Do you hate all Americans? Why?

Question

This question is for those of you who like to make those all encompassing statements. You know what I'm talking about, statements such as, "All Americans are stupid," or "Those Americans all love their guns." Why do you insist on broadly implicating 300 million United States citizens? Don't you realize how diverse the United States really is? Do you know how broad the range of political thought is? I really don't have a problem with people who disagree with the policies of our government, and I understand people may not care for certain aspects of our culture, but I do take issue with those of you who wholly dismiss my country as a collection of 300 million simpletons. For those of you with this mindset, can you please tell me why you feel this way? Before you answer, remember I'm not gearing this question to those of you who have an issue with our foreign policy (because a lot of Americans do too), but instead to those who seem to think there isn't a single good American.

Hanggdog, I'm referring to some of the statements made here on Y!A.

Skeptic - Should you be hated just because you're from the US? My issue is with people who hate blindly. We don't all agree with what is going on (you being a prime example), so I guess a get a little dismayed when we are all collectively lumped into one warmongering category.

Answer 1

I often criticise America and Australia(my own country), that does NOT mean I hate Americans. I love Colbert and Sean Penn for example. If you don't criticise (I am talking critical thinking not nasty unbased comments) then we will never progress. Would you like to be static for the next 100 years, just to make everyone think...aren't we just the best country.

I travel a LOT overseas and I can tell you I think people from the US (and Australia and other countries) saying things like ..we are the best country in the world.........is just stupid and ignorant. When you travel you see the benefits and problems with a huge number of cultures around the world, claiming best status,,,,,,just sounds cheap. If we love our countries we will do everything we can to improve them.

I am ashamed about our leader of Australia, he does not represent my views at all, and I am glad his popularity is at an all time low!

Our job though, is when you see statements like this, assure people that you don't see the world this way. Nothing to be upset about.

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Answer 2

I don't think there are people who make those statements you claim- Faux News may claim there are, but I travel overseas quite often for business, and pretty much everyone likes Americans. I've heard some questions of curiousity about our perceived affection for guns and such, but people understand that it's not everyone and there is no broad brush (like we tend to paint other countries with). Some may view us as ethnocentric, but as they say, ignorance is not the same as stupidity- they may perceive us as unuaware of other cultures (in general), but certainly not as stupid or simpletons.

Pretty much by and large these days, though, most people outside our country wonder how the he** we let a numbnuts like Bush in charge, though (don't shoot the messenger, I'm just relating what I hear).

Answer 3

Those of us around the world, do not hate or believe you guys are stupid, we just wonder how are you surviving living in a fascist regime? We just don't like your president! You have such a simpleton for a leader, who doesnt even listen to what his own people want, making the rest of you look stupid. Making a mockery of your Constitution at the same time!When you guys finally vote him out of office, and stop calling french fries, freedom fries, then we'll all be friends again :)

Answer 4

I have a friend who is from mexico and works still in mexico and i asked him the same question a couple weeks ago his opinion on us Amercians. He said that they just get tired. We tend to make joke and try to make people comfortable but we forget that a whole bunch of Americans have been there before and had made the same jokes over and over again. This gives the impression that all americans are the same then we see people not being wise or doing something stupid and it gives the impression that since we are all the same that we are all stupid or all jerks. which is completely not true.

Answer 5

Why do you think it is hatred? If one says that Jews are crafty, the ADF raises its voice with a "Anti-semitic" accusation. Where's the insult if one says jews are crafty? They are smart.

Same, where's the hatred if one says that Americans are stupid? First, it's not true that all Americans are stupid, many are, but not all. In percentage, the number is the same as in any other country. The problem arises when these stupids are given positions of power and control over weapons of mass destruction. And if stupid criminals are voted into power, what were the voters thinking about, when they voted?

Answer 6

No one hates Americans. We and in particular I love Americans too. What is wrong with people is those who don't like American policy of political policing while criticizing government forget that Americans, their society is different from government. There are Americans large in number who don't like such policy because by spending huge money Americans are deprived of their right of betterment. No one hate Americans my dear friend. Every house has its own.skeleton.

Answer 7

You are right, people should stop judging one group as if they are the whole nation, just like the arabs shouldn't all be judged as bad and terrorists.

See again the media plays a role here, some of the media just show one sides opinion as if it's for all, which creates conflicts between the countries and that way , there will alllllllllways be news.

Answer 8

Don’t waste your time trying to extract logic from these people. Apparently gratification for liberating the whole of Europe twice and the Pacific Rim is only good for a week after you leave. These people fail to realize that even at the USA’s most reprehensible, it pales in comparison to the acts and history of other countries.

Answer 9

Well, there was this movie, very old one, "Gentlemen' agreement", and it was about the discrimination of the Jews. The idea was that if you don't clearly state your disagreement with some thing you consider bad, and don't try to fight it, you become just as the others, who do this "bad thing".
You don't like the politics of your government, you fight it open and strong.Otherwise you become a supporter of all these atrocities

Answer 10

Dude, you are making assumptions based on certain things you've seen or experienced maybe. Americans are the nicest people on earth and American is great. There are so many opportunities here and its very prosperous. I love this country and proud to be an American...