Is Europe overly critical of Americans just because we're American?

Question

So there are three pretty common European criticisms of Americans:

1. Americans only speak English (or, at best, have minimal foreign language abilities.)
2. Americans invaded Iraq.
3. Americans didn't sign the Kyoto Accord.

While this may be fair criticism, I wonder why Americans are near constantly confronted with these facts. But Aussies, on the other hand, have similar charateristics and are far less criticized. What's up with that? (I experienced this while traveling with some Aussies in Europe.)

And sorry if I pigeonhole anyone--I am sure there are many liguistically brilliant Aussies and Americans!

Thanks for your help...

Answer 1

Yes and No! A lot of Europeans are (even more than their own governments officially are!!) critical of the US government; and because GWB and his fellows (amongst a lot of "ordinary" USAmericans) do not allow any criticism of the "self-declared No 1 nation" at all, Europe's called over critical. France and Germany didn't want to participate in the Iraq-attack (justified upon lies!) and were therefore put alongside with North Korea and Iran for a while. Great! You know how to make (and keep) friends...

Considering the "No 1 nation" fact, aussies are quite different - although, as most people do, they love their own country, and that's okay for everybody. They also have been and are still criticized for not signing the Kyoto agreement. But what's the bigger effect: 280 million USAmericans (living much closer to Europe) or 20 million antipode-Aussies doing something for the environment?! Everybody must join...
It was not Australia who lied to the world for having a reason invading Iraq - and by the way: it was the USA who helped Saddam seizing power many years ago although they knew his personality.

About English: I suppose nobody blames anyone for being so lucky that their mother tongue became the world's most important language. But do all of them (USA, AUS, NZ, UK, ...) show respect to those who have learned a foreign language? And how many of them do expect everyone to speaking English especially while travelling in a foreign, non-english-speaking country?

The "best" USAmericans I've met have travelled (before) outside the USA (a lot fluent in a second language) and most of them have opened their minds to respecting other cultures. It's not a long way from ignorance to arrogance. But people like You can do something about it. Thanks!

Answer 2

I was raised overseas, and when I got back to the States in high school my French teacher told me one time "Jealousy is an ugly, ugly emotion." Always stuck with me. Europeans (not all, but many) look across the pond, see what we have done in 250 years and can only look at their stagnent economies and socialist governments. For God's sake, these people get a month or more of vacation every year, I have to split up my two weeks because I don't want to be away that long from my job.

Answer 3

Jerry A: Wow, that turned right into a good purchase of loopy there. you may prefer to make certain a psychiatrist. it is the most incoherent and oddly relaxing remark i ought to ave ever considered printed. Do you already comprehend your own argument there? Are you saying u.s. has tremendous welfare that helped your family individuals stay off the streets and also you hate that it did? Are you saying you desire your mom and also you've been thrown out on the line? Are you saying you're annoyed that once your family individuals had adequate to pay for medicine it wasn't free anymore so no individual could get free medicine? or basically that it became ok for you yet no individual else could get it? Hahahaa. Sorry Daniel, to respond to the q, the reason individuals dislike Europe usually is they have been bought a lie by technique of their authorities and media that u.s. is the superb position on earth. Clinton advised the ecu that u.s. invented Democracy. the television in u.s. makes them imagine u.s. also invented freedom and present day economics. u.s. is like Brittany Spears. She is a basically yet another lady yet she would not comprehend that because all the education she receives from those round her is effective. they say "Your so remarkable Brittany. sure, that 30kg weight earnings makes you seem to be Monroe." in some circumstances she'll see comments on her from outdoors her sphere of impact that say unfavorable issues about her yet her sycophants will tell her "Oh, they're basically jealous Brittany. they basically lie because they prefer to be like you yet can't." those individuals don't comprehend that issues in different places should be more effective constructive because they're smothered in a bubble of self-delusion. It received't replace till u.s.'s bubble bursts. Jerry A: Are you at present saying you and your mom were the purely respectable people in u.s. who were undesirable? Now that you're literally not undesirable that's time to reduce off something because they're of direction all criminals and drug addicts, why else ought to they be undesirable? Why were you undesirable? probable a lack of reasoning skills...

Answer 4

Europe is not overly critical of Americans just for the reasons that you listed. There are far too many reasons to hate the United States to mention here. I live here and I see the European point-of-view. They are right in their assessment of the United States.

Answer 5

Is Europe overly critical of Americans just because we're American? - yes and its a good enough reason.
regarding aussies - aussies arent attacking the rest of the world nore are they trying to police the rest of the world, therefore we are not pissing everyone off

Answer 6

They have many more reasons than the the three you offered.

Answer 7

America is a lie it's the country that our fore fathers died for anymore.