Do other countries really think ALL americans are stupid?

[wench]

I'm an American and while my country has done some things that I do not agree with I really don't understand why people judge everyone in America to be dumbasses? i hear things like "for those of you who are too american to understand" or "what is it with Americans and.." and it just goes on and on and on and i just dont understand. I'm not that person people seem to think i am just because of my american accent. What's with all the hostility?

Well, Canadians sure bloody do. Can't tell you how many times I've been at work with a couple people going on about how stupid Americans are... and that's in a call center where we don't even have to talk to Americans.

The US sure doesn't have the market cornered on stupid, but it's a convenient place to point and laugh at. I usually just suggest that maybe they should stop projecting so much, eh.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

Well, you guys did reelect Bush II...

Awww give it a rest. We can't be held responsible for the stupidity/ election fraud of the past forever.

Anyhow, I think most people think all Americans are stupid because the only Americans people see are the dumb loud conservative ones typically from the South. It's kinda how like the only West Asians Americans see on the T.V. are typically the ones trying to blow stuff up.

Anyhow also four brief points.

1.) Are we the only country with politicians divided literally on every major issue.

2.) I think some people confuse good natured ribbing with actual ignorance. Look at Steven Colbert for example. He actually had to come out and admit that Steven Colbert is just a character. I am really hoping that Sarah Palin will do the same thing...

3>) One in five Americans is now obese (having more then 30 percent body fat.) I guess that stereotype about us being slow moving tubs of lard is true...

4.) Just for the sake of keeping stereotypes alive. MOAARR GUNZZZ.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I think it's not a fair statement to say that those in other countries consider ALL Americans to be stupid. Very few of the Americans I know personally are people I would consider stupid.

However, I don't think it's unfair to say that the appearance is that enough of a majority to essentially have control over the country are either "too stupid" or, perhaps more accurately, too partisan in their views for the good of the country and it's people as a whole. Going back to the Americans I know personally, even the ones I consider to be "not stupid" would still rather push along party lines than make up their own minds on individual issues.

 

[health-bar]

In my experience, yes, everyone really does think Americans are that dumb/fat/lazy.

AT LEAST to some degree.

 

[mysecondlife]

It's a pretty strong stereotype. When I studied abroad in South Korea, a number of my friends were European. They were shocked to find that I was fit, knew more European and East Asian history than they did, and spoke (GASP!) other languages. They would routinely make comments like "I don't think you're an American, quit pretending and tell us where you're really from."

As for why that is...not really sure. I'd guess it has to do with expectations. One would expect members of the world's dominant society to be highly refined and sophisticated. In that regard, most Americans disappoint the foreigners who meet them.

I know exactly what you're talking about..

I lived in Korea for a month and people (mostly kids) have this weird perception that all Americans are obese people that eat nothing but McDonalds and Burger King.

Also, their disbelief that you're an American can come from perception that most Americans are self-absorbed people. A big example would be that most Americans only know English and don't bother learning anything else.

edit: since you know a lot about other cultures, I can see how they are surprised to find you as American.

 

[QuantumT]

Not all Americans are dumb, just the loudest ones.

QFT

When you really get down into it, I think this is a big part of why the world thinks Americans are stupid.

 

[ScrubberDucky]

It's a generalization. It took me a while to understand or kinda mentally come to terms with it, but once I had hung out with about 20 British people for a few months, I started to understand. Whereas you and I might look at Welsh people and think "sheep and countryside" or English blokes and "Fish and chips and bad teeth", or Brazil as "slums", Russia as "poverty", etc. a lot of the world thinks of the US as "fat and rather dim". That probably won't even make much since since it takes some personal, internal adjusting to get used to.

 

[mysecondlife]

i hear things like "for those of you who are too american to understand" or "what is it with Americans and.." and it just goes on and on and on and i just dont understand.

maybe you're too of an American to understand

But really. what was the context of it?

 

[silversnake4133]

There we go. Every country has a stereotype, our country just happened to get the "stupid and fat" category. Plus I believe our "freedoms" have gone to our heads, thus we think we're better than everyone because we think we can do/say whatever the fuck we want without penalties. I don't know, I just find it easier to accept that everyone is different and they all have different opinions. A majority of our country men seem to disregard that. :/

Plus I really think the 2nd amendment needs to be more strictly regulated.

 

[Sparkytheyetti]

Unfortunately we live in a time where Racism and separatism are still fresh in our minds. Hitler, Civil Rights movement, numerous African wars where near genocide was committed. All of these in the last century. It will take some to weed out the mindset of people being of different races, creeds, gender etc. Instead of just being "people" in general.

Even with cultural boundaries. One country might hate another because of the fact that their histories collided at some point. Making a bad result for the relationship of those countries. After that happens, newer generations are brought up with that hate and bigotry from their parents. So on and so forth until one set of parents breaks the cycle of hate. Realizing that the hate was from another generation, and we have no reason to hate someone for something that happened from the past.

For TODAY'S reasoning, mass media takes a large portion of this too. This is the first time humankind has been in direct contact with the rest of the world instantaneously. Word travels fast. Not to mention people will always have opinions. You just have to see their point of view and take it with a grain of salt. Don't dismiss it off the bat. See it, analyze it, and then retort.

just my 2 cents.

 

[DarkRyter]

More importantly,

Do Americans think other countries think all Americans are stupid?

I like to think other countries don't really care that much to have an opinion.

 

[Soviet Steve]

From a Dane: Nope, not all Americans are stupid, but there are a lot've Americans, American culture is alien to us, and the stupid folk in America get attention because that's what we associate with the US after Bush was elected twice.

 

[Dirzzit]

Canadians are soft
Americans are stupid
The English are snotty
The French are cowards
Italians all speak like Vito Corleone
Australians ride kangaroos and dingos

I think it's all even :3

 

[SilentCom]

The answer is stereotypes. Some people will conform to them and judge others with irrational bias and misunderstanding. Also, our public image isn't exactly the best with much of what other countries know of our culture coming from Hollywood.

 

[Get_A_Grip_]

I think most Americans are stupid...

Mainly because I think most people are stupid, including myself most of the time.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

No. I've known many smart Americans. With that said, I've known about as many American dumbasses. So, as with all nations, it's a mix.

 

[Captain Epic]

Most Americans are perfectly fine. Some have proven themselves to be somewhat ignorant concerning other countries however.