why is America the laughing stock of the world?

Question

why do people always laugh when you mention Americans I believe this is unfair, many Americans are not as bad as the rumours suggest. They dont all eat burgers constantly and im certain that some are intelligent.Give them a chance

Answer 1

Americans are fine. A little more ignorant of the world than people in most other countries, but overall... they're just folks.

The problem is with the American political system, the present U.S. government, U.S. foreign policy and and the corruption of big business in America. When these things effect global stability and the autonomy of other countries, the world balks.

The U.S. is seen as a nation with imperialistic designs and that makes it a threat to the world. And that big business drives so much of that, while the U.S. government masks it's motives behind propaganda about American freedom, turns the whole thing into an overwhelming insult to the rest of the planet.

Answer 2

When I went to America, I met some really wonderful people. Open, honest, trusting, generous. It's not the individual people, it's the collective thought, that p****s others off. Their belief that they are the best at everything in the world. That they have the God given right, to stick their political noses into everyone elses business. That they know best.

They don't. They're just another country on this planet. More advanced in some things that others, not as advanced in other fields. Ask anybody from around the world if they think that their country is the best, and they will probably answer - yes, as do Americans. No difference really then is there? So why pretend that you're better??

Answer 3

Part of the problem is the way that Americans portray themselves to the rest of the world. Only 89% of American students, when asked, could find THEIR OWN country on a map of the world. A majority do not have a passport and give every impression that they don't know there is a world outside of the US (many actually seem proud of the fact they do not know anything about the rest of the world).

I live in Oxford, UK - we get a lot of US visitors, yet I've been complimented on good my English is (despite the fact I'm from England!), asked if I know Shakespeare (he died in the 17th century) and a host of other monumentally dumb questions by US tourists. I've also has US visitors shout at me and harangue me in the street of my own town because I wore a T-shirt that they didn't agree with (and got a wee bit upset when I suggested that the US isn't the only place in the world where freedom of speech exists).

I think there is a real streak of anti-intellectualism in the US culture. The President has openly stood up and said it's good to be a C grade student. In political debates, it is considered almost an insult to have attended an Ivy League (i.e. "good") university, and just as much of an insult to call someone an "intellectual". Add to that current moves to roll back knowlege through teaching of junk "science" (e.g. "intelligent design") and is it any wonder that the world percieves Americans as dumb.

On the other hand some of the most intelligent, funny, generous, warm and brilliant people I have met have been American - perhaps more so than almost any other nationality I've met. There seems to be a clear split in the character of American visitors I've met - either the rude, loud, ignorant "we're number one, we're better than you and stuff the rest of you" lot, or the intelligent, funny, truly lovely people who are aware that there is a world out there and who want to see it, and learn from it. Unfortunately its the former group who seem to be prevelent and who set the impression of what your nation is like. If more American visitors took a little time to read and think and listen when they visited another place, perhaps this stereotype would change.

Answer 4

I don't think that Americans are any different really, but if a high-ranking politician (......) is incompetent, then the rest of the world suffers. I live in the UK, and most people here are complete morons. A lot of countries are becoming like America now anyway.

Answer 5

Perhaps it's because of stereotyping.

Some people have met Americans who only eat burgers, and then these people think that ALL Americans are like this. In my younger days, I've seen American tourists who are loud and obnoxious and they just make fun of everything they saw in our little town, and I did think back then that all Americans are like that.

But as one grows older and widens her/his perspective, one realize that stupid/bad/gluttonous people exist in any part of the world, and most importantly, it is wrong to generalize because good and well-mannered people also exist in any part of the world.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I think what has the citizens in the world all pissed off is this our sh i t doesnt stink attitude that some (not many) Americans give off. That rubs people the wrong way and can't say I blame them. It is wonderful to be patriotic, but tone it down a bit and try being humble, you will get more respect.

Answer 8

Its not the fact that the people are making fun of them they do this to themselves I mean come on what other country apart from one populated by idiots would vote George Wubya Bush in twice. they are measured by there elected representatives and he is a joke.

Answer 9

America has all the potential to be a positive influence on world affairs, instead it`s leaders seem to use it`s superior status without logic or wisdom.

Answer 10

The government sucks, the people are arrogant. and seen on Yahoo Q&A answers they think it's the most hatted nation in the world.