Why are Americans sterotyped for being rude and arrogant?

Question

As an Englishman who's friend just returned home from a trip to America, I have heard nothing but how nice and polite they are compared to Brits.

Answer 1

The wealthy Americans that travel abroad are mostly rude and arrogant. It is not an accurate representation of our country.

Answer 2

Thank you for the nice comment about Americans. My Czech friends here in Prague tell me that Americans are indisputably nice, polite, and generous.

On the flip side of the coin, we are also a little slow-witted, monolingual, and dismissive of other cultures, searching out McDonalds and Fridays restaurants instead of trying local cuisine.

Americans are stereotyped as being rude and arrogant because back in the 1950's-1970's, the dollar was strong, and a lot of uncultured Americans traveled overseas with a bad attitude. They expected people to speak perfect English, demanded quick service everywhere, and did not consider the feelings of the people whose country they were visiting.

This was also the time period where Americans got the reputation of dressing themselves terribly. Especially in the 1970s, men would wear garish plaid pants. It was embarrassing to see fellow Americans sometimes.

Europeans generally consider Americans to be good people, and the word that best describes them is generous. We tip far more than Germans or anyone else. We are also kinder to the less fortunate. An American will give a bum some change while other nationalities simply sneer at the less fortunate.

Answer 3

When I was in England I didn't run into anyone that wasn't polite and helpful.
In Pennzance I needed directions. I went into a store and the man actually left his store to walk me to the corner and directed me from there.
I think for the most part people are helpful and friendly in both countries. I don't know why people are so quick to sterotype a whole country.

Answer 4

Americans as a rule are the most giving and caring people on this planet...and the most maligned. Americans are some of the hardest working people on this planet and the most inventive. An American will give you the shirt off his back to help you. First country to come to the aid of another in a disaster is the US. And we do it with no strings attached. Can't say that for most of the rest of the world can we? And yet we Americans are hated around the globe. Go figure.

Answer 5

Generally they assume by our president: although i support the commander in chief, most of the world does not and the general assumption is that we are all fighting for nothing in Iraq and that the US has become the world's policeman.

Dear world,
Whether u like it or not the US is the most help the world is gonna get for alot of major conflicts. Those of you that are in a grudge with America, start reading about what good it is doing with AIDS and other issues. The US has helped many countries gain independence and freed several from dictatorships and totalitarian rule. Those who are anti-America, realize that the war in Iraq is just an extended liberation of the people of the country, and that strong democracies are not born in 5 years.
-pretsler

Also evilindependant or w/e your name is above me: im from a rather wealthy family myself and ive been to Europe 3 times, i dont consider myself to be mean nor do my friends. Id appreciate you not make this assumption.

Answer 6

..I have heard from Brit acquaintances that our sense of Nationalism is in hyper-drive..

I think we give the impression that we are drunk with power
and have to intercede in issues we should not.

I would think that anyone who is a Brit would know historically
in relation to the Crown's Imperialist ideals and could help with the message:

that we are not out to conquer the world..that America has
enough of a domain within our own borders.

Answer 7

Does your friend happen to be the infamous Sidney Vicious?

I visited London a few years ago, and I have to say the Brits were kind as well.

France. That's another story.

Answer 8

Because old sport, americans only become rude and arrogant when they travel. It's sort of a 'Jeckyll and Hyde' type thing, don't you know. Once they get home to familiar surroundings, they calm down just like a gaggle of nesting geese.

Answer 9

Its just goes along with the rest of insults heaped upon Americans. I as a Texan, consider myself as Friendly.

Answer 10

Americans will go out of their way to help you, especially if you're a visitor from another country. I don't know the answer to your question, but it do know that such a reputation is unwarranted.