Question about Americans. Americans welcome to answer...?

Question

I live in Canada on the border. I have lots of American friends and I love the states, so don't think I'm trying to knock the states. But I've noticed a lot of Americans don't seem to realize that there is a whole world of great countries out there. But a lot of Americans seem to think that america is sooooo great and all other coutries suck. Anyone want to comment on this?

Answer 1

I know.. Its a combination of arrogance and ignorance. Its embarrassing.

Not all Americans are like that, but most are. Only 18% of Americans have passports and bother to travel abroad.

USA Ranking on Adult Literacy Scale: #9
(#1 Sweden and #2 Norway)- OECD

USA Ranking on Healthcare Quality Index: #37
(#1 France and #2 Italy)- World Health Organization 2003

USA Ranking of Student Reading Ability: #12
(#1 Finland and #2 South Korea)- OECD PISA 2003

USA Ranking of Student Problem Solving Ability: #26
(#1 South Korea and #2 Finland)- OECD PISA 2003

USA Ranking on Student Mathematics Ability: # 24
(#1 Hong Kong and #2 Finland)- OECD PISA 2003

USA Ranking of Student Science Ability: #19
(#1 Finland and #2 Japan)- OECD PISA 2003

USA Ranking on Women's Rights Scale: #17
(#1 Sweden and #2 Norway)- World Economic Forum Report

USA Position on Timeline of Gay Rights Progress: # 6 (1997)
(#1 Sweden 1987 and #2 Norway 1993)- Vexen

USA Ranking on Life Expectancy: #29
(#1 Japan and #2 Hong Kong)- UN Human Development Report 2005

USA Ranking on Journalistic Press Freedom Index: #32
(#1 Finland, Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands tied)- Reporters Without Borders 2005

USA Ranking on Political Corruption Index: #17
(#1 Iceland and #2 Finland)- Transparency International 2005

USA Ranking on Quality of Life Survey: #13
(#1 Ireland and #2 Switzerland)- The Economist Magazine ...Wikipedia "Celtic Tiger" if you still have your doubts.

USA Ranking on Environmental Sustainability Index: #45
(#1 Finland and #2 Norway)- Yale University ESI 2005

USA Ranking on Overall Currency Strength: #3 (US Dollar)
(#1 UK pound sterling and #2 European Union euro)- FTSE 2006....the dollar is now a liability, so many banks worldwide have planned to switch to euro

USA Ranking on Infant Mortality Rate: #32
(#1 Sweden and #2 Finland)- Save the Children Report 2006

USA Ranking on Human Development Index (GDP, education, etc.): #10
(#1 Norway and #2 Iceland)- UN Human Development Report 2005

* 85% of US soldiers in Iraq believe that they are there to get revenge for 9/11.
* New international student enrollment in US grad schools has decreased by 6%, because of xenophobic post-9/11 US visa restrictions, jacked-up tuition fees and better educational opportunities in the EU and Asia. So no, not everyone wants to come here anymore, because it's become a land of incredibly limited opportunity, and we've lowered our educational standards.

Answer 2

You are correct, my northern friend, in that a sobering percentage of us are impossibly nationalistic and even jingoistic. There are a few Canadians, however, who feel that way. I've lived in other countries - Germany, Japan, Vietnam (I'm a veteran of that nasty little war we had over there a few years back), Mexico - and I've met native folks who felt the same about their countries, too. These almost all seemed to be those who had never experienced another culture, had never bothered to study them in school, and who were rather insecure as regards their place in the world and their personal safety. We Yanks tend towards a national paranoia - we think that because we are so wealthy and enjoy many freedoms (which we don't realize also exist in other countries) that the rest of the world is insanely jealous and would go to any lengths to take what we have if only they dared. Silly, no? Yes, the "Ugly American" is real. We who have a more enlightened outlook have our work cut out for us. We'll accept any help you care to offer - but don't give your own countrymen short shrift trying to help remove the log from our collective eye...

Answer 3

I tend to agree because when I visited the USA those people who I met did seem to be pretty arrogant about their country, whether they had travelled or not. I'm not sure if its just patriotism, pride or truly arrogance??? I suspect it is just a grown up form of parochialism - national selfcentred-ness. It is off putting and dissappointing because if americans realised the impact they have on the world and the influence they have on other cultures they might see they have a responsibility to see all the changes their culture is driving and play their part in guiding others. I have travelled quite a bit and now live in Tasmania. Its interesting for example that a number of American Atlas's label Tasmania as a seperate country. It is a seperate island to mainland Australia, but is a State of Australia. I should make it clear that I do love America. When I visited California, Florida and zipped through a couple other places I loved it. Couldnt handle the corruption in Florida, but loves the 'glades and those 'Panther Crossing' signs, unbelievable. But my pick of those places was Carmel in California, just magic!! And being in horticulture at the time, my mind was blown by the size of things you do. 2000acres of seedlings for Celery...whoa! So yeah, I love America, but it would be nice to see America generally more aware of the greater world. Thankyou for a great question.

Answer 4

There are a lot of great countries out there. Italy for instance. My daughter is going there in January. I and my family have been to Canada several times. We especially love it in Toronto. I would love to see England, Scotland, and Wales. Being American myself I don't look at it as being arrogant but having been born here there is no place like home as I am sure you feel about Canada. Also it is a matter of money with us as to where and if we travel. I wish the world was a peaceful place so that everyone could enjoy different cultures and learn from them. I enjoy this site because I have met and talked with different people all over the globe and I have concluded that all people are basically the same no matter what color, race, or religion they are.

Answer 5

I agree that there are great countries out there. I've been to the UK, Ireland, and France. I really enjoyed them all. I think that there is a lot to explore in America and some American's just figure, why go elsewhere when there is so much to explore in our own country that we haven't seen yet?

I have a British friend who lived in the US for 3 years. He commented to me about how he loved going from one state in the US to the next and how different they all are from eachother. There are different accents, different cultures, differences in the landscape. He mentioned that in Europe, you have to go to the next country to experience such differences. So, from that perspective, the US could be percieved to be like 50 countries!

I also think that there is a perception that parts of the world are dangerous for American's these days. There are people that are either real threats to Americans or people that just don't like our policy of standing up for ourselves. So, some people are content and feel safe to stay where they are.

Answer 6

It is a world filled with great countries but America is so large and populated that there is much to do and see here that if one was to see it all it would take up much of their adult life of vacations. Many of the population do not get a chance to travel to other countries because of the expense and if they go just for the atmosphere they can do that in many of the sections of larger cities. If you want foreign food you can find it from just about any country you want. Of course to see the countryside and historical places you need to visit the real country, but as I mentioned many do not have the means to do so. Many struggle just to put food on the table and buy warm clothes for the winter. Many live across the country from families and as families are the most important thing in many families their biggest trip is cross-country to visit relatives in the summer. If we all had fat paycheck and long vacations doubtless many more would visit other countries, as I am sure there are lots of people who would love to do so.

Answer 7

As an American that doesn't think that way I'd say most of it is self-centeredness. The news only talks about other countries when it impacts America. Most people here seem to think that America is hot stuff and way ahead of everything else. It's that number 1 mentality that's just so engrained a lot of people here don't realize it.

Answer 8

Too many Americans have never left the country, so they don't know what they are missing. Also, some Americans vacation outside America on a three week or less whirlwind tour, and then they think they know about these countries they were in for one or two days, and they really have no clue at all. (Just like GWB) What a bunch of Rednecks.

Answer 9

A lot of people are small minded and think america IS the world and don't really care about other people or countries. That's why a lot of americans are shallow and care about plastic surgery...............if they took a moment and realized there's a lot more stuff to be preoccupied over than just looks. And we think were the best and most powerful country, but even Rome fell!

Answer 10

I am an American. I'm currently living in a suburb of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Mustang is the name of the town.) I strongly disagree with your statement. I would LOVE to go to another country - such as England, Israel, or Egypt. It would be an amazing experience to go to a country with a deep history!

America is too much of an obese, lazy baby right now. I am not saying I am displeased with being an American, but there are times that I think my head will explode! Our government is very disorganized and needs A LOT of help.

In short, I think of all the countries right now - America is coming closer to the bottom of the crap pile.

Answer 11

it may seem like most of the americans you meet are like that, or that the country in general has this air about it that snubs other countries, but if you really get to know a lot of the citizens here, we aren't all like that. It's mostly in the big cities that i have seen people that think that way because they actually do have everything. they have all the big name brands from around the world, so they think, why do we have to go there, when they are already here? im from a smaller city (less than 100,000 people) in the midwest and i love to travel. i have always wanted to go to every other place in the world i saw in magazines and on tv. all of my friends are the same way. but basically, in a nutshell, i think that America gets this rap because of the big cities we are famous for (New York, Chicago, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami...).