[Dokescoonse]

So the other day I was talking to friend who had lived in the UK for awhile previously, and toured Europe and such. I was asking him about how the rest of the world (from what he had seen) viewed Americans. He seemed to be under the impression that Americans were widely viewed as sort of ignorant country hicks sort of thing. So my question to all the Non-Americans out there is: How do people in your region stereotype Americans?

On a side note: Out of curiosity, do most movies in your region come from hollywood?

[carfAball]

V----------- Flame forum - that way.


You know what they say about best intensions. Actually I think a thread already exists in there "Why the world hates Americans" or something like that.

[mbaueee]

Actually I think a thread already exists in there "Why the world hates Americans" or something like that.

That thread is still going???? That's a lot of hate. Can't believe I broke my two year lurk status to reply to this.

[Fiipolera]

For the greater part, the people I know and work with imagine Americans as much like any other culture in that they contain a wide range of traits and types. Unfortunately I think that Americans get misrepresented by their leader and hence the popular view that Americans are stupid.

I think there is a very strong impression of smart professional people in the major cities but still the hick image remains for those in between.

[corsar-caribean]

OH MY GOSH, Americans are just so... AMERICAN!

You can tell a lot of your own views of Americans by how you interpret the above statement

[avodeinst]

The vast majority i met were nice enough but i do suppose you get the odd idiot, but as far as Bush goes. Lets not go there! lol

[Duseshoug]

Lets go there.....lol

Bush an absoulte piece of crap seriously he brings you the war, which was over oil *cough* i mean liberation from Saddam, he is republican! their moto is "State looks after it's self" lolol and this is your President! seriously people and you vote him in again...yes AGAIN! you vote a man who wants to avenge his father's loss in Iraq.

[inhitoemits]

I love Americans the same way I love my fellow Canadians, on a person to person basis. I think it's pretty unfair to judge the whole lot of Americans based on their administration.

But as far as what people in my region think of Americans? Ontario is a pretty liberal province, so it's popluar opinion to hate America.

[CefGemYAffews]

In Germany we have a football club, called Bayern München (Munich as you would probably say). The have a lot of money, get Germany Champion each year, scandals from time to time, buy the most expensive players and simply dominate. We say either you love them or you hate them. I hate them.

[sandyphoebetvmaa]

We have a television program which regularly visits the best US universities such as Harvard, Berkeley, Yale and ask absolutely stupid questions of graduate students and professors. One of my favorite was " Should a highway be built between Beijin and Calcutta to reduce smog and pollution in asia?" Another, "Should the Canadian government stop the practice of leaving the elderly to die on icepacks in the artic?". There is nothing funier than watching a professor rant with great authority for 10 minutes on the inhumanity of leaving someone die on an icepack and how the Canadian government should change its laws. Only in America
No wonder less than half of american high school students can identify Africa on a map.

[adoreorerie]

Don't take this personally, but I think the above is right.

Americans if you know any personally are genuienely nice people (funny etc, much like any other race). But you ask the question of non-Americans, ie. foreigners to America, and there in lies the whole problem.

America's foreign policy and behavior per se when outside America - it ain't looking good !

Lets get it straight, America cares about America.

The rest of Europe and other nations realise "no man is an island" - and you guys don't get out enough.

As I say the americans I've encountered/known are great people.

[mortgrhhh]

I'm going to continue this rant that I've posted in other threads.

In the geographic bounds of North America, we have Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

In Central America, we have Nicaragua, Guatamala, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador.

In South America, we have Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

Okay, my question now then is, To which Americans do you refer?

I detest the self-centered term "America" to denote the U.S. only. If I recall my history correctly, Lief Ericson didn't land in the area that would become the United States. John Cabot didn't land in the area that would become the United States. Christobal Colon didn't land in the area to become the United States. The entire "New World" was named for Amerigo Vespucci, not just that area that would become the United States.

"In a room of 1000 people, you are sure to find at least one fool."

[Kennypor]

My opinion of the United States of America has been sullied by 'those in power' and of recent events. I am all for deposing a dictatorship, but the bullshit that has gone on around it makes me sick. Fortunately, the few Americans I know remind me that the USA ain't just Bush and his donkeys.

Spyder hit the nail on the head - judge on a person-to-person basis, not tarring all with one brush.

[hojutok]

let me just put it this way.. people's opinion changes very often. once those that doesn't like 'america' live in america for any length of time, they will learn to love it.

about 99% of non-americans i meet in US all say they love america. things are defintely different, however, it's much more easy to have 'life' in america. that include russians, germans, british, polish, korean, japanese, french, chinese... you name it. only people that i met who say that they don't like america so far are american college students who would like to look 'cool', or korean graduate students who know that they are going to go back to korea. and of course, non-americans who never lived in america.

it's like americans saying french folks are rude and they stink. last two times i've been to paris, i never met a rude french, nor did they stink all that bad. tho.. their beer sucked.

there are idiots every where, and as far as foreign policy is concerned, i don't see anyone else doing much about anything out there other than for their own interest.

pete

[drmarshallusa]

Bush appears to be an ass, and he may genuinely be so. But he represents a junta that took over this country under Reagan. They're all in the oil and arms industry, and they found a convenient way to manipulate the average, god-fearing, corn-growing US voter through a combination of pseudo-religious values and misunderstanding and fear of the outside world. Don't underestimate these people, and understand who it is that is calling the shots in this country.

That said, i voted for the Green Party. One more vote thrown away (Bush's Democratic opponent already had this state won, so a Green Party sacrificial vote was a good idea at the time).

He's not MY president...

[Ltftujkg]

it's like americans saying french folks are rude and they stink. last two times i've been to paris, i never met a rude french, nor did they stink all that bad. . .

I agree, French people don't smell much worse than English people.

[peakyesno]

and as far as foreign policy is concerned, i don't see anyone else

No, but take a look at the "invading other countries statistics" for the world in general over the last years. I can tell you that Sweden is not on the top ten anyway :P

[XzBZB2UV]

I agree, French people don't smell much worse than English people.

Hehe, its the only thing the French can beat us at...

Unlike our colonial brothers across the pond, we've actually evolved over the last hundred-odd years and have left the warring-tribe mentality behind. Boudcea Bush still runs his chariot roughshod over everyone he can. Even the US Embassy here takes the piss and refuses to pay their fines...

[lionsiy]

being involved in touristic services, I have to say that most north americans, age for the better. They become less loud, and better listeners.

One thing that sometimes anoys is me , is the lack of social/table manners they have.

[styhorporry]

No, but take a look at the "invading other countries statistics" for the world in general over the last years. I can tell you that Sweden is not on the top ten anyway :P

Hehe, probably because not every country is covered in snow and can be traversed in skis. Bring us another ice age and the Scandinavians will turn into Atilla the Hun.