Do other countries really think ALL americans are stupid?

[aba1]

Its not that I think americans are stupid its just time and time again either your goverment or a person or just even your general societal leaning does somthing really dumb. If it makes you feel any better I am from Canada and since we share so much media I find the people around me to be really sheepish of you guys which really annoys me. I know as a person who works in the media that that is the way its supposed to work but god damn I wish the general public would think a little and relize how advertising works.

 

[Mantonio]

[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVz4VweMqFE&feature=channel_video_title[/link]

Your average is suffering, let's put it like that. And your powerful Political Right is near fascist by non-American standards, stupidly religious, and, well, evil.

 

[aba1]

Its just a stero-type, granted not the best to have, but thats all it is. At least its better than Scotland's 'they're all alcoholics and ginger' ¬¬

na thats ireland the scots are all farmers in kilts who eat haggis

 

[Mr. 47]

Only those that believe patriotism means xenophobia, and those that are religios extremists. However, that is the general aura that the US gives out. That, blowing shit up, and health care.

Thinking that the whole country is a bunch of idiots is not stereotypical, just wrong. Thinking that in Canada it is always snowing, that we practicly drink maple syrup, and that we all wear flannel are stereotypes.

 

[Navvan]

To answer the original question, the answer is no. Three things to add along with that.

First when people say a lack of intelligence, they really mean they are ignorant of something they see as obvious. This is generally true of most Americans, and people in general. This is very different than intelligence. I will use my own grandfather as an example. The man is a great mechanic and electrician. He can also quickly process information and use it. He also believes our current president, Barrack Obama, is the Anti-Christ and is planning on taking over the world.

The last one comes from deeply seeded ignorance and social reinforcement from others with deeply seeded ignorance not a lack of intelligence.

Secondly some of this ignorance seeps into the political system because of it being a representative democracy. This is ultimately what is responsible for our current political state. This is the reason most people consider America to be "stupid" because of elected officials who display acts of ignorance. This is reinforced by various anecdotal experience about meeting stupid Americans who say stupid things. Those experiences are of course heuristic. That is people rarely mention when they talk to an American who doesn't say something ignorant as it makes for a less engaging story. Thus the misconception that Americans are stupid snowballs and the majority of circulated encounters exemplify their ignorance.

Lastly I would like to mention that American arrogance is much more of a problem than its ignorance. The idea that we are inherently the best, and will always be the best is flawed. We are currently the largest economy in the world, and we may have the most effective/dominant military. Those are about the only "best" we can currently lay claim to.

 

[Woodsey]

Don't be stupid.

 

[motyr]

It's a stereotype just like any other you would encounter in your day-to-day life. That doesn't make it right, of course, but it's no different than saying, for example, the British have horrible teeth. It may be true in some cases, and in fact, may be true for the majority of people, but I don't think anyone TRULY believes all Americans are fat and stupid.

The British have the best teeth on earth.

http://www.economist.com/node/15060097?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097

To be clear, I didn't say I endorsed the view of the British having poor teeth, but it's a common stereotype across the pond. If I'm going to nitpick, though, I would say that story you linked to does NOT find that the British have the best teeth on Earth. It looks at 12 year olds, and limits itself to selected OECD countries.

 

[nlaq]

As an American I feel that 90% of us Americans are stupid and it pisses me off to no end.

I find these comments rather pathetic.

I'm American myself, and have lived here all of my life. The funny thing about this sentiment (every American is STUPID except for me) is that it is shared by virtually every 13-20something American I have met. Ironically, this is an example of the same ignorance and superiority complex that you complain about others having. It's sick, and when I hear an American perpetuating this nonsense - especially in an international forum - I literally die a little inside.

Please, please, please, grow up. We are all human, and in reality, there is very little that is different between you, me, and the 277 million people you just blatantly and ignorantly insulted.

However, this thread did really hit home for me, because I have been a subject to discrimination over the years because of where I live. It also outlines a very strange pattern I have noticed that, most often, this discrimination doesn't come from foreigners, but from Americans themselves. Most of the non-Americans who posted here had a surprisingly mature outlook on this sterotype - whereas, it seems, quite a few Americans didn't.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Damn those stereotypes.......

 

[Blind Sight]

American tourists tend to produce that vibe, but I know plenty of intelligent Americans and I also know plenty of stupid Canadians. Everyone loves to pay attention to loud-mouthed idiots rather then normal or intelligent people, it happens.

 

[let's rock]

I am an american, and yes, I think that almost all americans are stupid, but it isn't just america, almost all HUMANS are stupid, other than a select few, fortunatly, the escapist seems to be populated mostly by these people

http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/129168900245922857.jpg

 

[nlaq]

I am an american, and yes, I think that almost all americans are stupid, but it isn't just america, almost all HUMANS are stupid, other than a select few, fortunatly, the escapist seems to be populated mostly by these people

http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/129168900245922857.jpg

Are you sure about that? Or is it just because you inhabit this forum, and have personally communicated with its users, that you claim the average escapist poster isn't a moron? Is it unthinkable that if you were to honestly assess the intelligence of most other groups of people after establishing relationships with them that you would also count them in on this "they're mostly not stupid" attribution?

I think a person is less likely to think negativity about a person's intelligence if they have a positive social bond with that person. It's easy to look down upon a person with whom you don't know - and that is exactly what you are doing right now... unless you claim that you have a personal relationship with "almost all HUMANS."

 

[Monkey lord]

I don't think ALL americans are stupid but I think most U.S.A citizens are stupid

 

[nlaq]

I don't think ALL americans are stupid but I think most U.S.A citizens are stupid

May I ask why?

 

[Littlee300]

Statistically speaking, the average American is fat and stupid.

(OK maybe I made that up. At least, the stupid part.)

But that's the impression the country sends people. I'm sure every country has its WBCs, or its Glenn Becks; they just don't get publicised as much as the American ones do.

Citation needed

Here you are, my good fellow:

http://www.infoplease.com/world/statistics/obesity.html

As for the stupid part... well, like I said, I made it up. It's just the impression America sends.

data:image/jpg;base64,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
I wish I could just post this image without having to write more without a ban...

 

[Bloodyrose]

"Why they think that all Americans are fat" Well for starters Americans have a LARGE variety of genes from various races from around the world, and doesn't help that technology is also a factor in that too.
"Why does everyone think that Americans are stupid" Well for that it doesn't help that a good chunk of the money that goes into the education system keeps getting cut, and most of the money that does go into the educational system goes right to the sports department. Then also the parents who are raising their kids factors into why more and more generations of dumb@sses keep showing up in the world since the parents just don't give a flying F*ck what there kids seem to do these days, which also goes into other factors like the whole "Kids becoming violent after playing video games."

But to really get at the root of the problem for really every country is simply straight up money, money makes the world go muhahahahahahahahahaha.

 

[FreakSheet]

Just a stereotype, like how all Canadian's live in igloo's and drink maple syrup, or how all French are snooty cowards and so on.

 

[Jelly ^.^]

Mostly because:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vCl0U34KQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yth7H-YDnMI&playnext=1&list=PL0919D790788DA3DD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa5c6ksmPFA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aQ8QCyeYjg

oh, and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMzvDuo_kUk&NR=1

 

[gobby400]

I don't really care. Though I was once on holiday in Canada and we were talking to this American couple on a bus going somewhere (I forget). Now I speak with a very distinctive English accent (with a northern twinge, for those who know what that is), yet I was asked if I was Irish. Irish. You know, that accent that couldn't be more unique if it tried. I had to suppress a lot in order to just say, "no, England". How do you mix Irish and English? Seriously? It's like mixing Italian and French, ridiculous.

i've spent years mastering suppressing my native hartlepublian accent. its just really annoying whenether i go to newcastle and people there are telling people to hide their monkeys, or if you go to the south and they think your from yorkshire.

accentless is just easier.

 

[MatsVS]

The funny thing about this sentiment (every American is STUPID except for me) is that it is shared by virtually every 13-20something American I have met.

americans are so stupid they don't understand what the concept of 'average' means.