Do you think Americans are becoming more rude (II)?

Question

I posted this same question before, but I feel I didn't get enough answers.

It just seems to me lately that, as a whole, Americans have become the rudest people of any developed nation.

I live overseas (Japan), and I don't know if it's the economic position of their country, their military power, or just their culture; but almost every American I see is really crass and rude.

For example, they expect everyone to speak English regardless of wherever they happen to be at the time. They also seem to excell at ignoring any local etiquette (I understand not knowing foreign customs). But they don't even observe common courtesy, such as waiting for all passengers to exit a train or elevator before boarding.

I just was wondering if anyone else has noticed this.
What are your thoughts?

Alright. I worded the question wrong....."Do you think Americans, by the large, are becoming more rude?"
Sorry everyone. It was never my intention to generalize the whole of the American population.

Answer 1

I understand what you are saying completely. And of course, by large numbers, not every American is stereotypically rude or inconsiderate, but there is a growing number of people who seem to be particularly rude or disrespectful.
Bear with me:
American people are changing and so is America, in leaps and bounds. America has changed more in the last 150 years than many countries have in their entire existence! We are a powerful nation who embraces the idea of "moving up." Better jobs, better educations, better cars, better homes are all part of this "American Dream" idea - moving up to become the best that we can be.
With this comes the phasing out traditional notions. Gone are the days women staying home as housewives, or sticking with the same job for one's entire life, or the obligation to work in the same career field as your parents or family. Many countries still embrace these "values" (so to speak), while America embraces the shedding off of traditionalism and the creating of one's own rules. We in this country, unlike many others have the right to say "I am American, I am free to be who I want to be, do what I want to do and create whatever lifestyle I choose."
This is a wonderful thing, however, it is a potent mentality that often permeates our entire way of thinking as we push to the side traditional courtesies - some unnecessary in our time, others remain vital in all ages. As traditionalism is swept under the rug, so are many of our "laws of etiquette" that often seem "old fashioned" and "out of date" in our ever changing culture. Where etiquette was once studied in schools by every American child, it has now become something of a bit scarcer availability, as people resort to instinct, observation, and the opinions of others for what is "acceptable."
Our culture also has a strong belief in individualism and the self respect, both good things in themselves, but can often go over the top into demanding respect from all people no matter who or what, not caring what other people think, and deeming yourself as higher than others.
Many also have the idea that if someone wrongs you, you are being "weak" or "letting people walk all over you" if you don't stick it to them. It seems almost passe to "turn the other cheek" or avoid rudeness through kindness, or to merely "brush off the dust" and walk away from it - we often feel we need justice over the situation lest we lose control in our own lives.
I however, am a traditionalist, and disagree with the notion of abandoning decades of tried and true values, but again, I am an American and can pick and choose my lifestyle.

Answer 2

I live in America and I actually agree with you. Americans are forgetting the manners, morals, and ideals that America was originally founded upon. More and more people here only care about themselves and it would appear that many people in other contries are beginning to see that now. I am planning to move to Japan one day. I just hope that I can master the language and learn the customes well enough that I am not viewed as a rude american by everyone there.

HOWEVER, it is not wise to generelize too much. While many americans are rude, selfish, and don't realize how morally and ethically wrong they are, there are many still who are good and try to better america in any way they can.

So yes, I think many americans are very rude and selfish. But there are good people in all parts of the world. Whether it be America, Japan, or Iraq. Be carefull not to make blanket judgements or you will be the one who is viewed as rude. ^-^

Answer 3

i think alot of people are rude, i am an American and I'm not rude i am very considerate and well educated ,its a sad thing to me to see Americans rave on and on about how interesting and wonderful Great Britain is and how much they would love to visit so many different countries while the British are talking about how rude Americans are or how stupid we are, it seems to me that the British are the arrogant ones. i never hear Americans slamming Europeans they always talk about how great Europe is. you should understand that the people you have encountered overseas are Americans who can afford to travel like that, rich people (at least rich Americans) tend to be very self involved and look down on everyone else or at least don't give much mind to anyone else, a typical middle class American would probably act much different were they to have the opportunity to visit another country. i wish you all would quit talking so much trash and use your brain. should i judge the British according to there TV shows ? we have a few here from the BBC, oh and there's that guy on American idol, is he a good representative? if i were to go by what I've personally seen i can honestly say my opinion of the British would be that they are arrogant self centered materialistic, ugly ,inbred and in need of some serious dental work. (-: i however am a bit more intelligent then that and i give you all the benefit of the doubt by thinking instead (I'm sure there not all that way, media and tourism tends to show up the worst of all nations)

Answer 4

This is not a stupid question...you should know the answer! I believe you are refering to the "N word," which is a word used in an derogatory manner towards black people (or dark skinned people). It began around 1619, when slavery first began. The white people in the New World would have used Native Americans as slaves, but they killed them with guns and disease. They needed somebody to enslave, and they started capturing Africans...mostly from West Africa. The white people had to feel that enslaving other people was okay and a good thing, so they started saying (and believing heavily) things like the africans were animals, stupid, dirty, ugly, incapable of learning, and only good for slavery. The term "N..." was a term that is from the Spanish word *****, which means "black." It has always been seen as a nasty word used to humiliate blacks. It is still a nasty word to this day.

Answer 5

I found some Americans to be down right rude.
Over the last eleven years i visited frequently,
to see family members,and was shocked by some of the comments made.
In the company of a lot of people, I was refered
to as,she and her by those standing beside me, even though they knew my name!
And if I made a mistake about something, like
with money, I would get "oh it's not a problem"
but the tone of their voice told me they were
irritated with me.

Answer 6

I don't think you can generalise a whole population of a nation like saying things like 'Americans are rude'. In every nation you get rude people however I can understand why you feel the way you do towards Americans, but try not to generalise.

Answer 7

F.F,S

I`ve been to Seattle / New York / Philly.

and to be quite honest i found The Americans i saw there amoung the most mind-boggeling polite people i ever met.

Has ANYONE in London said excuese me when merely walking past you on the street???they do in Seattle.

Answer 8

Huh...speaking for myself and my ilk, what many consider rude is merely a disregard for hollow tradition. I have my own forms of etiquette, Ive been schooled in others but think they are crap. Dont like it? Dont hang out about me. But dont ever expect respect until you've earned it. I dont.

Answer 9

Yup they're rude, getting ruder and oblivious to it as well. They take no notice of other people and don't even try to fit in.

Answer 10

Pulling out the old book of stereotypes eh? Gotta love 'em.

What else are us dastardly Americans? Fat, loud, uncultured, unsophisticated, etc, etc, etc, etc.....

C'mon, there's about a million more of 'em. You can do better than that.