Non-Americans, why don't you like America?
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I'll bet that arrogance, ignorance, lack of a world perspective, over-aggressiveness, the clash of races, the need to play world police, the geographic isolation, and extreme gun violence will be your top answers.
Good thread that should provide some unique individual answers...
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One of the main reasons is the feeling that we are dominating the world and imposing our culture and way of life on other countries. When you go to a foreign country and see Walmarts and Mcdonald's all over town, and young people wearing American Jeans and listening to American music, it starts to seem a little like the rest of the world is turning into the U.S., and some foreigners would prefer to keep their traditional life rather than adopting this Western Culture. Some countries like Costa Rica and the UK seem to actually like America and Americans overall and its culture, and still keep their own culture. Countries like Russia and China both like and hate America at the same time. Other countries like Iran, Vennezuela and Cuba just seem to have governments that don't like the U.S. government. We don't like their governments much either.Comment -
The same reason we natuarlly pull against the pats and yankees. Pull against the fav or team on top, just normal.Comment -
Never been to America,but i`d imagine there`s good and bad people/places like everywhere else.Comment -
That's exactly what I've discovered traveling across the Lower 48, Canada, Mexico and Central America, the UK, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Karachi, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. Every country and culture I've experienced is essentially one body, and some of the people insist on playing the role of the rectum while the vast majority are the brains, eyes and ears, just decent, fun-loving folks. The hatred for America is generally ill-founded, but understandable due to the behavior of our president and other politicians, plus that of the diplomats and those employed in foreign service who, in my opinion, are an over-arrogant lot whose only real discernible talent I've seen is the ability to lie through their teeth and never think twice about it.Comment -
About the only place on that list I wouldn't want to go back to is Karachi. The Canadian Rockies rank up there, every small town I've visited in the UK, and some spots along the Baja Peninsula or the Pacific Coast of Mexico that are very nice. And I'd like to get back and see the Eastern Coast of Australia someday.Comment -
its financial not territorial. the people on top are the ones holding all the marbles. Even in America corporations are more and more running government. Just look at all corporate lobbiest who change policies and pressure government into there decision making. For example, why are we still using fossil fuel?? having to go to bed with country's that despise the U.S because there is waaay too much money in it, not because of technology. We need to tread carefully for corporatism might be the new evil empire of the middle class not Iran or N.Korea folks.Comment -
Does it matter? On top, on bottom, sideways, suspended from a ceiling fan, in the shower, on the bathroom counter, on the neighbor's breakfast table while you're supposed to be house sitting for them, with Peggy Sue on the ferris wheel, in a lake, in a stream, very quietly, with a scream, whether sober or drunk as hell, on the phone or via mail, in your socks, with a hat, on the bed where sleeps the cat, when your young and when you're old, even if it's bought and sold...uh, sorry, I was reading Dr. Seuss to my great-niece last night. What was the question?Comment -
I rarely meet people that don't like the USA. I often meet people that don't like the US gov't. Something I completely understand.Comment -
Very good observation.... You hit it on the head... The whole world is turning into ONE!!!!
Well I am not going to call it America because it's stupid it's not America... That's like calling the UK Europe... THE UNITED STATES I just love as well as the women... The culture is atheist based although most would think it's Christtian based.... It used to be... I used to LOVE this culture but the trash that entertainers are pushing now is a little too much for me...
I admire all the traveling Willie has done.... It must have been a nice experience...
As far as everything The US is being blammed for..??? As I said I don't blame the whore I blame the pimp... Actually in this case I don't blame the pimp either because I agree with his ideas...
As the book "THE GRAND CHESSBOARD" implies... The US is the driving engine to establishing a GLOBAL GOVERMENT and it would be nice if those lazy f*cks would get get their sports watching as*es and hurry it up!!!
LET'S GO you FAT piece of sh*t society.. IRAN is next... Don't worry about why we are going... JUST GO!!!
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Yep it doesn´t really matter who is on top, important would be to support countrys where people starve etc..that should not be, in todays times.
But America has slipped down very fast, the U.S. dollar isn´t even the leading currency anymore, it drops and drops while Americas debts grow on an almost daily basis. Bush ruined the U.S.Comment -
Most are jealous periodComment -
jealous of what ?Comment -
Why don't I like americans?
I would say that I do like Americans, I just don't like George Bush.
The supporters of George Bush seem to speak louder than the Americans that want Bush out....therefore, internationally it looks George Bush represents Americans, mostly cuz he was elected for 2 terms.
So why don't I like George Bush?
America has access to great minds. I dont understand why you put a person in power that has run numerous companies in to the ground and a person who had a serious cocaine addiction. Even if Bill gates was president part time, he'd do a better job than Bush if Bush worked 24 hours a day.
#1. 9-11. Al-Queda is Saudi based, not Iraqi based. The US has done nothing to the Saudis. By taking out Iraq, the US has actually rewarded the Saudis for 9-11. The Saudis have 1 less country to compete with in terms of oil prices over there now.
#2. No gun control.
#3. some americans have an arrogant attitude. Like, I am so very good and you suck type deal.
#4. American Logic.
I dont understand some of this thinking. No weapons of MD? we were right anyway. Take online gaming away from the people? They are right for doing it to us. Hold a gun to Elian Gonzales face? So what, he's a Cuban worthless piece of crap.
Why do the Americans fear standing up to the government? Whatever ever happend to "fight the power", and rosa parks type thinking? You guys are becoming weak.Comment -
How can someone just say they dont like a countries people? Thats just plain old stupid. I can see not liking a countries policies.
Robzilla why you so down on guns? Its idiots that use them commiting crimes that need to be held responsible, not the guns themselves, JMO.
Gonna have to change my avatar and signature line to something pro gun.
laterComment -
i'm not going to bother commenting on half of your nonsense, but one thing i will say is that NO ONE is afraid to stand up to the govt, are you kidding me?
we have musicians like green day making anti-american, anti-govt songs...we have movie stars (Penn) going to hang out with Chavez in Venezuela to protest American Govt basically...
Americans have anti-Bush bumper stickers... it goes on and on.
to say that we're afraid to stand up to the govt is a bunch of crap. the glorious thing about this country is that i can go outside in front of the nation's capital and put up a sign bashing the president and saying he is an asshole and i'm not going to get shot for it. try doing that in the middle east or elsewhere and see where it gets you.Comment -
Bear in mind as well that for many people, it is considered "Hip" to hate the United States, regardless of what one may personally know or not know about the country and/or it's policies.
I've basically lived in Canada my entire life, and like having America as my southern neighbour to be honest. When I went to University, there were numerous student clubs, groups, movements formed, many of which had an anti-US theme as their central rallying point. Whatever the problem; Blame America. It was abundantly clear that many of these people, upon conversing with them, knew little of America's policies or history, but hey, you got to be "cool" and join a group.
I'm not saying the US is perfect; No nation is. But if I wasn't living in Canada, that would definitely be my second choice. Personally, I've been there countless times and always had a great time and met tremendous people, particularly in New York City. But that's just one man's experiences.....Comment -
you make a good point. i think america does a lot of "wrong", but they also do a lot of "good". with great power comes great responsibility, and the bottom line is america is by far the most powerful nation in the world.
other nations never have a problem coming to america for assistance with wars or anything else they need. europe would be still led by 'hitler' if it wasn't for our vital role in WW2. i also find it funny that france "hates" us although we've saved their asses time and time again.
i think all these anti-bush / anti-war / anti-american people should think about where the world would be if it wasn't for america's 'obession' with war...Comment -
Thanks Rem.....I think it also comes down to your personal experience. I realize much of this thread deals with America's policies and such (particularly it's foreign policies) but in terms of just the average, "Everday Joe" experiences, I have nothing but glowing reviews of Americans.
They have always treated myself and my family with great respect, courtesy and friendliness, regardless of city, race, social demographic, etc., of whatever location I was visiting. Again though, just one man's perspective.....Comment -
@ Remmy
I dont think many europeans are unhappy with the US involvement in WW2, but you must remember that the US didn't become actively involved untill Germany and Italy declared war. Had they not done this its quite possible US would have stayed out of Europe and only focused on Japan.
"i think all these anti-bush / anti-war / anti-american people should think about where the world would be if it wasn't for america's 'obession' with war..."
I am very pro-american but just like i didnt condone Germanys preemptive attack on Poland, I neither condoned the US preemptive attack on Iraq.
That being said, I dont see much hatred of America in my country, but there is a concern about where America is headed. Patriot Act, Guantanamo etc. is not something worthy of a country which previously always stood as a guardian for civil liberties.Comment -
There are many reasons.
Some examples:
- The USA put pressure on other countries to accept their rules, for example they want to force Iran to stop their use of nuclear technology (that the USA have most nuclear weapons of all countries is another thing). In this case the USA say they speak in the name of the world community. On the other side they refuse to accept rules if they themselves are concerned, for example don't accept to reduce CO2 emmissions of their industry and their cars as they say it would affect their economy...
- they consider themselves as superior from an ethic point of view stating to be part of the civilized world, but on the other side there are only few countries with so much violence, use of guns and other weapons in every day life (apart from that the death penalty is also not exactly a sign of a very civilised society)
- the terror paranoia: every part of life is controlled by the government and secret services: cameras everywhere, data of flight passengers, financial transactions, monitoring of chats, e-mails and phone calls and so on. One could say that the terrorists already have reached their aims as they have created a climate of anxiety in which people give up their freedom voluntarily
All this and many other things make the USA an absolute 'no go area' for me. I should be fair to say that only about half of the people in the USA are responsible for their current government - therefore the motto 'every country gets the government which it deserves' is only 'half-true'.
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I don't hate America, but the US Gov't and their policies are another story.
Some of the kindest nicest people I've met in my travels happened to be American, its too bad that Americans think other countries hate them, they don't hate the people they hate the fact the US gov't behaves the way it does and causes them misery under the guise/excuse of American interests/Security etc etc.
Hate the pimp not the ho!Comment -
I have travelled extensively through the US and have some very close friends there. However I think Kiwi summed it up perfectly. I don't hate Americans per se, but certainly have no use for the present government. The whole "socialist" paranoia that seems rampant through their society is amazing. That and the whole policy on guns is another matter for discussion.There are many reasons.
Some examples:
- The USA put pressure on other countries to accept their rules, for example they want to force Iran to stop their use of nuclear technology (that the USA have most nuclear weapons of all countries is another thing). In this case the USA say they speak in the name of the world community. On the other side they refuse to accept rules if they themselves are concerned, for example don't accept to reduce CO2 emmissions of their industry and their cars as they say it would affect their economy...
- they consider themselves as superior from an ethic point of view stating to be part of the civilized world, but on the other side there are only few countries with so much violence, use of guns and other weapons in every day life (apart from that the death penalty is also not exactly a sign of a very civilised society)
- the terror paranoia: every part of life is controlled by the government and secret services: cameras everywhere, data of flight passengers, financial transactions, monitoring of chats, e-mails and phone calls and so on. One could say that the terrorists already have reached their aims as they have created a climate of anxiety in which people give up their freedom voluntarily
All this and many other things make the USA an absolute 'no go area' for me. I should be fair to say that only about half of the people in the USA are responsible for their current government - therefore the motto 'every country gets the government which it deserves' is only 'half-true'.
If I had to live there my vote would be the Denver area as it is some of the most beautiful scenery I"ve ever witnessed. If Americans toned down the we are great BS it would be a lot better too.Comment -
Places id rather live, if i couldnt live in Canada.
1. New Zealand.
2. Austrailia
3. England
4. Italy
5. Sweden
6. switzerland
7. Spain.
8. Fiji.
then USA, then MexicoComment -
I don't dislike America, or Americans, or indeed any of the former British colonies or descendants of the colonists.
Its fun to wind them up a bit though
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born in wales,grew up in england,live in canada and work inthe us,and ilove them allComment -
I knew I'd get some good answers... Got some sharp fellers here.Comment -
The first thing that others hate about us is the claim of Americans (instead of US citizens). It implies that we own all of North America--at the expense of Canada and Mexico. It is indeed arrogance. All the goodwill we gained during the first two World Wars was pissed down the drain, especially since our idiot President took over in 2000. It used to be that you could travel abroad, and God help those that screw with the USA. Today, you're a target.
Don't get me wrong; I appreciate what my father and others fought for. Unfortunately it's been lost in today's politics. What the hell does Iraq have to do with 9/11? The rest of the World has every right to hate US.Comment -
Some people think the old saying, "My country, right or wrong," means you support anything the current people in power do.
But that is not correct,according the America's Founding Fathers. Jefferson even thought that a rebellion every 20 years or so was a good thing to preserve liberty.
America is unique in some ways, but in others subject to the same historial cycles that have risen up and done in other cultures.
History and governents are always in the hand of minorities. Though in America the belief is still ingrained that the "people rule."
Yet only a high of maybe 23 % support Bush and his policies, yet they continue in their crazy policies, and the Dems appear powerless to stop them.
Many foreigners are positive toward America, but very opposed to the current adminstration. But then, so are most Americans.
The American psyche is basically "isolationist," that is to say, it does not want to intervene into the internal politics of other countries, and especially not militarily. (Before both World Wars, a large majority of Americans opposed entry, and it took a propanganda show to convince them otherwise. See Tansill, "Back Door to War.")
This was George Washington's view - stay out of the internal affairs of other nations. A sound piece of advice that has been ignored by the US elite for over a hundred years.
On the private ownership of guns: many foreigners do not understand this. But remember: American was, basically, founded by individuals with guns, going out into the wilderness with their rifles, and settling the land.
In Europe, the nations were founded by invading standing armies, or by roving militant tribes. The US was founded by individuals with guns. And if I may be permitted a politically incorrent statement: the increase in gun violence in America is almost exclusively confined to the black and Hispanic comunities: the rate of homicide and murder by gun in the white population has remained steady (and low) for over a hundred years.Comment
