What do you like and dislike about Americans and the United States?

Question

Just Curious.

Answer 1

I dislike how some Americans always interupt people and expect answers and help, never request information, demand it. I also hate when some Americans act like America is the best country in the world, but a majority of those saying these statements have never travelled or experienced different lifestyles and cultures. Having lived in America some years ago I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, I thought the education system was very good, I enjoyed the polite manner people have in dealing with each other in shops etc and I loved the food and shopping! I think the problem is some Americans give the rest of Americans a bad name.

Answer 2

This isn't a response to the question but a response to some of the answers.

I am not understanding how some of you are saying that all Americans are ignorant. When you say something like that, you are ignorant. Not every American is the same. Like what someone said, that one guy asked a question "Name three European cities". It was probably staged like that to give a wrong answer(s), but if it wasn't of course they'll broadcast the uneducated persons answer. If they answer correctly then none of you would give a ****. You see the uneducated people because thats what makes the news. You go around assuming everyone is like that, which is false and ignorant on your part.

Of course there is a lack of culture. I don't want to say its a melting pot but it essentially is. Through immigration, the US has developed a mixed culture background so instead of having one, it contains many in a given area. You can go from the southwestern United States to the east coast and see a vast difference between architecture, music, clothing, the people, way of life, value of life, etc.

I can't argue against the education system. There needs to be an improvement.

We have the same sports as any nation does, except for the fact that one such as cricket or soccer (football) isn't as popular as, say, basketball or football (American football). The thing is, what you see now is an unfortnate result of poor officiating and stupid rules (especially in basketball) that if you look at an official wrong its a technical, if you brush up against another player, its a foul. If you interfere in a pass in a football game, its a penalty for some reason (isn't that what you're trying to do?). The games themselves are great, its the stupid officiating. The TV programs are the same everywhere else. There are the stupid ones and the good ones. Again, that just goes to backward ignorance.

If you're going to scrape a country out of existence, then that is illegal too. The UN imposed the country, so you're saying the UN is illegal. Unless of course I got that part wrong which I'm willing to admit, but that doesn't mean I'm ignorant. How can you possibly think that scrapping a country is legal? That is beyond me.

No one can argue over corporate America. Many of us Americans seem to have become dependent on Walmart or others like that and can't get away from it (I don't shop there). Many corporations are indeed corupt, but how exactly is that just an American thing?

...Separation of Church and State. While the US does get most of its laws and the Constitution may be based on Christian values, there is no or not much of Christian fundamentalism. What you see when you hear about the Ten Commandments being taken out of a court building or something is going back to the Separation of Church and State (unless you're talking about something else).

No one, again, can argue against institutional racism. But I ask again to tell me how that is just an American thing? Same goes for the hospital system. For example, look at the French hospital system and get back to me. We do, in fact, take care of our own. Its called the welfare system. Many...MANY...take advantage of it. Unless you're talking about the rich taking care of the poor, which rarely happens. But, again, how is that just an American thing?

And no one can argue against the bully factor. It is what it is, that is why we can vote the people in charge out of office. And by the way, the American people don't actually vote them in, the Electoral College does. If all the Americans wanted was John Kerry, the Electoral College could still vote Bush in. Same goes for primaries. So to think that Americans wanted either Bush or Kerry is insane.

Again, not every American has an "overinflated self of importance". The government might, and unfortunatley the government represents the people. But sit back and think, 'does every American think this way?'. I can't contemplate that every North Korean wants to attack the US, or every Mexican wants to go to the US for more money. Because not everyone does what a few people do. That is another case of ignorance on your part.

People have a right to be patriotic. I'm sorry if you aren't patriotic about your own country.

The US seems to pick and choose which third world countries they (the government) wants to assist. I can't argue against that. I don't see every first world country divying up the countries and going on assistance spree. While the US may not give as much as someone would like, it still gives a lot.

The US had a major part in both World Wars. It is my opinion that eventually the allies would have won, but it would have taken a lot longer. The US was also giving (lend lease) supplies to the allies. So to think that they had no part, or didn't wind up becoming an important part, of the World Wars is just sheer denial.

Answer 3

I like the fact that because of America , Europe isn`t speaking German , the Pacific Realm isn`t speaking Japanese , The Berlin Wall is gone , Eastern European countries that were under the iron hand of Communist Soviet Union are free today and have their freedom and independence !!! Substitute this question with " What do you like & dislike about France , Germany , Italy , Spain , China , Russia , North Korea , Mexico , and in general , any other country in the world besides the USA !! For all here who have a grudge against America , have your country insist that they stop taking foriegn aid money from USA .

Answer 4

Woah. I think that's just too broad of a topic to be covered by this forum. My list for both columns would be very long. But I will give you the top couple off the top of my head. I am American.

Americans
likes:
Industrious, good work ethic, fair-minded, have mostly embraced the ideals of equality.
dislikes:
Arrogant, condescending, and largely uninformed about the world outside their country. Holdovers of puritanical attitudes, obsession with sexual guilt and repression.

United States
likes:
Strong economy fueled by free enterprise. Still a land of opportunity. Inclusive of many peoples and cultures. Have corrected many wrongs of the past by embracing principles of equality and free speech.
dislikes:
Election schema has fostered a two-party system with no real commitment on any issue. Excessive executive authority grab in recent years. Overly eager to use military force. Overly eager to meddle in the politics of countries that have resources we desire.

Answer 5

I like america a lot.Been lucky enough to travel all over it(new york,florida,grand canyon,vegas etc).i have family there as well situated all over the place and their great.Where ever ive been ive had fantastic service and been made to feel really welcome.What im not keen on is their goverment.It must be one of the most corrupt organisations on this planet and also,there was an american chap on here last night(fat bob),asking a question about 'americans leading the way' and all that nonense.So i want very keen on him.

Answer 6

I hate how fat human beings have become. i grow to be watching the Maury Povitch teach right this moment and that i almost went into cardiac arrest after what i observed.there grow to be a 2 year old youngster that grow to be the dimensions of a Blue ******* whale ! i understand that the Maury teach isn't representative of the entire inhabitants yet iv'e been to the States my self, and boy, they're fat. I advise u have human beings loss of existence in Africa mutually as those fat bastards proceed to exist a weight loss software of Hamburgers and "fries" !

Answer 7

The entertainment. Cinema, amusement parks.. everything is based around escaping reality. It can be a little much at times, but still quite fun.

Answer 8

I like everything about Americans except for the fact that the better off ones never seem to realise how many very badly off ones there are.

Answer 9

DISLIKE:
1. the lack of culture.
2. the poor education system that contributes to the high levels of ignorance in the states.
3. disregard of the well being of third world countries.(p.s americans go on about how much aid they give when the fact is the per gdp per head of poulation it actually gives the least amount per person in the developed world , belgium is the highest.)
4.its instituional racism.
5. it constant bullying politically , economically and milititantly.
6. mindless patriotic flag waving creeps (patriotism is an act of the vicious - oscar wilde).
7.christian fundementalism.
8.corporate entities that are corrupt and value money over life.
9.americans dont even take care of their own, especially when you look at the state of their hospital system with regards to insurance.
10. europe is the hight of civilisation , culture and socialist values that take care of its citizens, america couldnt give a sh*t.
11.george bush one of the most moronic and dangerous men in the world, whom was elected twice.
12. its overinflated sense of importance.
13. its connections and constant support of israel (an illegal , fascist state that should be scrapped).
14. I hate americas infantile tv programmes and silly litle sports.

LIKE:

1. hollywood films.

Answer 10

I like the land, the diversity, technology, and the resources. I dislike the materialistic, the self-centered, the anorexics, and the gluttons.