what we know about the americans?

Question

Mac donalds,
Movies,
New York,
Stupid bush Jr,

In france, a lot of persons imagine that a majority of the americans are fat, always chew gum ..

that's not an insult just a question.
Don't take it bad...

Answer 1

We think of women in France as having hairy armpits carrying unwrapped loaves of bread shoved up under them...gross...but not an insult.

We also think that if it weren't for the Americans during WWII the Germans would have turned France into a parking lot.

Don't take that bad.

Answer 2

There's a lot you don't know about Americans. Come over here, sometime. The majority of people I know aren't fat, and DEFINITELY do not chew gum. Yuck. (I know that every picture you see of Britney Spears she has a big wad of gum in her mouth, but the majority of Americans think she's trashy.) Yes, we have McDonald's, but so does every other country, now. Yes, we do make cool movies, don't we? New York is VERY cool, but I wouldn't want to live there. I think Bush Jr. is stupid, too, and I'm looking forward to voting in a new president.

It is really hurtful to hear people from other countries talk about us like that, because the majority of what they "think" is a stereotype that isn't true. We hear others call us lazy. What is your definition of lazy? The standard work week in the U.S. is 40 hours. The majority of people work more than that. My husband usually works 50-80 hours a week. Then we come home and clean, cook, do laundry, grocery shop, and do other household chores until bedtime. Sorry, but we don't have time to be lazy.

We don't deserve those stereotypes any more than you, as a French citizen, deserve the stereotype of being arrogant, dirty, smelly, and about 20 years behind in fashion and music. (I'm not saying that to be insulting, but that's the stereotype that you hear about the French, here.)

Answer 3

Lots of Americans are fat! It's a real problem here, McDonalds is part of that problem! Stupid Bush Jr., you are right on that one! Can't wait til he is out of office!!! Sorry about him!!! Most of us only chew gum on occasion. For our breath sometimes. We are a nation that feels everyone in the world is entitled to freedom. We will help those who need it and can be very generous. We are also very spoiled, have no idea how most other countries live, and believe most things we see on TV or the news. We are so busy with our day to day lives, that we neglect what is going on around us. I am afraid for our country. I am embarrassed by Bush and the path he has taken our country on. We have been bad neighbors as well as good, and are victims of governmental lies. Most people are nice and helpful. We are getting word that the French hate us, but I don't know why. It could be any number of things! Most people like France and your romantic accents. We have our problems, but for the most part, on an individual basis, we are willing to go to great lengths for the underdog, are generous and loving people.

Answer 4

No the majority of Americans, especially the younger people, aren't fat, but really stress themelves on health, i know I do. Sure i dont like the president either, but for my own reasons. Gum certainly is something we enjoy, but you dont see every person on the street chewing it. Movies are fun, but we dont base our whole lives around them. Mac Donalds really isn't that big of a popularity here as many think, it's an even base, Subway is one of my favorites.

THat's the U.S. that i know and love.

Answer 5

So, the French assume that all Americans are like Violet Beauregard from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," that we all chew gum all the time and turn into fat blueberries?

A majority of Americans agree with you about Stupid Bush Jr.

Answer 6

All preconceived ideas, I have just answered a similar question about what are the French famous for?
The Americans (some of them) think Brits all have rotten teeth, Some Brits think Americans are all fat, some Brits think the French all eat horse meat and have hairy arm pits! Not sure what Americans think of the French?
We were all allies at one time and it didn't matter much then if we had rotten teeth or smelly arm pits or if we were fat, did it?
I think that to 'know' some one or some group you must visit their country or at least work with them in any other country, I have been fortunate enough to have been able to do that, and found that its very silly to generalize, we all have smelly or fat people or with rotten teeth in all our countries!

Answer 7

People are people wherever you go. Sterotypes foster limited minds. I don't live in NewYork, I hate McDonalds, I didn't vote for either Bush president...but I do like gum after a meal.
If I assumed every French person was stuck up, snotty and slutty, I wouldn't be answering your question.

Answer 8

It's unfortunate that people around the world get their information from mainstream media. Everyone knows that the news is slanted, and yet, they base their perception on it.

The other factor is judging the people of a nation by the actions of their politicians. I generally vote third party. Neither the Democrat nor Republican parties represent me. Obviously, I am embarrassed when people in other nations associate me with them.

Answer 9

Let's assume we are, do, and he is. We still take it as a compliment that so many others wish to imitate us.

Thanks for Yorktown and the Statue of Liberty, by the way. We still consider France to be our friend even if some French folks hate us for silly reasons.

Answer 10

What exactly are you asking? All Americans are very different. I personally am thin and don't chew gum. There are many who are fat and do chew gum. What do you really want to know?