Why are Americans unable to see their own arrogance?

Question

Here's the deal... Europeans and other nations (according to the news, polls, and people I've met) see Americans as cocky, vulgar, rude, etc. I've known many Americans in Europe to behave in such a way, completely disregarding the new culture that surrounds them, and then argue that they are not arrogant or rude. Is it just bad luck to run into these particular Americans? What is going on in American society that makes so many people this way?

I have a feeling it has to do with the way we are educated and nearly brainwashed into thinking that America is the greatest. Also, the lack of teaching of other cultures in school. What do you all think?

- I'm an American living in Germany having to deal with a lot of other Americans who refuse to learn the language here and disrespect the culture often. It makes me sad and ashamed to admit that I am American.

Calm down, I'm not saying all Americans. But MANY Americans.

America is not the best, no single nation can be the best, their are good qualities about each, that if were magically combined, could then create the Best Nation. Never gonna happen.

Its the Americans here in Germany, the ones I live near that make me embarrassed to have to admit my birth place.

Answer 1

It's interesting that you would bring this up. I think various cultures have various ways of viewing others. Americans feel the same way about different cultures as well. I am not saying all of them either.

I honestly believe that it has much to do with our upbringing. Everyone is raised with a different type of mannerism and if someone is not used to seeing someone live a certain way then they just may see it as being rude or vulgar or cocky.

I think it is a matter of ignorance on everyone's behalf, I think that if we learned to understand another's culture and customs, we would think better of one another. :)

Oh Yes, as far as learning another language, I know certain race groups that live here and do not want to learn our language, they want us to learn theirs though.

I believe that if you are going to live in a different country, you need to learn the language that the particular country speaks, it avoids communication gaps and all sorts of things.

Answer 2

NO don't be ashamed to be an American!! I am French and I lived 6 years in the US (the best of my life), I can compare, and let me tell you that American are better than the French people, I find the French people, cocky, vulgar and rude and dirty, not the American. I wish to trade my French citizenship with an American one!!! I am ashamed to be French but would be SO proud to be an American!
Now I am living in Australia as a second choice because I could not get the green card in the US, my life is screwed and I will be sad for the rest of my life.

Answer 3

You are right. We are rude. We forget that we come from a culture that was brought up from Christianity, but now most of us do not have any self respect. I am the same way, because I was raised as an American. I may not even notice it at times, but I know I am rude, and I notice that I am cocky, but I always know that just, because I am an American. That my country ways does not come first. That my God comes first. I am so sorry to hear that you are ashamed to be an American. That's very sad.

Answer 4

You have your answer right there… Other nations feel Americans are arrogant because they act as if they were the center of the world… but specially because they have no idea of anything going on outside there tiny little world… maybe its because school I don’t know… but not every American is like that, I have meet Americans that are worried about other countries and that understand the differences between cultures… sadly, the majority, they just see for themselves.

Answer 5

As far as I'm conserned I think that it's good that we have a sense of pride in our country and I know that from personal experience that Americans in other counties rarely act this way. I lived in Finland for 3 months a couple years ago and I didn't see one American acting this way and my family and I diffenently didn't act like that. It seems like the only Americans that are being brainwashed are the ones thst think that our country is horrible and for this I truly feel sorry for you.

Answer 6

i imagine maximum folk are patriotic -- no longer merely individuals. The French are patriotic, so are the British, the Dutch, the Israelis, etc. maximum folk arise for his or her international places, and that i don't think of there is something boastful about it. that's what patriotism is. And, even as I agree alot with what you pronounced, that would not advise that us of a isn't nonetheless the superb us of a available. the reason behind this? Our structure, it really is a residing rfile, replacing because the circumstances replace so as that it would not could be discarded. And, the biggest issues any us of a may have, freedom of religion, freedom of the clicking, free speech, and the right to vote.

Answer 7

You are stereotyping.
Polls can be twisted to mean anything.
Americans are the ones currently dealing with an invasion of people who refuse to assimilate.
It's just incredible how many Americans spend all their time hating their own land.
Very few European nations have the level of freedom we have.That sure makes us terrible doesn't it.
So bad,that I wonder why so many people are coming here.

Answer 8

Not everyone in America is cocky. Look at Hitler, he was German and one of the ******** people known to man kind. It's a stereotype. Sure, its true that some americans are just rude and very obnoxious, but that doesnt apply to everyone.

Answer 9

While I understand some of your sentiment, it is still an unfair question.

INDIVIDUALS are arrogant. Period. It's the old adage, "There's one in every crowd."
Any country, any city, any state, any providence, and ANY family!

There are many people who also come to America from other countries, and disrespect our Christian Heritage and slap us in the face with the very freedoms we have fought and died for....

Trying to make us change our entire way of life to suit THEIR culture.
So, who is more arrogant?

Answer 10

Are you saying all? I'm american and darn proud. I'm not cocky though, but it's proven we are the best in a lot of ways. I love it here. And actually New York was voted the nicest! That's crazy!

Answer 11

That's judging all Americans , is the way I see your question. And America is the greatest.