An example is when I was watching the Olympic ceremony few years ago U.S. team was the only country that started ranting and finger gesturing (#1) in front of the camera when all other nations were walking together side by side and waving to the fans. Isn't that the sign of arrogance and lack of respect of the Americans? Isn't that the attitude which spills to other areas why we are hated by most nations now?
2006-09-15 08:05:49 · 14 answers · asked by Believe me 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I've watched the Olympics and have seen many countries do that. Americans are not conceited and our personalities just appear that we are arrogant. We have an entirely different culture here. How are we spoiled? We have built this nation. No other nation came in and built our country for us, like we've done for so many others.
2006-09-15 08:08:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Maybe if you are from another country, you might think that. If your American . . . I'm more embarrassed by our President than pointing the "We're #1" finger towards the cameras at the Olympics!
(The Olympics is about friendly competition, what's wrong with being proud of your country . . . If Italy did that, would you say their arrogant, probably not!
There's nothing wrong with being a proud American . . . we're far from perfect, of course . . .
However, I don't think that's a sign of arrogance or lack of self respect, you want to talk about a lack of self respect . . . what about these countries that teach their children to strap bombs on their bodies and blow themselves and everything around them up . . . that's much worse than being a proud American.
We're free, (well almost free) and maybe if other people from other countries could express themselves as freely as we can, they'd view us differently. REMEMBER . . . Don't let a few bad apples spoil the bunch! Not everyone is conceited, arrogant and spoiled in this country. Some people just have bad manners!
2006-09-15 15:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It amazes me that pride in your country is so often mistaken for arrogance. In sporting events it is about competition, and believing that you are number is part of the mental preparation for the actual games. Americans are proud of our country, and yes we do believe it is the best place in the world to live. Well, most of us anyway. There are always apologists in the crowd, who cry about us insulting other nations, but think nothing of insulting their own countrymen. The world does not hate Americans because they see us as arrogant. Oh I know they pay a lot of lip service to this contention, but in the end they hate us because we are spoiled in general. We are the most powerful nation on the planet, and enjoy not only the highest standard of living, but also the most personal living space of any industrialized nation. Hating Americans is almost like a sport in many countries, and short of bowing down and kissing the nethers of every detractor who wants to tell us how we should live and think, this is not going to change. I personally don't care what the world thinks, I am a citizen of the United States first, and a citizen of the world second. I think they need to concern themselves with their own affairs, and let Americans worry about their affairs. Unless of course we have invaded their country, and given them a real reason not to like us. Then we might have something to discuss in this area.
2006-09-15 15:24:49 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no not at all, It isn't lack of respect when Americans at the Olympics show # one finger they are only saying how proud they are to be an American and how proud they are to be representing our country. I'm an American but I am not arrogant. I'm proud to be an American where I can live free and do as I please without having someone breathing down my neck telling me what to do and say like a puppet. Okay maybe some people may be arrogant but it isn't all Americans that are arrogant
2006-09-15 15:21:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are stereotyping that all americans are arrogant and spoiled. I don't disagree that americans are spoiled but that is only a subset. I am very sure that if you go back to the Olympic news footages, you would find those kind of people from other countries as well.
2006-09-15 15:34:57 · answer #5 · answered by steve 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone in this country takes everything for granted and forget, or chose to forget how people live in other countries. As for the athletes the US sent to the Olympics, it's just part of the American sporting culture. From quiet athletes such as Derek Jeter and Garrett Anderson to Terrell Owens and everyone in between they just want their time to shine.
2006-09-15 15:18:33 · answer #6 · answered by hoopadudley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It partially is. But if you look at the culture of American sports, that's how it is everywhere. The cheerleaders and mascots at games who are all spirited and happy, the outwardness of celebration, and so on.
In European sports, things are mostly reserved aside from when someone scores in football(soccer). It's mainly just applauding and such.
But yes, they should have shown more constraint during a world event.
2006-09-15 15:09:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take pride, American!!
World's 1st nation in cases of sheer OBESITY
11,000 gun-inflicted deaths a year
Rated world's 2nd most hated nation (after Israel)
World's 3rd in death sentences carried out (right after civilized nations as China and Iran, and one place above Saudiarabia
World's 1st in illegal immigrant population
World's 1st in lung cancer deaths
World's 1st in drug users
World's 1st in number of universities....BUT....
Most Americans don't know where Iraq is.
Most Americans don't speak a second language
Most Americans don't excel in math, as Japan or Europe
Most Americans are against immigration
And the list goes on and on and on and on.
Greetings compadres!!!
2006-09-15 15:26:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
There IS a difference between arrogance and being proud of who you are. Besides, that, jocks have always been cocky. No pun intended.
2006-09-15 15:09:16 · answer #9 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Americans are spoilt and arrogant.
2006-09-15 15:24:20 · answer #10 · answered by Practical Suzy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋