Are all Americans really as bad as the ones who use this site?

Question

I’m British and I always loved Americans. In the UK we were brought up watching tons of American shows and all my screen heroes were America. I used to think it was the coolest place on the planet. Then I started writing on this site and was shocked at the amount of bigoted homophobic abuse that comes from America. Is this a true reflection of how Americans really are or is it just a small group of Neanderthals abusing this site?

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my question. Some people have pointed out that there are homophobes in all countries and yes I believe that’s true. I was also deeply touched by the kindness that a lot of people showed in their answers.

In the UK we have people who would be abusive to gays, but you find that anywhere in the world. Others are disgusted at the thought of gay sex, but I don’t see them as homophobic, they’re just expressing an opinion. After reading all the replies on here I think the problem in America is Christian Fundamentalist extremists. They seem to think they have the right to unleash a torrent of abuse to anyone who is homosexual. These people would never dream that a gay could possibly be born into their own family, things like that just don’t happen in their world. It’s laughable because they always quote the Old Testament. They do this because they know Jesus never said a word about gays. They also know that there are tons of sins and abominations in the Old Testament, laughable things that relate to their own life.

I liked sitboy23’s answer. At times I’ve also given up hope in human nature. I’ve felt hated because I’m gay, a sexuality that I didn’t ask for and one I couldn’t change. To answer your question, no Americans aren’t hated in the UK (only Bush) lol. Americans are viewed with amusement here, but I think that’s because of shows like Jerry Springer. America does send out mixed signals to the rest of the world and that’s why it becomes confusing. We get some of the religious stuff on cable Tv and that makes us think “Americans hate gays”. Then we get silly shows like Will and Grave or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. That makes us think America is gay friendly and gays are accepted.

Not Ecky Boy; your satire didn’t go unnoticed, I do laugh occasionally you know (just not very often).

Answer 1

Not at all. When I came to this site, i was shoecked by the people in gereral. sometimes i want to give up hope in people but then i relize that it is just the internet, and I can judge people by it. I saw a question yesterday about all british people hating americans, and for a minuet i belived it. Im glad its not true.

Answer 2

I agree with you, we do get a lot of flack these days. Although the majority of the United States doesn't really look at what people think, we do what we think is right. For example, we went into Iraq because we thought it was the right thing to do (moms and dads couldn't even walk there kids to school, because they were afraid of being shot by a sniper on a rooftop or something) when other countries had no intent to help or provide assistance. Although our allies in the U.K. came through to help us and we appreciate that more than they will ever know. Us Americans try hard to make life easier for everone here in the United States and for other countries such as Iraq. Even though we may not seem to exceed in the public eye or in the media, it's the hope that we give to our people and many other nations that really matters. Many people say that the United States will no longer be a super power in the world because China will become the next super power. But nobody seems to understand that there can be "Two or more" super powers at one time. When push comes to shove the United States will not back down to other countries. The United States will remain a super power and always will. The American people are very patriotic and hopeful for our countries future on becoming an even greater good than we ever were. I am a true believer that the United States helps keep hope and peace in the world, and it shall always be that way. God Bless America!

Answer 3

It's a big country, and just like with the phenomena of talk radio and such like, people with extreme opinions and beliefs tend to gravitate to websites that have open forums and spout assorted nonsense. Figuring there are 300 million Americans, a small percentage are going to be bigoted, but the majority are pretty much live and let live. You'd have to admit the same thing about the UK--the majority of people are great (I've visited a number of times), but you also have homophobes, racial bigots, etc. As do the Germans, the French, the Dutch, the Swiss, etc.

If you visit the US, you'll find bigots and non-bigots in every city and state (Chicago is still one of the most racially segregated cities in the US, and one of our most conservative senators from recent years was from Southern California; on the other hand, Houston has a large Asian community, and one of the largest and most successful gay choruses in the US is Dallas' Turtle Creek Chorale). In short, you'll see homophobic and racist comments on this site, but we can always report those to the site managers.

Answer 4

Being a foreigner, both for USA and England, you can see how clever, educated, gentle, nicer and so good looking the British are from the mostly rude, crazy patriotic Nazis, gun loving, racists the ones that voted for Bush Americans are.
Sorry.
The rest of the world feels the same, of course, there are lots of lovely people as well in USA, but i am afraid, the minority.
The others, do not know were the rest of the world is, do not think they have to lower their consuming of the environment, just watch TV, they are fat, or have boobs implants,and invade the rest of the world with cheap sex and violence.
Not as the English ladies and gentlemen.

Answer 5

No, it's really just a small group of Americans that cause such a fuss over gay rights. I mean, I'm all for it because I don't think people have any right to decide how other people should live their lives. And that small group of people that cause such a fuss over this causes a fuss over anything that they think is bad or that people shouldn't have a choice to do what they want. And that small group of people would be the fundamentalist Christians. Not all Christians, mind you, but mainly the ones in the bible belt. America is a great country and everything but we do have our faults, and plenty of them. For one thing, as someone mentioned, our educational system is absolutely horrendous. Another is that we need to worry more about our country, instead of the rest of the world. All that said, first chance I get I'm moving to another country.

Answer 6

Yes and no I am an American and I have nothing in common with anyone around me I'm an atheist a centrist and live in the southern part of the USA. The truth is you can never judge a group of people. But you can only judge the individual. Alot of Americans are well educated and very polite. But alot of them are snobs brought up by parents that think evolution is a lie haha. I love America and some of the most brightest and influential people come from here. But also some of the stupidest and irrational also come from here. Like they say it's just a huge melting pot. I feel alot of people judge us by our politicians. And never really look at the popularity polls.

Answer 7

No, we're not. Admittedly, it would seem that way from some of the trash that you read here, but these are frustrated idiots that have FINALLY found an outlet for their views as they know that saying that kind of crap in the street would not be tolerated. Their wives just roll their eyes and go about their business I would suppose....or something like that. I will tell you that you are more likely to encounter such points of view in small southern towns where it's common to hear the "n word" in public. If you visited, you'd find big cities more enlightened. It's the same everywhere, isn't it? I now live in Mexico, and I find it to be the same here as it was there.

Answer 8

I'm American and I can only speak for myself . I' m not a bigoted or homophobic.I don't waste time or energy hating people I don't know,hell I don't hate people I do know and dislike. There are some Americans who do have alot of hate,that's why this country can't seem to get it together, example,New Orleans. This however is not by any means all Americans just the few ignorant ones who can only put their hate on-line because they're too afraid to say it out loud.

Answer 9

Every country has bad people. I live in America and there are good and bad people. America is not peachy. I don't like the president and sometimes i wish i lived somewhere else. People are judgemental more and America is the melting pot. Some people think there better than others. and it's all about money i think. Personally i don't care. Don't be fooled by the movies were still in war for nothing

Answer 10

Well....the UK and the US are totally different planets in some aspects. I am American, and though I can't speak for all of us, I think American views on a lot of things is much different from the European perspective. As a whole, the United States is a pretty conservative country. It has its liberal spots, but on the whole its conservative. Americans tend to be more set in a way that's always been, and willing to accept some of the changes of the last quarter century. Some people just word their points of view in a very crude manor, which gives people like yourself the impression that you now have about us.

You're not wrong in that most Americans are less accepting of issues like homosexuality, but a lot just blow it off and don't think anything of it one way or the other.