Britons see Americans as cruel, arrogant: poll
London: Britons see America as a cruel, vulgar, arrogant society, racially divided, crime-ridden, obsessed with money and led by an incompetent president, according to a newspaper poll published today.
As Americans prepare to celebrate the 230th anniversary of their independence tomorrow, the Briton's opinion about them has touched an all time low.
Only 12 per cent of Britons trust Americans to act wisely on the global stage, 'The Daily Telegraph' poll revealed. This is half the number who had faith in the Vietnam-scarred White House of 1975.
A massive 83 per cent of those questioned said that the United States doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks.
US President George W Bush fared significantly worse, with just one per cent rating him a "great leader" against 77 per cent who deemed him a "pretty poor" or "terrible" leader.
More than two-thirds who offered an opinion said America is essentially an imperial power seeking world domination. And 81 per cent of those who took a view said Bush hypocritically championed democracy as a cover for the pursuit of American self-interests.
US policy in Iraq was similarly derided, with only 24 per cent saying they felt that the US military action there was helping to bring democracy to the country.
A spokesman for the American embassy said that the poll's findings were contradicted by its own surveys. "We question the judgment of anyone who asserts the world would be a better place with Saddam still terrorizing his own nation and threatening people well beyond Iraq's borders.
2006-07-02 23:41:26 · 7 answers · asked by gentileworld 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
this is a London news paper article copy and Paste, it tells you how britons feel about americans.these are not my commets.
2006-07-03 00:08:01 · update #1
Ok I can only speak for my self a black American. I am not for war and death. I don't believe that America should own countries and make rules for them. Yes we live in a democracy but we are seldom heard. Most of the things done by our government is done without ours beind citizens permission. I feel for other countries and wish to god that things would change. America is suppose to be the richest country in the world, but we have one of the highest crime rates, highest homeless people, more family's living on the street. Children that don/t have parents so they turn to a life a crime.Our jails are full and the are building more. One race cant get along with another race. and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I love America per say but not the things we get involved in.
2006-07-02 23:58:13 · answer #1 · answered by RACHEL C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all--I am an American--I am a Texan--and a Viet Nam veteran---and I can see the things you are saying and I know them to be true (the surveys and the opinions through out the world are repeatedly the same)--and I am very sad for the day that this country was hijacked by the Republican Party and the coup that occured thru the Supreme Court (most of the deciding judges were Republican appointees) back in the original Bush run for the presidency---the last election was won on the "DON"T CHANGE LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR ticket-----
The British have always had a special place in alot of our hearts here---granted our INDEPENDENCE DAY celebrations kind of flies in the face of that until you guys learn that it is more of a celebration of our forefathers courage to fight for an independant land much more than it ever was an anti England thing--you guys have consistantly been our strongest allies and have fought along side of us time after time when the chips were truely down and a great many here will never forget it---that's why it is SO heavy on a great many of us-- this major gap in world relations that this madness has brought on---a great number of us don't even trust our own representatives any more to do the right thing
I have been a democrat most all of my life and these days I could not be happier about that because it is the one thing I can truely point to to say---I'm really only part of all this by proxy--and it surely wasn't with MY support that all this craziness began---
I do have to say though--THIS IS MY COUNTRY--I am still proud to be an American because of all the good things that it does still represent---the only thing I know to do to try and make any of it any better is to continue to speak my mind---reach out as much and as often as I can to those who differ--and pray to God that we can keep it all together until we've got someone at the helm that has enough sense to bring some true sensibilities to the office of president---I am hoping that Hilary can bring us all back together again......in 08
2006-07-03 07:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I, for one, do not see America as a cruel, vulgar, arrogant society, racially divided, crime ridden, obsessed with money and led by an incompetent president.
Politically, anyone can have their own opinions but to say that we are arrogant, racially divided and crime ridden is a bit of a stereotype of what people perceive America to be.
Unless you have traveled from coast to coast, from heartland to heartland, and spoken to every American..that is not a very fair or accurate description of what America is.
America has it's problems but so does every country in the world...despite this......we are still proud of our country...and we will be proud of our country until the day we die. Being an American is more than where we live. It's a feeling in our hearts, when ever we hear the national anthem played.
And right or wrong--America is our country and we will continue to love her unconditionally.
I, too.... will celebrate her birthday!
*God Bless America
2006-07-03 09:27:50 · answer #3 · answered by Moma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally true. But you must remember, not all Americans back the president or the actions he took. Not all Americans care only about money. Not all Americans live in a cruel, vulgar, arrogant society, or racially divided, crime-ridden, areas.
That would be like saying all Britons have bad teeth and only drink beer, are hooligans, watch football, and hang out in the slums of Milton Keynes.
2006-07-03 08:56:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are quite a few current American policies with which I strongly disagree. And I share these Londoner's low opinion of the Bush administration. However the July Fourth holiday isn't about current events, it's about the fundamental principles alluded to in our Declaration of Independence. Even if USA is going through a rough time, USA is still the land I love and you bet I'm going to celebrate her birthday!
2006-07-03 07:51:03 · answer #5 · answered by kill_yr_television 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry- what is your question or were you just lecturing us on the politics of America? I just wish people wouldn't set off fireworks outside of my house all night.
2006-07-03 06:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by msdifranco2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, i didn't read all that in your question but i think we have forgotten why we celebrate the 4th but sadly, i think this is true for most holidays.
2006-07-03 06:47:14 · answer #7 · answered by carmilla_delioncourt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋