Non-Americans: How do you view us?

[Suicidejim]

All the patriotism tends to just come off as arrogant to a lot of other countries (you know, the whole "Greatest Country Ever" kind of thing). There's a sense that a significant number of Americans see themselves as the centre of the world. Also, you took football, a sport where you kick a ball with your feet, and turned it into 'soccer,' before replacing it with a sport with a comparatively low foot-to-ball contact ratio. As a Brit, that annoys me relentlessly. Oh, and that irritating tendency for American culture to seep into other countries, which is a great thing in some aspects, but I tire of turning on the TV to find some new, mediocre American sitcom filling up the TV schedule. Don't even get me started on all the needless American versions of words that looked perfectly fine before. Color, for example, when it worked perfectly fine for many years as 'colour.' Same thing applies to verbal stuff, like saying 'herbs' with a silent 'h,' and just sounding artificially French in the process.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things I like about America. I know that many of it's citizens are wonderful, intelligent people. Many of my issues are trivial. Oh, except for all the wars. Not to mention the fact that my own country still thinks that it has a 'special' relationship with the US, and will therefore follow them into any war it chooses to get into. But most of the rest, like I said, is trivial stuff. All countries have issues, it's just that the US tends to get more media coverage.

EDIT: Forgot to mention all the really fundamental Christians. That kind of bugs me. You know, the ones who are really adamant that evolution shouldn't be taught, or that homosexuals should be lynched. The ones that put God above all else, and regard other religions, or atheism, as inferior and misguided. Them.

 

[Logodaedalus]

Personaly I've got the feeling Americans have the opposite of a hive mind. when you've got one ant it's as dumb as shit, however a colony of the bastards can be very organised and effecient. Now, if you have a normal American he/she wil be fairly nice and friendly, but when you have 250 milion they make George Bush their president.

Now I realise this is probably true for most countries but it seems to be particularly true in america where any one individual can be nice whilst the group isn't.

I could go rambeling on about a billion and one stereotypical things to say about Americans that we Europeans think but that would be pointless.

 

[Draitheryn]

I lived in the U.S (Boston) for a couple of years in my teens, and since then have lived very close to the border of the U.S. While there, the people were pretty much the same as in any other country I've been in, some really nice, some obnoxious. The main issue is their education system is a joke and the world outside America does not exist. Their news is the most biased crap I have ever seen and they think themselves infallible. America is like human zerg, everything they succeed at is done by sheer numbers (people/money etc).

That being said, the style of life I've been able to afford is solely due to a country like the U.S being in power, and I am grateful for that, unfortunately their power is severely waning and likely to fall in our lifetime. I dread to think what changes may occur when they are finally supplanted.

 

[Bloedhoest]

There lays the problem, more or less, the louder you shout the beter you get heard. Idiots tend to shout very loud.
Spoke to a American at a concert once, he could not believe that all the Dutch aren't potheads. Goes to show how biased people sometimes get because of some tiny piece of information.

I understand where you're getting at, but America is a 'free country' which means parents included can raise their children however they want and won't enforce (depending on their morals) education to their child. That guy you talked to, lacked common sense because he himself ether did drugs or just wasn't educated to take things seriously (or least watch what he said). Besides, I am American and I honestly know that Dutch aren't potheads.. but I also know that they were the 'founders' of Santa Clause because it trails way back then with Saint Nickolas.

Pretty interesting fact, I could link you to it if you'd like to see it.

Wasn't Santa Claus partly invented by Coca Cola?

 

[Gluzzbung]

Everywhere I've experienced American culture, in films, books, games and over the Xbox and such other interactions, Americans seem to be incredibly egotistical and patriotic beyond belief which engenders a certain arrogance in them that "America's the best," direct quote.

I think it's films like saving Private Ryan that let you down. This is posibly most other countries experience of American attitude besides in newspapers and what-not. First part with the D-Day landings, brilliant. Stepping into the landing craft and waiting to get to the beach where there was a 9/10 chance you would be shot take's courage and I'm completely fine with the machoism shown in the, it's the parts afterwards that I worry about. For example, the worst part for me was when that guy got shot by the sniper in the bell tower and then he goes on to say thing like (paraphrasing) "give this to my dad, tell him how I died, blah blah blah, did this for America," and it's just dull and bland, shallow patriotism. There's a half dozen of therse parts in the film.

In the media you always seem to glorify war, this is done in a multitude of ways but primarily, no one fucking dies. Does anyone else pick up on this? You really expect us to believe that you go to war against a huge super power which, oh fuck it, lets use Germany again for simplicity, SPR, one guy dies and the main character at the end, they both have the stupid fucking speach thing that I've mentioned and the 9, was it 9? the 9 people we started the film with 8 survived until the very end, which is stupid. Another thing that is like this, Band of Brothers and The Pacific. I like BoB but not enough people die for it to be taken as an accurate account of what happened in WW2 to "Easy" squad.

 

[Bloedhoest]

They advertised him at his earliest legacy which got him a good reputation. However, there are a few stories on how Santa Clause came to be. One is based on Saint Nickolas who's a real person, another one is based on a famous Cartoon Comic artist who drew Santa Clause in a one single Newspaper article that sparked popularity, and another one is even based on alie- ...er you wouldn't even believe the alien one so just know that any one of these stories could of been the real deal ^_^

Funny thing is, Sinterklaas comes from Spain. So they think, he comes from Turkey. He died on December the 6th, we celebrate it on the 5 th.
It is true we put our shoes in front of the fireplace, or central heating system, to receive gifts.

 

[TheBelgianGuy]

There lays the problem, more or less, the louder you shout the beter you get heard. Idiots tend to shout very loud.
Spoke to a American at a concert once, he could not believe that all the Dutch aren't potheads. Goes to show how biased people sometimes get because of some tiny piece of information.

I understand where you're getting at, but America is a 'free country' which means parents included can raise their children however they want and won't enforce (depending on their morals) education to their child. That guy you talked to, lacked common sense because he himself ether did drugs or just wasn't educated to take things seriously (or least watch what he said). Besides, I am American and I honestly know that Dutch aren't potheads.. but I also know that they were the 'founders' of Santa Clause because it trails way back then with Saint Nickolas.

Pretty interesting fact, I could link you to it if you'd like to see it.

Wasn't Santa Claus partly invented by Coca Cola?

They advertised him at his earliest legacy which got him a good reputation. However, there are a few stories on how Santa Clause came to be. One is based on Saint Nickolas who's a real person, another one is based on a famous Cartoon Comic artist who drew Santa Clause in a one single Newspaper article that sparked popularity, and another one is even based on alie- ...er you wouldn't even believe the alien one so just know that any one of these stories could of been the real deal ^_^

Santa Clause comes from the Saint Nicholas or Nikolaos of Myra, nowadays but then part of the Greek/roman Byzantine empire. He is amongst others the patron saint of Children, Whores, Archers and Sailors. A weird collection, but he is mostly remembered for his miracles around Children. Some European countries still celebrate him (as does russia I guess, as the Orthodox St. Nikolai), so most likely he was brought to the US by early Dutch colonists.


About the US:
I've been in the US for 4 weeks. Two of those were planned, the other 2 I was stranded at Washington because of the Icelandic volcanoes. Our group of students were immediately helped by a group of a Methodist church, a bunch of rich republicans who welcomed us into their church/school for the first day (with red cross aid), and then their homes until the planes started flying again.
They were possibly the sweetest people I've met.

Yeah I guess every country has assholes and angels, but I guess America just has a PR problem.

 

[Avae]

I think their are a lot of people in the US who just cannot accept any criticisms of the US.

If Japan had dropped Atomic bombs on two US cities then it would be called a heinous crime against Humanity, because the US done it is probably viewed by the majority as being something that had to be done to end the war.

Of course I think that you can't judge 360 million people and I really wouldn't because that is just not fair, but their is a lot of double-standards and hypocrisy in the US.

The ordinary US citizens are like most people around the world and are good and honest but some have views that are just so completely out there and politicians rather than trying to moderate them just seem to go with them and it comes across as completely false and wrong, you can believe in religion but still understand that the Dinosaurs did in fact exist, that the World wasn't made in 7 days and that really religion shouldn't be used as a basis to discriminate towards others.

Like I said, ordinary US citizens are decent people, it's just they believe in all this crap about "American Exceptionalism" and "Manifest Destiny" which was really just an excuse to expand the States into the mid-west and Western areas of North America.

 

[Avae]

I lived in the U.S (Boston) for a couple of years in my teens, and since then have lived very close to the border of the U.S. While there, the people were pretty much the same as in any other country I've been in, some really nice, some obnoxious. The main issue is their education system is a joke and the world outside America does not exist. Their news is the most biased crap I have ever seen and they think themselves infallible. America is like human zerg, everything they succeed at is done by sheer numbers (people/money etc).

That being said, the style of life I've been able to afford is solely due to a country like the U.S being in power, and I am grateful for that, unfortunately their power is severely waning and likely to fall in our lifetime. I dread to think what changes may occur when they are finally supplanted.

So do I, I would rather have the US as the worlds most powerful country rather than China. That is not an insult to the Chinese, it is just that they are not a democracy, the leadership have no constraints and the Chinese people have no power over their government which is incredibly dangerous.

 

[Harbinger_]

Misguided, over-patriotic, kind of strange, generally racist (but hey who isn't?) and in alot of trouble (at least financially.) That is my honest opinion of America in general.

 

[Genixma]

As American (I know this is a thread for non-americans but still), I just can't seem to like anything we do. Our government is f.u.b.a.r. and we only elect people to turn around and point fingers at them when we don't get instant gratification. We live in the land of the free but everyone is flipping out about Same Sex Marriage. The economy is still going down hill. And Xbox Live was invented. And out of the hundreds of Americans I've met go figure I get into a relationship with a woman who comes from New Zealand. (sp?). I just don't like us I mean one on one we seem just fine. But then you get the few people who are all "your just jealous of us" "we'll just nuke ya" "Americanz r de bezt". Suffice to say, we blame U.K. for living in past glory when we ourselves can't seem to get away from WWII which was our "Past glory" and refuse to believe anything we've done since then is the Word of God, we have deluded ourselves in thinking that we are doing the best for the World when world is getting on by itself without anything from U.S., if 9/11 happened in another country I have no doubt that some group of teenagers on the internet would go "lol look at them". Pretty much people hate America and I really can't blame them. Sure some/most/all of the stuff they accuse us of may not be true. But doesn't mean they can't express their opinion. I believe we deserve all the hate we are getting. But as a nation, not as a one-on-one basis.

But I pray nobody foreign person goes on Xbox Live.

 

[Zef Otter]

Sorry, I hate the idea that people still think Americans are Lazy.


http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/speedup-americans-working-harder-charts

Yah we are not lazy, most Americans working two jobs to pay bills, to eat, or even to see that doctor if your kid got a fever (you might have to give up eating if that happens). I wish we get the mandatory vacations and free healthcare like Europe gets.

 

[DSK-]

So after reading the "what if 9/11 happened to another country?" thread, it seems quite a few people think that us 'mericans suck. I think I read one saying that we would laugh at them. And I am saddened by that. So I wonder: How do you view the U.S.A as a whole?

The people in general are, as far as my own experiences, the same as the people in other countries. Good, friendly people.

What I don't like is the US government stabbing my country in the back; regardless of the fact my government won't do jack shit about it.

One example: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-to-tell-Russia-Britains-nuclear-secrets.html

 

[gallaetha_matt]

I really like the Americans. I've been over a few times, some of my closest friends are from there and your women, oh God... your women.

I need a seperate thread just to discuss how awesome your women are. I've met my fair share of American women and almost to a one they are kind, strong, intelligent and romantic. And that accent... I don't care which state, they're all good.

You haven't been to Australia or Puerto Rico then. Those women are AMAZING!

I haven't as it goes. But now I really want to.

I dated an Australian girl for about two weeks. She was beautiful, one of the nicest looking women I've ever met. Not my type emotionally though, it's a long story. But there's a reason why the relationship only lasted two weeks.

But Australians are some of the nicest people I've met. There is no race of people that I'd rather get drunk with.

I'm already looking into cheap flights to Puerto Rico as we speak.

 

[SQN Leader 095]

well my time with americans has been painfull i warn you now this post is of my views based on interactions with americans i am speaking my thoughts and i will not sugar coat them.


I find america is a country that is deluded by thoughts of self importance. they commonly push their ways and thoughts on others and other countries and if they dont get their way they either muscle in or embargo until they do. they cant stop bringing up the one moment in the past they did some good (i cant even count the amount of times they've said how they saved everyone in WW2 even though it took them 5 years to get involved) yet they always hide their misgivings and pretend they never happened. they are always arrogant save for a select few. they are loud mouthed overbearing lot who are quick to point out other countries faults but quicker to hide their own. they force their opinions on others and have this grand delusion that they control the world. bad news america the tighter you squeeze the more countries slip through. they make a big song and dance over the smallest thing and wont shut up about it. they are always complaining about others or claiming that because the person does not agree with them then that person must a be a neo nazi hitler worshipper. i get it. hitler was a bad guy he's dead shut the F@#&% up!

i could go on but ill just give a summarized note for the rest of the speach

I DONT LIKE AMERICA OR AMERICANS
that is my veiw on things you cant change it

 

[TRR]

Spoiler: snip

We just have so many things to point out and say "Wow you people are messed up". The sad part is these things probably don't provide a very accurate depiction of the USA but it's what you're known for.

Things such as...
Toddlers and Tiaras (or any reality TV show for that matter
Fox News
Republicans
Crazier than normal evangelical christians
NRA
Anti-abortion laws
The War on drugs (or anything else starting with "The War on....)
Obesity rate
etc.

My opinion of your country would improve if you just kept the more insane people from appearing on TV. As it is now, that's basically all I see.

And you think this list compares at all to the ****** that comes outta your country? TAKE BACK BIEBER!!! WE DON'T WANT HIM EITHER!!! And who are you to run your mouth about politics? You guys were under the crown until 82!!! And even though we have a bunch of crackheads, our population is big enough that there's a smaller percentage of fags than many countries. And we all know the real reason behind your post: you're bitter that all the comedians here make songs insulting Canada (most notably by Weird Al and Rucka Rucka Ali), but noone up there can work up the nerve to rant about America and put it on an album.

Um, wow. Ok to reiterate what I said in my last post, I dislike the USA because of people like you.
Allow me to enlighten you. Though I am hoping you were being ironic.
Justin Bieber was discovered and made famous be Scooter Braun and Usher. Both American. Apparently Americans really like Bieber. Anyway, Bieber is definitely not enough to overshadow the other famous Canadian musicians: Rush, The Guess Who, Tragically Hip, Trooper, Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado, etc. Brian Adams went to my high school.
Canada became an independent nation in 1867. The constitution was repatriated in 1982. We are still a member of the Commonwealth. That's not a bad thing by the way.
I did not say that America is filled with crackheads, I was only pointing out that your government's tactics used in controlling the drug "problem" is not ideal. Mainly because it is both ineffective and harmful, while costing the government millions if not billions.
I like how you censor shit but not F@g$. Assuming your are refering to the homosexual community, your bigotry is why I dislike you.
And finally, here's a clip of a Canadian comedian making fun of American ignorance of Canada...in 1991.

Spoiler: Jim Carrey - Canada

Also you should check out Talking To Americans

 

[deathbydeath]

you have a fairly ignorant, sheep like population that will always hold you back...
...i heard that more than half of your population believes that jesus christ will actually return to earth in thier lifetime and raise them all to heaven in a rapture.

contrary to whatever the hells on the news up where you guys are, over half of Americans are atheist, and probably half, maybe less, of christians believe in the rapture, and probably even less believe that it will happen in their lifetime. lol teh ironies.

 

[risenbone]

Well what we see of you outside America is a bunch of Narsistic, bigoted, self promoting, hypocritical, selfish arseholes who think the world owes them something because of some kind of misguided beleif that you singlehandedly won WWI and WWII.

We get this attitude because well thats how your televsion and movies and polititans portray you.

Now I'm an Australian living in America. Generally I find Americans to be well decent human beings the same as people in all other parts of the world. Sure there are still pockets of what would be considered typical Americans but they arn't as widespread as your own media portrays. Of couse this isn't helped by the fact that FOX isn't so much an American media outlet as it is a multi national conglomerate of media outlets that seems to push the American conservative viewpoint all over the western world.

 

[bfgmetalhead]

When it comes to America I don't hate the people so much as the country itself. As 9/11 was deserved, when a country is that arogant for that long then things like that happen and its the population who suffer. The americans are a varied and multicultured bunch and on the whole are pretty decent with a couple of dicks every now and then. I still belive that in the next ten years america will get worse and maybe even suffer a civil war as china begins to further dominate all sectors, including Economey,military power,technological advancement and world standing. I think the transition from a superpower to just another country will be hard for America but just like us english who once ruled half the world, we had our time in the limelight now yours is also coming to an end.

9/11 was deserved? How can you even say that? did the kids in those buildings deserve to die? Maybe you deserve to burn alive in a building? Yes, I think you do; I hope you die in a burning building.

proberly wasting my time here, but if you read that it states THE NATION deserved a wake up call not the people. Any loss of family or friends caused by the 9/11 attacks are horrific but the bottom line is america is flailing in its death throws, and will lash out at anyone to prove they are still revelent. Even as the rest of the world moves on they will stile wine on about 9/11 as it represnts the last time anything worth caring about happened in america to do with its world standing.

 

[Sovvolf]

Well if I was to go by how the media portrays you (both British and American Media) I'd think you were all batshit bonkers.

However I've met many-a-mericans and most of them are just like anyone else really. Speaking to them online you wouldn't know they were Americans unless you looked at there profile. Course every now and again you get the condescending, overly jingoistic prick who likes to think America as solved and won every war and only the American way works... But honestly we have enough Brits that do just about the same thing anyway so I can't hold that against Americans.

So overall... Your people, you've got dicks and you've got nice guys...