What is your opinion of Americans?

Question

I'm American, just randomly visiting the international websites (with the help of Google translator). What is your opinion of Americans in general? Is there anything you like about them, and is there anything you hate about them? What do you think of Bush, and the war in Iraq?

Also, what do you think of Americans who try to imitate British accents?

Answer 1

I don't have any problems with Americans they are just the same as the rest of us with wives children overdrafts mortgage's and a government who don't listen and don't care

Answer 2

There are hundreds of millions of them. There are good and bad ones. They have done good things but in their present form, I believe they are doing more harm than good. They seem so defensive. Any criticism is regarded as jealousy or with a 'Get out of the U.S.' when I'm not even in the U.S. I really think that you have a global responsibility as the world's only superpower and at the moment, it's being abused by your government.

I do hate Dubya. I do hate the war in Iraq. For the same old reasons. The war started based on a false premise and continues because of oil. The allies are losing and inflaming Muslim sentiment all around the world.

I'm English. I don't really have an issue with Americans imitating a British accent but why would you want to?

Answer 3

I am not quite sure as to why you need this (as generalisation is one of the lowest forms of intelligence). I believe that the Americans are no better or worse than any of us.

Since you asked us to generalise:

1. I like your "can do" attitude and I find most of you to be hardworking and honest people.
2. I think that hate is a strong word - I dislike and cannot understand the ignorance some Americans seem to be proud of.
3. Bush has damaged your reputation in the eyes of the world tremendously. Not every moron who has a famous father should be given a country to rule. As you probably already know, the "I didn't vote for him" thing doesn't work - people are associating you as a nation with him. Kick him out of the White House and try to regain what's left of your self respect (may still not be enough to repair the damage done). I am sorry, you asked.
4. The war in Irak will be a second Vietnam for you. Its consequences will linger over all of us for years to come. It will claim more lives and it will continue to sour the peace process and the process of racial and religious tolerance, ultimately making this planet a less comfortable place to live on.
5. Depends on the people, their talent and reasons (Renée Zellweger was amazing). If they do it in a half-heated and pretentious way, then the effect is cringing.

Answer 4

The Americans are just people trying to get on with their lives in the grand scale of things. Though the two things that irritates me about Americans is that:

1. They think I am from london when I'm actually from the North of England

2. They never bother to imitate Northern accents (despite them coming up here), the only accent they bother copying is the london accent.

Apart from that, they are alright!

Answer 5

Well, for a start, the fact that you're an American who is actively looking for the opinions of the rest of the world with regards to your country's foreign policies - that's pretty damn good.

I hate the way people have to be either love or hate with America. The truth is, Americans are all individuals. There are some great Americans and some stupid ones. I'm British and I have to admit, we've spawned a few morons in our time too!

But as for George Bush - he's a definite embarrassment to your country and the human race in general.

And as for the British accent thing - Madonna, please stop!

Answer 6

I generally like Americans. They do service like no one on Earth and that is because they are a bit less polite than us Brits who'd say a plate of sh** tasted fine to save causing a scene. I like the Country- Ive been in New York, Buffalo, Florida, Memphis and Houston and I'd like to see lots more. Bush I can take or leave although I think the electoral system has let you down now that he has lost the backing of Congress as I understand. The war I believed to be justified at the time but I think now that the powers that be should have planned better for when Saddam fell. The accent thing is funny and they also mistake my Scottish accent for Irish often and ask me to say "Lucky Charm"??

Answer 7

I don't really care to stereotype Americans based on their nationality. All I have to say is that they've got more opportunities and freedoms than people in other countries. It's up to them what they do with those possibilities. Note: I'm also American.

The war in Iraq is totally unfounded. Bush would look very moronic if he called it off now, though, and seeing as it's something every president tries to avoid, I can't blame him. Some of us would do the same, though I privately believe that one should put the well-being of others above their own pride.

As for Americans who try to imitate British accents...CON ARTISTS!!! or posers, liars, take your pick...

Answer 8

I agree with the more... shall we say 'enlightened' Answerers you've already had.

There is good and bad in everyone, as Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder sang in Ebony & Ivory - a perfect example of trans-racial/trans-atlantic relations..... :)

Out of all the Americans i've met (and i've met a good number) I have to say i've found the vast majority to be really friendly, unassuming and open.

I'm British, and the one thing that annoys me more than most other things is the prejudice I see spurting from the mouths, pens, keyboards of so many high and mighty fellow-country-persons of mine.

I've asked a couple of leading questions myself on here to guage Anglo-American responses and unfortunately had my fears confirmed. There are a lot of idiots about.

Bush does not represent the feelings of all Americans.
Look at what is happening in the Senate and Congress if you want proof of that.

Think of some of your favourite music, film, literature - much of it comes from the Land of the Free.

Rant over!!!

Oh and the accent thing - bad on both sides of the Atlantic. I can't BEAR listening to Hugh Laurie do House!! And I love Hugh Laurie!

Answer 9

Well it's kind of hard to generalise about 300 million people!

But they do seem to be very ignorant about geography for some reason. Other than that, no problems have been encountered.

Oh yes and why are they obsessed with teeth?

I don't think I have ever heard an American trying to imitate a British accent to be honest with you. Apart from Dick Van Dyke of course - in mary Poppins!

Answer 10

I was a silly admirer of the US in my youth
When I went there 20 years ago for hollidays it my first deception ; such a rough country; had to struggle everywhere, custom officer emptied all my suitcase, no smile to welcome, no help to pack, after taxi drivers swindled me...I saw everyday how life in US is violent with gangs in LA waiting outsides houses; or sitting on Sofas all night in the middle of the path, some with soccer sticks, I even saw people looking a gun ...
NYC Youghthostel was like a fortress, when I arrived at bus station, people showed me the wrong way (It was written in my tourist book not to follow them...)
ORDINARY AMERICANS? few, I tried to speak but had the feeling Americans are not interested by people visiting them, and already had a big superiority complex.
When I came back, I was sceptic about America, but I did not see them as friends nor ennemies, it was long before 11 septembre.
Since then, US citizen are not only indifferent but hostile.
Yet we where the only country to be right for Iraqi ; its what America cant stand.
I saw you in many countries since then behaving with the locals as if you were the kings of the world (Im not muslim, just witness)
Its sad to think we have been so friends.
Do you remember the "Statue of Liberty"?
I prefer british citizen, at least they have the sense of humour and more humility.

Answer 11

Why does everything have to be about 'Bush, and the war in Iraq'
I don't give a monkeys about politics. (I do care that soldiers are dying though)

A decision was made to try and protect the world from attack. The media turns on people when things go wrong...influencing everyone. Can you imagine being faced with that decision!?

Americans are the same as me, except you live over there and you have a different accent.