Why is the rest of the world so biased against Americans?

Question

Now I know I'm making a generalized statement myself, but why does the rest of the world feel the need to be predjudiced against Americans? Sure, our foreign policies are screwed up, we like to eat, and the unfortunate images of us that usually come across to the rest of the world are of Evangelical christians who believe that our idiot president is doing the work of God on earth. Sure we may come across as biased and racist ourselves, but far, FAR from every person in the good ol' U S of A is like that. Does stereotyping and labeling us really make you any better than your unfortunate image of us?

Just putting that out there.

I didn't relly mean to imply that we are somehow better than other countries, becasue then that would just confirm their stereotypes. We aren't better than them if we think we are.

To Bob Sacamano:
I'm not ruling out those possibilities, but the whole point that I'm trying to make is that sometimes the rest of the world likes to blame the American people for their government's faults. That's like blaming the North Korean people for Kim Jung-Il's nuclear program, something that is entirely out of their control. Now I know some might say that since the US's entire manifesto is "let the people rule", we do have some control. That is not the case. Power corrupts. Senators generally make descisions based on personal gain rather than the good of the people. Our president believes he is on a mission from God and has opted not to listen to any of his advisors and to carve his own desrtuctive path to his "destiny". We cannot control our policies.

As for being uncultured, I know I, myself, have always been extremely interested in the way other people live and exist in our world.

Please don't answer my question by making biased generalizations about Americans yourself.

To Bob Sacamano:
I'm not ruling out those possibilities, but the whole point that I'm trying to make is that sometimes the rest of the world likes to blame the American people for their government's faults. That's like blaming the North Korean people for Kim Jung-Il's nuclear program, something that is entirely out of their control. Now I know some might say that since the US's entire manifesto is "let the people rule", we do have some control. That is not the case. Power corrupts. Senators generally make descisions based on personal gain rather than the good of the people. Our president believes he is on a mission from God and has opted not to listen to any of his advisors and to carve his own desrtuctive path to his "destiny". We cannot control our policies.

As for being uncultured, I know I, myself, have always been extremely interested in the way other people live and exist in our world.

Please don't answer my question by making biased generalizations about Americans yourself.

I understand that there are many people who love Americans out there, and they have been especially nice to me in South America and Europe. Please don't accuse me of being one of those stereotypical flag-waving "red-white-and-blue all the way" "love it or leave it" Americans. The entire point of this question was to try to get around this way of thinking.

I am also aware that the question that I asked in the first place was a generalized statement about the rest of the world.

Answer 1

The wording of your question indicates an unwillingness to entertain the possibility that criticism of the US may be founded.

Folks overseas resent that fact that US policies have an impact on their lives, while they have no say on US policies. They also resent that fact that US policies do not take into account the impact overseas.

Additionally, less than 20% of Americans have a passport and far less actually use it. Americans would get a deeper perspective of the world if they travelled more. Americans are sheltered, but consider themselves knowledgable on everything and anything.

Addition:
Aside from my conclusion that Americans are sheltered, supported by the passport stat, I did not make any generalizations. You asked for "why" and I offered some reasons for consideration, although I still believe that the question as worded assumes a bias against the US.

Some of the immediate comments claiming the US is the best, that others are jeleaous are clearly reasons for the negative opinion. There are many, many great things about the US people and as a citizen, I object to be represented by the phony flag wavers.

Answer 2

I don't scoff at the rest of the world, I think the global perspective if they want it for them, and if their PEOPLE agree, is dandy. For them. We like individual rights more and collectivism which dilutes individual rights less. And I note that in countries where the EU is getting an actual referendum these days, it isn't doing so well, so I'm not sure that view is only here. Or do you really think world organizations should be able to IMPOSE their sovereignity over national sovereignity when the individuals (not political class) of those nations don't want it? Because to my mind that 'we know what is best for you' attitude, (exemplified here so well in our bailouts and Fed action) is the problem. Here, we feel the government works for us, rather than controlling us. It is becoming apparent that a good part of our own government feels differently, and we will have to do something about that. But keep your WORLD government to the part of the world that wants it. If any.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, America has commited unforgivable crimes against humanity. Its no wonder that other countries hate the USA, they are victims of America. Bottom line; the USA is the biggest hypocrite in the world.

I understand what you are saying that not all Americans are bad people, but Americans are being judged by their government, which again is unfortunately, not doing a
fantastic job.Consider this:
1)Whose industry causes 21% of the global warming in the world?
2) Who was the only country that refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol (the aim of this protocol was a mutual agreement to reduce greenhouse gases produced in a country)
3) Who started a crisis in the middle east by attacking Iraq with the excuse that it was because they were mass producing nuclear weapons? (when they raided Iraq, nothing was found)
4) WHO WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO DROP A NUCLEAR BOMB IN HIROSHIMA!?!?!?!
5) Who supports Israel, creating a bully in the midde east that victimizes peaceful cultures and races like the Palestinians? (Iraqies drove the Palestinians out of their own country)

This is just the beginning of the list of crimes that the USA has committed. Yes, there is a lot of advertising against the USA, but there is a reason why so many countries hate America. It acts like a bully, attacking and terrorizing poor and weaker countries while gathering powerful allies to aid it in its continouos violence and selfishness.

If you read some of the answers, you will notice from the tone and wording of Amricans who are answering this question that they are ignorant and so "proud to be american" that they refuse to believe, even for a second, that there is anything wrong with their country. Just like an ignorant three-year-old, they think everyone hates them because they are jealous. WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE EVER LOOK BEYOND YOUR STUPID AMERICAN PRIDE!?!?!

Answer 4

Because the media in most countries is biased against the USA. However, you can judge the character of a country by the number of people who want to get in instead of out, so it seems the USA is still a very popular place. Even the Hollywood elites who promised to leave if Bush was elected are still here ... go figure !!

Answer 5

Have you ever traveled outside the US? There are lots of people that like Americans. A taxi driver in Spain told me, "We love Americans, we just don't like your president". The Moroccans invited my friend and me into their homes knowing we were Americans and took hours out of their day to show us around and tell us about their culture. Some of the friendliest people I have met were French (yes, French!) people on a bus in Paris. I've had similar experiences in Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Canada, Portugal...well, you get the picture. Sure, the Middle Eastern Muslims hate us, but they hate everyone that isn't Muslim--including most Europeans.

Answer 6

There are several reasons why the majority of societies particularly dictators hate the US.

1. We are a free, tolerant people allied to participate in our government. For a dictator running his country by tyranny and fear, the US sends a very bad message to his people, The US is a thorn in the side of totalitarian regimes.

2 The average working American has freedom, freedom to travel freedom to live where he wants, freedom of religion, freedom to run a business. We also make a very good wage compared to most countries. Our economy's success and growth is hated.
Other countries are just plain jelous.

3. Our effort to promote freedom throughout the world is of course not appreciated by the despots.

Think these are the basic reasons.

Answer 7

I think you may find the rest of the world gives america and americans in general very little thought unless were involved with them in business.

Answer 8

They don't really hate us personally or individually.....they just hate our present government, our president & what they are doing. They also know that our president was "voted in" by a majority of Americans, so, they blame us for that too.

Answer 9

It does seem that most nation hate us. But when they get into trouble we are the first ones they turn to for help. Why is that?

Answer 10

unfortunatley the rest of the wrold sees the USA as a bunch of flag waving pompous a$$es.....

that would be jeleaous

Biased generalizations??...I know americans who hate americans.....!!! biased..???...face the facts man..when you live in your own world as a lot of americans do and treat the rest of the world as if they were a bunch of jerk offs, there will be a lot of people who will not like you....