Is the United States of America, the most criticized/antagonized country in the world? ATRL is known for having a wide-variety of diverse members from all crosses of life; because of that we are able to learn and educate one another through those different perspectives. Every country has their positives and their negatives, but sometimes I can't help but feel that the Unites States is scrutinized and looked down upon more than most countries by outsiders.
There are the arguments of Americans being elitists, obese, and dumb...just to name a few. I know Eli and I were about to fully discuss this topic because we both agree on this topic, but I will like to open the discussion and get views from our diverse site on this matter. Do try to keep things civil, this isn't meant to spark a patriotic war, but to learn from other people's perspective.
Has mass media played a partial role in this perception?
There's loads of other insane examples too, nothing to do with media influence.
The typographical error on the part of FOX NEWS was a sad one, but surely the U.S. isn't the only country that has had their country's media outlets make typographical or programming errors? No one is perfect and are bound to make mistakes one way or the other.
The typographical error on the part of FOX NEWS was a sad one, but surely the U.S. isn't the only country that has had their country' media outlets make typographical or programming errors? No one is perfect and are bound to make mistakes one way or the other.
True, even here a woman with a morning show made fun of it and did it herself (not on purpose).
But wasn't it on more and more other channels/shows/media forms?
Every country has stereotypes too. All those vids on dumb Americans are nothing to me lol. We are stuck with Wilders here
True, even here a woman with a morning show made fun of it and did it herself (not on purpose).
But wasn't it on more and more other channels/shows/media forms?
Every country has stereotypes too. All those vids on dumb Americans are nothing to me lol. We are stuck with Wilders here
Thanks for sharing that, it only enhances my curiosity about this topic.
Since I just returned from an exchange program with France. I have to say, Amurrica, is really not all that. I much prefer France, then again I am a teenager, and don't really have to deal with the adult world. But still, France and most of Europe kicks major ass.
Sticks, I fail to see how that relates to the topic at hand. This isn't about which country/continent you prefer, it's about foreign perception of Americans.
The perception that foreigners (at least Germans) have of Americans is a completely wrong one. The cliche southwestern American who is overweight, has bbqs every weekend, is very friendly but also a little dumb and unaware of anything that's going on outside of his country is extremely prevalent even though it only encompasses a small portion of the country and there really isn't a single stereotype to describe every American because there are so many parts that are completely different from each other (like the Midwest and Big cities on the coast -> polar opposites).
People seem to have no interest to get rid of this stereotype. Videos like this one:
are very often about Americans, even though you can find stupid people like that anywhere.
Sticks, I fail to see how that relates to the topic at hand. This isn't about which country/continent you prefer, it's about foreign perception of Americans.
Let me expound. You're right though, it was a little off topic.
At my school, everyone is always like Amurrica, and act all tough and seem to think we are the best nation out there. While I was in France, I was talking with my friends, and we decided America is not as good as it is made out to be.
I asked the French what they thought of Americans, they said we were generally loud, bad at other languages, and rather ignorant.
Well I am very open-minded and I don't judge people based on their nationality.
However, from my experience here in Mexico (Northern Mexico to be exact), people tend to say they look down on us whenever we go shopping to the US. Although I don't get it because some people treat you very kindly.
I do separate the republicans from the democrats. If I were in the US I'd totally be on the democrat side, they're point of view is kind of more like me.
I am very much aficionado of the american culture. My favourite TV shows are american, my music is american, everytime I seek for entertainment I seek for something off the US. And my dream would be living in NY off my future job.
But this is something that bugs the hell out of me about the US citizens: ignorance and narrow mindness.
Ignorance which can be seen through their lack of knowledge in basic things such as geography. I was appalled when I saw a major news broadcaster in the US had a funky Europe map; they couldn't distinguish France from Germany, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland. This is unacceptable. And lots of american can't place well known states on the map or cite major world capitals or heads of state.
Narrow mindness of specific matters. Religion being the first. It's like you are not allowed to be an atheist. They make a big deal out of it, like they also do with smoking. Some are not open with the world. I mean, Georges W Bush for instance waited for him to be president before he flies for the first time outside the US boundaries. Shameful.
Oh few actually took the time to learn and master foreign languages at school but still think every foreigner should eitheir make an effort to understand them whenever they go abroad or learn how to speak english. Double standard at its best.
I may dream of living in NY but there's something about Western Europe than I love.
Fashion. People can dress their ass off and have lots of swag in this part of the world.
People are very, very, very hot.
This is history attached to every major city.
This verifies in every major western european city.
I live in southern France, 20 min away from the mediterranean sea and I can tell you the weather is perfect: warm. I used to live in Paris, it was another feeling. You can go to the countryside. You can go skiing to some of most famous resorts on earth. There is everything you need.
The perception that foreigners (at least Germans) have of Americans is a completely wrong one. The cliche southwestern American who is overweight, has bbqs every weekend, is very friendly but also a little dumb and unaware of anything that's going on outside of his country is extremely prevalent even though it only encompasses a small portion of the country and there really isn't a single stereotype to describe every American because there are so many parts that are completely different from each other (like the Midwest and Big cities on the coast -> polar opposites).
People seem to have no interest to get rid of this stereotype. Videos like this one:
are very often about Americans, even though you can find stupid people like that anywhere.
Such videos are indeed a sad and poor portrayal of the intellect in American people, but like you mentioned, you would find baffled people about various questions in other countries as well. I just can't at them interviewing a homeless person in the video as well.
I remember seeing a comedian from Canada saying (with regard to Americans) -- "Do you ever get the feeling that we know more about them than they know about anything?" I thought it was pretty astute. We are pretty self-focused, and our pop culture is what we export to the world, so I imagine that could become overbearing.
I am very much aficionado of the american culture. My favourite TV shows are american, my music is american, everytime I seek for entertainment I seek for something off the US. And my dream would be living in NY off my future job.
But this is something that bugs the hell out of me about the US citizens: ignorance and narrow mindness.
Ignorance which can be seen through their lack of knowledge in basic things such as geography. I was appalled when I saw a major news broadcaster in the US had a funky Europe map; they couldn't distinguish France from Germany, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland. This is unacceptable. And lots of american can't place well known states on the map or cite major world capitals or heads of state.
Narrow mindness of specific matters. Religion being the first. It's like you are not allowed to be an atheist. They make a big deal out of it, like they also do with smoking. Some are not open with the world. I mean, Georges W Bush for instance waited for him to be president before he flies for the first time outside the US boundaries. Shameful.
I may dream of living in NY but there's something about Western Europe than I love.
Fashion. People can dress their ass off and have lots of swag in this part of the world.
People are very, very, very hot.
This is history attached to every major city.
This verifies in every major western european city.
I live in southern France, 20 min away from the mediterranean sea and I can tell you the weather is perfect: warm. I used to live in Paris, it was another feeling. You can go to the countryside. You can go skiing to some of most famous resorts on earth. There is everything you need.
No one can defend that news correspondant for their mistake, but one or few does not represent all Americans. There are plenty of students and adults who can accurately navigate and pinpoint countries geographically.
Not allowed to be atheist? There are plenty of atheists in the U.S., "Freedom of Religion" is part of our US Constitution afterall. What does smoking have to do with anything? I, myself don't smoke and will never try to smoke. Their are certain instructions made to those who do smoke to try and do so a certain distance from the general public. It's made to prevent second-hand smoking and the toxin exposure to non-smokers and kids alike. I don't personally see a problem with such a thing. We only promote awareness of the health risk you take with smoking, which are very true.
George Bush may have had the resources to fly or go abroad if he chose to (why he didn't is on him), but such things aren't available to typical Americans. My trip to Hong Kong last month was in fact my first trip outside of the country. Does that make me any less culturally ignorant to the rest of the world? NO! The financial burden to take such trips are simply too much for an average american to take. We have struggling citizens, who live in poverty their entire lives because they the lack resources to get out of such environments. Applying for passports and even visas depending on where you go can be incredibly pricey. We have students here struggling to just fund their college educations because of the expenses. Some going being in-debt to banks by as much as $80,000+.