why do people in the world belive stereotypes about americans?

Question

i've seen so many question on here with stereotypes about us americans some are true but not true for everyone. People see what our leaders do and think we are exactly like them. I hate stereotypes

Answer 1

Stereotypes are a short cut.

It's easier to believe the stereotypes than to take time to get to know and understand another person.

Answer 2

Dont worry, I dont think anyone really thinks politicians reflect the people of a nation! The politicians seem like puppets anyhow. The Americans I have met havent given me a great impression personally but I have only met 2. No, actually I met 3 girls and one was Turkish American and she was in the Navy based in Sicily and she was absolutely lovely! See, not everyone is the same and cant be tarred with the same brush!

Answer 3

People in many countries are almost completely ignorant of what America and Americans are actually like for various reasons. They may live in a country with a state-controlled media, and only hear what the state wants them to believe about America, or,they may live in a country where the only form of media accessable to the average person is word of mouth - which tends to make them ascossiate what they do hear about an individual, or group of Americans with Americans as a whole.
In situations such as these, their view does not include the fact that we are such a diverse people, and they may not have ever considered the fact that we all do not agree on everything that our govt. or groups of citizens may do. In information-restricted countries, often, the only American figure that the average person hears anything about is the president. Therefore the president, In their eyes, speaks for us all, and they assume we back him 100%. (as citizens of such countries may be REQUIRED by religious or non-religious laws to back and agree with THEIR leaders.)
In countries where the media is not as restrictive, the opinions formed may be based on what American shows they have access to translated into their local language. (if for example they only have seen the Beverly Hillbillies, they might think of us as rich hicks, and so on.) I hate stereotypes as much as you, but in a lot of cases, they don't really have a clue what the real story is.

Answer 4

Stereotypes exist about everyone and every culture and Americans perpetrate stereotypes about others as much as they receive it them themselves. Naturally we're all a little ethnocentric but as far as labelling everyone according to a stereotype, it's common practise. I am personally friends with a few Americans and my friend is married to one and living over there and I have found all of them to be completely different which is totally unsurprising considering they are completely different people.

Answer 5

Well some people have experienced it for themselves. I live in Canada and I have visited some places in the states and let me tell you....I have had some not so great experiences.
In our school system here, we have to learn about the world which includes the States, tell me how many schools in the states have to learn about Canada?? I have been asked a number of times if I live in an igloo or if I say eh alot....stupid. On the flip side I have met some nice people from the states.

Answer 6

the same goes for over seas countries too you watch the news about bin ladin and you start to think every middle eastern persons a terroist but there not you also start to think all japanese are good at math and all chinese are good fighters but its the same for all stereo types every nation every relidion and every race has good and bad just because you see something done by one person of a specific stereo type that doesnt mean that as a whole there all like that this is one thing everyone must get passed in order for any kind of peice in this life

Answer 7

Stereo types usually have a little bit if truth to them no matter how much we do not want to believe it. Come on Puerto Ricans are lazy, Mexicans do smell a little funny, Italians use way to much hand movement while talking, Irish people are drunks, I would finish this list but I am black and I have to go cook me some fried chicken.

Answer 8

4. Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group.

that is why people believe stereotypes....just because of what stereotype is defined as.

Answer 9

Well our media doesn't help. American culture and film is literally jammed down the throats of countless nations around the globe. This exploits us tremendously in their eyes. I'm sure that's what's really the problem.

Answer 10

I hate stereotypes too!!! It's wrong to make fun of someone because they are different.