What do y'all think of Americans?

Question

Preferably southern ones
i heard almost all europeans think we're fat, lazy, materialistic, stupid, tacky, etc.
is it true??
if it is, i will be vair vair sad :(

i'm actually pretty surprised most ppl weren't mean.

to the canadians...i personally think ya'll are cute. i have met many a canadain and find them to be friendly. i like canadians :)

and we are NOT jealous of anyone else

Answer 1

Im English. I am lucky to count some wonderful Americans amongst my friends, some Southern Folks included!...:)

Answer 2

I'm English and have absolutely no problem whatsoever with Americans, why would I think you are fat, lazy, materialistic, stupid or tacky, that is media hype causing a rift between us, I prefer to make my own mind up about people and never believe what I read or see in the news, I have met some lovely American people and never once have I thought bad of them, I treat as I find and I find Americans to be warm and compassionate people and I love the soft lilt of the Southern American accent, your all fine as far as I am concerned.

Answer 3

Southern ones get a bad press in the UK mainly for the folowing reasons-

1) BUSH
2) the movie "deliverance"
3) The Dukes of Hazzard.

For some reason, we tend to associate southern accents with ignorance, but this is due to the way Southern types are portrayed in the UK media.

I have many colleagues from texas, Louisiana and Misssissippi and they are all just straightforward, ordinary guys. Maybe they take their nationalism a bit too seriously at times, which exposes them to ridicule, but they mean well. They don;t know much about geography though.

What I am saying is, in the UK, it would be insulting to describe someone as "simple, and god-fearing". But many Southern guys are like this. And they're all the better for it, as far as I can see.

The South gave us the Allman Brothers, that's good enough for me!!


Hey, we're all just people. And we have a lot in common. And just looking at Mister Quicker's answer there, i should also point out that mah grand daddy was born in Akron Ohio. We are intertwined with America, like it or not.

Answer 4

Americans visiting England COULD be stereotyped as noisy, brash and demanding.
That is not at all my experience of visiting Americans, who are generally courteous, considerate, and polite - unless of course they're here on a Preaching Mission.

Because of the media, most people in England believe that the US is all like New York or San Francisco - or indeed the Dukes of Hazzard.

This is about as accurate as imagining that all Englishmen wear a bowler hat.
Bowler hats are extinct outside of the ancient heart of the City of London, where they are increasingly rare.

Because so much English humour is based on irony, American humour often seems too obvious. (American soaps are predictable and formulaic.)

It can sometimes seem to an English person therefore that Americans are lacking in real humour.
Misunderstandings are likely, where Americans think the English are bawdy or coarse, whilst the English think the Americans are being prissy.
This is a real cultural difference.

On the other hand, just about everyone in England loves The Simpsons, and most of the young want to go to New York.

However, if your president is typical, it is evident that few Americans know much about the rest of the world.

If you think I'm wrong, try this:
A while ago, I tried to name as many of the States as I could, and got 38.
If you're American, how many English counties can you name?

But maybe I should declare myself, and admit that although I've lived in Britain all my life, my grandfather was born in 1888 in a log cabin in Tawas, Michigan, built by his father. Now I know that's not south of the good ol' Mason-Dixon Line, but it's a lot closer than this side of the big pond.

And maybe it's just typical of the way our histories are inextricably linked.
Americans and British are intrigued by one another.
Long may that continue!

Answer 5

I thinks whilst Americans persist in supporting their government in superceeding the UN's guidance and ignoring things like the Kyoto agreement people in Europe will see them as Arrogant and ignorant.

Of course this is unfair and Americans are as much individuals as any.

But I have noticed American tourists when in Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, etc etc and there is nearly always some guys that really stick out. One of the most things that annoys me as a native English speaker is this tendency to keep repeating what you are saying in English increasing the volume each time till you are nearly screaming in their faces when clearly the poor guy doesnt speak English.

The same people tend to say thing like aww look at their cute little tower "eiffel tower" and wonder where the guys in stripey vests with onions around their necks and berets, cycling around are.

Please guys listen the EU is not a quaint little place it is every bit the economic and technological superpower you are. Unlike you we don't all speak the same language and whilst many do speak English not all will in their own country if you don't at least make some basic efforts like: Merci, gracias, Danke etc.

It's all about respect. Here it is something you have to earn it's not yours by right.

Answer 6

In general, I think they're all very nice people. However, I did notice that the further south I went when I visited the more angry black people were and white people got friendlier - especially around the Houston area. That wasn't meant in a racist way, it was just something I noticed.

I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist because Europeans apparently think you're fat or lazy or anything. I'm English and I know HEAPS of fat, lazy, materialistic, stupid, tacky people in my own country!! We all have them dear! I wouldn't let it worry you.

Answer 7

Well before I got the internet I thought you were great but since seeing message boards on myspace you all seam a bit too offensive for my liking! Frankly you scare me, I know your sense of humour is edgy and in your face but I don't like it. I know there is loads of racism, if this was an american notice board every other post would be about racism. I can't stand black people saying ****** which they do all the time. You think freedom of speach is too important and it doesn't matter who gets hurt. From americans on this board they think money is more important than having a good family life, I'm a nob and ungrateful because I don't want my boyfriend to work so much. Bloody hell the internet has made my opinion of Americans go down so much! I'm sure you're all not like it! You should just ban all the stupid ones from the message boards! You make the best comedy and the best films so somethings gotta be good!

Answer 8

Nah... not that many of us think that... just the pompus stuck up ones, that look down their noses at everyone and call other peoples lives because they are too scared of facing the reality of their own lives.
But on the other hand... there are a select few Americans that somehow get in the limelight for a few minutes that make the other Americans look as stupid as you say. But then... all countries have these muppets!... just look at Angry Americans comment (above)

Answer 9

Erm... Well, yea. We think the majority of americans are fat, and lazy.
Only because the statistics show it's true. :P

Stupid.. *winces* yea, a number of americans are. We do think there's an unsual quantitiy of if not stupid, ignorant ones. Sometimes both, sometimes one or the other. The USA mis the ONLY country left in the western world with an issue with evolution for pete's sake. Get over it.

Materialistic? Deny it if you can.

Tacky... actually.. no.

But Americans are usualy considered increadibly freindly good hearted people too. Sometimes a little arrogant, but always in a good natured way. Born of, again, this national ignorance.

Only beaten by Canada for friendly guys :P

They're considered nicer than the english anyway.

but that's not hard.

Answer 10

Who the hell cares what the rest of the world thinks about us?! Whilst the arrogant and stuffy Europeans snub their noses at us, I'm sitting here in my living room, fat and happy, with a brandy in one hand and a cigar in the other, watching AMERICAN football (the real sport) on my BIG screen TV, on a 30-acre ranch with more money than I know what to do with it. Sorry, no sympathy from this proud southern American.