Here is an interesting question: to those from outside the United States:

[brainfreeze215]

During those problem years where American schools shamelessly feed their students propaganda, I was lucky enough to be living in London. It was a great taste of world view and I think it's probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

I knew this the instant I got back and my friends asked me if everyone in England hated me because we "kicked their asses in the Revolutionary War." I was disgusted. Sure I didn't have any friends for the rest of middle school, but I think I'm better for it.

 

[Nomad]

]
To everyone from outside the US, what do you think of us as citizens of the world?
Are there any automatic assumptions made just at the sight of ?from the US? in a profile or anything of that nature?

Anything with "USA" stapled on it gives me the shivers. Partially because of the aggressive foreign policies your politicians adopt, but also partially because of the whole "Woo, we're the greatest ever!"-thing most americans seem to be hung up on. Seriously. Nobody likes a show-off. Especially when it's not even true. Your (lack of a) welfare-system is simply draconic in my eyes, for example.

As for your second question, my first thought is "Arrogant shithead" when I see someone calling themselves an american. It's a dumb stereotype, I know, but prejudice is subconcious and I can't help it.

In the interest of demographic statistics, if you're cataloging our responses, I'm from Sweden.

Edit: As for the addendum asked for by another one, where he asked if our view of americans have changed since 2000... Probably a little, but not altogether. Can't really tell, though, I was only 10 in 2000 and wasn't that well-versed on the international field.

Editx2: I really need to wait with posting until I'm done with what I want to say...
Anyway, as a final note I'd just like to mention that the whole idea of national pride disgusts me. You're not better than anyone else just because you come from a "better" country. Drop that whole patriotism-crap, and you'd see international opinion would sway a lot towards your favour.

 

[li-ion]

]To everyone from outside the US, what do you think of us as citizens of the world?
Are there any automatic assumptions made just at the sight of ?from the US? in a profile or anything of that nature?

A year ago, when I heard US, there were some things that immediately cross my mind:
* Bush
* Wars
* Fox News
* Guns
* Patriotism

GWB was one of the reasons why I had serious doubt in the US. Every country can elect a... donkey for president by accident. But twice? In my eyes he is the main reason why public view on the US outside of the US went straight downhill.

When I grew up people were complaining about Reagan, Bush I, etc. but still had a positive view on the US. We were watching movies from the states, the most popular tv shows were of course american. 'Made in the USA' was a label that stood for the best that technology has to offer. USA were awesome. That changed. The USA is not number 1 in everything (as some Americans claim to be). And it sometimes seems that Americans have a hard time to discern between communism and social security. Communism is done, you won, get over it ;-)

The last election reinstated some of my faith in the US, simply because Obama won. I think we can wait a long time before someone from turkish ancestry becomes president or chancellor of Austria for example. For me he is a symbol for many things, for example that everything is possible.

Funny thing is that most people I know with a bad view on the US hardly know anyone from the US. Common prejudice is that they are fat, loud and stupid. I know quite some americans now. Only one of them is fat, but he's moderate compared with his girlfriend (which is from Austria...). I also found none of them loud. Sometimes overly friendly. In Austria people who are too friendly usually try to sell something, so I guess that's just a cultural thing. But once you move to a different country you learn to get used to cultural differences (or you think all the others are barbarians and want back home immediately ;-)). I also don't think that americans are stupid. Terrible in geography, yes, but not stupid.

The bottom line is: if you are American I don't hold it against you. Neither if you would be from Iran, France, Nepal or any other country. Germany perhaps (just kidding). There are nice people and idiots in every country, if you are nice or an idiot depends on you, not your country.

A small question to our attending Americans: here in Europe I can only shake my head when I see snippets from Fox News. The worldview presented there is so narrow-minded, it just gives me shivers. How serious do Americans take Fox News?

 

[chaser[phoenix]]

A small question to our attending Americans: here in Europe I can only shake my head when I see snippets from Fox News. The worldview presented there is so narrow-minded, it just gives me shivers. How serious do Americans take Fox News?

As far as I go (I'm not certain as to most or all Americans since god knows- they're still on television), I hate Fox News. I never really watch it but they throw around the most ridiculous claims or so it seems; their rant on Mass Effect and the "graphic sex scene" was one of them.

They just seem very right wing.
And horrible.
I hate the Republican closed-minded world view though, so you'll have to forgive me there.

 

[TopHatTim]

Americans arnt bad people, their government is a load of warmongers at the moment.
but you cant look at a nation of people from their president...or clevland.

 

[Fr0sty101]

Well since being a Canadian and living very close to the boarder I've meet quite a few Americans and honestly they don't bug me too much since being so close to the U.S influences me and those who lived near there and in fact I watch the American T.V stations for the weather because of this. Now back to the topic (IMO) I dislike the fact that whenever I watch that perticular television station it always seems like someone has been either robbed, shot, or run over. I also question many things that those who live in the U.S do, or how they live their life *Points at Rednecks* but if they didn't happened what would there be to laugh at. No offence, well I guess some people will have to be offended. All in all I have strange feelings towards Americans (Like them/Hate them).

 

[PersianLlama]

Spoiler: condensed

I'm basically going to post a quote from a thread I contributed to literally minutes ago, since it sums up my opinion of the US, as a Brit, pretty easily:

I definitely respect Americans, I've been to the USA on holiday and I found the majority of local people to be friendly and helpful. Admittedly it was Florida, so the locals are probably paid by Disney/Universal to be friendly and kind (joking, of course), but the first night my family were there (2 weeks, we stayed), we went to a local resturant since we couldn't be bothered to cook. We were the only customers there at the time, but the owners came and spoke to us, gave us tips on where to go and what to see, and how to make the most out of our 2 week holiday in Florida. The service we recieved was great, and bumping into a couple at the Kennedy Space Centre we got talking to them and we found the couple in question to be very helpful and friendly. Most people in the USA who we met during those two weeks were very good, nice people and made our time in the US extremely enjoyable.

However, I have to say something, that I feel strongly about and have noticed in many occasions, even on this site. Americans seem to be unaware or unconcerned about the role the UK had in US history. Fine, I'll admit that we did some unforgiveable things (Boston Tea Party, anyone?). However, most Americans seem to forget that the first settlers in the US, even before the French and Spanish, were British. If it wasn't for the UK then American history would be extremely different, and let's not forget that we saved your asses in World War 1 (WW2 doesn't count either way because effectively then we were fighting different fronts, although we each gave aid to the other...). I don't really want to cause any sort of argument between UK and US Escapists here, but it would be nice if Americans could show some sort of gratitude, and more importantly, recognition, of the good things that the UK as done in terms of US history. Plus, I've noticed that the US government seems to take whatever they want from us Brits and seems to focus on their own agenda more than a unified agenda, or that of the UK. It would also be nice if the US government could try and focus more on helping us as well as themselves once in a while... (I would quote from the film Love Actually here, but I can't remember the quote despite having the DVD. However, anyone who knows what I mean is perfectly free to make the quote on my behalf...).

EDIT: Mentioning the Boston Tea Party, I'm aware that this event was caused by the USA, not by British troops. However, the way we reacted was definitley inforgiveable and we were out of order with our reaction. I suppose really, though, neither side can really be blamed for it, although applying the same logic it theoretically calls many other disputes into question. I suppose this isn't really the right topic for that question, though...

And that's pretty much it. I can't really think of any deniable part of that, but in general I haven't got a problem with the USA. I just wish you'd consider us more and treat us more as equals, and stop keep referring to yoursleves as the "greatest country in the world" when you aren't. Sorry to rant, but I think most UK, and indeed everywhere else, Escapists will agree with me on this.

EDIT: In response to Scifidownbeat, I can't say that my opinion has changed during George Bush's reign. I didn't like the guy as a politician, I suppose as a Brit I don't really know much about US politics, but from my observations Bush was a pretty bad President. I definitely supported Obama all the way and although it's early days yet, I think he could make a really good difference to the lives of you Americans. I think he's a much better President than Bush was, and the only thing better would be if Al Gore had been elected instead of Bush after the whole Florida recount thing... But I digress. Aside from disliking Bush (don't get me wrong, he's probably an all round decent guy, but he's definitely a crap politician...), my opinions with regards to America in general have been pretty constant all this time, since before Bush gained office, and during and even after that time.

"However, most Americans seem to forget that the first settlers in the US, even before the French and Spanish"

According to my World History teacher, St. Augustine, Florida was the first city in the U.S., and it was started by the Spanish. However, the U.K. did play a critical role and its settlers are the ones that eventually became the U.S.