Does the world hate America?

[Nikolas222]

Im sorry if i sound stupid, but sometimes there are shows with people from outside the US or even inside the US that seem to loath America and hate it. Do you know why this might be?

 

[feathergirl]

probably because most of the world views americans as self-centered. they don't like our attitude. that we act like "the world is all about them and they dont really care about anyone other than themself" (one of my friends told me that - non american friend). I think he's right. i do think more about myself at times than others. i'm trying to change that. cuz i don't want to be viewed as one of those americans who only cares about me & not others. sometimes i think i don't even want to live here if that's what the world thinks about us. i dunno if moving would help though.

 

[Chilufya]

Why would you want to move away from a country because of what others think of it? If other people think poorly of your church, even though YOU love your church, would you still leave it? Why do you care what they think?

 

[feathergirl]

Maybe I want to move cuz I'm sick of some of the things that go on in this country?

 

[Nikolas222]

awww man, i started a debate

 

[mystery4]

I am Australian... and to be honest, the general Aussie view is not one that absolutely loves America. America is thought of to be (as has already been mentioned) as a country who really couldn't care less about anyone but themselves. The rest of the world may be at odds, but so long as America isn't threatened then its perfectly fine. (I'm not saying this is what all Americans think, but the impression that comes across from America to other countries.) I also don't really like the lifestyle over there too. It seems to be very plastic and materialistic. From what I've heard the movies and soapies generally reflect the way most people live, which is not exactly the best type of life I've seen. Also a friend of mine has recently been over to America and went to a bookstore. Well, being the primary (elementary in your lanuage) teacher that she is, decided to check out and see what type of things kids in the same year that she teaches were learning over there. She was most surprised to discover in a published book with a map of Australia New Zealand being in the position Tasmania was sposed to be in and attached to the mainland of Australia. For one thing I don't think the Tassie's would be most appreciative to find that they had been forgotten (again...) and most certainly disgusted a few kiwi's to find that they had been included as an aussie...

I will say that while I don't love America, most of the people I've spoken to who are american (at least on this site anyway) are all very friendly though lacking in general knowledge about the world they live in.

Well I think I will leave it at that... sorry I really didn't mean to have such as quite a long post as that...

 

[feathergirl]

Yay misty. I'm not offended at all. Even if others are. You're right that Americans don't know much about the world, they don't know what's going on around them. One of my classes this fall semester is world affairs...so hopefully I'll learn something about the world I live in...both in the US & in other countries. (If the prof doesn't put the class to sleep anyways.) Can't tell ya if the movies/soaps are what life is like here cuz I don't watch much of either. Guess that's all I got to say for now.

 

[mystery4]

*sighs a big breath of relief* well at least one person wasn't offended anyways. Thanks Heather. Hope you don't fall asleep in your world affairs class. Hope noone else is offended either, just telling what others think of Americans at least in Aus anyway. God Bless, Misty

 

[but'n'ben]

Hey there.

I'm from Scotland and the general view of Americans (Please, please don't be offended) is that they couldn't find any other country on a map other than the USA. The fact that they think Scotland is just an English state doesn't go down well...at all. I went on tours in our capital city and there are almost always American tourists on them. Instead of just listening to the tour guide, they always shout out and draw attention to themselves when everyone else is quiet and listening. Just things like that. The general view is that the Americans have to be the biggest, loudest, best and most patriotic-no matter what is going on. Even if it's an egg and spoon race, and it just annoys most people.

Having said that, ALL americans I have met on this board are lovely.

 

[JCMLR]

Mexican People used to say the U.S was a wounderful country full of Opportunities, jobs, luck, ect.......(and still do!) Until bush became the president of the U.S.
Not because they were mean it was because the U.S wanted to involve us/Mexico with the Iraq war, but everyone had a releaf when the Mexican presiden't didn't accept.
Also the U.S wanted to buy all of our Oil/gasoline, but thanks to god we didn't accept it.(wasn't a good deal anyay )

 

[Soju_Man]

US of A has free refills so to me, that's enough of a reason to love it.

Europe and Asia don't have free refills.

 

[JimmyT]

What others have said about America I think sums up the common viewpoint here in England, and certainly among my peer group. Obviously not everyone in America is like that, but it seems quite a few are.

Example of America not caring for much else besides it own wealth...Kyoto Protocol...

James

 

[feathergirl]

In preparation for the Earth Summit, the UN conducted a world-wide survey. The only question was: "Please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world." The survey was a complete failure. The Chinese didn't know what "opinion" meant;the Middle East didn't know what "solutions" meant; the East Europeans didn't know what "honest" meant;the Africans didn't know what "food" meant; the South Americans didn't know what "please" meant; and the USA didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

 

[Multi-Elis]

From my living outside of the USA most of my life, and living in two such countries, I can say that in some aspects, mostly unconciously, People love America. they are influinced by it in most ways, and have no problem with it. It is only openly that they realise that they aren't american and if they are Israeli, it is because they wan't to feel like cool Israelies. If they are french, it's partially a different world view, partially not liking the americanized changes, I would say that these are reasons to not like America. But if they hate America- it is out of ignorant missinformation or from dissliking political views. When I say miss understand - I mean that quite a few think that Americans are like the bad guys in the film bowling for colombine. So often I have to remind them that the elections 4 years ago were 50-50, which means that around half are politically worthy of French leftist sympathy. And secondly, I have to remind them that americans are usually just simple relaxed people in their own little world like in the movie "runaway bride" - not worthy of hate.

 

[Starcrystal]

Feathergirl,
Maybe I want to move cuz I'm sick of some of the things that go on in this country?

Totally understand. In fact I even wanted to run to Russia in the 70's. Seriously.
Being Native American I love the land, but as far as the "occupying" power that dictates how we and the rest of the world should live like "Americans" I'd rather not comment. Look at some of my other posts....
My main objection centers on mostly economic issues, but these are what lead to pride and vanity. Its all about me, me ,me, I , I , I - self gratification. Dog eat dog corporate capitalism that pounces on anyone to succeed. If your lucky enough and get enough educational, political, and economical power to stomp the competition and build your kingdom, then you've "made it" in societies eyes. Problem is, that describes only about 5 to 10 % of the population, while the rest struggles and slaves at hateful jobs and gives long hours just to afford to live....

 

[an7222]

As a brazilian, I think the people here loves america, because it's a place that have good job opportunities. In fact, I think we would like to be another USA state, but we fear that we will not be treated as true americans. We will be considered citizens of second degree, that must not have the same rights and opportunities as the "true" americans. But we are very proud of you, because in 500 years you became the richest country of the world, and in 500 years Brazil became nothing but a third country world. We feel as USA and Brazil are too brothers. But despite of this, USA should never despise the others. And we can complement each other. You have the money, we have the football, the carnival, the beaches and the tanned girls. Come here in your vacations and spend your dollars.

 

[Geri Hatrick]

But we are very proud of you, because in 500 years you became the richest country of the world...

Yes, but have you thought much about how they did that?

 

[Geri Hatrick]

Totally understand. In fact I even wanted to run to Russia in the 70's. Seriously.
Being Native American I love the land, but as far as the "occupying" power that dictates how we and the rest of the world should live like "Americans" I'd rather not comment. Look at some of my other posts....
My main objection centers on mostly economic issues, but these are what lead to pride and vanity. Its all about me, me ,me, I , I , I - self gratification. Dog eat dog corporate capitalism that pounces on anyone to succeed. If your lucky enough and get enough educational, political, and economical power to stomp the competition and build your kingdom, then you've "made it" in societies eyes. Problem is, that describes only about 5 to 10 % of the population, while the rest struggles and slaves at hateful jobs and gives long hours just to afford to live....

That's how many non-Americans view the US, too. It's so much more than just "loud" or "brash" - it's about ruthlessness in politics and business, and American corporate imperialism and socio-political hegemony - and it's corrupt and dirty as all hell. Hence the rise in terrorism and the need for "insurgencies". Right now, the world is wondering if perhaps it's time to start protecting ourselves against the US - environmentally, politically, economically and culturally. America right now is a scary, scary country - the most dangerously armed, the most sociopathic, and lead by an "affable" madman.

If you could change all that, Americans, that'd be great. I happen to love this world - ALL of it.


btw, Starcrystal, I love your signature. I've been arguing that Christ was more of a socialist and a humanist, than a hardnosed capitalist or TV evangelist. He understood the nuances of mankind, and the interconnectedness of everything. I'm sure he wqeeps at what is said and done in his name these days. (Which is another thing that many people of from overseas don't like about the US - TV evangelists, with one hand thumping the bible and damning you all to hell, and the other trying to get into your wallet and your daughter.)

 

[Geri Hatrick]

In preparation for the Earth Summit, the UN conducted a world-wide survey. The only question was: "Please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world." The survey was a complete failure. The Chinese didn't know what "opinion" meant;the Middle East didn't know what "solutions" meant; the East Europeans didn't know what "honest" meant;the Africans didn't know what "food" meant; the South Americans didn't know what "please" meant; and the USA didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

LOL!! Cute joke.

 

[Sanguine]

Im sorry if i sound stupid, but sometimes there are shows with people from outside the US or even inside the US that seem to loath America and hate it. Do you know why this might be?

Alot of reasons, economic imperialism, U.S.A.F bombings of civilian targets, Proxy wars, all round hegemony. I don't really feel one way or the other so I can only guess at their reasons. But I would be incredibly suprised if the average America hater around the world would tell you they hate them because "Americans love freedom". However that didn't stop alot of Americans taking it hook line and sinker.