Why don't people like Americans?

Question

Okay, so the title was a little bold and rash, but it was the only way I could put it. Everywhere I go I see that Americans are branded as a whole, rather than individually. Yes, I'm an American, but does that mean that I'm lazy and obese? Just because some people in our country are a bit over the top with the "America is #1!" (sorry, but it's really not. Look at how we treat the people in this country, and then look at other places in the world, we're way down on the number list.) doesn't mean that everyone is like that. Just because our government decided to go to war, doesn't mean that we agree with that. I'm just wondering why people are still doing that, can't I travel and have people like or dislike me because of how I act rather than where I'm from?

True that the majority of a lot of radical and obnoxious comments may come from Americans, but that doesn't mean that everyone has to dislike them because of that. Everyone has different views, and just because someone might have an idea that is potentially hurtful to people doesn't mean that everyone from that country thinks that way. There's different people in the world, and it will always be that way, but what the government of my country does won't reflect on me as a person. It's just that when I travel, I'd rather not be seen as one of those obnoxious people who say those things, because I'm not.

But that's the thing, there isn't a complete arrogance as a whole nation. I know some of the modest people ever, and I for sure don't think that I am better than anyone else just because I'm from America. I was just trying to, I don't know, let people know that not everyone deserves that reputation.

Answer 1

It's the stigma of the ugly American. Those people who go overseas, disregard local customs, get mad when people don't speak English, belittle the aptitude of those who do, etc. Having lived overseas, most people like Americans. Everyone I ever met had a relative or family friend in America or had been to America and loved it.
I met a bus driver in London who went out of his way to help us because he had been to my hometown (Dallas) and everyone was so nice to him (Texans are a friendly people) and he wanted to return the favor! In Indonesia and Australia after 9/11 strangers who found out we were American (Indonesians always ask if you're American or Australian, they aren't much for the Aussies. Australians just had to hear our funny accent) gave us their deepest sympathies!
Most people in foriegn countries are better able to make the distinction between a person and their government than some Americans.

Answer 2

We speak only one language (and do that rather poorly at times) while most of the world is multi-lingual.

We're very rich as a whole, but that's only because most of the world has never been to a place like Kuwait where there is a color TV and DVD player in every room of the house in that Oil Rich country. They make us look like paupers!

We're the new Imperialsists, like their country never was. Like Napoleon didn't invade other countries. Like the Greeks didn't run half the known world in 10 BC, like the Romans didn't take over from them and rule most of the known world up until 1300 AD (every King had to kiss the Pope's ring back then). Like Germany didn't invade France twice in one century.

Like the Vikings didn't go out in force like the Huns.

Then there were the Huns!

The Ottman Turks

The British Empire

Very FEW countries in the world can honestly say our poop don't stink! And most of them don't harbor ill will against America!

And as for the Islamics, if you're not a Muslim you will be soon, or else!

How is Europe going to handle that one!

The Muslims will eventually take over being the Bad Guy and once again the world will want America's help to fight the invasions.

France better not say much, we helped you out twice. You can't hold your own against Germany? Gees

Germany. Shut up. Two times in one century you fell in line behind your leaders who wanted to take over the world by force.

Who out there is talking against us and WHAT IS YOUR HISTORY. Did you have a Gheingis Khan? Did you have a Napoleon! Did you have a Ceasar. Did you have a Mussolini?

Come on, speak up. Show us how your don't stink up the potty after you visit it!

It's just Jealousy and no one notices when WE embrace something foreign, which we do! Heiniken and Fosters are more popular than Bud, Hagen Das is favored over Carnation, Merceds, BMW, Toyota, Honda are our most loved cars! Yoshinoya is a big growing fast food chain. Sushi is a cult phoenomeon!

We are making India and Pakistan rich by outsourcing! When I call my American Credit Card company, I reach a telemarkerter in Inida or Pakestan!

We are making China rich by outsourcing! 50% of everything Americans consume in hard goods is Made in China!

We do, however, consume something like 60% of the worlds oil supply.

We are smug. American's don't like smug Americans anymore than Europeans do!

Answer 3

I have traveled as far south as Guatemala and I have to admit that sometimes I was treated differently because I was an American. At first I was just the tourista or gringa (sp?) and I was treated as such ( be polite, smile at the monkey and she'll give us a tip). But once I was in each place long enough I was treated as a friend (I sailed to Mex, Belize, and Guat) because I was not stereotyped as the lazy, fat, rich American. I proved my worth by helping in the communities and volunteering my time. I don't think that anywhere you go in the world, no matter what your nationality is, you will be immediately accepted. You have to be there long enough to show that you care about the ppl and the country. The same goes for your own homeland. If you show that you care by your actions and words then you will be accepted more wholly into your community.

Answer 4

I somewhat agree with what you say. Hypocrisy also is a factor that speaks for the Americans. They are hypocrites from top to bottom. They need to be more docile and human beings. Most of the Americans that i kknow of are of the category that i can see of as i feel above. But let me also confess i may be wrong in my perceptions. It is purely how i felt. Nothing personal against anyone in particular. yes I do agree they are somewhat crazy sometimes. It could be bec of various reasons, i reckon. Don't mind about these things, take it easy and just be natural.

Answer 5

I don't know. I have never traveled abroad but just on-line I get put off. The great beast from the West is what people have told me. I wish they wouldn't judge us all on the mistakes of our government. How can we not expect them to tho when we are a country of for the people, by the people, democracy remember we put those people there. They don't understand that not all of us want those idiots we have running the country.

Answer 6

I hear recently that our schools are ranking something like 27th in the world. Can you believe this?? We cannot be #1 with that.

Most people in foreign countries, if they meet you, are not going to take them time to get to know you. They just view you as part of American society. Still, when i"ve traveled abroad people are always polite. They like American tourists who spend money, that's for sure!

Answer 7

People mostly hate your country, rather than your people, although these stereotypes of you are quite widely held.

By your country I mean your government, your Army, your foreign policy, Hollywood and its continued attempts to rewrite history in your favour; but mostly your complete arrogance as a whole nation is what is hated.

Answer 8

Ask yourself why so many millions of people want to come to America?
I have traveled to 38 countries, and would only live in America.

Answer 9

I think too many Americans actually worry about this.

I could not give a rat's *** in hell what the F some frog or other unwashed scumbag thinks of America or Americans.

Answer 10

I like Americans