<Witty title dealing with ignorant people>

[oktalist]

My questions are, why do people from other countries have such a hate towards [del]another country[/del] the United States that is equal to it if not slightly better/worse?

Because those Americans[footnote]Yes, "American" can mean person from the US or person from the Americas. In this context it is obvious which is meant.[/footnote] who are highly vocal about how great their country is are the ones who we come to associate with that nationality, and they also tend to be the ones displaying the most ignorance (e.g. presuming that the US is roughly equal to "other countries" if not slightly better/worse, without really knowing whether or not that is the case).

I have seen many displays of great intelligence here and elsewhere on the Internet, and most of them were probably by Americans, but because they didn't make a massive point of telling everyone they were American, they are not the ones we come to associate with their nationality.

Moral of the story: the way to challenge a stereotype is not to complain about it in a way that reinforces it, but actually to routinely defy it.

Also the lacklustre US education system may have something to do with it.

And ignorantly assume all the people in said country are equally as stupid as the one with the most Darwin Awards?

Noone assumes that. It's called hyperbole.

 

[garlicncow]

Ok so I was perusing Facebook, and I am a "fan" or "like" a site called lamebook [http://www.lamebook.com/up-to-date-updates-2] (which is basically pictures of people being stupid on Facebook) and someone said in the picture "Happy 2010th birthday America." That is where the problem starts, see in a reply to the link a man, we will call him Trevor, being from another country said "God i hate Americans." Now this shows a great deal of ignorance on his part as obviously because of:
1 America is a total of two (2) continents
2 The correct term would be US Americans or US citizens (unless he really hates every country in America)

Was he British? If not, you cant blame him. You probably cant even speak his language. Besides thats nitpicking

He's from Scotland, and he primarily speaks English. Also, it isn't nitpicking it is pointing out a single case of ignorance, it would be ignorant to call everyone in Scotland ignorant.

 

[oktalist]

the one other major thing i dont like about america is that if you look at nearly every major conflict in the world since WW2 you will find america either actively participating in the war or supplying one side with weapons and money (or in some cases started the war to begin with)

That's because America is a large, global superpower. They kind of have to pick a side each war/ start it. Most major wars after WWII involved America/Soviet Union because of an ideology clash.

It's not just since WW2. Between 1798 and 1993 there was not one year in which the US did not use military force against another country (disregarding years of domestic revolt).

Then, the new Iraq war is because of retaliation after a terrorist attack on New York.

...

Seriously?

I thought that was Afghanistan.

 

[Mechsoap]

The real question is why the commenter thinks that America's been around for less than 2010 years. Sure, the United States has, as has the name. But the place?

Well my guess is that since it was on the 4th of July, they assumed the US.

i call epic facepalm.....

 

[Sparrow]

Because Americans have the habit to be known for being arrogant assholes. That's just how it works. They hate us, and we hate the French. It's really nothing new.

So you approve of ignorant assumptions based on little to no factual evidence?

I only insult Americans when they insult England. Almost every American I've met goes out of their way to insult England. So as much as I don't approve the ignorant assumption that is "all Americans are douches", I'm definitely not jumping out of my seat every time someone proclaims themselves to be American.

Americans news stations don't help, it's got to be said. Seriously, Americans should be ashamed of their news stations. It's nothing but insulting other countries and being in-your-face patriotic.

On another note, people only bring this argument up when it's to do with their country. If people really feel this way, they should go out of their way to defend everyone else too. You can't laugh at someone making a tea joke at an English guy, then get mad when they insult America in retaliation.

 

[Bat Vader]

In my opinion if someone wants to be ignorant let them be ignorant. If someone actually thinks that the USA went to war with France for independence that is their own fault for not paying attention in school or picking up a history book.

Ignorance does not bother me that much because can be cured by learning. Willful ignorance however is what angers me but at the same time it makes me laugh.

 

[garlicncow]

Because Americans have the habit to be known for being arrogant assholes. That's just how it works. They hate us, and we hate the French. It's really nothing new.

So you approve of ignorant assumptions based on little to no factual evidence?

I only insult Americans when they insult England. Almost every American I've met goes out of their way to insult England. So as much as I don't approve the ignorant assumption that is "all Americans are douches", I'm definitely not jumping out of my seat every time someone proclaims themselves to be American.

Americans news stations don't help, it's got to be said. Seriously, Americans should be ashamed of their news stations. It's nothing but insulting other countries and being in-your-face patriotic.

On another note, people only bring this argument up when it's to do with their country. If people really feel this way, they should go out of their way to defend everyone else too. You can't laugh at someone making a tea joke at an English guy, then get mad when they insult America in retaliation.

That is completely right, and I hate the ignorant hatred as a whole it is illogical and just pointless.

 

[JimJamJahar]

Can I just throw something out there about you apparent offence to the term 'America' being used and just meaning the USA? How about the word 'British'?

I am sorry to generalise, but pretty much ever American(or US citizen if that makes you feel better) I have ever heard has referred to only English as 'British'. They have said Irish, Scottish and Welsh, but very rarely use the word 'English' to describe us. It's a very similar thing, so I say: we call you American, you call us British and we agree to just never talk about it.

Oh, and don't even get me started on when people say 'British accent'...

 

[garlicncow]

Can I just throw something out there about you apparent offence to the term 'America' being used and just meaning the USA? How about the word 'British'?

I am sorry to generalise, but pretty much ever American(or US citizen if that makes you feel better) I have ever heard has referred to only English as 'British'. They have said Irish, Scottish and Welsh, but very rarely use the word 'English' to describe us. It's a very similar thing, so I say: we call you American, you call us British and we agree to just never talk about it.

Oh, and don't even get me started on when people say 'British accent'...

I honestly try to use English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish when I know for certain which of the four it is when I do not I use the generalization in guilt. I do in fact say English accent. All generalizations annoy me to fuck and back.

 

[Lynxan]

I'd have to say that most of it just is that it's easy to insult what you don't know. How many that say "They hate Americans" really know any. It's the same the other way around too. A lot of the things that are hated tend to be far too general things to be anything more then just foolish assumptions.

Well, that's how I look at it any way.

 

[Ham_authority95]

I'm sorry but I really hate America, I have no problem with Americans if I know them. I talk to them all the time I wouldn't be racist towards then or anything but overall ehhhhh I have an irrational hate for that country.

I'm sorry I guess....

So, less the actual people and more the actions of the government?

 

[jultub]

The real question is why the commenter thinks that America's been around for less than 2010 years. Sure, the United States has, as has the name. But the place?

No matter how you look at it, it ain't the 2010th birthday

 

[Ham_authority95]

Hate stems from ignorance in all cases, and is fueled and extrapolated by emotion.

This is very true.

 

[NoblePhilistineFox]

2 The correct term would be US Americans or US citizens (unless he really hates every country in America)

@ . @
SOMBODY ELSE KNOWS THE TRUTH!!!!!!
*hugs*
thats one of my biggest "hot topics" is that its "US citizen" not "American",
because its the United States OF America,
Im Canadian, but im still an American and for some reason people think im retarded because I say that.

OT:
people have steriotypes based on media and other peoples ideas,
they generally think that Americans are ignorant and stupid, but thats just the southern part just kidding

people also think that Canadians are nice, and to that I say:

[HEADING=1] BWAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAH AHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAH[/HEADING]
*deep breath*
[HEADING=2]AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHHHAHAH AHAHAHHAAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAHHA AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA [/HEADING]
come to Saskatchewan and youll see how "nice" we can be...

 

[F-I-D-O]

the one other major thing i dont like about america is that if you look at nearly every major conflict in the world since WW2 you will find america either actively participating in the war or supplying one side with weapons and money (or in some cases started the war to begin with)

That's because America is a large, global superpower. They kind of have to pick a side each war/ start it. Most major wars after WWII involved America/Soviet Union because of an ideology clash.

It's not just since WW2. Between 1798 and 1993 there was not one year in which the US did not use military force against another country (disregarding years of domestic revolt).

Then, the new Iraq war is because of retaliation after a terrorist attack on New York.

...

Seriously?

I thought that was Afghanistan.

Sorry, kind of tired right now, sometimes get countries mixed up. Usually use Middle East to avoid this, but was trying to avoid confusion. In doing so, I did that. Feeling realllllly stupid right now.
didn't know about the US using military force against another country every year for a long period, just basing off of hawkeye's post (starting at WWII).

 

[The Wooster]

It's sadly the same reason stupid people assume Muslims all have a tendancy to explode in train stations. There's a very loud, obnoxious minority and the majority simply isn't decrying them enough to be heard.

Every American (you call us 'British' and the nations Great Britian are seperated by thousands of years of history and least a dozen brutal wars, so we can call you Americans if we like) I've met has been funny, polite and generally a standup guy/gal. Sadly take a quick look at your media, (the Jersey Shore. Holy shit why haven't you guys brought back burning at the stake?) or a glance at various forums or youtube comments or whathave you, which is where most people are getting their impressions from sadly and you'll find a whole boat load of people acting like dicks. Sadly the American dicks like to advertise how American they are. Kind of tinting people's world view a little.

Jealousy is also a pretty big motivator as well I think.

 

[General Ken8]

Ok so I was perusing Facebook, and I am a "fan" or "like" a site called lamebook [http://www.lamebook.com/up-to-date-updates-2] (which is basically pictures of people being stupid on Facebook) and someone said in the picture "Happy 2010th birthday America." That is where the problem starts, see in a reply to the link a man, we will call him Trevor, being from another country said "God i hate Americans." Now this shows a great deal of ignorance on his part as obviously because of:
1 America is a total of two (2) continents
2 The correct term would be US Americans or US citizens (unless he really hates every country in America)
My questions are, why do people from other countries have such a hate towards another country that is equal to it if not slightly better/worse? And ignorantly assume all the people in said country are equally as stupid as the one with the most Darwin Awards?

Basically, George Bush.
I'm not being a troll, but he seriously is a major reason.
Ask around and you'll see.

Being American myself, I agree. A lot of people who supported him said "Just look at all of the wonderful things he did during his presidency!" but I judge leaders by one thing: look at the nation before, and after. All the crap that went on in between is irrelevant, did the country get better, or worse? In this case, probably worse

 

[MasTerHacK]

Because Americans have the habit to be known for being arrogant assholes. That's just how it works. They hate us, and we hate the French. It's really nothing new.

Exactly... Arrogant bastards... It's their fault Infinity Ward fell apart... GRRR!!!!!!