Is my dad stupid?

Question

I would like to Japan or paris one day and my dads like NooOOO!!!OO! they hate americans they will kill you im like dad shut up you never been there....he thinks he know every thing.....is it true do they hate americans? :((

Answer 1

Many hate American policies but rarely do they hate a person. When I have travelled, I do have to answer to US policies given in an accusatory tone. Like I had anything to do with the policies and even I am clearly anti-Bush. I have never had any trouble travelling abroad because I'm from the US.

Answer 2

Yeah, sorry to say, but your dad is incredibly ignorant and clearly hasn't been out of the country much himself. (But don't tell him he's stupid!)

Americans are generally received very well in Japan--as long as the Americans aren't obnoxious and culturally rude. Yet, culturally, Japanese will never tell you you're being obnoxious. If you're a tourist, you will have a great time and find people very welcoming and helpful. Many people can help with English, too. About Paris, I can't speak from personal experience as I can about Japan, but according to friends and family who have traveled there or lived there, Parisians are more likely to not tolerate rude, obnoxious Americans. However, if you are polite, culturally sensitive, and make an effort to use a little bit of French, it will go a long way and you'll have a wonderful time. Get some reading material for your dad or better yet, rent some GlobeTrekker DVDs (blockbuster.com or netflix has them) on Japanese cities and Paris and ask him to watch them with you. It may do wonders without you having to get in trouble for calling dear ole dad 'stupid'! :)

Answer 3

The Japanese won't kill you. Japan is a huge tourist spot, as well as a country of business and technology. Their society is very respectful from what I can see. I've never been there, but I know people from there and know people who have visited. Paris is a fairly well to do country, i don't think they slaughter American's much. You may want to stay out of war torn or corrupt, or 3rd world countries. Paris and Japan are none of those... That said, I don't think your dad is stupid at all, he's just very worried about his child travelling to other places around the world. I'd be too.

Answer 4

Honestly, it's a tough question to answer...

The last couple of times I've traveled (young American Female... alone mind you) I've had NO problems whatsoever. Most people were excited to speak to an American and had tons of questions for me. I am more scared of walking with a friend at night in Los Angeles (mugged at gun point once) than I am of traveling to foreign countries all by myself.

However, your father does have a bit of a point about people "hating" Americans, at least right now. In recent years (since Bush was put into office and went to war with Iraq specifically) the rest of the world isn't as enthralled with America as they used to be. Since we are almost completely ignoring the Global Warming issue and breaking UN agreements when we decide to go to war... we are viewed more and more as "Stupid Americans". We don't value our education system, our health care is a laughing stock, and our government.... well, I think I already covered that.

For the most part, I think your Dad is being protective of you. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. Why don't you have a conversation with him about what it would take for him to be comfortable with the idea of you traveling to one of these places? For example, do you speak French or Japanese? Have you ever taken a self defense class? Maybe if you invest some time and effort into this, he will take you more seriously. Why would he let his child travel to a foreign country when you don't speak the language even a little? How would you tell the police what happened if you were robbed, how would you even FIND the police? How would you survive an attack if it happened? These are real dangers no matter where you go.

Take a little initiative, do some research, and start making plans. See what places have the lowest crime rates in France and Japan... Buy yourself a dictionary in that language and maybe enroll yourself in a language class too. Once he sees that you're serious, he might open up to it. Why don't you see if he'll travel with you? Maybe he would like to see the Eifel tower too... and he's probably more likely to let you go if he's there to protect you.

And as far as the French go, they hate anyone who isn't French, so it's not just an American thing ;-) Good luck!

P.S. If you ever want him to let you go, DO NOT tell him he's stupid, and also don't tell him he's racist. (chances are you're going to need a little cash of his to finace this journey anyhow... even if you pay for it yourself, if something DOES happen to you, you want him to bail you out right? you NEED him on your side) BUT, I will admit that his attitude is part of why the rest of the world doesn't like America as much as they used to... REMEBER, if you want him to let you go, you have to kiss some serious as$ right now, so don't insult him, no matter how stupid YOU think he is.

Answer 5

First of all, your father isn't stupid. From the sound of it, he is very protective of you and doesn't want you hurt. He is correct to an extent. A lot of people in the world do not like the policies that the United States appears to be pursuing. In SOME cases, this extends to American citizens. However, in MOST cases, people in other countries like Americans. My guess is that you would get a warm greeting in either Japan or France.

Answer 6

I dont know if your dad is stupid or not but Japan does not hate americans, I have been in Japan several times and they have allways been very nice to me. I dont know about Paris for I have only been there once for a short time.

Answer 7

Japanese peoples have very deep respect for American people, and they have left WWll back in the past. There are no conflicts or racial tensions in Japan with America, so ask your dad to check his facts. I don't know why where he got the info... but it seems more to me that he will kill the Japs before they lift a finger to your dad. Your dad is racist, and he should never do something like that. He should shut up.

Answer 8

No, they do not hate Americans. I've been to Paris (along with 6 countries in Europe) and everyone was extremely nice to me there and my dad spent one month in Japan and said everyone was very kind to him.
Paris and Japan are both places many tourists visit so the locals are used to tourists.

Answer 9

Many foreigners do not like America, but will tolerate American-s. France and Japan are pretty safe towards Americans, I wouldn't worry.

However since 9/11...we must all be a little more vigilant. Just use your head and you should be okay...

Answer 10

The Japanese, for the most part, like Americans.

The French, aren't too fond of the British - Americans, are more or less lumped in with them.

Neither the French nor Japanese will kill you. At worst you'll get lousy service at a resturant. If you want decent service in France, tell them you are Canadian. Worked for us when we did a study abroad.