for americans only?

Question

How do u think the rest of the world see u? Do u think u are liked or disliked? I appreciate that not everyone is the same, but as a generalisation, how do u think u are seen?

the reason i ask it because the impression I get from people where I live, is that u are brash, hysterical, overdramatic, fat, loud, obnoxious. However, I find it hard to believe that a whole nation can be like this, and don't like to listen to stereotypes. I know that people have a certian idea of how british people are, for example, and I know that they are not like that at all. Just curious

daniel h -- sorry I seen to have offended u, that wasn't my intention. I guess the stereotypes are correct for some of u.

sorry daniel, that should have been for the person below u

Avie - I didn't use the word 'lazy' and hadn't considered it in the fat context until u said that! I was considering it in the large sized meals that are supposed to be dished up in america! But I do like your answer, and agreed with it to a large extent.

Rebecca - No that is not accurate at all, well except for the bit about dentally challenged, but then, so are rednecks! ;)
Its not just new yorkers either. Most Americans I have ever met whilst travelling have been brash and obnoxious, but then again I have been told by an American that only a small percentage of americans can afford to travel, and they seem to be the loud ignorant ones. Not sure if this is true or not

Answer 1

The rest of the world sees us as
lazy,stupid,stuck up,rude,in love with ourselves,hateful,ignorant,and celebrity obsessed.I think we are very disliked.That's what I heard at least.I'm nice,shy,quiet,to myself,very different,sometimes if I'm really excited and happy I can be loud.I'll tell you this if they keep voting for stupid people I'm moving.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I think the rest of the world sees us as arrogant, rude and overbearing. Judging from the way most of us act, I think it's a pretty fair assessment. I've only been in other countries (Canada, about five times and France, once) for a few times in my life and I was apalled by the way my fellow countrymen/women were acting. I feel that when anyone visits a foreign country, they become an example of every person from their country. Many US citizens, I'm sorry to say, make very poor examples. We are indoctrinated very early in life to believe that our country is the best and all other countries are worthless. It just isn't so. The feeling that our parents and teachers have lied to us is so painful that most of us just can't admit that they were wrong.

You also mentioned that Americans are viewed as "lazy" because so many are fat. That couldn't be further from the truth! Many Americans, including some of my most beloved family members are, indeed, fat, but they're far from lazy. There's a problem with our society that many people, even most Americans, are unaware of: over-medication. People from all over the world can agree that life has its ups and downs. It's normal to feel sad if something bad or very stressful happens, right? Well, not in America. If a person feels sad for any reason (death of a parent, break-up of a marriage, getting laid off from work), they are encouraged to be medicated. Often, these medications have side effects such as weight-gain. Even when some people go off the medications, their metabolisms are usually so messed up that it's near impossible to lose weight. That's why most members of my family are obese. I'm betting that's a leading cause of a lot of Americans being overweight. I suppose some could call it laziness. Not wanting to deal with negative emotions is a type of laziness in its own way.

I think another reason Americans have such a bad image overseas is because of the stuff our government does. People need to understand that the average joe here in the US has no control over the government. The majority of our officials are from wealthy families who have never had to do a hard day's work in their lives. Most of them don't care whether we live or die, so of course they're not going to listen to us on something like foreign policy. I really hate being blamed for all the idiotic things the US government does. But, sadly, it happens.

It's my hope that, one day, people from all over the world will realize that we're all the same in the ways that are truly important. I hope that soon, as a result of talking to each other and understanding one another, we learn to accept each other and judge people on a person-to-person basis. I know, it will probably never happen, but I always have been an idealistic fool that way:)

Answer 3

I'm not a yank, but I've seen a lot of them in my 3+ years outside of my own country.

The ones who are part of the US military or have a big "home structure" to lean on tend to retain the blindedness that yanks have to others' opinions. The ones who have to live alone (or together with other foreigners who are not yanks) tend to get a wake-up call on reality because they can't avoid it. Americans learn a little humility when they find out what other people think of their country and what the US *IS*, not what the US claims itself to be.

Editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall said that instead of sending soldiers overseas with guns the US should send civilians with a phrase book, a plane ticket and a few thousand dollars and make young people _live_ in other countries for a year. It would cost a hell of a lot less than military adventures and the locals would see Americans one-on-one, ie. "they're not so bad". It would do a lot for US foreign relations now and later.


.

Answer 4

Good question. I am an American and have traveled quite a bit abroad. I was aware of how "loud", "demanding", "arrogant" "obtrusive" and "rude" some were. I think some/many have spoiled the reputation of the whole. I think as a general statement, I would say, we are disliked. However, if you were to get to know one American, one on one, you might like them a lot.

Additional Thoughts: I like the illustration of a chicken. No one likes the feathers and dung of the chicken, but the breast and thigh are delightful for eating. Americans, in general, are generous people and ready to share with those who have less than they. Perhaps we could liken their generosity to the "breast and the thigh" of the chicken. If we focus on the dung and feathers, we will miss out on the breast and thigh altogether.

Answer 5

Well most Americans think that Britts are dirty slobs with bad hygene who don't brush their teeth,but I've been to England,and know that isn't true. I've also had very good run ins with Britts who are very nice people,and some with those who are rude, ignorant morons, but I don't judge all britts by the few that are rude. People are the same wherever you go. Some god,some bad

Answer 6

America is disliked unfortunately. Many countries claim to be our allies but when we visit their countries it is obvious that we are not liked. In China and Japan there are stores/restaurants that will not cater to Americans. In Canada and Mexico there are problems with immigration, fishing rights, etc. In Europe America is seen as a country with Bigots. And in America itself there is prejudice against the states (ie Yankees, Hicks, Hillbillies, California Bums, etc.)

Answer 7

Maybe the rest of the world sees too many New Yorkers on TV.

Mainers aren't like that at all. Well, OK...except obnoxious.

As for Britons, the U.S. generally characterizes them as stuffy, uptight, dentally challenged, pasty-faced, old-fashioned twits. Is this accurate? My guess is that it's as accurate as their assumptions are about us.

Answer 8

They Probably hate us for all of the mediation.... still some countries have trouble without it.... just a thought....

Answer 9

This is the greatest country in the world, and everybody else knows it. They hate us and they envy us - because they
want to BE us.

Answer 10

I am so sorry that your spell checker is broken on your computer. Your poor spelling makes you sound ignorant.

I am proud to be a Citizen of the Best Country in the World.