Why are americans cosidered a bit stupid by europeans?

Question

I'm not american.
I do have american friends: very nice people but a bit naive.

Answer 1

I am an asian -american, and I grew up here in the US for over 30 years. I am originally from canada.

To tell you the truth, I truly believe deep down in my heart, that MOST NOT ALL , but an extremely high percentage of americans are stupid, ignorant, lazy and dumb! I mean just flip on the Maury Pauvich show and see how all these people have 12 kids and they have to do paternity tests.


Yes I agree, americans are very stupid in general. Even a few of my college professors are stupid and they have a Ph.D. which doesn't mean ****.
I think Asians and Europeans are much more sophisticated then americans. Here in texas, I know several people that are 28 years old that have never stepped foot into an art museum. I mean in europe art is everywhere and people are cultured. Here in the USA, the majority of people's culture is beer, clubs, partying, sex and sports. there are some americans out there , that are very smart, but those people make up a very small percentage.

Answer 2

I am not sure that Americans are considered stupid by Europeans, but if they were, perhaps these might be some of the reasons:
1) most Europeans can speak at least two languages, most Americans can barely speak their native language (as we can see from Yahoo answers and from the public utterances of George Bush!)
2) most Europeans have at least a vague idea of where the rest of world is on a map, while most Americans cannot even tell you much about the other 49 states other than their own.
3) most Europeans even though a larger percentage of them identify with a particular church, do not believe that their personal religious beliefs should be the basis for the EU, while a majority of Americans based their vote in the last election on "values" (whatever they are.)
We could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

Answer 3

When some Americans visit europe a percentage come across as brashly egotistical and narcistic.

Naivety and non-exposure is the true culprit combined with superiority complex. There is a lack of eclectic experiences, of wearing the other shoe, a lack of cultural appreciation of varying experiences.

Of course there are some Americans that are aware and conscious and well received in Europe. This awareness is usually from some type of othered, cultural exposure. This probably composes only 20% of those that travel abroad.

For many Americans it is a blind belief in our own grandeur that filters our awareness of the greater world (the world to many here is just 'United States' and therein lies the problem).

We, all of us in the world, love, we breathe, we hope, we die. I imagine in old age more Americans grow in awareness of the folly of grandeur and more fully embrace the equality of the human soul and human experience.

A plus for America is its ingenuity and drive forward, but too often with force rather than from true power, from domination not from dominion.

I am a caucasian American married to a European. I lived in Europe for many years and some of my closest friends are not Americans. I speak a few languages and adore art and museums. I also would consider myself lower-stratosphere, middle class.

Answer 4

Because we were dumb enough to bail their butts out in WWI and WWII by conquering Europe... twice... and then giving it back to them so they could mess it up their own way just like we do here. Really? Europeans have a more intense level of education put on them, and they are exposed to multiple languages so they usually know at least 2 or more. That, and our foreign policy is not very popular overseas right now. Putting all europeans or all americans in one basket is still pretty silly if you think about it as we are just not all the same - that's ridiculous.

Answer 5

Europeans are much more influenced by rationalism than American are. Europeans are rational and Americans are more pragmatic. Europeans think about things for a long time before they do something--really slow and cautious at that. Americans just "run with the ball" and do it--making mistakes and learning along the way.

Answer 6

Good question!
First, I want to tell you that I am from Europe. Just so there won't be any confusion.
Here's what I think is the reason.
Europe: the old continent. When we ate with silver forks, you....well you weren't there. I can't count Indians as your ancestors. We have the history, the culture,... And America only has the glory of today. I agree that America is one of the greatest forces in the world. So? Europe has heritage that lasted for centuries. We proved we can survive. What about you?

Answer 7

A lack of knowledge of the outside world, but this is not the case with all Americans. Of course I know many who are both well-travelled and well-educated. Unfortunately, they don't represent everyone in the US.

Answer 8

I'm french and let me tell you that we don't considered you are stupid. For us, America is a very strong country and for most of us we wish to visit your fabulous country. The only thing I can admit is that your president Bush is not very popular in France (because of the war)

Answer 9

well a lot of them have a few cans missing from a 6 PAC --------(lights on nobody at home) i put that in so the Americans can understand what i mean

Answer 10

Because europeans are just as stupid. Most of the united states is from the european countries.