Do other countries really think ALL americans are stupid?

[TheRobotandtheBeast]

You have only two ruling parties, a failing education system, failing medical system and about 6 companies on average by field of business. And your country wonders why its broke.

oh yeah and there's the whole constant state of warfare for the last 50 years. ya know, little things.

 

[scott91575]

BTW...I have had the pleasure to visit much of the rest the of the world through business. Americans, for the most part, are actually rather respected in that realm. Sure, American tourists are not exactly seen as the best (often for good reason....see my previous post). Yet in the business world most understand the economic might and sheer ingenuity of the US people. The only negative I see is the lack of ingrained customs in the business world. I have worked with many Brits, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans in my travels/work. They have customs they seem to adhere to, at least much more than Americans. Americans don't really have a set of rules when it comes to business relationships. In fact, Americans often reward mavericks that ignore older business customs (well, as long as you are successful). We ignore dress, holidays, customs, etc. in the name of business. This is often considered crude in many cultures. Yet at the end of the day, it's rather successful, and many other cultures are starting to adopt this nature, not the other way around.

BTW...the US has the most respected university system in the world. People often forget that.

 

[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.

Can you convince me that you, scott91575, are enlightened about American culture, or other cultures?

For that matter, can you convince me that I am isolated from the rest of the world, and ignorant of other cultures?

Or are you just going to sit there on your Canadian/British armchair and spout off stereotypes... because you can?

If you met an American who could tell you volumes more about your own country, history, and culture than you'd ever know in your lifetime, as well as those of every country surrounding yours, (a person you would easily meet if you looked for a bit) I can guarantee you that you would continue to believe we are isolated and ignorant, because that's what you want to believe.

FYI...I'm American.

 

[Grimbold]

Not all americans are stupid. It is just that stupidity is more prevalent in american society than in comparable industrialised countries.

 

[scott91575]

Not all americans are stupid. It is just that stupidity is more prevalent in american society than in comparable industrialised countries.

I wouldn't go that far. I would say it's pretty world wide, Americans are simply given more attention to their stupidity.

 

[scott91575]

FYI...I'm American.

Put up your country flag, then. Your demeanor suggests former British empire.

You don't need to be a "rah, rah my country rules" person to have a debate on this subject. As an American, we are rather isolated from the rest of the industrialized world.

Here is the issue, in Europe they see themselves as more cultured because they have a litany of other nations within holiday distance. They are often forced to interact with them. Heck, go to China or India or even Japan. They too have their own misconceptions since they often suffer from the same syndrome as the US. The population does not interact with foreign nations on a regular basis. They simply do not get the same press as the US (in fact, meeting people from those areas, they often hold the US in very high esteem).

Anyway, to my point. Much of this is a combination of the fact people in the US simply to not interact with foreign countries on a regular basis because they don't have to. That is often seen as stupidity, but mostly it's ignorance. Yet it's not ignorance for the sake of ignorance. Many people know other cultures out of necessity, that is not really needed in the US. Add in the huge voice US citizens get, and you have the misconception.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

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.

And thus the arrogance of the rest of the world is seen.

Learn your satire pal.

 

[ishmal203]

i know there are plenty of intellegent americans however there are stll plenty of stupid amricans and for some reason american stupid people are both more annoying and sound stupider then any other kind of stupid person

 

[Turing]

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.

"Their" culture is highly varied. This is an enormous country, and while a fair amount of us may be, as you put it, ignorant and short-sided, there is a good chance that that doesn't apply to all Americans. But being an enlightened foreigner, you knew that already, I'm sure.

"Penchant for war"? I challenge you to find an American on this forum who craves war. I also challenge you to study British history if you're so concerned with a people bearing a "penchant for war."

I suppose I was being unclear, I mean the US as a political entity has a war addiction. Looking at american history, the US has been at war pretty much since its was conceived as a nation and even though you can argue that several of those wars were "just" or somehow "reasonable" I don't believe its healthy for one's national image if your flag is always dipped in the blood of soldiers.

I realise you consider this a personal attack on your national pride, but its still my impression that the general culture of the US encourages ignorance, both thanks to your lack of education, your joke of a political system (2 parties that are essentially the same) and your acceptance of hardline propaganda.
I'm not saying americans individually are stupid, I'm saying your country is screwing you over and scrambling your minds with bullshit and spiritual and intellectual oppression.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

People view your country by what you export.
Germany exports its engineering. Japan exports its technology.
So we think of Germany and we think of nice cars.
Japan and we think of advanced electronics.

America exports pop culture.

People look at us and think of Jersey Shore.

 

[scott91575]

You don't need to be a "rah, rah my country rules" person to have a debate on this subject. As an American, we are rather isolated from the rest of the industrialized world.

Here is the issue, in Europe they see themselves as more cultured because they have a litany of other nations within holiday distance. They are often forced to interact with them. Heck, go to China or India or even Japan. They too have their own misconceptions since they often suffer from the same syndrome as the US. The population does not interact with foreign nations on a regular basis. They simply do not get the same press as the US (in fact, meeting people from those areas, they often hold the US in very high esteem).

Anyway, to my point. Much of this is a combination of the fact people in the US simply to not interact with foreign countries on a regular basis because they don't have to. That is often seen as stupidity, but mostly it's ignorance. Yet it's not ignorance for the sake of ignorance. Many people know other cultures out of necessity, that is not really needed in the US. Add in the huge voice US citizens get, and you have the misconception.

Putting your country of origin in your profile settings does not equal "rah rah."

While you *may* have a point about not needing to interact with other countries, that hardly excuses nor proves that we are "ignorant."

I am waiting for the Canadian/Brit to legitimately care as to whether or not I am actually educated and wordly, and give me an opportunity to prove it. I've never seen any sign that they are willing to believe that it's possible that I am, because they choose to maintain a demeanor of condescension and arrogance. It's like a psychological security blanket for them.

Therefore, I couldn't give two shits about the world view of Americans. It's founded in peoples' emotional investment in a status quo, not reality or fact.

Sorry, didn't realize you were talking about profile settings. I thought you were saying I needed to act more American. My misunderstanding. Honestly, I am not even sure where to change that. I checked it, and it says "United States" under my location in my general profile (in fact, it's the only thing in there, the rest is blank).

There is no point in debating this. In fact, in this case, ignorance breeds ignorance. People like to label Americans as stupid due to their own ignorance. I was stating the reason that some people see it as stupidity and why it is a misconception. Heck, I have had this debate often. Yet when it comes down to it, there is some ignorance in the US, but for the most part it's a misconception bred by lack of knowledge and understanding. In fact, the irony of the situation is people see Americans as too proud of their country when in fact they end up guilty of the same thing. They try to put down Americans to build their own pride. If you think about it, the one who stops saying those things is actually the winner. Perhaps American apathy to this cry of American stupidity actually proves the critics as the ones who are stupid.

 

[WickedSkin]

My final answer is "No".

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

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?

Everything fox news has ever uttered from their filthy demon visages ever.

I dont think all americans are stupid. My uncle is american. Teacher, athiest, great guy, i actually really like him. However over all i dont really like america. Ive never seen such a self proclaimed democracy to be such a fail. And you bang on about how awesome it is when id guess 10% of votes for Sarah Palin are because people think Obama is a nazi/faschist/communist. Its like some sort of ignorance contest in places. Im sure the vast majority of americans are not swept away by this weird faschism/communism/socialism hate (you guys really have a fear of isms dont you lol) but those that do come off extremely retarded. Extremely. "cough" fox news "cough". Can you do me a favor? Can you ask 10 randomers or people you know seperately to tell you what ALL those words mean. Id like to see. Americans dont tend to have any idea. Well from what they say anyway.

Your country is nice though, the people were friendly and well educated that i met, they were very nice to me because i was british (i was chuffed, ANTI xenophobia?!") and the food servings were FUCKING GIGANTIC. Was a nice place. Some heavy pockets if ignorance though.

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.

Was this purposefully an ironic jab at hypocrisy? Because if it was its witty. And subtle. If it isn't then i feel sorry for you.

Also FYI, NO ONE HERE DRINKS TEA. No one. To be honest we are all kinda bemused as to why this was even a stereotype. Also the teeth thing. All our teeth are fixed perfectly for free... if anything that should be an American stereotype. All our poor people have nice teeth.

Also i KNEW the war would show up. Ah the last US victory that DIDNT involve shooting lots of poor people living in a country that just wanted to be left alone. The last time US was the good guy and the evil bag guys were defeated. A nice golden age before nam and Afghanistan came and ruined your record where sides blurred and the nice neat "good bad" means nothing.

FYI soviet Russia, the country whose old system Americans seem to fear and hate with the burning fury of a thousand stars imploding into supernovas saved both our asses. Love it. There's ignorance everywhere. For someone who says ignorance breeds ignorance you don't seem very good at practicing what you preach.

Whens the last time America, that bangs on and ON AND ON AND ON about the guns to enable rising against the government when they piss them off actually stood up for something? The government has screwed us OVER AND OVER AGAIN this year, the Uni rise was an UTTER LIE from Mr Clegg, who distinctly promised LOWER prices. We took to the streets, no guns in hand because we are sick and tired, and that shooting was the last straw. For all your guns and bravado and "freedom" look at the countries now making a strong stand against a government that lied to them. We are. I gues looters and rioters are kinda diluting it, but this started because we really really really dont like Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg. We dont like them at all. And we can be bothered to get off our asses and show them how pissed we are.

Also its legal to allow those scum at fox news to lie to your faces and deceive your population. Your countries legal system actually stood for ignorance and argued that it should be spread as fast as it can. Not your fault of course. Also the flag worship is fucking creepy.

 

[scott91575]

People view your country by what you export.
Germany exports its engineering. Japan exports its technology.
So we think of Germany and we think of nice cars.
Japan and we think of advanced electronics.

America exports pop culture.

People look at us and think of Jersey Shore.

The US has about twice the GDP than Germany and Japan combined. I see Germany and I think horrible unions. I see Japan and I see debt per capita that makes the US look like they owe a couple of dollars. I see the US and I see the extreme consumer. Yet once you remove that, you realize on a per capita basis the US is way ahead of most large industrialized nations.

Let people think what they will (and no, the Jersey Shore is not that popular). In truth, the US is still way ahead of the game.

 

[bladecuttersedge]

Well my girlfriend is American and goes to Cambridge...so its a fair bet she's smarter than I am.

A lot of the American tourists you notice around the place tend to be loud, generally ignorant of other cultures, and need things to be really obvious and explicit or they don't understand it. The reason is that all of the quiet, smart, subtle Americans are inherently less noticeable.

Also this a thousand times over. That being said, the loud obnoxious American tourists we see in the UK aren't half as bad as some of the locals in Bristol. (Even excluding last nights 'lets set fire to cars and break shit' episode, though I suspect it was more or less the same group of people)