How can anyone be so ignorant?

Question

An American user posted a question asking "Why are people in England so rude?". She then explained the problems she had in England:

- In McDonalds she had to explain what she meant when she wanted to pay by Debit Card. She was then told that she "obviously couldn't".

- In a pharmacy she had to explain what Advil was.

- The pharmacist then had the cheek to ask what other medication she was on, and when the American refused to say, she was told she couldn't be served.

The problem is, the person who posted the question obviously didn't know that:

- In the UK you cannot pay with cards in any McDonalds, and very few people refer to any cards as 'debit cards', so the cashiers confusion was understandable.

- Outside of the USA, Advil is called Ibuprofen.

- UK law says that pharmacists must make sure you aren't on anything that will react badly with what they give you.

Why don't Americans realise that things are different outside of America? How can they be so ignorant?

Answer 1

Americans are ignorant because they think they're number one country in the world, and that they think most countries sell the same stuff anywhere else, they think everything works the same way everywhere else like the states.

But, I won't have a problem like that when I go to england because my hubby's english. lol!

Answer 2

There is a lot of natural misunderstanding regarding medical names of the same product or products and various other items or even food at time between the UK and the US. It is ignorance of a person that describes someone as rude- when really it is just a fact of the other person is not identifying exactly what is meant. However, a pharmacist normally should have a handbook on medicines to find out what for example the name advil would come under in the UK. There is such a book I know. I have many friends who are in the medical profession.

I remember when in the USA, I discovered biscuits was bread there and - not cookies, and bread there was actually biscuits. I discover this when a friend I know there directed me to bread when I asked for biscuits ( cookies )lol. So it is understandably confusing.

Answer 3

I'm American and I'm certainly not ignorant. This other American might be very young. Of course, there are always people from any country who go abroad and believe that things work exactly the same way as it is at home. Also, some people don't read up on the culture that they would be visiting. Hey, I'm fully aware that there are some Americans who believe that the entire world speak English. Fortunately, I'm multilingual (English, Chinese, French, Spanish and some Italian). I've never had an issue in any pharmacy in England, France or Hong Kong. Please don't generalize all Americans as being this ignorant (or if you want to say it...stupid).

Answer 4

I'm a Brit living in the States and I've been here for nearly four years. Sometimes I have to explain something to someone so I'm understood, just like the Advil story. Advil contains Ibuprofen just like Neurofen does in the UK.... I think that might be the same as Advil.
Anyway, people just don't realise that things are different. They are almost told that America is the best place on earth. It's not their fault - that's just what they are lead to believe. I've had people here telling me that London is in Paris, that India is in Russia, even that Bob the builder is American.... all sorts of things.
You just have to except that people all over the world are different and are used to different things.

Answer 5

You started off on the right track when you asked how can anyone be so ignorant. Anyone = Singular person. However, you went off the rails when you applied your statement to everyone in the United States. Cultural misunderstandings are common with people who wouldn't be considered frequent world travellers. This is not specific to any country. While I agree with you that the woman who posted that shows a rude intolerance, you yourself display the same rude intolerant attitude when you say "Why don't Americans realise that things are different outside of America? How can they be so ignorant?". Frankly, it a pot calling the kettle black issue, and invalidates any good point you might have made.

To the apologists out there. Count me out of your apologies. I will not apologize for the actions of people I do not know, and have no control over. By making apologies you just perpetuate the myth that all Americans are this way, and should be ashamed of their behavoir. If you wish to apologize do it for yourself, and let the rest of us handle our own opinions and affairs.

Answer 6

Here's a thought. Why not ask her? Do you realize you are doing the same thing she is? She generalized that ALL the people in England are rude based on about two experiences. That is indeed ignorant.
But you are also generalizing that ALL Americans are ignorant because of what she posted. That too, is ignorant.

Here's a thought...why doesn't everyone quit drawing these ridiculous 'conclusions' about each others countries based on their elected officials, the way they talk, walk or whatever.

Both the UK and the USA are wonderful places, with lots of great people. Sure we all have a few dimwits, but that's typical of anyplace.


Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just getting tired of all the bashing of anothers country on this forum. It's absolutely pointless.

Answer 7

I would have to agree... she sounds like she is from the city, that's how city people act... they are very rude to people and expect the other person to know exactly what they are talking about no matter the circumstance.... i hate city's for this point... i am a country man and will always be... i could go on for a long time about what some people do here and what some people see as acceptable, but i will not unless asked.... but just so you know it is the city Americans that act like this, not the country... because in the sticks we just like to have a good laugh mind to ourselves... I have been to New York once and doubt i will be back again.....

Answer 8

You probably qualify as the 1st to ask a question and provide long commentary! Wow!

Lack of knowing what's going on round the world is a problem for some (not all) American. America being such a big place, this 'country bumkin' may also find problem in other states,

Nothing unusual...this is the real world.

Answer 9

I can explain the problem with the debit card. Most of are debit card here in the US work two ways. Signature and Pin.

If the Card has either a Visa or Mastercard on it. It should work at all merchants that take those. They would sign for the purchase even with chip n pin in place. Now if the card has any of the following on Visa interlink, Visa Debit, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, Visa Plus, Maestro, Cirrus. It should work at any merchant that take those type of cards and they would have to enter a pin number. They would choose chequing at pos terminal.

Answer 10

I apologize for the Americans who are ignorant, also for the ones that are arrogant. I've been to England, and found the people to be friendly and fun. One of my "pet peeves" is that Some (not all of us) Americans expect everything everywhere to be "just like at home". I personally don't understand this, if everything was the same everywhere, what's the point of traveling? I enjoy the new experiences and the differences, and wish I had the financial resources to travel much more that I have. Good wishes to you.

Answer 11

why?
Because, quite simply, a vast majority of Americans have never left the borders of their own state, let alone their countries.

Being culturally insulated as well, most know nothing about the world outside of the States, and feel absolutely no need to.

However, the above applies mostly to less educated individuals, who are constantly inundated by Washington's propaganda machine and are much more pre-occupied with bread-and-butter issues (which may explain some of the nasty attitudes).