Ive met my fair share of Americans when visiting relatives in America...from the people ive met... they are pretty dense when it comes down to it...
2006-12-04 11:20:34 · 19 answers · asked by deasy852003 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I have studied in other countries besides America. When i went to Nicaragua I was taking algebra in 6th grade. When i came here to 9th grade most of my peers didn't know algebra. People have the option to choose their courses here and they usually chose the easiest ones. Over there courses are picked for students and they are well rounded. If you fail a course you fail the whole year. Most test are open ended questions. Here test are multiple answers which really doesn't help to actually learn the subject you are studying. And most history classes concentrate on American history, not the whole world. Behavior in classes is graded and etiquette classes are required in Nicaragua which makes them well rounded and behaved. Not rowdy and ridiculous like here in the US. Education is what is missing here. Although the universities are great. Good social skills and knowledge about other cultures (not just history) makes people from other countries smarter in a general sense than us americans.
2006-12-04 12:14:57 · answer #1 · answered by Lovely 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many Americans only speak English, and expect people from other countries to speak English when the Americans are travelling. In most countries of the world, educated people speak at least two languages, so that's one good reason that Americans seem uneducated by comparison.
Another reason is American foreign policy, which often ignores the cultural and political realities of other countries.
I'm an American, and I'm often amazed at how some Americans behave when I'm travelling in other countries!
2006-12-04 11:28:08 · answer #2 · answered by Yogini108 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, not dumb. Americans have invented many wonderful things that the world uses.
I think you mean ignorant and boorish.
Here's my theory:
The U.S. is a very rugged, masculine society. Even though they like to say that U.S. society is multicultural, American culture is basically derived from the "Puritan-come-Pioneer". This resulted in a society that is creative & enterprising but individualistic, religious, and aggressive, with a disdain for intellectualism and "fine" or "dainty" things. The religiosity has resulted in a general distrust towards secular & scientific types. It is these factors that gives the impression that Americans are "dumb"
2006-12-07 05:36:05 · answer #3 · answered by karkondrite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's only because the egocentristic ignorance most Americans show. I am not anti American since I am fixing to become one myself, but out of the years that I've lived here I've learned the culture. Schools for example, teach one semester of world history, while teaching SIX of American History. They teach only one semester of geography. This makes many Americans ignorant of the rest of the world... and use stereotypes.
2006-12-04 13:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every country has some unintelligent citizens, even the one you come from. If most Americans were unintelligent, we wouldn't be living in a developed (as opposed to developing) country. We must be doing something right.
To make generalizations about a group of people seems pretty dense to me.
2006-12-04 11:31:14 · answer #5 · answered by Persephone 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We Americans give into our passions much more than our intellects. If somebody drives planes into our buildings we'll invade nations until we feel better rather than actually considering what we're doing.
What I've learned from comparing in contrast to my European friends is that Americans have conversations to therapy themselves rather than facilitate an actual conversation as europeans do. Both have nice things about them though.
2006-12-04 11:25:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just look at who was elected president TWICE! A creationist, bible-thumping idiot.
I'm an American and knowing that HE was elected is a constant source of embarrassment to me.
Friggin' "faith based" crap will be the death of this country.
2006-12-04 11:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the opinions of the rest of the world are about as important (to me, anyway) as a paper sack full of kitty litter. And worth about as much, too.
2006-12-04 11:29:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you seen some of the american tourists in Asia?
its disgraceful.
after seeing the sheer STUPIDITY of some of those tourists (not to mention "august role models" such a Britney Spears and Paris Hilton), you really cant blame half the world for having no idea ho smart Americans can be.
2006-12-04 11:26:52 · answer #9 · answered by Neha S 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
maybe our educational system does not equal the one in your country . as for perception in the world that has alot to do with how the liberal media chooses to portray us, and of course how popular or unpopular our foriegn policy is at any given time.as they say "its lonely at the top". as for the people you have met in america, maybe your relatives dont hang around with the smartest crowd
2006-12-04 11:36:10 · answer #10 · answered by chellebell 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋