Why do Americans think they are the centre of the universe?

Question

Unless you've traveled outside the US you probably don't even know what this question is asking. There is a big world out there with cities and industry, inventors and intellectuals, theatre, opera, education and night life. Many of the worlds great discoveries were accomplished by some one not from the US and yet the US will lay claim to every invention and innovation, they believe they single handedly won WWI and II. What does it take to have to lie and boast your way through life?

Seems to me an Italian name Marconi invented the telephone and Alexander Graham Bell a Canadian invented it and patented it in the US. Thanks for playing!

Nope, didn't spell centre incorrectly and the last thing we need is someone from the US giving grammar and spelling lessons. Perfect example of know nothing, spout know it alls and consider yourself to be the only source. You really are the "centre" of your universe!

Answer 1

Well, I am American and I don't think we are "the best darn country in the world" as I've heard other Americans say. Of course, as you say - those are the same people that have never left the USA to see the world. I've traveled all over the world and I've seen things that we do not have in the USA but wish we did. Also, when I've been to Europe - I think they have the right idea: work to live - don't live to work! Enjoy your family and friends. I also get really embaressed when I am outside the USA and hear other Americans say: "Well, in America, we do it this way..." I want to scream at them: "Who cares! The whole point of travel is to see other cultures and appreciate their way of life". But then again, I'm from NYC and people in NYC appreciate culture differences more than most other Americans. The reason for that is certain parts of the USA people are not as educated and they live very simple lives. Some people don't even ever leave the area they live in for their whole life - so they don't even know how people in other states live, much less the rest of the world. The USA is a HUGE piece of land - but that doesn't mean everyone is equally educated, or experienced. We are not all like that. So, please don't just ALL Americans based on the ignorant ones. I don't just watch local news - I also watch Deutschwelle, BBC World News and FranceDeux because I KNOW my local news won't give me all the world news I want to know. Hope that helps you out! Again, please remember - not all of us feel that America is the center of the universe and are embarressed by the people who do say/think that.

Answer 2

Blame it on American pop culture if you will. It is the same reason why Americans don't like Soccer (Futbol) or Techno music. We only like something that will sell and won't try anything that won't. It doesn't sell well in America that the Telephone was invented in Canada so we don't print it that way. Some of us are liberated from this way of thinking by living close to the Canadian border. We realize that much of American pop culture is garbage and that not everything you hear on the news is true. Soccer still sucks though, sorry. But on the bright side, my brother is a booking agent for DJ's around the world so I have absolute respect for Techno.

And we don't believe we single handedly won Either World War. We believe we were the piece required for the victory. England would have fallen in the Second without the US supplies prior to the US entry. What isn't written in our history books are the stories of the Polish underground and why Hitler flattened Warsaw because of their actions and bravery. We know of the French Resistance only because we went into France. Same with the Belgians and other groups in their respective countries. But once again, this won't sell textbooks in this country, so it is omitted from the story. You are only as good as your education and life experience allow you to be. Enlightenment cannot come from a single culture.

Answer 3

Many American citizens have taken their relatively comfortable lives for granted. Americans citizens have the spending power, the freedoms, and opportunities that few other have. As a result, some are very proud and boastful. They don't feel the need to look outside their borders because they seem to have everything.

Other the hand, there are many outsiders who want want Americans have enjoyed. There are still people who immigrate to America in hopes of starting a new and better life. Foreigners come to the United States in study and get a degree. I don't understand those who only complain about how bad America is when they are enjoying the benefits of staying there.

Answer 4

The easy answer to this question is it seems that everyone wants to come and or live here. "The Land of Opportunity" One can come here from practically anywhere and make a life for them and ones family. Where else can you get that?

I believe in recent times we've learned to tone down our arrogance (but i could be wrong) I also believe that the world's general perception of us is largely based on govt and TV. Both are controlled by a select few. And don't represent the majority of Americans.

I will be the first to admit that one of the banes of this nation is the arrogance. This country is derived from other parts of this world. Its ludicrous to think you are so far superior to the ones, who in essence, created you.

With me being from New York and now living in Atlanta, I see first hand the local parellel you speak of. The folks here have this negative few of NY and New Yorkers. But at the same time they all want to go and see whats its about. I personally think that's very hypocritical.

I will concede that we may not be the "center of the universe". But I would not want to live anywhere else. Just my humble thoughts and opinions.

Answer 5

Your premise is flawed, and you spelled 'center' incorrectly ;-). First, Americans are not some kind of monolithic group of people any more than any other country's people. It is funny to think that nearly 300 million people could agree on anything. They can't.

That being said, the US has a vast amount of achievements of which we can be proud. This does not keep you or anyone else from being understandably proud of their own contributions to human development.

We, along with all other cultures, stand on the shoulders of giants.

Answer 6

We are not the center of the universe. We dont all think that. You are ignorant if you think otherwise. We never said we single handedly won WWI or WWII, but I should ask, could these wars have been won without our help? Thats what we did, we helped! We didnt do it all, no one ever said we did. We do not lay claim to everything, but we will take credit where credit is due. It's tiring to us Americans to keep answering questions like this. Seriously, get over yourself, because the tone of this question makes it sound as though you think you are better than us, when in reality we are all equals.

Answer 7

There are bad apples in every nation. Your generalization of all Americans is ignorant. Many of us are aware of sacrifices that other countries made during the wars. I have never seen any evidence that Americans lay claim to every innovation or invention. You must have a reason for your hostility, I wonder what it is?

Answer 8

Yes, they also have no clue in politics. They are more concerned with filling up the tanks of their SUVs then the fact that their government have been blindsiding them. Can you believe that many believe that 9/11 was a set up from the government? Amazing! They are the most naive bunch ever, and it makes me sick that I am still here. Get a clue dumb americans!

Answer 9

Well, that`s a good question,
I believe, it happens to people in USA, cause they have everything in their lives, so they don't bother in looking more far away than their own needs, their own happiness, their own borders...
The only day that they did remember they are not alone in this world, was 9-11... and it was really hard... but I sincerely hope they learned something from the disaster...

¡Saludos!!

After I read some answers... I think 9-11 was in vane for them... they don't care. I feel sorry...

Answer 10

How Silly you are! We "ALL" us "AMERICANS" (God love us!)are the inheritance of all "OUR", not just the rest of the worlds,ancestors who did the discovery! We represent the best! We are the heritage, our Great Nation comprised of people who's forefathers did all the discovery! And we together all races, religions strong as one no matter our differences shall rise together to whatever idiotic nation that infringes on our sovereignty and safety and we will continue to work together as a great amalgam of races and peoples [which is what gives us our strength] as any metallurgist could tell you! What is so in metal is so in genetics also, we are stronger for the addition of mixed bloods! And we can work out our own religious differences and right to have them as you can note by our distinctive displays of every religious culture! We are free and D**m proud to be American and the heritage, children and grandchildren, great grandchildren of ALL the famous Educators and Scientists, Philosophers, Clerics,Poets, Actors, Singers, Musicians, Entertainers of every description, Financial entrepreneur's,Women of great courage, intelligence and beauty,Men of heroic valor! And Studly good look'n! We have everything to boast about! We have hard won bragging rights! And we have Allied friends of nations that we love and love us and we will defend as if our own country! So get lost!