Why do people in Europe treat me like I'm stupid?

Question

I know Jay Leno loves to show stereotypical Americans for laughs. But I can barely get three words out when I'm in Europe, before people start speaking slowly and addressing me with the tone one would with a child.

Are stereotypes that powerful? All you have to do is watch UK Big Brother, to know there are ignorant people in every nation. Can you get to know Americans as individuals before the assumptions take hold?

sol,
You made my point exactly.
You have stereotyped me. As an American, I must wear tacky clothes. Perhaps you were just trying to be ironic.

saul,
you make a good point. but my experiences living if different countries is that all governments have their demons. it is just that everyone pays a lot more attention to ours because we are America.

Sobi,
When I went to University in the US, there were many types of American people. People with similar interests and lifestyles tend to hang out together. So it was not uncommon to see a group of girls (like the ones you described) with whom I would never associate. In contrast, I found lots of people with whom I had common interests. Isn't it like that in France as well? Do you like every French person you meet. If you see a group of French people behaving one way, do you then assume all of your countrymen to be the same way? Again you are proving my point of stereotyping. Should I base my idea of French people on one group I meet? Aren't urbanites different from country folks? Rich different from middle-class? Old money different from new money? Religious different from spiritual? Liberal from conservative? One family from another? One individual from another? How can French people be such individuals, but all Americans are the same as the group of girls you met?

Answer 1

Having lived in 3 European countries, and traveled several more, for the better part of a decade...They enjoy pidgeonholing us. It makes it easier to hate "America" if they keep their little blinders on to what an extreme selection of Americans there really are.

Their stereotypes are reinforced by politicans who like the blame the US for war, terror, hunger, AIDS, high costs of medicine, high taxation, high gun crime, etc. Taken as singular people Europeans aren't bad. Taken as a group, their loutish, drunkards, sexual perverts, rascists, mysoginists (minus the Germans for the most part) and religiously intolerant and that's just for a start.

Just as there are jackannany Americans, there are apeish Europeans. They like to think they birthed us (British, Irish, Germans, French, Spaniards, etc), that they're "owed" something (see the French and the English), that they were defeated by us (Germans, Italians, British), that we stole their glories in the "new world" (Portugese, Spanish, French, Germans, British, etc.). Just as there are annoying Americans who like to pretend that we single-handedly won WWI and WWII - we didn't, get over it!

It also depends deeply on WHERE in each country you are. Chances are the farther from the "city" in any European country you get, the nicer the people are. Think how someone in LA would treat you (London over here) and then Austin (Bicester). There is no real difference in humanity, just the groups they choose to connect themselves with, and the groups they identify as the vauge "enemy".

Also, understand most Europeans don't grasp just how well they have it thanks in large parts to us. They whine we spend money on national defense but look at just how many US troops are still in Europe - money Europe doens't spend on it's own defense. They like our stuff (Coke, Pepsi, Chrystler, Levis, etc.) but they like to have fits that we force it on them. In effect, they want the goods but nothing to remind them it's American...Is that really that different from Americans that want cheap goods from China but don't want to be reminded where it was produced and who's actually working those factory jobs?

Answer 2

Look,speaking as an American, there are some of us Yanks who travel overseas and think that not only does the Constitution follow us around,but that the whole world should speak English because they owe us a living.
THAT is a big mistake. Before visiting a foreign nation,try doing some research on social,religious customs and how to speak the language as well
On the other hand,look at it from THEIR point of view. Ever since the Monroe Doctrine took effect,Washington has tried sticking their thumbs into every nations pie tring to be the "Power Behind The Throne"..
We Americans are judged by what foreigners see about us on television.

Answer 3

There are few who hate americans only for being americans, when you begin doing dull matters then definite, however you men nonetheless generate a bit of of awe every time you flip up, it is whatever approximately the accessory that's simply fairly interesting. To be sincere you are simply as dependable overseas than within the US, simply when you consider that we do not cross round capturing every different always (this balances out the few psychos so that you can dislike you for being american)! The geographical region in Serbia and Macedonia would be a bit of dicy, however on the finish of the day as long as you are respectful of alternative persons you can be nice. You'll adore it while you come to London... (don't forget to determine out the Tate Modern!)

Answer 4

OK let's see: I was in Italy for two months for a summer course (*in Italian language)and all the American girls that were in my school (I'm from France) had a lot of cash and wanted to party all the time. They didn't go t o school at all, they just wanted to drink and have s*e*x. They didn't even try to learn Italian because they were so confident that everyone understood them.At first we all went out together every night but at the end no one wanted to talk to them. That's my experience.

Answer 5

i think it is mainly beacuse people in europe blame america for a lot of stuff and because americans think people should speak english no matter where they live! maybe people that talked to you didnt know english very well or just wnated you to understand what they are saying....you should also learn about the country you are going to...

Answer 6

Maybe AZ Rastaman should realize that Americans were not the only ones involved in WWII and perhaps it is that exact attitude that is the root of some of your problems...

Answer 7

Maybe because you don't speak their language or they're not too confident in English?

Answer 8

I could be how you're asking or what you're wearing? Unfortunately its up to you to change how people perceive you.

Answer 9

Maybe you should remind them that if not for the US they would all be wearing Nazi uniforms