America The Great?

Question

Why does it seem that so many people have such anger towards America and Americans in general but yet everyone tries to live here?!?!?! I noticed reading a lot of these questions that quite a few people in Europe have some major issues with us, what's up with that?!?!

Katya, see don't assume anything, I would never give a "thumbs-down" to anyone for everyone is entitled to their opinion. But as you are entitled to your opinion as am I. I have to comment on the one part of your answer where you said if your experience is from Yahoo answers and the news, well I would hope, like anything else that one would not judge an entire nation based on what they read online or see on tv. I also noticed that you resorted to name calling referring to our president which to me, lowers the standard of the conversation. Half wit, murderer??? I had hoped that adults were more capable of discussing differences without resorting to name calling.
To everyone else who answered thanks! I asked this question to resolve a question that I had posed to myself as to why people insult American’s in their questions and I will assume (though it’s probably not wise to do so) that the reason is lack of understanding and the proper way of voice displeasure.

Answer 1

I think much of it is simply disappointment. You see, in Europe, we grew up being made to believe that there is one country which truly excels in all things. In the 1950s to 1980s, we didn't know this was simply good, advanced PR, because we didn't have that, so we couldn't see through it. PR always stakes out a few more claims than can be fulfilled, no hard feelings, that's how stuff gets marketed, and countries, too. But with increasing information coverage, that glitzy image started to crumble, and I believe many people, though not feeling cheated, are beginning to resent the endless self-aggrandisement that emanates from the US - not so much because of any tangible PR campaigns we could point at, but due to the style of human interaction that has since become the American way of communicating among people. If I may be so frank, we simply perceive average Americans as a bit much to take, their demeanour seems hyped up and somehow artificial. So, if you take any flak from Europeans, I'm sorry. It's just a clash of cultures, stemming from a difference in communication styles. It's a bit like two old friends who haven't seen each other for a long time, and the one of the two has turned into a self-obsessed navel gazer with a domineering personality, the other into this cynical, frugal guy. The Europeans are the frugal guy - I guess you get the picture? Nothing personal. Just something that needs realizing, on both sides...

Answer 2

I am writing a book on the subject.

The main reason is misunderstanding and lack of communication

America ( as seen by foreigners) can be viewed in terms of :
a) The country ( people, land,history etc)
b) The government
c) The people

As a country, America is a very wealthy country and a world superpower. By historical standards it will rank among the more benign if compared to other predecessors that were colonial powers or had really aggressive policies against their neighbors.

The government, this is the visible face and the easiest target by USA detractors. All the evils are added , but never the good deeds subtracted. The government is seen as guilty for the war in Irak, but the sympathy for the victims of 9/11 or the generosity towards the victims of the great tsunami are easily forgotten.

Finally the people, Americans are the most generous people in the world. More than twice as generous as the next in line. Individually, US citizens have won more Nobel prizes in Science than any other country. Unfortunately, the freedom of speech, allows some Americans to detract against their own country, when criticism is OK at home but dangerous when given to uninformed people outside that do not have the whole picture.

I strongly believe that the world needs to understand better Americans, and that is why I am writing a book on the subject.

Robertphysics

Answer 3

When the US is at war, there tends to be lots of international criticism. The United States is not perfect in every way.

It's a great place and millions of citizens live out great lives here. It is important to realize that your nation is not immune to criticism.

It is important to keep an open mind to the possibility that there may be areas in which US government or business interests may be at fault.

Also, gaining knowledge about the history and daily life of people from other countries aids in the understanding of other points of view.

Is there a modern country where people are not dying for lack of health care? Is there a nation that prohibits the death penalty? The answer to both is yes. These are two areas where much of the developed world diverges from the US approach.

Being caught up in national pride blinds one to the defects in the way we do things. Extreme patriotism will justify and turn a blind eye to all matter of abuse.

Go get an issue of the Utne Reader magazine. It might seem like writing about the world tuned upside down. You may also shatter some illusions along the way.

Answer 4

Kenrayf is a prime example of why America is unpopular. It's fine to be proud of your country but to say that you are the only country in the world where you can speak your mind is complete crap. Funnily enough, mate, I can vote here in England and go to church if we want to. Do you genuinely think it's just America that has those rights?

To the asker of this question: 'everyone' wants to live in America? Erm... no. I guarantee I have absolutely no desire to live there. I've visited America and I'm perfectly happy in London thanks.

Of course, your President is an international joke (so is mine, but that's another story) but you Americans seem to support him in huge numbers whereas we are aware that Tony Blair has almost ruined the U.K. since he came to power. Europeans see Americans defending and supporting his actions and assume that you are happy with a half-wit, daddy's boy murderer in the White House.

Of course, us Europeans are aware that not all Americans are arrogant, self-obsessed, smug morons but if your experience of Americans is confined to yahoo answers and the international news, that's how they appear. If you take your heads out of your bums for a second and think back to 9/11, you had the whole world on your side that day but you've ridden rough-shod over the rights of other nations ever since then and that is why Europe (whilst acknowledging individual Americans are not all bad) thinks that as a collective, you are abusing your position as the only world superpower to shape the world into what you want and it's not right.

I'm gonna get thumbs down for this. Well, bring it on.

EDIT: Well, I did get thumbs down didn't I, as you can see.
As for half-wit and murderer......you asked why Europeans dislike America and I've told you. The idea that he is a half-wit and that the war in Iraq is totally illegal is a very popular opinion in Europe (particularly on the continent). If you don't like the answer, best not ask the question, love.

Answer 5

Most of the people who are speaking thinks like this were never been in America. They have imagination that America is a paradise, and they are jelaous. I was also when I was a kid (I am from Europe), but after working some times in US I understood that paradise is not related to place you live than to your status of mind. Your main weapon is "freedom", but there is no freedom, this is just imagination. If you think that freedom means that I can say that president is asshole, it's not and even why I should say so, I elected him. Even election doesn't mean anything, I actually elected what they proposed to me, from two stupid guys I chose one. You are free to make desicions about small stuipd things but real important thinks like, economy, war, health etc. you cannot change. They are under control of very limited number of people. You can hear people talking: "In US you can have nice house, nice car good salaries, etc.". NO, there is not true, You can buy this things but you have to pay loan until the end of you life to own this. This is actually not your property, you are just using this until you can pay for it. I prefer to stay on the street until I pay my house then it's mine and I can burn it later if I want. This is the freedom. Everything in US belongs to big corporations and banks, Nothing belongs to people who build the country.
Go to Africa and see real freedom. You can spit on the street, you can drink and drive, you don't have to pay taks, you can have sex for free and there is no Monica who will send you to the court because of one bj. You can do whatever you want until you don't harm other people. That's freedom for me, of course that kind of freedom has the price of course but I preffered it.
Most important thing why rest of the world doesn't like Amerika is becouse you want to make Amerika everywhere and implement you rules. This is same what Hitler tried to do but less violent, but it will not work. Vietnam didn't work, Iraq doesn't work and nothing like this will ever work.
I like Amerika but I want to keep my way of freedom on my own way. Unfortunetelly, Europe is becoming the same as US.

Answer 6

it's a "holier than thou" attitude that is perceived by the rest of the world. a lot of americans visit or talk about other countries with the concept that they are already better than the country that they are talking about. think about it, did you like those kids in high school that thought they were better than you without spending the time to get to know you?

Answer 7

Keep kickin' @ss girl! I completely agree.

Answer 8

Simply put, they are all jealous. They are jealous that we can speak our mind, that we can go to any church or no church at all, that we can vote, and that we really are a great nation.

To all of my foreign friends, I'm proud to be an American.

Answer 9

ignore those

Answer 10

................. its a great place in-spite of all that .............. the spirit is unending ..........