How do other countries view Americans???

Question

I would really like to hear what some people from other countries think of Americans. I've heard so much U.S. bashing on these things and I would like to know why. I mean, I'm just as disgusted with George Bush as some of you in other countries. But just because our leader is an ****** doesn't mean we all are. And just because our celebrities are idiots doesnt mean we all are like that. Some of us Americans are actually concerned about whats going on in the world...

I agree that most countries view us as seflish, ignorant ppl. But I would just like ppl in other countries not to generalize...I don't generalize when i see someone from another country.

Answer 1

The europeans are very anti-american. This goes long before Bush. The end of world war two and there still was anti-americansim. I guess it may come from from their ancestors' colony eventually becoming bigger than Europe altogether.
Anti-americansim is on the rise in Europe even today, even though Europeans wouldn't even be republics if it was't for being inspired by US revolution (see French revolution, they quoted words from americans around that time speaking of the british).

Also they believe capitalismis evil. Why? I have no idea since it is the smartest way to run a country.

Their history books and media is corrupted by this anti-americansim too. Like how the french always say that the soviets did more to save europe than americans ever did.
Even though soviets killed millions of innocent people (after ww2) and tried to oppress the world. Also US gave the soviets weaponst to fight the nazis.

Anyways,I know I went on a rant. But theres not much we can do. We need to look after our fellow americans and try to get a close relationship with our neighbors (canada). Actually canadians have been getting less-antiamerican and vice versa.

BBC (british) is probably the worse anti-american news organization out there. on there websites anamerican can't say anything to criticize BBC or muslims in europe but Europeans on their site can bash US/Bush all they want.


and to the poster above. America has again and again toppled power-hungry racist dictators. Americans died defending people in other countrys they don't even know. USA is now protecting iraqi people from insane islam-fascist insurgents. Buffet gaves BILLIONS (No not millions, BILLIONS) of dollars to the gates foundation to help the world.
Americans are anything but selfish. We have a bad history (slavery) but nothing compared to europe's history at all.

"well for me America as never been a country on my list
so I may be the wrong person to answer. My view on Americans on a whole are that they selfish ,inconsiderate people who make noise over things that don't even matter."

Yeah your right we shouldn't care about Iranians enriching uranium and threatening to wipe one of our allies off the face of the earth, or North Korea launching missiles into the ocean, etc..
and those europeans always complain about things that matter like how they constantly nag at gitmo even though theres REAL horrific crimes happening in the world (they can start at the islam-fascist in Europe rioting and blowing up cars).

And the above paragraph was sarcastic incase you didn't notice.

"Ive been to europe .. i embrace their culture and ive been w/ ppl that are rude usually from the midwestern states.. americans are very close minded and self absorbed.. and to be honest all the other terrorist attacks in the other countries lately like spain, england and today India are mostly bushs fault(americans B-cause we elcted him).. he was the one that enetered iraaq and lied to us and lied to other countries about his real reason about it!! i was personally bashed bya dutch man in italy about been american for our ignorance!!! ANd in latin american its the same... Americans are self absorbed, ignorants.. of course not all of us just most!!!''

Oh my god. BUSH's fault for the EUROPEANS inviting ISLAMIC-FASCIST muslims into their country and not punishing them? It is US's fault for not putting an end to this problem?
Grow up. THe attack on India today (123 dead so far) was because islamics believe they must rid the infidels. India is one of their biggest enemies.
Spain attacks happend to intimidate spainards into leaving the war. Which it worked and the cowardly spanish (who I lost all respect to except for aznar) ran out.
French attacks have been riots of muslim "youths" who were invited into France (for a false belief of multiculturism). The muslims were fighting the "oppression" (WHAT)
London attacks are the same. They are INVITED in the country to live.

"We often read in the paper that Americans are quick to condemn countries such as Iran, China, North Korea, Pakistan, France"

Iran- Enirching Uranium.Leader is an islamic fanatic. Threatens to "wipe Israel off of the map".
China-- ?? When did US condemn china
North Korea- Test Missile into the Sea of Japan. Aimed missiles at Hawaii. They are a threat. Japan is pushing for action. More than US
Pakistan-- Dangerous islam
France-- freedoms fries isn't serious enough to place France into a catergory of iran, n.korea, etc..
Freedom fries were stupid but Jacques Chirac (who was in favor of getting rid of Iraq' WMD if any before the iraq war. Then america began it and her changed his views.wonder why) went against the war for his own personal anti-american purposes.
look at this quote from him he said something like "Iraq war was a perfect oppurtunity to say no to america" while talking to UK.
What an awful attitude he has, just attack US no matter what

Heres some links for you to read.

Answer 2

This comes from my experiences with friends (and non-friends) from other countries. Many many people do not like our government. However, many people can also make the distinction that the decisions of the American government do not necessarily reflect the American people. I've asked this question to a lot of my friends who do not live in the US and they recognize that Americans are like anyone else. To quote my friend who lives in Madrid when I asked him this question, "there are some good ones and there are some bad ones, like everywhere else."

Oh, but one of the other answers reminded me of something funny and non-political. I sent a size L shirt to my friend in Madrid, and he was shocked that it was a Large. "L's there are XL's here... Americans must be big people." ...just thought that was kind of cute.

Just a quick note in response to something someone else said: the attacks on the Metro in Madrid did not change the outcome of the Spanish elections in 2004, which brought the PSOE to power. They may have brought more people out to vote, but the PP and Anzar did more to remove themselves from power than any terrorist attack ever could have. Give the Spanish more credit; Spaniards were overwhelmingly not in favor of the war to begin with. The PSOE campaigned with a promise to remove Spanish troops from Iraq if they gained control of the government. They did, and Zapatero kept the promise. Maybe some people don't like some Americans because some of them don't care to actually know a little more about a sitaution before drawing rash conclusions.

Answer 3

(I am not speaking for any other Canadians, but myself based on what I've seen and heard...)

There is a lot of stereotyping Americans and some of it seems justified. Stereotypically speaking they are rude, abrasive, arrogant, paranoid, loud, self-important and self-rightous.

I have American cousins and American friends and they are not the stereotyped image that I have of US citizens. And I understand that the people of North Carolina were the warmest, kindest people when Canada (Edmonton Oilers) were playing hockey against the Hurricanes.

However much you may not like Bush, your country voted him into power, thus he represents all of you.
And yes, there are a lot of Americans who give to charities, start foundations, draw attention to very worthy causes such as lots of your celebrities and many who are working to make the world a better place.

So I don't know where the stereotype came from....media perhaps? movies, tv,? Americans are often portrayed as self-centered, brash and ignorant of other cultures.

News articles? We often read in the paper that Americans are quick to condemn countries such as Iran, China, North Korea, Pakistan, France (Freedom fries???) etc and they try to take advantage of Canadian resources.
Did you know that over 50% (it may even be 80% because i can't remember the exact #) of your oil and gas comes from Canada?
You get our lumber, our beef (well you used to) our energy...Nothern Manitoba supplies electricity to a large section of your Eastern Seaboard, and I hear now you want our water.

Bad experiences? when I worked in the Canadian Rockies, the Korean and Japanese staff were often told to "go back where they came from " by American tourists or even made fun of because of their accents. No other tourists treated them like that.

I think for the most part we know that a country is made up of indviduals who are the same as everyone else with regards to their love of their families, friends, desire to be happy. But the US as a whole does come with its own stereotypes.

I don't know if there's a way to change it which is too bad as you are our closest neighbor.

Answer 4

Many people think american are racists, many people think americans think they are better than any other people, many people think americans think they can go to any country in the world and people NEED TO SPEAK ENGLISH FOR THEM , but when other people come to USA if they don't speak english, then the americans get mad. Well many peole think that the americans are making a big mistake invading Iraq.

In other way many people think americans are cool, people think USA is a great country, many people think also americans help every body.

Many Opinions, all different. What is really important here is who you are and how people around you feels about your self.

There is many good people in USA, there is bad people too. We can not judge all americans as good or bad, that would not be fair.

Answer 5

Well Most ppl abroad usually Europeans see us as very self absorbed and ignorant. Also when we go to their countries americans are usually very rude and instead of embracing their cultures some americans get mad when other countries dont have what we are accustumed to have here. Examples... In france ppl dont use as much ice as we do.. like at a restaurant they give u a soda at room temp, we ask for ice.. they say no ice and we get mad..in Italy it is an insult when u eat pizza w/ a coke, they say its pizza murder, we ne ways ask for coke.. they eat pizza w/ a beer, water or wine.. Also parmessan cheese.. do not dare to put parmessan cheese on a pizza its just wrong.. we should embrace their culture and like the saying goes.. when in rome do as the romans..

Answer 6

It's true, but we don't get taught in school about what life is like outside the USA, so we are more selfish and only care about ourselves. When we decide to think outside the box, we still don't have the knowledge necessary to work with people who are not American because we have no knowledge about their history and why they are the way they are. Nobody has the time to discuss things, but are more likely to act first and ask questions later.

I'm sorry if you don't understand this, or it is too general.

Answer 7

You want to know how Americans are viewed, politics aside?
OK

What other countries dislike about Americans:
*They seem to be work-obsessed
*They tend to be rather distant and cold with their parents (at least to a Latin persons eyes)
*American women seem aggressive and pushy
*When someone overseas hears the word "American man", immediately, the overbearing, loud jock comes to mind
*They're stereotyped as being staunchly monolingual
*Many people think white Americans are racist
*They seem to be obsessed with anything BIG
*Their love of guns and insistence that it deters crime
*Their refusal to switch over to metric
*They think that their way of doing things is the correct way

Good points admired by foreigners:
*Their business savvy and economic drive
*Entertainment
*They don't accept things as "how they are" and are willing to cross heiarchal lines

Answer 8

well for me America as never been a country on my list
so I may be the wrong person to answer. My view on Americans on a whole are that they selfish ,inconsiderate people who make noise over things that don't even matter.

Answer 9

It´s a mixed bag; Or we can call it a ´love/hate´situation. People of other nations love USA for all the good reasons for Americans to be loved while at the same time hate for all reasons for USA to be hated. For ex, we are hated for our racism while at the same time being love for our struggle for human rights. We are divided in many issues and reaping the collateral effects of our divisions.

Answer 10

Americans have an annoying habit, and that is they tend to ask "They have X in your country, too???"
They think that only in this country, there's a decent infrastructure.

Answer 11

i would think that our country is not viewed in a good light because of our leaded,i did not vote for him and can see how other countries may think we all are bad because of this one rotten apple.