Why are Americans so offended and threatened by differing opinions and viewpoints other than their own?

Question

Oh stop! I am an American and I got my idea of Americans by being with others in MY country. Seldom are people open minded here. Everyone shouts their opinions from the rooftops and no one listens to anyone else. Why is that?

Answer 1

I wasnt going to answer this question but after reading some comments i just couldnt help myself.

Yes a lot of americans do get offended by ideas coming from the rest of the world because they are nationalitistic. For most of them the world begins in NY and ends in LA.

Americans do have a one of a kind constitution BUT its not the best in the world. And get real people. You cant call Europe nationalistic pig when it was the Greeks that created Democracy. Open a history book.

Oh and as far as he sarcastic "It'd be like a 3 year old telling a master painter how to paint. It's annoying. We're better than you, so shut up." comment goes i will simply say that the first and greatest painters, sculptures, architects, theorists, the father of Medicine, and psychologists were European.

When Americans go around saying that they dont know where Italy is, when they dont know where Iraq is on the map the place where so many American soldiers lost their lives, oh and that you created the Olympic Games them i'm sorry people but no much how grand USA is no much how amazing your constitution is, you are still the most ignorant country in the world.

I am sorry if i sound harsh but you have no right to say "We are better than you Shut up". Stop watching E! go to Sears and get a reality check.

Answer 2

Here me out and don't get defensive when I say that your question represents closed-mindedness. By asking that question, you are in effect stating that you think all Americans are offended and threatened by differing opinions and viewpoints other than their own. This is what is known as a sweeping generalization. Yes, some Americans are offended and threatened by differing opinions and viewpoints other than their own, but not all Americans. Some French people are that way, some Brits, some Russians, some Canadians, some Asians and so on, but not all.

Consider this, perhaps you are socializing only with, or with a lot of closed minded people. Try broadening your social circles. For example, I have friends that are wealthy, poor, Catholic, Muslim, gay, straight, male, female, black, Asian, liberal, conservative and of every other type, background, opinion, race, religion and creed. And, although I don't always agree with them on everything, I love spending time with them and learning about their differing viewpoints and guess what, I'm an American.

Believe me, there are many, many Americans that welcome other viewpoints, you need to open your mind and your heart and find them.

Answer 3

I don't know. That is what I would like to find out too. Living in the US, it seems like so many Americans have really bad opinions about other countries, and their own way of doing things is 'perfect'. Personally, I don't see why they can't be a little more open-minded and at least try to see others' points of views that are very possibly also correct.

But it also may be that since for now, they are the most rich country in the world, they think its all right to brag.

Of course, this isn't everybody. Just a little more than the majority.

Just my two cents.

Answer 4

Americans have alot of pride in their country. We (as a whole) know that our system is not perfect, but when you look around the world, it is alot better than almost anywhere else. Often we (as a whole) tend to think that others who criticize are just jealous of the civil liberties and freedoms that we enjoy here. For the most part, the USA is a great and powerful nation, and we like it here. We are not threatened by differing opinions, but we are offended by uninformed and biased criticism...wouldn't you be if someone was criticizing your country and your way of life? Especially if they obviously did not know what they were talking about, or they were making broad overgeneralizations?

By the way, if you think that Americans are hard headed...try taking on a Texan!

Answer 5

ummm it's not just Americans, love. This unattractive human quality has nothing to do with nationality or race. I could give you a slew of examples:

Iran (and any other Arab country for that matter)
China (recent internet censorship controversy)
Most European countries during the Inquisition

My point is that EVERY country has (and always has had) a ruling culture/standard of values and norms and anybody who deviates from these norms are punished. It just seems like Americans are the only society that are close-minded and paranoid regarding dissenting opinions because our country currently holds the spotlight so everything we do is magnified and exaggerated.

Answer 6

WHATEVER, look at the middle east and the **** they have to go through because they had to believe one certain way or they would be killed. What about communism, do you see that in America? No I don't think so. I think you are foolish to think that, this country is one of the most open minded countries in the world. No matter where you go there will always be someone that will speak there mind and disagree. Don't be so naive.

Answer 7

Because they have been programmed to think the same, you every seen 1984? Americans are closed minded because most of them live a MTV, E Hollywood true story life and don't know about what is really going on in the world, except for what CNN and FOX and their local news stations tell them is happening!

Answer 8

A lot of Americans get offended by ideas coming from the rest of the world because the rest of the world sucks in comparison to the US.

Plus we have a one-of-a-kind constitution. When Europe tries telling us what to do based on their idea of government it makes us want to kick them in the nuts and tell them, "But you're not free like we are, socialist pigs."

It'd be like a 3 year old telling a master painter how to paint. It's annoying. We're better than you, so shut up.

Answer 9

I'm American and I'm not offended by other people's opinions. I don't really care in the end but I don't mind a little debate.

Answer 10

Have you ever been to the US?
Come for a visit and see before judging.
We are by far the most tolerant and understanding
country. Stop listening to the BBCs hate so much
and get out to see the world.