Why People Believe Americans Are Stupid?

Question

Okay I grew up in Spain learning to speak Spanish German French as well as English. as a rather normal teen student in Madrid we moved to the states. only my level of education was will above what was offered in the public schools. Despite my father being born in the US. once people found out I was not I was seen as less intelligent regardless of my much better test scores...that was over twenty years ago, and it just gets worse as the years pass...so what do you think? What could Americans do to better their image to the world at large?

Answer 1

Dr, how do we know the right answers weren't left in the digital dustbin? Editing can create any illusion (trust me, I know how to do it!)

It's likely just a difference in cultures. Here's a good example--the English used to think we Cherokee were stupid for not having a writing system. We used to think THEY were stupid for having body hair and not taking baths every day. It's all about perception, really.

I noticed Europeans are more hung up on what country you're from and not your ethnicity. We're more hung up on ethnicity rather than what country you're from. So when a yonega (Euro) asks me if I'm American and I answer I'm Cherokee, they look at me funny. They don't get it, and that seems odd to me, but then I realize that 1) these folks haven't ever SEEN Cherokee people and 2) they define everyone by citizenship.

Yonega isn't an ethnic slur--it's Cherokee for "light colored (in comparison to something else.)"

Answer 2

I am US borne, I lived in Miami-Florida for seven years, before that, I lived in south America and recently move out of Florida for good to the UK, and now I look back to these past 7 years and even though I did my professional career there, I felt it was the 7 worst years of my live (social wise), because of this capitalistic systems I did not have many friends, everybody was busy, did not have a real girlfriend cause I did not have money to show and people saw me like I was a rat because I was poor “the more you have, the more you are” . And in the US, you can not pursued a university degree unless you come from a very wealthy family or live in debt for the rest of your life and if you become sick, you either have to have an insurance (very expensive if not paid by employer) or lived in debt for the rest of your live.



I think in the US, there is a culture to work but not culture to socialise with others, for example Drs see you as a number $ more than as a patient, i don’t want to generalise but i think the US system changes people into machines and blocks their mind form what is outside, most of the people I meet there, think that the US is the best country in every single way, without even visiting other countries, well I don’t blame then , with the little time off we had in Florida as listed on linked below, there is not time to visit any other countries,



Well, something else I realize when I was travelling Europe and south America, I noticed that most of Americans did not make any effort to a least speak the most common or used word in other languages and expect everybody to speak english as once a girl from Chicago told me “we are leaving the a globalisation world so everybody need to speak English”



In the other hand I think that economically wise US is great , my parents are doing financially very well so is my brother and most of the people I know, but unfortunately all the money they make and have, cant not even be enjoyed. I truly respect you opinion but I think that WE as “Americans” should see the world equally, change our minds, not because we are the richest and have the economical power,we have the right to abuse others and impose our system, ethics, morals as every country has their own and we should respect that.

Answer 3

First of all I don't believe that ALL Americans are "stupid" that would be geologically impossible....considering the amount of immigrants the receive on an annual basis.
Just kidding...Anyway as a neighbour to the north of the great U.S. of A. we have a program here by Rick Mercer on the C.B.C called "Talking to Americans" He speaks with congress, professors, he has even spoken with George W (asking things like, "could you sign a petition to disallow Canadians to allow there elderly to perish on ice flows" they SIGNED it)they no NOTHING of us. And we live right upstairs.
A very big misconception that Americans have about their own country is that it is the best country in the world. They are plagued by their own politicians, racism, inequality, injustice, and "the pursuit of the American dream" which is virtually impossible to achieve. They are uneducated as to how there OWN government operates, votes, spends tax dollars, etc. I have answered more questions right on "Millionaire" about America then American contestants.
I really don't think there is anything they can do other then on an individual basis when they visit foreign soil. :>)

Answer 4

Sorry Americans.

Without wanting to over generalise - they are a bit insular. Its a fact that only 10% of Americans have passports and have no idea of what goes on outside their own country. I saw a TV programme wher the presenter was stopping people in the street and asked the following questions:
Name 3 countries in Europe.
What is the capital of England ?
What is the Capital of Germany ?
What is the name of the British Prime Minister ?

Not one got the answers right.

Answer 5

I have talked to Belgians, French, and some others in different parts of the world. They not only typically have more languages that they are proficient at, but they also tend to go to school longer. I think that their curriculum is different than ours, and they stress different things while being taught.

They also have a different world view. We do not see eye to eye on various issues, typically it's their loss on certain issues in my opinion.

I think that the world view that they carry actually hurts them in some ways, being all to ready to give up sovereignty to a group of nations, they think that it is fine and offers greater security.

"What could Americans do to better their image to the world at large?"
I say let them think that we are stupid. They underestimate us. And that coould be our advantage whenever we need to have one.

Answer 6

Actually we are approaching the stupidity death of the Universe. Everything is getting crazier and more chaoic every day. Soon it will reach that critical point where no one or no thing has any clue what to do next, and the whole thing will freeze up for all eternity, or until God decides to ****can the whole mess and start another one.

Answer 7

good, the various humans on right here who arent from the usa havent been to america. i will be able to let you know that, so they're dull for believing that every one americans are dull headquartered off of media protection. and prefer that a million video above me, there are plenty of scripted suggests that do it. jay leno does the identical factor. they're well, however there are detailed indecators that its made up. i believe humans men and women as a complete are dull. they most often base their judgments on what they wish to consider alternatively what they must consider, even though they recognize they're flawed. you notice it in politics always. republicans and democrats in congress are the most important infants i've ever noticeable. in physical games too. oh, a million recreation is larger than an extra given that what i do know approximately it or noticeable of it's dull to me. dull implies that any individual cant quite believe. many humans i do know (i are living in the usa) are probably the most brightest humans. ive been in all places the sector and different nations dont have the brightest lighting fixtures both. they expect what they believe is correct given that of what they recognize. lack of know-how and vanity is extra making choices headquartered on what you wish to be precise given that thats what you wish to listen to which occurs for the various pleasant solutions and questions about right here. humans simply wish to be in a location wherein they alternatively be comforted through what they wish to listen to alternatively than feedback that they must right here.

Answer 8

Embrace love. Now, truly appreciate the wealth and beauty of this country by NOT showing every other nation on this planet how much we hate our own neighbors...that might actually do some good...

Answer 9

get rid of george bush could be a start.. but most americans don't care about how they are perceived by the rest of the world anyway. Outside the USA, americans are considered ignorant due to their lack of knowlege (& care factor zero) of the world outside the USA.

Answer 10

I personally don't think Americans are stupid. However, choosing a better President would certainly help their image get better;) Peace.