Should Americans care that people in other countries dislike us?

Question

I know not everyone does but I am talking people like this guy.
He does have a point. The question is should we care? Because I gotta tell you,I dont.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Avo_230WJlWZieqmhfqx4xDsy6IX?qid=20070521131058AAHeoNk&show=7#profile-info-HoIN7m52aa

I have been to Europe, Germany and France, and I prefer the good all U.SA.

Answer 1

no, i think we should stop giving aid to all the countries that hate us

Answer 2

Sometimes it is a fine line between admiring something/one and resenting them. Basically I think it's fair to say that a lot of Americans are ignorant, shallow and stupid.

It's still a reasonably young country (only about 330 years since its independence and only just over 500 years since its discovery). But during this time it has become immensly powerful, and rich.

Most people you ask would probably love to go and live in the U.S because it has everything you'd want from a materialistic viewpoint. This is what creates the jealousy and resentment.

Another thing that annoys people is the fact that the U.S makes such bold and admirable claims e.g (land of the free, home of the brave. & bring me your huddled masses etc.) But to actually become a citizen involves so many beurocratic measures that it's virtually impossible.

Finally, it can be somewhat annoying to observe some of the ways in which the U.S trys to control and force their values on the rest of the world. And it is kind of hypocritical when the U.S with all its perfect citizens believes itself to be blessed by God (in God we trust) and to have such a devine right to a country that by nature does not actually belong to them, it was simply stolen from it's natives, who were cruelly massacred when europeans invaded the 'new world'. It's funny how the cowboys are always the heroes in 'hollywood' films

Answer 3

My wife and I have been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world, including several Muslim countries, all over Asia, including a few trips into China, Europe and all of So. America and have never experienced one on one hate from the people.

We make it a habit to always visit the worst parts of places that we go to before seeing the best. We've seen the most hideous and filthiest parts of the world but........the people there are just as decent and pleasant as the aristocrats.

All that any of us can do, as citizens of the USA that visit other countries is to be respectful of them, their cultures and never try to characterize ourselves as being better. You get back what you give.

To that extent, yes, we should care enough to not create a reason for others to hate us. Aside from that, it's my opinion that there's not too much we can do to alter world opinion about our international affairs, vis a vis, Iraq, etc., except at the ballot box.

It's also my opinion that our media has grossly overexaggerated the issue.

Answer 4

I think how others perceive is is important because an outsiders perspective may give one insight into issues that may otherwise be overlooked. Your average American may be oblivious to not only how others perceive us, but about the basic functioning of our government. It seems that it is only when people feel marginalized or oppressed by their government that they become aware of its power over them. Things up until recently have been pretty cushy around here. But with the price of gas rising, for example, many people are starting to wonder what the hell is really going on and why did we enter this war in the first place. Pretty soon, when conditions regarding civil liberties etc in this country start mirroring what has and is going on in other countries, maybe then how others perceive us, as well as how others experience our indulgences as factors that contribute to their oppression, may become more relevant to all of us Americans.

Answer 5

I know most of you are young people, and that's ok :) but here's something to think about.

"Should we care?" is logically equivalent to "is this something worth considering?". If you make America and Americans the subject, then the idea that some people in other countries don't like the subject is worth considering, mainly because they might transform their dislike into actions. That's why our governments have diplomats...to present the best opportunity for international relations so that people from different countries don't suffer because of a few dissenters.

Should you care? Yes. To the extent that we're all potential diplomats on our own behalf and that of our country. Besides, not caring is a passive stance. Passivity has little effect on antagonists. I'm not saying "the best offfence is a good defense" but please....care!

Answer 6

Nope, he is a conceited little prick who has obviously forgotten a lot of his own country's history and I for one don't give a crap what people like him think.

Do I think that America has earned a less than desirable reputation abroad of course! I am a political science major and have taken many international relations courses and while there is a negative view held by some of our country I still wouldn't trade it for any other country in the world.

Answer 7

You´ll know the answer to that question when you visit one of those "other" countries. America has created more foes than friends over the last decades. Think about Guantnamo, Irak, Afganistan, Middle East, China, France, Iran, Venezuella .....

People in those other countries have even started to think that the U.S. is unable to take care of its own people. Think of New Orleans.

The World´s getting smaller.

Answer 8

Bigotry comes in many ways,

A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

The origin of the word bigot in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of "religious hypocrite", especially a woman. Bigot is often used as a pejorative* term against a person who is obstinately devoted to prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false.

Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views.

*Pejorative
A word or phrase is pejorative if it implies contempt or disapproval. The adjective pejorative is synonymous with derogatory, derisive, and dyslogistic. Language writer Steven Pinker has called this process "the euphemism treadmill".

please do not judge any one this way

Answer 9

I couldn't care less what other people in other countries think of Americans. The fact remains that millions of people flock to the USA every year in search of jobs, education, and a better way of life.

That includes snobby, self righteous, Brits who complain about Americans all the time. Yet lately, everywhere I turn I'm meeting recent immigrants from the British Isles who suddenly find themselves "across the pond" and living here among their "lower class" American cousins looking for work. That includes the folks who live behind me who have a son in the same class in the local elementary school as my son.

Tell your British buddy who can't spell, or write coherently that that he shouldn't be the one to talk up the positive attributes of the British as he hasn't displayed anything positive in his question. Also, he does not portray himself as being very bright, either.

Answer 10

well this is exactly the type of question and attitude that makes people dislike Americans...small minded bigots who only care for themselves and do not see the bigger picture in life an dafter reading some of the answers here it is not helping other peoples opinion of you.
You are not the Great Country that you think...remember what goes around comes around...The Greeks thought they were the greatest as did the Romans and many other civilisations also thought they would be here forever and "rule" the world so if your education system is that great read about some of the past and learn...history is a teacher learn by other peoples mistakes...also a little humility goes along way ..so does admitting when you might be wrong... I speak from experience I lived in KY for 4 years and your education system is not that good ...ask any student who comes to a Europen University ..they have to learn very quickly about the blatant propaganda you are taught in your schools that America is the greatest nation on earth is not quite what they were led to beleive

Answer 11

You should care because they are vital to the survival of our planet. They share global power with us on the UN council. Nobody likes powerful ignorant people..and the US unfortunately fits both those categories. Don't get me wrong, I bleed red white and blue and a lot of the time our foreign policies are good. But the government can't do it alone. Ignorant travelers just just the USA a bad name.