Irish call it soccer as well .itchcrotch said:
Any country that has its own national football game will call the English game soccer.
Non-Americans: How do you view us?
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Any country that has its own national football game will call the English game soccer.
Focusing particularly on Europe in the 40's here, this is a big reason people over here get pissed with America. You have a superiority complex. You didn't "liberate" Europe. Yes, you helped, no arguing that. But bad news I'm afraid: Russia did more than you ever would have. And even that only came about because of Hitler's exceptionally bad decision-making abilities.Valkyr71 said:
Rayken15 said:
It sends some of us Americans into that same rage. And I hate the superior thinking Americans too.....I also hate how all of our idiots tend to be the ones that wind up on tv. Can we please just send them to a camp or something somewhere in the middle of the country til they learn to behave themselves? (L.A. celebrities I'm looking at you guys)
(Speaking from experience so shut up) I like your people. Friendly, perhaps a bit ignorant and closed minded but doesn't really matter.
But your goverment...holy crap your goverment is full of shit. Founded on a double standard, utterly and completely divided in its own opinions, parially run by the people it's supposed to control and operating on some bizarre form of logic unknown to the rest of the world.
And your legal system doesn't make any sense, your measuring system is just absolutely fucking awful, a large amount of your politicians are stupid ignorant hypocrites, your education is awful (once again, speaking from experience), a lot of your food is crap and a lot of you seem to have a superiority complex when it comes to understanding history.
But your goverment...holy crap your goverment is full of shit. Founded on a double standard, utterly and completely divided in its own opinions, parially run by the people it's supposed to control and operating on some bizarre form of logic unknown to the rest of the world.
And your legal system doesn't make any sense, your measuring system is just absolutely fucking awful, a large amount of your politicians are stupid ignorant hypocrites, your education is awful (once again, speaking from experience), a lot of your food is crap and a lot of you seem to have a superiority complex when it comes to understanding history.
If you are american I have no doubt that you may be a good person the problem people have with Americans is who you chose to represent you cause there all a bunch of corrupt idiots.
We only hate the stupid american as we hate all stupid people but in america you have entire shows devoted to these idiots and when we see O'Reilly that is the image we are getting.
If you do want to know what the rest of us think of america watch the O'Reilly factor and when after ten minutes you start cutting out your ears you will know what we think
We only hate the stupid american as we hate all stupid people but in america you have entire shows devoted to these idiots and when we see O'Reilly that is the image we are getting.
If you do want to know what the rest of us think of america watch the O'Reilly factor and when after ten minutes you start cutting out your ears you will know what we think
OK, against my better judgement I'll respond to this.
First of all I think you should know that if you ask a question like this you are asking for individual opinions. I will not speak for anoyone else but me. It might be good to remember that you asked their opinion of the U.S. (I'm going to take the liberty to assume you're not asking my opinion on Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the U.S., Argentina,.... combined). It's good to keep that in the back of your mind, since most people have opinions about just about everything and everybody, even themselves and their own country.
As for the Americans (of the U.S.) who barge in here and say they don't care what all these idiots think of them.... then you wouldn't have come in here.
Now, as to my opinion on the United States of America as a country and its inhabitants:
Over the years I've gotten to know quite a number of Americans on a personal level and professionally. I've been to the States on a couple of occoasions (together with trips to Australia and Canada and a good chunk of Europe) and for the most part I observed that they were just regular people, but with a slightly different culture, of course. The most notable differences I saw were that they were very open and friendly, but bordering on too familiar looking from my own cultural background. This isn't anything bad or anything, but it is perceived as fake in my culture. Again, percerption, since I wouldn't want to step on any toes of Americans who "don't give a f*** about what everyone else thinks". I also noted the Biggest, Fastest, Highest, Loudest cliché to have some basis of truth. Also the ability to commercialise just about anything. These are some of the common traits/differences that struck me when I was there, but don't really worry me.
There are some things I do worry about though. Again, I have such worries about other nations, inculding my own, on other matters as well. But you asked my opion on the situation in the U.S., so here goes:
The education and media seem to focus an awful lot on the States itself. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but in general this is the case (just mentioning my own observations). This leads to a tendency to reduce other cultures or countries to stereotypes (yes, I know the irony of mentioning that here). This is, of course, quite normal behaviour, which I would gladly put in the list above this one, were it not for the fact that the U.S. has a tendency to project its power. I did also see a difference in how different people handle stereotypes and people in the States have a tendency to take them a bit more serious than people from other parts of the world I've encountered.
Years ago I've also encountered quite a lot of political, cultural and historical naivety (defenitly not all of the people I knew, but still a majority) which was probably caused by Hollywood and the media. Expecting to be hailed as libirators in Iraq, thinking America (or any country, for that matter) is the best country in the world and everyone wants to be like them. The fact that a lot of them actually thought that Al-Qaeda did what they did because "they hate our freedom"
The negative reaction of a lot of people towards universal health care shows me a real difference in culture and way of thinking, but matters such as Creationism being taught in school as biology in some States personally make me cringe and I hope that eventually it'll blow over.
The fact that a lot of the idiots in the States are quite vocal doesn't help the general international perspective. Fox News isn't winning you guys any favors. Neither is the WBC. Fortunatly there are people like Jon Stewart (he should get a medal from every embassy America has
).
The state of the world has made it so that the U.S. has become what you could call the world police and just like all cops they're not liked when they show up uninvited and "they're never there when you need them". Comes with the territory. This is a very simplified summation of a more in depth view, but your question was how you were perceived. I know you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, but that doesn't mean that you won't be blamed for breaking them.
In short: the U.S. is just another country, not the best, not the worst. I perceive you as being slightly different from me because, frankly, you are. This isn't good, this isn't bad, this is just a fact. Do with it what you want, it won't change much.
First of all I think you should know that if you ask a question like this you are asking for individual opinions. I will not speak for anoyone else but me. It might be good to remember that you asked their opinion of the U.S. (I'm going to take the liberty to assume you're not asking my opinion on Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the U.S., Argentina,.... combined). It's good to keep that in the back of your mind, since most people have opinions about just about everything and everybody, even themselves and their own country.
As for the Americans (of the U.S.) who barge in here and say they don't care what all these idiots think of them.... then you wouldn't have come in here.
Now, as to my opinion on the United States of America as a country and its inhabitants:
Over the years I've gotten to know quite a number of Americans on a personal level and professionally. I've been to the States on a couple of occoasions (together with trips to Australia and Canada and a good chunk of Europe) and for the most part I observed that they were just regular people, but with a slightly different culture, of course. The most notable differences I saw were that they were very open and friendly, but bordering on too familiar looking from my own cultural background. This isn't anything bad or anything, but it is perceived as fake in my culture. Again, percerption, since I wouldn't want to step on any toes of Americans who "don't give a f*** about what everyone else thinks". I also noted the Biggest, Fastest, Highest, Loudest cliché to have some basis of truth. Also the ability to commercialise just about anything. These are some of the common traits/differences that struck me when I was there, but don't really worry me.
There are some things I do worry about though. Again, I have such worries about other nations, inculding my own, on other matters as well. But you asked my opion on the situation in the U.S., so here goes:
The education and media seem to focus an awful lot on the States itself. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but in general this is the case (just mentioning my own observations). This leads to a tendency to reduce other cultures or countries to stereotypes (yes, I know the irony of mentioning that here). This is, of course, quite normal behaviour, which I would gladly put in the list above this one, were it not for the fact that the U.S. has a tendency to project its power. I did also see a difference in how different people handle stereotypes and people in the States have a tendency to take them a bit more serious than people from other parts of the world I've encountered.
Years ago I've also encountered quite a lot of political, cultural and historical naivety (defenitly not all of the people I knew, but still a majority) which was probably caused by Hollywood and the media. Expecting to be hailed as libirators in Iraq, thinking America (or any country, for that matter) is the best country in the world and everyone wants to be like them. The fact that a lot of them actually thought that Al-Qaeda did what they did because "they hate our freedom"
The negative reaction of a lot of people towards universal health care shows me a real difference in culture and way of thinking, but matters such as Creationism being taught in school as biology in some States personally make me cringe and I hope that eventually it'll blow over.
The fact that a lot of the idiots in the States are quite vocal doesn't help the general international perspective. Fox News isn't winning you guys any favors. Neither is the WBC. Fortunatly there are people like Jon Stewart (he should get a medal from every embassy America has
).The state of the world has made it so that the U.S. has become what you could call the world police and just like all cops they're not liked when they show up uninvited and "they're never there when you need them". Comes with the territory. This is a very simplified summation of a more in depth view, but your question was how you were perceived. I know you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, but that doesn't mean that you won't be blamed for breaking them.
In short: the U.S. is just another country, not the best, not the worst. I perceive you as being slightly different from me because, frankly, you are. This isn't good, this isn't bad, this is just a fact. Do with it what you want, it won't change much.
A lot of 'mericans did just that (or worse) on facebook when the tsunami/earthquake hit Japan (saying that it's a punishment from god, or that they somehow deserved it). Although so did one of their kookier politicians, so I'm kind of torn on that one.retyopy said:
An American that makes a lot more sense than most. He hits the nail on the head for problems, but not all of the solutions. The man is brilliant, but also slightly an idealist (in the way every human being will react). Shame you can't keep the good ones around for longer, eh?electric_warrior said:
I know there are a lot of good americans out there. But generally speaking, you SUCK at politics, throw far too much money from the poor into your military, and love your everyday guns too much. (the last two points are probably related)
you also have 1/3 of your country full with lunatics that follow an insanely outdated religious book,
while I see god facepalming and "Y U RUIN MY IMAGE SO MUCH" above them.
yeah, that kinda sums it up.
EDIT: oooh and I forgot that americans think they are always asked to help and need to be the worlds "police" that sets everything right. They actually just can't keep their fingers out of others pies. (which is kinda mirrored by their average bodyshape [sorry, couldn't resist that joke])
you also have 1/3 of your country full with lunatics that follow an insanely outdated religious book,
while I see god facepalming and "Y U RUIN MY IMAGE SO MUCH" above them.
yeah, that kinda sums it up.
EDIT: oooh and I forgot that americans think they are always asked to help and need to be the worlds "police" that sets everything right. They actually just can't keep their fingers out of others pies. (which is kinda mirrored by their average bodyshape [sorry, couldn't resist that joke])
Well, I am from Spain, mostly americans are viewed as illiterate cowboy bigots that live in a bubble ignorant about the rest of the world, only capable of analyzing things from the small little perspective of someone who lives in a suburbian home and only knows the way to the supermarket. Oh, and fat.
Then again, that is a cliché. As it happens with most clichés, it is true in many occasions, but it is also mostly fake. Personally I don't dislike most Americans I meet, they tend to be really nice people, sociable and with a sense of humour. Then again, you should know that most things you import do not help to dissolve the cliché, Hollywood films always give a potrait of frivolous prom parties, cheerleaders and conservative housewives. Also, having a president like George Bush for eight years, who started two wars...it's not helping.
And then of course there's other things that don't help, say, all these fanatics who refuse to teach evolution in schools, or all these biogt opinions such as "everyone is jealous of our freedom, that's why they hate America" strike as awful ideas. Trust me, there's plenty of reasons to have historical prejudices against the US of A, and jealousy is really down in the list. Imperialism is number one.
But I repeat: those are mostly clichés, there is a whole very large part of the American population that doesn't even get close to any of the things I mentioned. I know that because I have been in the US, and met many Americans, and dated one, etc, etc...but, really... most of what arrives from the US to the rest of the world does not give a great image, no.
Then again, that is a cliché. As it happens with most clichés, it is true in many occasions, but it is also mostly fake. Personally I don't dislike most Americans I meet, they tend to be really nice people, sociable and with a sense of humour. Then again, you should know that most things you import do not help to dissolve the cliché, Hollywood films always give a potrait of frivolous prom parties, cheerleaders and conservative housewives. Also, having a president like George Bush for eight years, who started two wars...it's not helping.
And then of course there's other things that don't help, say, all these fanatics who refuse to teach evolution in schools, or all these biogt opinions such as "everyone is jealous of our freedom, that's why they hate America" strike as awful ideas. Trust me, there's plenty of reasons to have historical prejudices against the US of A, and jealousy is really down in the list. Imperialism is number one.
But I repeat: those are mostly clichés, there is a whole very large part of the American population that doesn't even get close to any of the things I mentioned. I know that because I have been in the US, and met many Americans, and dated one, etc, etc...but, really... most of what arrives from the US to the rest of the world does not give a great image, no.
No artificial intelligence can overcome the power of natural stupidity.
I don't believe that nations are oh so different. While we try to separate from each other using traditions and religion, in truth we all have same problems. Who will lead us? What will happen to my children? Will I go to work tomorrow? Will I have enough money? Is there someone near me? What will happen after I die? But for all people to understand that, a lot of time will have to pass.
But OT: *puts on Yahtzee-fan hat*
Other nations don't like America because it is everywhere. And too often where it is not supposed to be. America pressures the rest of the world with its own ideas of freedom, rights and liberty. Now think, when you were/are a teenager, did you happily accept every lecture your mentor gave you? Well America acts like a grown-up who thinks that he already knows everything and younger generation is doing it wrong. Teenagers (i.e. less developed countries) become spiteful because they want to find their own way.
Other grown-ups (i.e. Europe) are spiteful because the are either older and don't have as much vigour left to brainwash children and teenagers or simply because the car and house they have (in their opinion) are not as shiny and as as big as of the other grown-up. Especially when that grown-up never shuts up about it.
I don't believe that nations are oh so different. While we try to separate from each other using traditions and religion, in truth we all have same problems. Who will lead us? What will happen to my children? Will I go to work tomorrow? Will I have enough money? Is there someone near me? What will happen after I die? But for all people to understand that, a lot of time will have to pass.
But OT: *puts on Yahtzee-fan hat*
Other nations don't like America because it is everywhere. And too often where it is not supposed to be. America pressures the rest of the world with its own ideas of freedom, rights and liberty. Now think, when you were/are a teenager, did you happily accept every lecture your mentor gave you? Well America acts like a grown-up who thinks that he already knows everything and younger generation is doing it wrong. Teenagers (i.e. less developed countries) become spiteful because they want to find their own way.
Other grown-ups (i.e. Europe) are spiteful because the are either older and don't have as much vigour left to brainwash children and teenagers or simply because the car and house they have (in their opinion) are not as shiny and as as big as of the other grown-up. Especially when that grown-up never shuts up about it.
I don't hate America, to be honest I find it to quite a nice place with friendly people. I just find your leaders tend to be dicks and steer your country in the wrong direction and I'm sad that so many people get stereotyped for such a small grouptehpiemaker said:
I honestly don't give a rats ass about America, it's just one clump of dirt like any other clump of dirt on this planet. Now the American people on the other hand, that's a different story, I mostly view them on a case-by-case basis, some of them are intelligent people and some of them are dipshits. But just because some of them are complete morons doesn't make them all morons, do you see how that works?
Yes, for the most part you have a Christian majority which is unlike anything else in the world and, personally that is what I am more threatened by than your refusal to spell aluminum correctly or your tendency to say "could care less", which just sounds stupid when you break it down.
Your Christian population make laws based on the fear and oppression taught by a bronze-age text written by a bunch of nomads. This means that homosexuals are discriminated against legally, abortion is contested on flimsy grounds yet those flimsy grounds are still taken seriously, genital mutilation is considered "normal", have the highest evolution denial rating of any first-world country, will wish horrible things on people for very silly reasons and call the war in Afghanistan a "Holy War" without any hint of irony or any sense of just how horrible that sounds and just how barbaric that makes you seem in return.
So, no, I don't hate America, nor do I hate Americans. I like some Americans and I don't like others but hate is a bit of a strong word. I'd say some of you just make me uncomfortable sometimes. A lot of good has come out of America and so has a lot of bad, just because I don't agree with some of the things which are allowed in your country for reasons I find pathetic and rather silly doesn't mean I apply this to everyone who lives there and I'm fully aware that you produce a lot of great people as well as some of the bad apples. Like any country.
Yes, for the most part you have a Christian majority which is unlike anything else in the world and, personally that is what I am more threatened by than your refusal to spell aluminum correctly or your tendency to say "could care less", which just sounds stupid when you break it down.
Your Christian population make laws based on the fear and oppression taught by a bronze-age text written by a bunch of nomads. This means that homosexuals are discriminated against legally, abortion is contested on flimsy grounds yet those flimsy grounds are still taken seriously, genital mutilation is considered "normal", have the highest evolution denial rating of any first-world country, will wish horrible things on people for very silly reasons and call the war in Afghanistan a "Holy War" without any hint of irony or any sense of just how horrible that sounds and just how barbaric that makes you seem in return.
So, no, I don't hate America, nor do I hate Americans. I like some Americans and I don't like others but hate is a bit of a strong word. I'd say some of you just make me uncomfortable sometimes. A lot of good has come out of America and so has a lot of bad, just because I don't agree with some of the things which are allowed in your country for reasons I find pathetic and rather silly doesn't mean I apply this to everyone who lives there and I'm fully aware that you produce a lot of great people as well as some of the bad apples. Like any country.
Fat,
Gun loving,
Corn syrup drinking,
Racist,
Christian Fundamentalist,
Hum-vee driving,
War-mongering........
Hmm,.. nice things, nice things....
Well despite what people say; you're very polite on holiday. Certainly better than the English or god love me, Australians.
Gun loving,
Corn syrup drinking,
Racist,
Christian Fundamentalist,
Hum-vee driving,
War-mongering........
Hmm,.. nice things, nice things....
Well despite what people say; you're very polite on holiday. Certainly better than the English or god love me, Australians.
There is now way I'm reading 10 pages of this thread, but I have seen this thread before and it always ends the same way.
People saying they don't mind America and actually kinda like the place
People saying they hate America
Americans saying they know why people hate them
Americans saying that everyone else is jealous, angry and/or butthurt
How close am I?
People saying they don't mind America and actually kinda like the place
People saying they hate America
Americans saying they know why people hate them
Americans saying that everyone else is jealous, angry and/or butthurt
How close am I?
