What do you think of Americans?

Question

Are they ...
1) Inconsiderate
2) Insensitive
3) Disrespectful

Give examples of your experiences. I am collecting a poll.

Answer 1

Individual Americans vary considerably, just as everyone else.

But overall, my impression is that:

On the negative side, they tend to be insular, superficial, sentimental, violent, cruel, dominating, greedy, blundering, and feel superior. If you want evidence, look at the news, Hollywood movies, their fast food, the wars they get themselves involved in, their legal system, Guantanamo Bay, their per capita energy consumption.

On the positive side, they tend to be achievers, energetic, technologically brilliant, entertaining, and innovative.

Answer 2

I can't put any tag on all Americans. Each and every one is different. Some of them have those attributes, some don't. I could mention examples of each one of those attributes that I've experienced in Americans I've met, but I don't see the point. There's no use in generalizing about an entire nation and telling you about individual experiences won't teach you anything about Americans as a whole.

Answer 3

As an American who has lived abroad and understands many of the criticisms, I would prefer to characterize them (a blanket statement that could never encompass my country's diversity of thought and experience) as:

1) Naive
2) but well intentioned

Answer 4

The same as what I think of Australians, Irish, Brazilian, Japanese etc people. There are 1, 2, and 3 people in all countries. Just like there absolutely fantastic people in all countries.

Answer 5

honestly, i think there is so much diversity in America, that I can't conceive of a catch-all description for them. I could give you an adjective for the public face of certain groups, etc. But, when I think 'american' I think of tall black people, short mexican people, people who have parents from two different races, gay white men, straight white men, etc. There's no way a single description will cover more than a small minority of the country.

(btw - you are obviously quite biased because all three of your suggested adjectives are negative. you could have posed a more evenhanded question by not giving any suggestions or by choosing one negative, one posititve, and one neutral adjective.)

Happy hating.

Answer 6

I think we could be falling into the trap of generalising here, plus, all the choices given are negative. You are leading us to think what you want. The poll results won't be reliable. Personally, I was comfortable with most of the Americans I dealt with; they were friendly, warm, intellectual and tolerant.

Answer 7

i think your poll is a little biased... As with all countries, some of their citizens will be inconsiderate, insensitive, and/or disrespectful but that doesn't mean all of them are. I believe this poll is a little of each of those. Americans can also be generous, caring, and respectful.

Answer 8

They are all different. When I was France, exactly 1 guy was an ahsholle. And thats actualyl quite a bit less than I get in NYC where I live. So, whatre you going to do.

Answer 9

Well hun I am an American. However I am ashamed to say that most of my copatriots have acted shamfully and disrespectful of other people's cultures, and countries. We have sorta taken our freedoms and shoved them down the throats of others, and for this I am for one deeply grieved and apologitic.

Answer 10

Instead of judging us Americans.....judge the idiots that are in charge.

The masses do not go with what our Government does or says. Like Germany being under the 3rd Reight during WWII. Today we are under the 4th Reight.