Why is it acceptable to insult America and Americans? Xenophobia towards any other country is frowned upon?

Answer 1

I am English. I know that other countries are insulted too but I find some of the insults against America particularly grating because the people who do it fail to point out the many good points of America.

Firstly, America generally has a work ethic and they believe in winning- that if you try hard enough you can do anything. This has resulted in one of the most prosperous, enthusiastic nations on the earth.

In Britain, by contrast, there is a suspicion of 'getting above your station'. Many Britons would rather appluad somebody incompetent who fails rather than somebody who has reached the top of their field. It's a catastrophic attitude to have and it has always been challenged by a significant minority of people.

Some Britons laugh at fat Americans when they should be laughing at themselves. America may have a larger number of very obese people but I would wager that Briton has a larger proportion of mediumly obese people because Britain has become a nation far more reliant on convenience foods than much of America has.

As for the stereotype that America is so much more violent, since the 1990s, New York City has become one of the safest cities in America (apart from the awful events of 9/11). This was partly achieved through zero tolerance policing. Unfortunately, Britain has barely used zero tolerance policing due to a combination of political correctness, sheer laziness and lack of imagination and courage on the part of some of the police. This goes back to the work ethic again. If adults do not give children something to look up to then the children will misbehave. America is giving its children more to look up to than much of Britain is.

Answer 2

Okay, the world's economy is in a mess; one nation is even being driven towards fascism. A united people can end this rightwards shift and restore justice to that once envied country. Through the years, many techniques have been used to ensure that the human race does not unite. Racism rather lost its appeal following WW2 when people actually learned that oppressing one group in society doesn't actually benefit anybody: in-fact, it does far more harm than good! However, the-powers-that-be, having lost the racism card for keeping we mortals divided, have had to shift the blame for society's problems onto something else. They still have many reasons in their arsenal (all of which are wrong, but hey, if the TV tells us something then most of us will believe it!) there's religion - which they are currently trying very hard to use - and political choice, which was used to great effect in the past, but most people have become much more tolerant today; though that could probably still be used. There's immigrants, who are also being blamed but to a lessor degree than they could be. There's the indigenous "wrong-color" population who could all be "sent back", with the obvious devastation of the country's economy soon after: but fortunately few people understand that that would be the outcome of such a move. So, the reason that all these "isms" exist, is to ensure that we humans always blame each other for society's problems - rather than ever waking to the fact that society itself is at fault - and continue to engage in the absolutely essential act of warfare and genocide which keeps capitalism working. A simple change in the nature of society would end all the conflicts that blight humanity: and which are destroying the very planet upon which we live!

Answer 3

The majority is afraid of the minority. This is due to Left dogma. The Left believes that its within "political correctness" to offend America, but youre out of bounds when you offend other nations. They call you a racist and a bigot. Their favorite word is discrimination. They have an immense guilt trip about everything that America does, but at the same time they live here. If they dont like America, why dont they leave? They have the right to forfeit citizenship, unlike in other countries, for example Turkey. They should be happy for that as well.

Answer 4

Because Americans insult Americans.

Answer 5

It isn't. And I am tired of the children on this site spewing out the bile that they have learned from their left wing teachers/lecturers, supported by the left wing TV media. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AMERICA, BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE EU. OK! You are right though, those that attack America, are probably the first to use the 'Racist' word in other arenas. I am BRITISH.

Answer 6

So we never criticise any other country hmmmm?

You should check out what we in Britain say about China (not enough I admit), Burma, Sudan, Israel, Cuba, Zimbabwe and many others.

It is acceptable to criticise any country, and the people of that country, provided that the criticism is informed and not just because the person criticising does not like the country or people they are criticising.

Answer 7

It shouldn't be, but thats what happens when you're powerful and try to make a difference in the world and to sustain the lifestyle those whom complain about the US enjoy. Personally, I think the Americans are a friednly, and generous people and Britain's greatest ally.

Answer 8

Everybody gets insulted. Live with it. And who was it who described the French as 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys' when they wouldn't be bullied into going along with US foreign policy?

Answer 9

People are always trying to knock off the king of the hill.

Answer 10

Because the Media has said so that's why. I of course do not care about the media and will think and say as I like.