What do you dislike about Americans in general?

[BigBallinStalin]

I'm interested to see what Americans and what many "non-Americans" write here. This should be a very telling thread.

Now, before you post, when you say "Americans" by itself, it means ALL Americans, so using words like "most," "many," "a large number of," "NEARLY all" (which is really pushing it), et cetera is really important and a lot more accurate.



I feel that very many Americans are generally complacent and indifferent about most domestic issues and nearly ALL international issues--including those issues involving the United States. Now, you might hear some make a lot of noise about a certain domestic or international issue, but many of those really haven't done much--if any--research on their own (because they're complacent and indifferent). They usually just regurgitate the mass media's information.

[muy_thaiguy]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

[Timminz]

Generalizations.

People who make generalizations are idiots.

[AAFitz]

On average, Americans are too busy working to stay perfectly informed on global events as many who chastise us do. With a 40 hour work week, that would leave plenty of time, but I myself don't know anyone that only puts in 40 hours, and know many that put in 70-80 hours.

Not all parts of the country are the same, but you come up to the northeast, watch how hard people work, and then make judgements as to what they do with their spare time. Ive known many that have come to this country from other countries, and while it is certainly easier here to make a living....it does require some hard work to do it.

I have a friend who makes $140,000 a year. To some its a pittance, but to others its more than double than what they will ever make in their entire lives in a year. While many will be jealous of that figure, they will forget that it means he never sees his family, is constantly exhausted, and certainly has no time to investigate the nuances of world politics. It would be easy to knock him for his lack of worldly knowledge perhaps, but you might want to think twice about it.

This of course is a unique example, but it does highlight an important factor that many overlook. Those that work 40 hour work weeks especially miss it, because until you have actually worked 80 or 100 hours in a week, with no days off for months at a time, you cant possibly fathom how impossible it is to say...understand what might be happening in Uganda at the moment.

[PLAYER57832]

I have seen more of a tendency to become self-involved and just not really care about what goes on outside our borders.

I see a movement from "let me help my neighbor" to "well, I will help my neighbor and friends, but screw everyone else... they don't deserve it".


I agree with AAFitz, to a point. However, its also important to note that the whole culture that says $140,000 is a pittance and its worth giving up family... or whatever else is needed to do it, is part of the whole problem.

In other countries many people won't work 40 hours, and vote for/ insist upon policies that will support those values. Here people keep wanting to say "you can have it all if you only work hard enough. Anybody who "doesn't work hard enough" doesn't derserve what Europeans take for granted. AND, anyone who doesn't have it ... always with a few "exceptions", just does not deserve it.

[Frigidus]

Too many Americans' political opinions are just the regurgitated opinions of their preferred pundit. It drives me crazy. When they back up their opinions with buzz words and strawman arguments I can tell who they are.

[Fruitcake]

I have recently returned from a business trip to the USA. I started in NY, an interesting city. I was amazed watching the TV at 6.15am to see traffic queues already building up as people poured into the city to work...and please, don't anyone start screaming how we work as hard over here in the UK or Europe, it just isn't so (my driver can still zip me into the City of London at that time of the morning with hardly a stop). It then came as little surprise to me to watch the offices across from my hotel on Lexington were still working at 7-8pm.

I then travelled to Florida to find a different cultural attitude all together. where NY had been brisk, even brusque in its approach these people were amongst the most hospitable I have ever met (apart from some of the waiters in a couple of the better restaurants I visited, who needed a good slap as far as I was concerned). Going into more local restaurants I was treated with the same courtesy and hospitable nature I found elsewhere (when dealing with indigenous Americans...and some of the immigrants).

If I had a niggle it would be this. In the UK we have perfected the art of talking in shades of grey. This ensures that protocols are kept and even that one can insult another in the nicest possible way (damned with faint praise etc). However, in the USA I quickly realised they did not have too much grasp on the expression 'nuance'. I adjusted to suit and all was well....below is a conversation I had with a hotel receptionist.

Me: "Excuse me, would it be possible for you to perhaps get me a taxi please?"
Recep: "Well Sir, do you want a taxi?"
Me: "Well yes, thank you"
Recep: "It would be a pleasure Sir"

From this I realised, that hedging in conversation, or using nuances, is not something they tend to understand greatly or wish to know (other examples followed as I felt my way into the cultural differences). Whilst this could be considered a niggle, it paled into insignificance when compared to the general attitude of ‘can do’ and hard work ethic I found prevalent throughout my stay.

For the record, I admit freely to being a supporter of the USA (I know this is not particularly popular at the moment, but I neither care nor have interest in others subjective opinions on such things).

[nagerous]

Whilst this could be considered a niggle, it paled into insignificance when compared to the general attitude of ‘can do’ and hard work ethic I found prevalent throughout my stay.

You're lucky Owen isn't here any more... fucking racists.

[luns101]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

[PLAYER57832]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

Knowing what's in the constitution and why we are fighting in various countries might be a bit more important than knowing That J. Biden is our VP. Knowing who your state representative is probably more important as well. I talk to my state reps regularly, I don't talk to Joe Biden.

[Aradhus]

I think America tends to get a bad rep because their culture is spread globally, exposing the good and the bad of that culture. We don't get to see the ignorance of Norway or the stupidity of Argentina, that often. Stupid is everywhere. Unfortunately for America, and the rest of us, the US has a huge population and it sometimes feels like every 2 out of 3 Americans you come across on the internet aren't particularly bright. Which means nothing.

[luns101]

Knowing what's in the constitution and why we are fighting in various countries might be a bit more important than knowing That J. Biden is our VP. Knowing who your state representative is probably more important as well. I talk to my state reps regularly, I don't talk to Joe Biden.

While I respect your opinion, I do not think it is too much to ask the average American to actually know who the person is who would replace the President should he die.

[natty dread]

Just the fact that they're all fat, stupid and ugly and their country should be bombarded to stoneage. Go go russia!

[Fruitcake]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

You think you've got problems!!!

Over in the UK the great unwashed, apart from being a group of people who's arms seem to be getting steadily longer all the time so their knuckles are ever more grazed....and being generally illiterate, seem to be getting progressively more stupid as time goes by...

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-engli ... coach.html

I despair at times.

[john9blue]

Americans are quite different depending on where you are. It's hard to generalize.

[Phatscotty]

What irks me the most is when people edit down clips of 1,000 people to find the 3 dumbest mother-fuckers on the planet, show that, and then the whole world looks at that and says "wow America is stupid" What is even dumber is when people think that's a accurate snap-shot, then base their entire life views on such manipulated images. In reality it is they who is being manipulated by the editor. But on the flip side, most of the rest of the world, just like in the USA, needs someone to hate, someone to blame, to compensate for some difficulties in the "real world".

Also I would point out most of the world gets a very "selective" picture of the USA. Foreign media and govt's decide what they show you. I only respect a person as much as their ability to filter whats real using logic and common sense. Which is why for the most part, A says "blah blah blah" and B says "nuh uh, BLAH BLAH BLAH!"

[Woodruff]

I'm interested to see what Americans and what many "non-Americans" write here.

I'm American. The biggest thing that bothers me the most about many Americans in my experience is that when they are abroad, they expect things to be "just like they are in America" (Americans are NOT alone in this, but we're up at the top of the list). Pisses me off to no end.

This ties into my other problem with many Americans and that is the tendency to have a huge sense of entitlement about them (and this has definitely gotten worse with the latest generation, I believe).

If I had a niggle it would be this. In the UK we have perfected the art of talking in shades of grey. This ensures that protocols are kept and even that one can insult another in the nicest possible way (damned with faint praise etc). However, in the USA I quickly realised they did not have too much grasp on the expression 'nuance'.

This is largely true. I'm not even sure why it has become that way, but I see it as well.

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

Knowing what's in the constitution and why we are fighting in various countries might be a bit more important than knowing That J. Biden is our VP. Knowing who your state representative is probably more important as well. I talk to my state reps regularly, I don't talk to Joe Biden.

I agree. So if they knew that information instead, that'd be great. But they don't.

[MeDeFe]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

You think you've got problems!!!

Over in the UK the great unwashed, apart from being a group of people who's arms seem to be getting steadily longer all the time so their knuckles are ever more grazed....and being generally illiterate, seem to be getting progressively more stupid as time goes by...

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-engli ... coach.html

I despair at times.

Quoting BILD is a bit like saying The Sun is a reputable source of information that provides fair and in-depth analysis.

[Fruitcake]

General ignorance and disregard of common sense and history.

I would just add that it really peeves me when people don't even know who the Vice President of the United States is. How many "man on the street" interviews have been done showing the ignorance of the general population when it comes to knowing who their elected leaders are?

General ignorance of our own history illustrated by Jay Leno. I think the last part where the grandfather knows basic facts, but the younger generation doesn't is most telling. It's funny, but also sad at the same time.

But Hey!!....at least we know what's going on with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Now that's important stuff to know.

You think you've got problems!!!

Over in the UK the great unwashed, apart from being a group of people who's arms seem to be getting steadily longer all the time so their knuckles are ever more grazed....and being generally illiterate, seem to be getting progressively more stupid as time goes by...

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-engli ... coach.html

I despair at times.

Quoting BILD is a bit like saying The Sun is a reputable source of information that provides fair and in-depth analysis.

My deepest apologies. I did not 'quote' as you quaintly put it. It was the first article I could find on the subject matter that has been reported on the BBC here in the UK, and conducted by the Erskine Charity. (http://www.erskine.org.uk/)

For you, here are some other sources.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 905407.ece
http://www.charitytimes.com/pages/ct_ne ... rskine.htm

For the record, the silver lining is the fact that most children wish they had been taught more about the 2nd world war, but of course our leaders in Europe, with the tacit agreement of the pigmy politicians in the UK are slowly rewriting history and obliterating as much of that as they possibly can.

[BigBallinStalin]

Just the fact that they're all fat, stupid and ugly and their country should be bombarded to stoneage. Go go russia!

Hahaha, yeah, run to Mother Russia and let her embrace you as well as she has in the past.

[BigBallinStalin]

Me: "Excuse me, would it be possible for you to perhaps get me a taxi please?"
Recep: "Well Sir, do you want a taxi?"
Me: "Well yes, thank you"
Recep: "It would be a pleasure Sir"

From this I realised, that hedging in conversation, or using nuances, is not something they tend to understand greatly or wish to know (other examples followed as I felt my way into the cultural differences). Whilst this could be considered a niggle, it paled into insignificance when compared to the general attitude of ‘can do’ and hard work ethic I found prevalent throughout my stay.

For the record, I admit freely to being a supporter of the USA (I know this is not particularly popular at the moment, but I neither care nor have interest in others subjective opinions on such things).

You know, I ask stuff in similar fashion because I've taken a lot from my English mother with certain mannerisms and/or ways of speaking.

It's possible that guy asked you that because he didn't completely catch what you were saying due to your accent.

But, your post is insightful, and...

If I had a niggle it would be this. In the UK we have perfected the art of talking in shades of grey. This ensures that protocols are kept and even that one can insult another in the nicest possible way (damned with faint praise etc). However, in the USA I quickly realised they did not have too much grasp on the expression 'nuance'. I adjusted to suit and all was well....below is a conversation I had with a hotel receptionist.

is definitely true and always a pleasure to enjoy while being in the UK.

[Woodruff]

If I had a niggle it would be this. In the UK we have perfected the art of talking in shades of grey. This ensures that protocols are kept and even that one can insult another in the nicest possible way (damned with faint praise etc). However, in the USA I quickly realised they did not have too much grasp on the expression 'nuance'. I adjusted to suit and all was well....below is a conversation I had with a hotel receptionist.

is definitely true and always a pleasure to enjoy while being in the UK.

I think this is one of the reasons I love British humor so much, as well. Even the essentially stupid stuff like Black Adder and Red Dwarf...and of course, Mr. Bean. Just great stuff.

[john9blue]

Hahaha, yeah, run to Mother Russia and let her embrace you as well as she has in the past.

...said Stalin.

[alex951]

Americans are quite different depending on where you are. It's hard to generalize.

yup, california is way different then georgia. but i do hate how americans stereo type. in cali ppl assumed i spoke english (i do and way better then my spanish) but in georgia most assume that i have an accent. they'll be like "ok you speak really good english". well duh i was born here

[hahaha3hahaha]

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