American's Don't Understand Others??

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070718/sc_livescience/studyamericansdontunderstandothers

Does this not apply to other countries as well? Isn't this one of the main reasons why there are kids running around in Iraq and Afghanistan with bombs strapped to their chests trying to kill American troops? Because THEY do not understand US?This goes both ways. Of course we have our propaganda (i.e. every single news channel). But they too have al-Jazeera, some of their elders telling them how the United States is evil, al-Qeada and the Taliban literally showing them how to kill American Soldiers effectively because they don't deserve to live. Is THIS not a sign of ignorance on there part as well? How do you guys feel about this?

Leon the African: If we were ruled by a dictator who killed well over 500,000 of his own people, while raping the women, then I would absolutely welcome Australia to help. And so did the Iraqi's, until al-Qeada started spreading their propaganda.

Mr. Taco: Posting an article on yahoo answers and asking for opinions is hardly over reacting. And I interpreted it exactly how the person wanted it to be interpreted. If they wanted it to have the impact you stated, then they wouldn't have labeled it on there main webpage "American's Don't Understand Others".

World Peace Now: I agree with you. I believe that EVERYONE should be allowed to understand other cultures and their religions/beliefs/practices. Singling out America is where it threw me off.

Blue Bee: So by ousting their dictator who was killing them off with his security forces, and then helping them fight off terrorists who are killing them moreso than us, as while trying to help them form a government so we can get the hell out of there...your saying they don't need to understand us because we're on their land??? YEA....right.

Answer 1

Americans are expected to conform to local customs when in Muslim countries. When deployed to these areas, you find yourself constantly monitoring your body language, etc. so as to not offend.

Tolerance is demanded from us, but it is never reciprocated.

Answer 2

I think this is much more complicated than can be truly addressed in this forum.

Firstly, I think that it is true that Americans don't bother to travel much, or really reach out to understand different cultures. I think partly because we're so big geographically. Where in the US, visiting say 4 or 5 states would be the equivalent travel to visiting 6-7 different countries in Europe all with different governments, cultures, currency, etc. Also, our education doesn't focus really on other cultures or too much on US foreign policy and how our governments actions affect other nations, their cultures and their views of Americans. Hell, most Americans don't even speak a second language!

Secondly, when you speak of Iraqi's as above "Because THEY do not understand US?" well its not really there job to understand us in this situation is it? We're occupying THEIR country, and we don't seem to have a very good understanding of their culture, their religion, what is important to them. Thats a pretty bad state when you're standing on their land telling them what is best for them. We may be right in OUR eyes, but obviously to them that isn't the case. Can you imagine if another countries army came over here, didn't bother to really understand your culture, then just started telling you what you needed and wanted?

I'm not saying I think strapping a bomb to your chest and blowing up soldiers is a good way of getting your point across, but I am saying the fact that we can't even fathom strapping a bomb to our chest for the sake of martyrdom is exactly my point. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND what makes them tick. And thats a problem since we're over there trying to get them to tic

EDIT: Yeah, I do. Why, when we're the occupying force in their country do you think they should need to have an understanding of our culture? And while you may smugly believe that we do in fact know what is best for them, maybe you should do a little more research. Our lack of understanding of their culture - what is truly important to them is what got us into this never-ending mess. When it came to rebuilding, we imported our own contractors, meanwhile their even 4 years after we declared victory, unemployment rates have risen to well above pre-war levels. Reliable electricity, water, fuel, the basic essentials that we take for granted have also still not been restored to pre-war levels. Why should they be happy with us?

Answer 3

Read it again. The people who did the study themselves admit it is a gross oversimplification. The point is not that Americans don't understand others. The point is that strong individualism can cause a lack of empathy and understanding, resulting in less of an ability to see different points of view. The study ALSO says that there ARE collective groups and individuals in our society that DO understand others fine. It is a statistical study, and really does not apply to all the scenarios you are showing. It is NOT like the study said that Muslim extremists and the Taliban understand people better than we do. You are misinterpreting the evidence and over-reacting.

Answer 4

The future of the world is dependent on the education of our children, and their children. Tollerance and respect for others and their beliefs are what's needed to be taught. This is a monumental task and could take years and years, but we have to start now. Let the religious leaders of the world have a summit and see if they can truly act like People of "God".

Answer 5

They understand us. They don't have to actually because we are in their territory. We want their oil. They want our money. But they do not want our culture impacting theirs and it is.
Our values, beliefs, and perceptions are not the same as ours. But yet we are over there trying to change them into a democracy when their commitment is to their families then their communities and lastly the government. Shame on us for not respecting their beliefs.

Answer 6

i totally agree with you. i dont get it. we are telling americans that iraq and iran are evil and they are turning around and telling others that w are evil. i dont see the point.

Answer 7

only god knows why!who did something wrong will face the evil after life ,,

Answer 8

your statement is not true, not at all. i remind you that iraki people are in a situation of invaded people and american soldiers are perceived as invaders in their country.
i'm sure u would act the same if USA were occuped by australians. if u have a minimum of dignity, u would never accept your country being in such sad situation.