Are you ever embarrassed to be an American?

Question

Or afraid of how you will be treated in other countries because of the foreign policies Bush has been implimenting?

***implementing****

Answer 1

When I travel I tell everyone I'm Canadian. Technically true, since I was born there and hold dual citizenship, but I've been in the States for 20 years now. But I've definitely noticed better treatment for claiming canadianship!

Answer 2

I am not embarassed to be an American, nor am I afraid to travel because of Bush's policy. I disagree with the policy, but I live in a country where people can stand on the corner with a (fake) blood-spattered sheet and call the President a murderer (which I also disagree with), and they don't have to worry about being shot or put in prison for life or anything like that. I can't fault Bush either for trying to do the right thing in his eyes, but I think there is a lack of foresight in trying to change the entire culture of an entire region of the world. Nevertheless, I am proud to be a citizen of this country, as my ancestors have been for the last 250 years.

Answer 3

I have been to many foreign countries, mostly western and eastern Europe. The only time I'm embarrassed is when I meet other Americans over there and they are acting crudely or without manners and tact. Most of the people I have spoken with have been friendly and curious to know my stance on many topics but they have never show anger even when they disagree with me. I'm very proud to be an American but I realize my country is not perfect and that not everything in America is the best by any standards. Americans who are constantly telling other people how much better things are in America are usually very deluded , short sighted and rude. This seems to be a peculiar trait among Americans...this constant stating of how much better we have it here. It is almost as if our whole population is so insecure we have to keep telling everyone how great we are. I find this very embarrassing and try to avoid other Americans at all costs when traveling overseas

Answer 4

My wife and I just spent three weeks in Canada, and certainly no one up there cared one bit that we were Americans or raised the issue of politics and U.S. foreign policy.

I traveled abroad extensively in the mid-1970s (in Asia and Europe) when America was very unpopular in the world following the Vietnam War. But I never had any problems. People were friendly. No one cared that I was American.

People abroad are intelligent enough to distinguish between U.S. foreign policy and individual Americans. Americans as individuals remain fairly well-liked abroad, even in countries that tend to oppose American policy. That was the case in the mid-70s, and I hear the same thing from my friends traveling abroad today.

When traveling abroad, the main thing is not to act like the stereotypical "Ugly American". They say the main difference between Americans and non-Americans is brashness and directness and loudness. Americans are taught to go right up to people and confront them and raise a fuss if there is a problem (for example, dealing with slow service in a restaurtant by making loud comments or demanding to see the manager). Most other cultures, however, are more reticent or laid back or polite. They say brashness is one of the biggest things about Americans that really irritates people abroad.

But other than dealing with purely cultural differences like that, I wouldn't have any fears about traveling abroad today. Very few people are looking to punish individual Americans over disagreements with U.S. foreign policy.

Answer 5

Yes. When I travel I don't lie if someone asks me because maybe I can change their opinion of Americans, but I certainly try to behave as much like their culture as possible.

I just hate the way American travelers think the whole world should be just like America. It really has nothing to do with Bush for me, just the general American attitude.

Last time I was in Europe I ended up (accidently) picking up an accent and no one guessed I was American. They guessed Sweden, Norway, England, Denmark, Canada, but they never guessed American.

Answer 6

I was always proud to be a 6th generation American until we started imposing our democratic beliefs and started conforming other countries to ours. What right do we have to go impose our life style on other countries when we are in such inner turmoil? We have to get control of our own country before taking over another. We have immigration, political, racial, financial-deficeit, etc, etc., strife here in our own and do not need any more distractions from dealing with our own problems. We have not solved America's problems-what makes us think we can solve another countries??? It will take all the people, for the people to take back America-Now lets all get on board and stop the whining and worrying and so something about it!

Answer 7

Yes!! it is not just the Bush administration, it is politics in general. Every time the ends justify the means mentality wins,the people lose.Since it is easier to get to a common person than a prominent one,civilians suffer the consequences of politicians actions. It is always needed for the people to remain involved in the political process even after the elections and hold the elected accountable for their actions. Peace.

Answer 8

I am not embarrassed at all I am very proud and though I wont be in other countries any time soon I am not afraid cause I dont treat people different casue of where they are from and I'd hope most would feel the same way...

Answer 9

I'm ashamed of Bush, but I don't feel personally embarrassed because I know I disapproved of him from the beginning, I didn't vote for him, none of it is my fault. I do sometimes worry that people in other countries will assume I'm just your average stupid American.

Answer 10

I am and always will be proud to be an American - even when Bill Clinton was president I could be embarrassed for him but n ever for myself being an American! You have a problem if you live your life by anyone elses opinion... Your problem.....