What about Americans do most Europeans dislike?

Question

When travelling abroad, I often encountered rude behavior toward American tourists and in defense of most fellow Americans would like to state that we are NOT all Bush Fans.

Answer 1

I cannot speak for Europeans, but as a Canadian we are exposed to America at closer proximity than the rest of the world, so perhaps we have a unique perspective.

Americans are, by and large, wonderful people and their country is a great country, perhaps the best example of a free society in human history.

However, there is more than a little arrogance that goes along with their accomplishments. The whole American legend of never having lost a war (what about the war of 1812, what about Vietnam?), having won certain wars almost single-handedly (as many American movies seem to depict re WWII for example, when in fact America's role in combat was not particularly significant in WWII).

The stereotype of the "ugly American" (a term I believe that an American actually coined) is that of a loud, boorish, obnoxious, presumptuous outsider who insists on their way. "You can't do this to me, I'm an American!"

Going to foreign countries and expecting people to speak your language instead of trying to learn to speak some of theirs is a commonly attributed American approach.

Now, none of this is particularly American. The British certainly went around the world imposing "the King's English" on people.

But since America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, and Americans probably travel abroad more than any other nationality as a result of their wealth, this behaviour is seen from Americans more than from other people because there are more Americans out there.

American foreign policy is also at the root of much anti-Americanism. Interference in other nations internal affairs, even those of allies, is a long standing American method for imposing their own will and furthering their own interests. Again, not a uniquely American phenomenon, mostly a human one, but one which Americans can do more of due to their power.

Finally, the presumption evident in the way Americans react to events like 9/11 ("You're either with us or with the terrorists," Bush's statement which was widely supported by Americans at the time it was made.) suggesting that American lives are worth more than those of other people, that Americans have the right to wreak havoc on the world when they are injured but others do not.

Americans need to engage with other countries more, learn about other countries, accept differences and respect their allies.

The best example of the American hubris I can think of at present is the way many Americans derided Canada for not joining in with their invasion of Iraq. Implicit in that criticism was the fact that Americans forgot or discounted every historical instance of Canadian solidarity with our continental allies. It makes America seem ungrateful and makes Canadians, and I suspect other nations, less inclined to help America in future.

Answer 2

Who cares and why is based on weather or not we are Bush fans? I hear this kind of question a lot from so called “educated” people I know. These are nothing more than self loathing, guilt ridden Americans who have NEVER traveled outside of the country but can tell you why we (Americans) are the source of evil in the modern world.

My work has taken me to over 2-dozen countries and some may not like us, some absolutely love us, but they all respect us. But let’s examine your question: What about Americans do most Europeans dislike? I find that question ironic but at the same time I’m not sure if I agree with it. I mean aren’t we the same America that liberated millions in Europe and defeated Fascism? I think it’s more generational. As in America, most of the hate-America crowd are younger and seem to be parroting what they hear without thinking critically. I guess I need to know what you mean by being a “Bush fan” to give you a better answer.

Answer 3

I have met some great Americans. People shouuldn't judge you on your Government, like Britains it isn't really voted for by most of the people, and what choices do we have anyway - Republican/Democrat (wow what a choice) or Labour/Conservative.
I think what a lot of people object to is small town, right wing America and Americans that don't know anything beyond the States or even their own county! I don't know how prevalent that kind of person is but I m guessing quite prevalent. In the end you are the worlds leading super power and like all imperialsit powers have done and are doing some pretty cynical things around the globe, so your'e bound to get flack. I know its not the fault of ordinary Americans but a lot of people won't understand that - the rest of the world has its share of dumb red necks too!

Answer 4

1. Americans elected Bush.
2. Christian fundamentalism exists mainly in the USA.
3. Americans are hypocritically intolerant of immigration.
4. American tourists ask the most stupid questions. An American tourist at Windsor Castle, for example, once asked, "Why was it built next to an airport?"
5. Americans think they are superior to everyone else.
6. The American government seems to think it has Britain's sovereignty.
7. The USA uses capital punishment.
8. The American government claims to be spreading democracy throughout the world, yet its electoral college system means that a president doesn't even have to win the popular vote.
9. America produces the most crap, trashy movies, yet they are popular. (Spain produces the best; Almodóvar is a movie god!)
10. Many Americans think Australia is in Europe.

Answer 5

I think it is better to give tips on how to get on well with Europeans during your trips.

1. Learn more about the countries you are going to visit before you come. Do not ask questions such as "Does Austria has the Internet?" if you do not want to look strange.
2. Question the image of Europe that US media tend to give. Question your stereotypes.
3. There are no Europeans as a nation (Europe is a continent, not a country). Even within the EU, the French, the British, the Germans and so on are distinct independent nations with their own history, language and traditions. The difference between France and Spain corresponds to the difference between the US and Mexico.
4. In most European countries people necessarily change street shoes when coming home or visiting someone in their place (private houses, apartments). But you do not need to do this in public places (unless asked to do so).

Answer 6

I am English and, unfortunately, some people enjoy feeling superior to Americans, who they stereotype as being fat, loud-mouthed and stupid. (that's when they're not concentrating on the thin Americans who live in LA). They also, for some reason, think that Americans are culture-less, even though America has produced some of the greatest (and I mean great) entertainment and some of the best universities, thinkers and creative people in the world. Some Europeans are envious of some American people's lifestyles.

You mentioned George W Bush-a lot of people like to feel superior to him too and he may have taken full advantage of all the perks of being the son of a president and rely on a lot of help but a lot of people who attack him aren't exactly Einstein themselves.

In short, America has a lot of the world's friendliest, hard-working, most genuine, cleverest, (not to mention most beautiful)people living there- ignore those Europeans who don't know what they're talking about.

Answer 7

all americans that i have ever met (i lived with a lot in my first year of uni) have been quite ignorant about the world and yet they expect everyone else to know everything about their country/culture. it just seems like america is pushed down the whole world's throats and so i think everybody gets sick of the country's inhabitants who think the world starts and ends in the usa!
plus the loud thing doesn't really help. BUT i would like to say that whilst slightly annoying, the americans i met were all nice enough and it's an amazing country to visit. just don't forget it's not the only country to visit!! x

Answer 8

Wow reading all of those answers were crazy...

Just because we have fast food places and an idiot of a President, it doesn't mean that we're all ignorant and fat and loud.

Personally, I'm quiet and I'm not into fast food. I find other cultures amazing, especially when it comes to history and languages. The stereotypes that people have about Americans are disgusting because guess what....not just in America, but all over the world there are over weight people, fast food restaurants, loud/obnoxious people and IGNORANT people that don't know a damn thing about any country other than their own.

Answer 9

When they see Bin Laden, many people think of Islam.
When people outside the US see George Bush, they think of America.
Just like Bin Laden has made many people believe that Islam promotes terrorism, George Bush has made the world outside the US believe that America stands for atrocities like the ones committed in Iraq and Guantanamo. After all, he is the democratically elected president.
I know it isn't true, but people everywhere want to keep things simple, in black and white, so they know where they stand. For them Bush = America = atrocities.
I'm sorry you have to suffer from the consequences.

Answer 10

nicely merely because you heard some american stewardesses say something like that, it does no longer advise all of us sense that way. I went to France and all of them looked as if it would hate us human beings. everywhere I went, they were impolite to me because they knew that i replaced into American and they could say undesirable issues about human beings. Even after leaving, I nonetheless do not believe all of us there hate human beings. in case you've been to come back to us of a, the majority could imagine you've been cool and favor to learn about what that's like the position you stay. human beings love foreigners and accents. each usa has that's undesirable apples so do not take what those 2 nutty women folk stated in my opinion.