Do americans think we want to be like you?

Question

Im Irish but i live in london, and all i see is americans making themselves feel important by saying that non-americans want to be like americans. We don't want to be like you, we have a very differnt society and in many ways better, i have never met someone jealous of americans, what do they have that we don't? Freedom? People still haven't worked it out yet, there is no freedom, you are just as free as me, in fact some people in america cant afford hospital bills, is that free, our health care is FREE, and good quality too, so please some of you need to acknowledge the rest of the world, and face the reality. Some americans are nice though, i know i'm going to get people saying "Every country has it's problems" its true but theres no excuses

Answer 1

I am sorry that that is the impression many Americans give. I am fortunate in that I've traveled a great deal, and had the chance to experience other cultures, I do not think we are the best. I appreciate the differences of every culture. I know and understand that you have no desire to be like Americans. We do not all feel the way that you describe.

Answer 2

I think that the attitude you are talking about is the remnants of the major immigration to America around the turn of the 20th century. In elementary school, students hear about how everyone wanted to come to America, the streets were said to be paved in gold, the Statue of Liberty, etc. It's obviously not true now, and I'm not entirely sure it was true then either (certainly not the gold streets thing). But unfortunately the attitude still remains among some people.

Personally, I DON'T want the rest of the world to be like the US. One America is more than enough in the world. I love the fact that there are so many cultures in the world and so many different ways of doing things. I've done some traveling (and living) outside of the US and I can't wait until I can afford to take another trip!

I expect that the reason that "all [you] see is americans making themselves feel important by saying that non-americans want to be like americans." is because the people who you see - that is, the blatently obvious tourists - are often (note the word often!) these people. I know that when I travel, I prefer to avoid the tourist traps. I can't stand looking like a tourist.

Answer 3

I've never said that, nor do I believe that. I am a proud American, thats why I live here. You are proud of London so you live there easy enough. You can't go by what the tv or news tells you. That would be like me believing since you are Irish, you play a piccolo, and wear green tights. All countries have problems, lord knows the US has its share. Basically Americans just want to be left alone. We get tired of other cultures talking crap about us for what ever reason. Just as apparently you do. Y!Answers isn't a good example of America either. Most of these on here are either fed up of the same, or they are too young and stupid to be on the computer unsupervised.

Answer 4

Im english and the questioner doesnt speak for me at all.

Ive never heard any american saying that others want to be like them.

The united states is indeed a flagship of democracry and freedom, and while no human utopia exists anywhere, U.S. freedom of speech and civil rights is far superior to what we have here.
Our health service is NOT free. We pay a national insurance rather than a much more competetive and efficient private insurance.Its only free to those who dont contribute and they are a burden upon those who do.
Unfortunately , the left wing biased press has done much to harm anglo american relations.Its become sort of trendy to be anti american.
I think the more developed thinkers recognise the benefit of the special relationship and that many of the left couldnt point to north america on a map.

Answer 5

Many people in Europe, especially Eastern Europe want to "be" Americans. This phenomenon is characterized by emulating the clothing, and enjoying similar things that are enjoyed in US.

The fact that immigration is so high in the US vs. immigration to UK is proof that US might have something that makes it more desirable than UK. You can argue that this something is truly good or bad, but since we haven't agreed on a standard, I think that is beyond the scope of the question.

I'm an immigrant in the US, and Americans DO NOT think they are better than the rest of the World. What I noticed is that they feel that they are a bit inferior, when I tell them about my background, since they don't have any "exotic" origin that they can talk about.

There is no absolute freedom anywhere, therefore again we have to analyze which freedom is more desirable, and that requires a standard, and we will not go there. We could argue that free health care requires you to go to the same health professional even though you might feel that he/she is less than able to perform his/her duties.

Personally I do not really care which country is "better." I came to US because this country offers more of what I need than others.

Answer 6

Yes, that's absolutely true, unfortunately.
I'm American myself, and let me tell you that that kind of attitude is embarrassing, it really is. When I tell my fellow Americans about my travels overseas, and explain how things are done and what they eat in other places, many of them make a face that would make you think they were watching bizarre porn. Americans base an ideal society around theirs.
The fact is, most Americans think that way without even realizing it.
Honestly, I really think most Americans won't feel happy and safe travelling the world until other industrialized nations discard social programs, listen to country music, and swap soccer for baseball.

Answer 7

You seem to have run into the "Ugly American" syndrome.

As an American I don't think many people want to be like us, but I do believe that many people want to have the same "standard of living" that we do.

Although on a personal level I wished that America was less commercial and not so hung up on what you have versus who you are

Answer 8

The Feds wont people in the world to emulate the capitalist system here to spread our business interests.Americans have picked up on this propaganda that others wont to have an American life style. I do not support the spreading of our culture & capitlism. I respect others cultures and wish for them to stay the way they are.diversity is great.many countrys take care of there citizens much better then the Feds and State governments do here. what would the world be like if It was all just mcdonalds and malls and such.that would be terrible. My Southern American culture is under attack. I wish you the best.

Answer 9

Your generalizing, I don't presume anyone wants to be like Americans, most, Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, but of the people I know they don't feel that way.

But actually, people have been trying to get America to adopt some your and other European practices.

Answer 10

Alright, alright... how many pints of Guinness before you tell us you're Mongolian next?

Ignorance is rampant in every country: America, Ireland, England, Iceland, etc. Try to learn from the kind and humble - of any country.