We even get annoyed when we go to websites that ask your country of origin- Like when you go to Canon's website to register the warrenty for your printer you have to select the country by which you reside in. Most Americans think that this is a nuisance because it seems like only people in the United States should have a computer with the internet.

Also consider that every other country in the world either speaks some form of english or they make it available to American tourists, we think that we are better for it not knowing that we are really in the dark. We think that we are special because most of the western world caters to us.

Answer 3

I'm American, and I am very aware of this self-centered behavior. Americans don't generally pay attention to global news; it gets little airtime or online space within our major news companies. Whenever I speak with my family and friends regarding an issue beyond the local news, they rarely have any input because they simply aren't aware of it. They aren't aware of it because they don't pay attention or care! I've also noticed that many people I know don't want to hear about the atrocities that occur on a daily basis across the globe. I don't know if that's an American idiosyncrasy or merely human nature to choose to be in denial or purposely "out of the loop" about things that are unpleasant, but it certainly is irritating.

Answer 4

In the american consciousness, we are the only users on the internet. In fact, in the american consciousness, we are the only people on this planet. Other countries are just something that we see on TV or read about in magazines.

Europe, Asia, the rest of the world may as well be another planet in a star trek episode. Oh, and we're a christian nation, and like christian nations of the past (remember the crusades?) we mold the world to our image. ..or to put it more precisely, we mold our experience of the world, our world, to our own image.

Still don't get it? ok. It's all about me. that's it. plain & simple.

Now. go away.

Answer 5

All Nationalities do this. If you live in England and question something about a Pub, others wonder what the heck you are takling about! Maybe its because there is a vast amount of people over there.

I don't think people do it on purpose but I know lots of people who haven't travelled anywhere outside their own areas. Most people answer in the way that they think is the most clear for others to understand. I don't think they just assume anything. This is a HUGE misconception that keeps growing. Americans are not huge slobby obnoxious people. Yes we have our share of them but so does every country. Everywhere you go there is a good side of town and a bad side. You can't tarnish everyone with one brush.

(Thanks for saying your intentions on your question! Nicely put!)

Answer 6

I think they do this because english is considered among many the official language of the united states...and if you go down to the bottom of this page (as in the bottom of this internet page, website) then you will get to pick what country you want to answer the answers in...Theres italy..which mainly has italian as the language (they have everything on that page written in italian) they have Mexico (everything there is written in spanish) they have france (french) they have china, japan, germany..so the reason why people want you to speak english on this forum is because its the 'main' language...you could always go to one of the other countries on yahoo answers (I do all the time) its real fun...trying to answer a question in a different language...I mainly go to mexico, italy, and en espanol...because those are the languages I know...So the yahoo answers language just depends on what country you're going to on this website...and Also i'd like to say its not just 'america' who is doing this...just because you're in italy doesn't mean you can speak italian..does it...(nope) ....I hope i answered your question..

Answer 7

I never realized this until I read your question just now. I personally will take more care in how I communicate on the Internet from now on. However, I don't think most other Americans deliberately try to make anyone feel shunned or excluded. It's not arrogance or attitude, just lack of awareness.

Answer 8

Actualy I who frown on ugly Americanism myself have done this on answers ...and can only justify it by the numbers of Americans on Answers...I would have to argue that here on anwers the numbers of Americans are a great percentage perhaps because yahoo is an American company and started here or has been here longer...but you really must admit the large percentage of yahoo users here in answers are Americans...if not I would readily agree with you...and actualy do agree with you bein as yahoo is in a world format..you are correct...but still need a greater percentage of users from around the world to change...it would be automatic if the percentage were greater we would understand we are in a world format and would have to specify area...but it is still easier to refer to America understood because the greater percentage of users are American.

Answer 9

Ive noticed that, and I suppose its a little annoying, but really, Id say its harmless.

Most of them probably dont even think about it when they say it. Theyre American, and used to talking to Americans, so saying things like "in this country," might just be common practice for them?

And of course, a very large number of internet users are American, and hosted on American based servers, so its not entirely wrong.

Answer 10

I can empathise with you but when I was in the US they don't realise that they are only a small part of the world compared to the rest of us and aren't educated to know any better. Hopefully time will change their opinion. Even the spell check here is American English and not English English.