why are americans so programmed?

Question

Having lived in America, I was SHOCKED by the level of ignorance from the people. They are all so programmed and know NOTHING about the rest of the world. I was tired of being asked stupid questions about England like "do you have to stand in line for your food" 'Do you have Christmas in England" 'I bet your overwhelmed seeing what we have here" I went all over the country and to my disappointment discovered that people were equally as stupid everywhere.

Answer 1

You are looking for angry answers or posted that just to start trouble, are you bored?

Some people have no sight beyond the end of their nose but not all Americans are so short sighted or self involved.

Don't stereotype us all for a few or even quite a few ignorant people.

The only thing that I am not thrilled about in England is the food. I just didn't like only being able to buy chicken with the heads still attached.

Answer 2

I thought people in Bulgaria are dull.Finally someone brought the question up.I have heard that it's not just America but the whole western civilization.Let me ask you something.You say you are from the UK,Europe right?Well then what can you tell me about my homeland Bulgaria which is also in Europe?Nothing,because you think we are inferior just like Americans think that you are.The problem is that the UK is one of G8 whcih means that is one of the most powerful countries plus you had the biggest empire the world has ever known.Americans are arogant and superficial people.I started talking about the whole wetern world being like this and now I am going to explain why.The world is,to put it simply,devided in to-poor and rich countries.The rich have had their fair share of hard times so that's why now they are developed but the small countries are yet to face them.So what you get is the so called "brain leaking" procces.Life in the small countries is bad so they want to move to the big one but this only happens if you are qualified enough so they try their best to study as hard as posible.In the end they go there and they get a two times bigger salary which is two times less then the average in the curent rich country.This way both sides are happy but the people in the rich countries don't have to do much anymore because they have foreigner doing their dirty jobs and foreign scientists that sell their patents and inventions to them at relativly low prices.Thus leaving the population of the rich countries mentally instimulated.As I said before they have already had their share of dificulties so it's now time to harvest the fruits of those days.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about your experiences with Americans - but all Americans are not like that - not by a long shot. There are many of us that have travelled, are well read, and are conscious of what is occuring in the rest of the world.

In my travels, the ignorance that you describe, can be found everywhere. In many countries, people know about their own country and the images of America- simply because our foreign and economic policies touch so much of the world. But if you ask them about other countries, often people didn't know much about them.

I think it all boils down to what types of information people have access to. Our news and television shows are for the most part about America and by Americans. Even if we copy a show, we Americanize it (think American Idol or Big Brother). So, apart from seeing old British programming and more recent releases on PBS and maybe the BBC, in our everyday lives, we don't see foreign media. And for many Americans, travel abroad is very expensive (we aren't all rich). So, there isn't a lot of exposure unless you dig for it. And, contrary to what people might think, life here can be pretty hard. Lots of people are just struggling to work, take care of their families, and survive. I've seen this in other countries too.

We experience the same thing too. When I travel, people always ask me if I live in a big house, have a fancy car, and am rich - because that is the image of America. I am also black, so they want to know if I know how to sing or rap or if I am from New Orleans (because of the Katrina images). But, I don't take offense at any of it because I know that people are only responding to what they see. It is a bit amusing actually. I see it as an opportunity to educate people about America and also to open up dialog about their country as well.

Answer 4

America is very large geographically. Our neighbor to the north has a culture very similar to our own. We don't travel to countries with different languages, traditions and cultures the way Eurpeans do. We can't go on the Chunnel to hear French spoken and then drive around and hear Italian and German. We are a large, monolithic culture and most of us will not have the opportunity to interact much with other cultures, so we don't make learning about them a high priority. I do think we could tell you as much or more about Mexico as the English.

Answer 5

I've lived in America for the past 34 years. On one level, you are correct in your assumption that Americans tend to be ignorant of the goings-on of the rest of the world. Many Americans are simply concerned with work/home/school(if applicable) family/surviving the current selected government administration. But on another level, there ARE people in other countries, who tend to be as ignorant of the goings on in the rest of the world...and can't seem to see anything but what concerns them for immediate survival and comfort.

So, your question about Americans, could be re-worked to include just about everybody, every where, in every country...who is only concerned with the immediate condition of what matters to their daily life/survival.

Answer 6

The majority of people just don't really seem to care to learn the facts about other places. We're not programmed, per say, as just that we can be lazy, or just don't really care. Still, there's no excuse for the kinds of questions you were asked (most of those are common sense), but you've really got to dig down to find those of us that aren't completely ignorant.

Answer 7

it is their way to earn their living , the have to pay to the banks every month what they purchasing from the super markets , more over elec& telephne and house bills..... and so on , so they are programed to get up early to go to work every day and return back late exehousted & tired after a very tough day to watch TV for some times and sleep to face the next day .

Answer 8

I guess there are no stupid questions asked in England, huh?Ignorance is bliss. Stay on your high horse. You may want to quit looking south at his *** though, he is going in the other direction.

Answer 9

I do not think they are "collectively" programmed by anyone/group. My guess is that they are just too preoccupied by their own affairs and what-have-yous, so they are sometimes lacking in the world events/general information department.
Nonetheless, their questions are just that. They may be so frank and candid that they utter the first thought that comes to mind.

Answer 10

80% of Americans are Xians. That should explain a lot! Of course I know that a great many English are Christian, too, but American Xians are very different from those in Europe. You have no one, I think, quite like our Rev. Phelps who is very representative of the American breed.