Do other countries really think ALL americans are stupid?

[FuzzyRaccoon]

I'm a Mexican American. I'm not stupid, by virtue of being able to form a coherent sentence. I've often wondered myself why people seem to have such a polarized opinion of Americans.

Also, as a sidenote to some things people have been saying about loud Americans. I enjoy being loud. I don't really care if that makes me obnoxious. How about other people enjoy themselves a little more and learn to laugh when they're outdoors? Not the stupid scream-laughs that some women do. Just ya know, having some fun.

 

[kevinsux909]

Nope, we just think the stupid ones are.

 

[Wintermoot]

I think some of you guys are asshats like Conservative Christians forcing people to follow the rules of their religion (like denying gay rights IE lack of separation between church and state)

but there are also good and smart Americans (like a majority of the escapist users)

 

[Chase Yojimbo]

1. America is a continent, and I wish you people would stop referring yourselves as such!
2. Not all of the US is stupid, only 1/4 and that is generally the part that most people look at. When people think "US" they think the 1/4, but instead use it as a stereotype to bash the rest of the country. Canadians get the same thing. They think we are all nice (i.e. someone bumps in a Canadian, and the Canadian apologizes. While slowly walking away, whispering to him/herself, the Canadian sais "Prick..."). It all comes down to stereotypes, and the stereotype for US just so happens to be that of a low IQ EDIT:[Though this is greatly complemented by the US being one of the worst 1st world countries when it comes to Ejimacation (Education)]

I hope that answers your questions, because I don't have any other answer. Remember! It isn't the Person that is dumb, it is the People!

 

[GraveeKing]

Not all of you, hell no. I got plenty of American friends. It's just a hell of a lot of you. Then again - that applies to ALL of humanity! It's just the media loves pinning the spotlight on the mistakes and problems of one country so it shines more for their precious news story.

Although that said, I have heard some.... Less than intelligent things said but Americans that I've never heard anyone else say. But well, I like you all anyhow! I just guess you lot got back luck when it comes to people who can actually be half-asked to learn!

 

[Tax_Document]

Eh, the Europeans are just jealous that we stole the limelight after they had it for so long.

BAM! And here it is, the stupidity which makes the world laugh.

Message from an AUSTRALIAN, in my eyes, Europe will ALWAYS deserve more respect than America can EVER hope for.

Sorry pal.

 

[Apprentice88]

Not all, but you've definitely got the higher stupid to average or higher intelligence ratio...

...especially in Florida if even a tenth of the stories are true.

 

[Turing]

Don't worry its just that the US is generally the forerunner for the trends developing in western society, in 10-20 years or so Europe will be just as fat and stupid as the US is right now

 

[CLC Akira]

I interact with a lot of non-Americans and ya most other countries don't exactly have a good impression of America. This is for a number of reasons though, hell I'm American and I don't like a lot of Americans. It could also be the fact that many Americans go to other countries and expect the people of said country to speak English, this gives off a since of arrogance to the countries people. I think it's arrogant too.

 

[Roryomg]

I generally see a lot of hatred for Americans in Australia, we realize that some are fine. But those tourists that come here are loud, rudely patriotic and obnoxious. That, and i'v never been asked utterly idiotic questions about kangaroos and whether or not we ride them, than from America.

 

[TelHybrid]

America does attract a negative stereotype. Media representations aren't exactly the best. But hey, in Britain we have these scumbags called Chavs. They're the pricks who give Britain a bad image of being a bunch of binge drinking morons who can't do anything but destroy people's property.

 

[cystemic]

I personally think it's because America's shit is out there for everyone to see and everyone sees it because all countries get American TV. If you control the media, you project a certain image and if you see people like Charlie Sheen or McDonald's ads all over the place, then you might think that's all there is to America without ever going there. I mean you guys show off all the best and worst of yourself on television and broadcast to the rest of the world, not to mention Americans should be the last people complaining about stereotypes since most of them are ingrained into us through US TV as well.

 

[Tim Mazzola]

It's not like we treat other people any differently. Admit it. If you've ever worked a retail job, immigrants/tourists are always annoying/perceived as stupid because they have no idea what they're doing because they're in a foreign environment they know nothing about. People are always perceived as stupid when they're in an environment they don't understand, even if they are really intelligent.

Also, funny, some Norse tourists came into my work the other day and told me that they barely ate for 2 weeks before coming here because they assumed they were going to get fat. They told me they were surprised to see so many skinny people.

 

[Asti]

I don't think you're all stupid. Just painfully ignorant. I'm German and I lived in the US for a year. I had an American Government teacher that would give us "A brief(!) overview over world history" and would start with Moses parting the Red Sea. "And after the Roman Empire collapsed, there were France and the UK... *looks at my sceptical expression*... and a couple of German tribes running around."

WTF, people, he was a TEACHER!


But what I really didn't like about most people was that they were religious fanatics, overly patriotic and obsessed with guns and war.
I hadn't even seen a firearm before I went there.

 

[scott91575]

It mainly comes down to the fact Americans are very isolated from the rest of the world. This leads to ignorance of other cultures, and people take that as stupidity.

 

[Turing]

Two things.

1) I couldn't give two shits about what all you Canadians and Brits think of "Americans." Stick to what you know. Maybe you should speak more about maple syrup, or tea, or losing to the US at hockey, or being saved repeatedly by the US in war, or rioting for no reason.

2) There need to be more "Why are Brits and Canadians so cynical, arrogant, and obnoxious?" threads.

You might want to stop to think why there's usually a lot more "why do americans suck?" threads than concerning other nationalities, though...

It mainly comes down to the fact Americans are very isolated from the rest of the world. This leads to ignorance of other cultures, and people take that as stupidity.

Indeed. Its not as if they're inherently more stupid, its just that their culture breeds ignorance and shortsightedness. I blame their penchant for war and the fact that their higher education system is restricted.