Whats your opinion of America (the USA)?

Question

well, im an American, but i am posting in this section to see how people feel about my country when they dont live in it (you cant get a good idea of how popular America is by asking for opinions on America from Americans, ya know?)

and why do you feel the way you do? (forgot to put that)

i am confused..i try to speak english? what does that mean? i speak and write americanized english, which has only a few spelling changes.

allright, can someone please explain this language thing? am i writing funny or something?

Answer 1

I am English. I like America and most of the Americans I have met are nice people.
I could live there except for the way you add taxes after the price of things in shops. ( we have VAT but it is always included in the displayed price) and the need to tip everyone; just tell me how much a thing orservice costs and I will decide to pay or not, I hate worrying about how much I should tip people and only do it for good service, if service charge is not included in a bill in restaurants.
I think there is a common perception that many Americans know very little about the rest of the world while your government interferes in and thinks it knows what is best for other countries.
My opinion is that your government genuinely trys to help other countries most of the time.
This is a review of a great book, 'Colossus;The Price of America's Empire' by Nial Fergusson. I liked the book and agree with him.
"The United States today is an empire—but a peculiar kind of empire," writes Niall Ferguson. Despite overwhelming military, economic, and cultural dominance, America has had a difficult time imposing its will on other nations, mostly because the country is uncomfortable with imperialism and thus unable to use this power most effectively and decisively. The origin of this attitude and its persistence is a principal theme of this thought-provoking book, including how domestic politics affects foreign policy, whether it is politicians worried about the next election or citizens who "like Social Security more than national security." Ferguson, a British historian, has no objection to an American empire, as long as it is a liberal one actively underwriting the free exchange of goods, labor, and capital. Further, he writes that "empire is more necessary in the twenty-first century than ever before" as a means to "contain epidemics, depose tyrants, end local wars and eradicate terrorist organizations." The sooner America embraces this role and acts on it confidently, the better. Ferguson contrasts this persistent anti-imperialistic urge with the attitude held by the British Empire and suggests that America has much to learn from that model if it is to achieve its stated foreign policy objectives of spreading social freedom, democracy, development, and the free market to the world. He suggests that the U.S. must be willing to send money, civilians, and troops for a sustained period of time to troubled spots if there is to be real change—as in Japan and Germany after World War II--an idea that many American citizens and leaders now find repulsive. Rather than devoting limited resources and striving to get complex jobs done in a rush, Americans must be willing to integrate themselves into a foreign culture until a full Americanization has occurred, he writes. Overall, a trenchant examination of a uniquely American dilemma and its implications for the rest of the world. --Shawn Carkonen

Answer 2

Great people there and great jerks too, same as the rest of the world. A lot of misconceptions about the rest of the world and vice-versa.

Highly educated/ hugely ignorant, the full spectrum.

A political system too easily preyed upon by big business. Same as most places. Doing some pretty nasty stuff, which almost all the old empires did when they were top dog in order to try and stay there.

On the way down and, hopefully, the great people will stop the jerks before it goes too far. Or at least try to stop them dragging everyone with them.

I've lived in the States and outside, loved the low prices but have also seen places on earth which make it possible for this extremely subsidised, unbalanced, unsustainable lifestyle. Why the obsession with big things?


General mood: Like many of the individuals, not so besotted with the archetype.

Answer 3

my opinion of America - it's a vast place with with a broad spectrum of weather, times and changing scenery depending whether you're in the north or south. If you're asking an opinion of Americans, the few I've met over the years have unfortunately been rather rude. It seems that no matter what one says, the American will come back with an argument or sarcastic reply. They're very opinionated, seeming unable to comprehend that there may be different points of view even in the lightest discussion. They're very forward, wanting (needing?) to be at the forefront and take centre stage in a crowd. Their outward demeanour belies the fact that they're basically a naive race, insecure and need constant reassurance by praise and flattery. IMHO, until they learn a little humility attitudes towards them won't change.

I have no doubt that there are good and bad Americans, just as in any nation. Sadly the few I've met have coloured my opinion, hence I have no desire whatever to visit the US which is a great pity as some of my forefathers emigrated to Boston in 1633, one becoming a governor of Boston, another a principal of Harvard, and I'd love to research that part of my family tree. I'm grateful for the internet though for that very reason (an American invention I believe?! )

Answer 4

Lets get one thing clear the U.S.A. is a great place with great people too and some pretty nasty people as well but hey name me a place on earth which doesn't a few bad apples in it so on that level you're no different to anyone else.I'n not gonna sit here and knock America because i can't that would make me a hypocrite,how? you might ask well all these so called experts who knock uncle sam will quite happily do it while wearing LEVIS and NIKE,drinking STARBUCKS and eating MACDONALDS or BURGER KING or PIZZA HUT and listening to JUSTIN or BRITNEY or MADONNA ok she lives with us now but she is still american and watching every Hollywood blockbuster to boot,i think you can get where i'm coming from.So in a nutshell the U.S.A. does a hell of alot more good than bad and if America and americans only really cared about themselves then the whole world would become a third world overnight - the whole world would be f@#$&d.
I'm British yes your staunch allie and i love America and its people and if anybody's not down with that i got two words for ya Suck it.

Answer 5

Hi there, like your question but i hope you won't be too offended by some of the answers of which could go on forever. Personally i think some of the most amazing people have been American. M.L.King..Oprah...J.B jovi...Gn'R...politicions are the same everywhere in these times...I think you have a wonderful country and have always thought the names of some of the states are just great...Boston,Kansas, and there were bands of the same names...great bands i might add...and who wouldn't want to visit New York if they got the chance...last night i was on Dean Martins web sight , what an amazing man he was,and look at the rat pack they were brilliant...maybe you were looking for more up to date answers but i wanted to share a few of the things and people America has given the world...and as for the the political scene we are all in a mess....i'm stopping here because i could go on all night and i'm sure some people will disagree with me, there is good and bad in all of us...i give the USA the thumbs up......blessings from Scotland......

Answer 6

i don't want 2 offend you but i live in the UK and for my history A level ( which is higher education) i did American history from martian Luther king etc to the Vietnam and Korean wars. America treat others and there own pitifully, your history scares me that a country could be so powerful and spiteful at the same time if you can treat your own ethnic minority that way were all fucked. the Iraq and Afghan wars are destined to arrive at the same end as the Vietnam and Korean wars, badly. too many people died troops were cruel and out of control and for what domination of oil and other resources. I'm embarrassed to be British as we follow suit our government don't have a brain cell to rub together and would follow bush to the ends of the world if they had to. SORRY!! your probably a lovely person and i do know that not all Americans are gun hoe.

Answer 7

Yes have to agree any head of state who doesn't really have a full and working knowledge of his mother language is a bit suspect and reflects the people who voted him into office... he can't or doesn't know how to pronounce the word nuclear but says nukeular... weird... plus all his other **** ups which have been widely reported mainly by David Letterman as it;s the only real American show of any worth ie partly humourous in Hong Kong... I mean what is this queer eye for the straight guy rubbish? come on fella's bang the rocks together over there.. desperate housewives? give me a break... ok CSI... not bad, frm the science point of view... but always the same death and violence is it all you people think about? sex and guns?

Answer 8

i think that american people are great though i find ur social fascias a little straining (ha ha ha). i do however hate american government it is so obviously corrupt but the rest of the world is just as bad for not holding america accountable for their actions. i think that america is far too powerful and that ur government should be more responsible as there actions effect the rest of the world more than any other government.

Answer 9

who are you talking about the American Indian or the man who wiped out a whole nation of people. In slaved man stole land and cultures and still today 2006 the man is still influencing genocide in the ghettos of the us. and around the world in a bid 4 world domination.
bush entered a country in its most trying time whilst they had little means of defence looking for weapons of mass destruction and ended up covered in oil. very slick

Answer 10

not exactely the greatest place. . . . . dont get me wrong its better than a lot of countries, but when you say that america accepts everyone and then people who call themselves americans discriminate (and not just against different races; i've been discriminated many times and i was born here) you know that its getting pretty bad. and we wont even go into the culture.