Non-US citizens only...?

Question

What the hell do you want from us? We can't even go on vacation in another country without being criticised for it. Every problem in this world seems to be our fault. If we do nothing, we're all stupid and lazy, and don't care about anyone but ourselves. If we get involved, we're greedy warmongers who are only in it for profit. I'm sick and tired of trying to figure this out, so just tell me how you would like the US to handle world affairs.

Beez-- And what are we supposed to do when other country's citizens put their hands on us? Forget about it?

Jimanywhere-- I came to this conclusion discussing politics with non-US citizens. My opinions here are the result of THEIR attitudes, not mine.

Answer 1

THE NICKNAME IN AUSTRALIA FOR A YANK IS A SEPTIC TANK BECAUSE THEY ARE SO FULL OF S.H.I.T. YOU CAN THANK YOUR PRESIDENT FOR THAT ONE.

Answer 2

Last year, my wife and I visited seven European countries and everywhere we went, we were treated hospitably and graciously. France was the friendliest...go figure. Oh, everyone spotted us as Americans right off the bat. Many commented on it. We think it was ours shoes but could never really figure out how they knew so quick.

My point is did you just get this opinion by hearsay or do you have first hand experience of the things you are asking? Our news is not the best place to get an opinion of what the world thinks of us. Our news is either of a liberal or conservative slant and all of it focused on what will rile you up the most. That is how they get you to watch the news. Sad but true. Hopefully, when you visit some other country, you too will have a great experience with the "real" people you meet and realize they are people just like you and if you smile, they usually smile back.

Answer 3

As a foreigner here in the US, one gets the, we are the greatest, the best etc. remarks. Totally ignoring and disregarding that others coming to this country bring with them allot of assetts that made this country great. And were ever they are all coming from, most belief their country is great too, unless you come out of a war torn country. In that sense Americans are very aggrandizing, lacking allot in being a little humble, or granting others their goodness or greatness too.

As for Americans traveling overseas, again the majority, not all, present themselves very arrogant. Meaning in their expectation that everyone has to bow to them. After all somebody owes something to the US. Most European Countries are very friendly to foreigners, and like someone already here stated, Americans make no effort to meet the culture their in, in language, manners or customs in any, or not even half way. I think it is American Arrogance, and a lack of respect that other Nations deserve, in their wisdom, knowledge, learning from past failures and experiences, that make them decide different from the American People, and plainly, the attitudes that some Americans have of themselves turns them off. Not to mention that in education, just about all industrialized Nations surpass the Americans. So what is there to brag or hail about.? Why should anyone take America or Bush for that matter serious. How do Americans derive at a decisions? From the Media, or ask Bush? The majority of Americans can't think for themselves, (ask the educators) and chew the lies that has been thrown at them. Where is this Country going? Add it up. I just pointed out the negative, because the question was put very negative.

Answer 4

FIrst and foremost, I don't have anything against the majority of the US population. But i do have reasons why "some" americans give you a very very very bad reputation. I can tell you are not one of the evil hearted americans and i don't hate you... it's the people who wish to remain uneducated about "other cultures"... everything does not revolve around the USA only... like the minority who think Jakarta is Bali... come on... I travel a lot and make sure i get well informed about the host nation i am going to visit and use common sense. I love the USA because it is the leader in ecological sustainability... but the worst role model in cultural sensitivity. If americans don't respect host nations, they don't get respect in return. It's karma.

reasons why some americans give you a very very very bad repuation...
1. SOme americans don't have a sense of cultural sensitivity... do i need proof when some americans say how budhism stinks in a country where it is mostly not Christian or any other religion.
2. THey bloat how good USA is compared to their host nations and that ticks off the host nation. WHo cares if you have this... you respect your host nation and you will get respect in return.
3. They (the ones who break the rules) make the poor even poorer with their money policy. Pay the poor for underpaid services.
4. They (the ones who break the rules) boast how good christianity and mock other religions.
5. They (the ones who break the rules) are rude in a way because when there is a married couple, they make fun of the husband and flirt with the wife... THat's rudE!!!
6. SOme of them are so loud that depending on the culture, they are insensitive because some nations don't like LOUD music or loud people. Trust me... after traveling on a daily basis to broaden my horizon, You guys are percieved as loud compared to the host nation.
7. THey are in host countries and should respect the law there! how are other people suppose to respect your law when you desecrate religious things or do things that are taboo that belong to other religions.

Answer 5

I spent a month in Belgium a while back. During my stay, I made an effort to learn some Flemish, Dutch and French. Not much, just a few sentences. I could order dinner, or ask for simple directions.

But the people there saw I was making an effort, and when the vocabulary got too much, they were more than happy to switch and use what English they knew to fill in the gaps.

I also watched many Americans, who made no effort to adapt or to accomodate themselves in another country, who just assumed and demanded that the locals spoke English.

I hear Americans demand that everyone who comes to the US speak English, and then expect that whenever they go anywhere else, that everyone there will speak English. I think the US would do a lot better in general if it wasn't hypocritical.

Answer 6

hey man, I dont have a problem with you guys a a people. As far as I'm concerned, your welcome here in my country anytime (Australia).
I only have a problem with your president, simply for involving my country in his crusade against Iraq. Dont get me wrong, I think there is a need for some sort of control against the sort of crazy **** that comes out of the people there, but to do it in the manner he has is beyond me. Your right though, I cant think of any other way to make a stand against the terrorism certain cultures have imposed on the USA & the rest of the western world, so I guess I should just shut my mouth & be grateful that people like you open my eyes a little. I dont know really hey. I, like most people, have an opinion on the topic, doesnt necessarily mean that I am right, or anyone else for that matter.

Answer 7

Being rude, arrogant, pompous, loud, boisterous, insensitive. Should I go on? Your question is presented in a very rude manner, right from the beginning. So if you get some negative responses, its not them, its actually you, being rude. Reread what you wrote. Not the best way to get a question across, when trying to seem sensitive now is it? I have been to many countries, in my life, and recently as well. I have never been treated rude, outside the USA. I get more grief in my own country, than in the ones I have visited.

Answer 8

As a US citizen married to a non-citizen living in Europe now, I can tell you that the opinion many Europeans had about the US has taken a big downward turn since Bush was elected and more so when he was re-elected. I hear time and time again, that they used to like the US better before Bush pushed his cowboy ways on the rest of the world. So, I think that who we elect in our government has a big impact on world opinion on us.

Answer 9

Well for starters, consider and reconsider when voting becos the leader you eventually elect has the power to shape the world, in a very BIG way.

A lot of what happened and what is going to happen actually falls into everyone of you american's hands, even though you can't give **** about worldly events.

May we all have peace and harmony.

Answer 10

Foreigners would like the US in general and Bush in particular to stop its Orwell-speak: "democracy" when it means "fascism" that is congenial to US economic and political interests; "freedom" when it is happy to have censorship of ideas and opinions abroad that it doesn't like; "law" when it ignores international law on every occasion that suits it; "torture" when it redefines the Geneva Conventions so that "torture" means that the US, and only the US, can waterboard and otherwise torture and maim foreigners; "civil rights" when it means that it can name anyone a hostile "combatant" and imprison that person forever without trial.

Hypocrisy, arrogance, profligacy.

You depend, absolutely, on foreigners buying your Treasury bonds now that Bush has emptied the Treasury of the Clinton surplus and, via tax cuts, given the money to his cronies, the super rich new American aristocracy. And borrowed as much as he could from the Chinese and us to finance his illegal war in Iraq.

The pigeons shall come home to roost. If and when the Chinese either call their IOUs or spend them to buy US industry and land on the cheap, the lifestyles of Americans will fall even further. See the NY Times editorial on downward mobility: who is profiting from the so-called economic boom -- a "boom" totally dependent upon borrowing from abroad, and on equity release from people's homes. (And what happens when the current fall in house prices quickens?)

Have a wonderful life, you in the USA so confident that you can crow, "Bring 'em on!"

Answer 11

perhaps if you dropped that 'holier than thou' attitude you all seem to carry when travelling abroad, we might treat you better. You don't come to MY country and demand your rights, because you ain't got none, son. Don't like it. stay the hell home!