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Poll: Opinion of the USA
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View Poll Results: How does your nation view the United States?
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Positively
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80 |
39.80% |
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Neutrally
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55 |
27.36% |
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Negatively
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66 |
32.84% |
Member Since: 3/5/2011
Posts: 30,130
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I'm from the UK, and I must admit to wishing we Brits had the same sort of patriotism as the Americans. It seems like there is a real sense of national pride in the US in daily life, while it takes something as massive as the Olympics to get people here to admit to being proud to be British.
I would also argue that the Americans are, by nature, incredibly charming and friendly people. I have never had a problem starting or maintaining a conversation, and they are always eager to engage with people they have just met.
That said, no-one is without fault. I think the homophobia and racism which seems to be endemic in the US casts a very negative light on the country. And I won't generalise and say that I believe the majority of Americans are ignorant, but the amount of press given to those who openly oppose motions such as marriage equality formulate a rather negative impression.
I wish very much that British sportspeople could develop the confidence of Americans. I watch Americans with masses of confidence and charisma take on whatever challenge is in front of them with such positivity and enthusiasm that I cannot help but cheer them on. The only thing that annoys me in sport is the length of the national anthem. It seems like they'll never be getting off the podium 
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Member Since: 2/15/2010
Posts: 26,154
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Quote:
Originally posted by (Cole)
Unless this is sarcasm, it's comments like this that make foreigners hate America and Americans.
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Precisely.
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Member Since: 4/20/2012
Posts: 3,792
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I'm from Northern New Jersey. When I was in high school, many people did not know of Times Square or what Manhattan is (hint: it's part of NYC). Many thought Africa was a country. Most couldn't name a single city in Canada. They conformed to every trend and mocked those who dared to be an individual. If they all thought the same, talked the same, and dressed the same, they somehow felt more secure and superior. I now live in Brooklyn, NYC, which is filled with anti-conformist hipsters who actually read the newspaper and have a mature, international mindset. It's worrisome to think that my hometown, which is filled with ignorant and average people, is only 45 minutes away from NYC (the liberal stronghold of the US).
I'm currently vacationing in Montreal and Quebec City in Canada for the first time. I am so surprised with the wonderful quality of life Canadian citizens enjoy. Streets are clean, construction seems to be booming, homeless people are a rarity, and people just appear thinner, healthier, and happier. I love it here. What is Canada doing that the US isn't?
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Member Since: 12/15/2011
Posts: 1,698
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Quote:
Originally posted by (Cole)
I am an American and I have a negative view of the country as a whole. There are too many issues the country is facing that it really just shouldn't. I think lots of the issues have to due with a rather dysfunctional partisan government, and strict adherence to religion that often gets intertwined in politics when it has no business being there.
American exceptionalism bugs me to no end, especially considering that dozens of countries are much better off than we are--economically, "democratically," and just in the general quality of living (see: Sweden, Norway, Canada, Denmark, the UK, Iceland, Switzerland...I could keep going.)
I never share this view outside of the internet because I'd immediately be told that I'm "un-American" or that "if I don't like it," I "should just leave."
But to be honest, as soon as I'm capable of leaving the country, I will.
Feel free to love America. I'm not going to tell you that you're "wrong." I just don't love America. And it's not like I'm planning to overthrow the government or anything.
I will also say that nationalism of any kind sort of irks me.
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Well, the beauty of America is that its government has a flexible constitution capable of allowing change as needed. Thus, we can support (though with difficulty) a massively larger population than almost any other nation without succumbing to "communism"; you can't necessarily compare the US with Sweden, for example, because the issues of the two nations are very different.
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Member Since: 11/11/2010
Posts: 11,240
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LOL at My fellow Americans in here proving the things people say about us. Why couldn't I Be Norwegian.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by TheAqua
I know,but I think that's Ignorant.
The South has it's rough spots,but so does every place.
We aren't in the Civil War era anymore....I would love for you to explain in futher detail about why you feel the way you do with Southerners.
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Because the South is much more conservative then the North.
States that legalized same-sex marriage
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 9,381
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Quote:
Originally posted by Golden
I could go on and on on how much better my country is than the USA. If you're going to be patriotic, so can I.
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knock yourself out kid...
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Member Since: 2/25/2012
Posts: 9,540
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Quote:
Originally posted by (Cole)
Unless this is sarcasm, it's comments like this that make foreigners hate America and Americans.
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I was being sarcastic, but I am very proud to be an American and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I love my country.
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Member Since: 12/15/2011
Posts: 1,698
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Quote:
Originally posted by Darren-5-08
I'm from the UK, and I must admit to wishing we Brits had the same sort of patriotism as the Americans. It seems like there is a real sense of national pride in the US in daily life, while it takes something as massive as the Olympics to get people here to admit to being proud to be British.
I would also argue that the Americans are, by nature, incredibly charming and friendly people. I have never had a problem starting or maintaining a conversation, and they are always eager to engage with people they have just met.
That said, no-one is without fault. I think the homophobia and racism which seems to be endemic in the US casts a very negative light on the country. And I won't generalise and say that I believe the majority of Americans are ignorant, but the amount of press given to those who openly oppose motions such as marriage equality formulate a rather negative impression.
I wish very much that British sportspeople could develop the confidence of Americans. I watch Americans with masses of confidence and charisma take on whatever challenge is in front of them with such positivity and enthusiasm that I cannot help but cheer them on. The only thing that annoys me in sport is the length of the national anthem. It seems like they'll never be getting off the podium |
I very much enjoyed reading that. It made my patriotism swell. Britain and the US have always been friends (save for two certain wars), and we look to you for support more than you'd think.
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Member Since: 12/10/2011
Posts: 12,699
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Quote:
Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR
[MARIAH]We don't know them.[/MARIAH].
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;ffff
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Member Since: 5/4/2012
Posts: 12,811
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Quote:
Originally posted by ethan
What a horrible woman that was... 
Who cares if we don't know what's going on in Trinidad? Really? Why should I care what's going on in your little country?
People visiting Trinidad are helping your economy. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. |
lol I never really did ask you to care now did I?
Well for one, You get asphalt for roads from here. and Sugar. and cocoa for chocolate. and a percentage of your oil and natural gas. amongst other things. But hey enjoy paying for health care.
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 9,381
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America didn't become the great nation it is by being humble.
everyone knows that.
if you don't like it here, you literally can get out.
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Member Since: 12/15/2011
Posts: 1,698
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Quote:
Originally posted by Archetype
I'm from Northern New Jersey. When I was in high school, many people did not know of Times Square or what Manhattan is (hint: it's part of NYC). Many thought Africa was a country. Most couldn't name a single city in Canada. They conformed to every trend and mocked those who dared to be an individual. If they all thought the same, talked the same, and dressed the same, they somehow felt more secure and superior. I now live in Brooklyn, NYC, which is filled with anti-conformist hipsters who actually read the newspaper and have a mature, international mindset. It's worrisome to think that my hometown, which is filled with ignorant and average people, is only 45 minutes away from NYC (the liberal stronghold of the US).
I'm currently vacationing in Montreal and Quebec City in Canada for the first time. I am so surprised with the wonderful quality of life Canadian citizens enjoy. Streets are clean, construction seems to be booming, homeless people are a rarity, and people just appear thinner, healthier, and happier. I love it here. What is Canada doing that the US isn't?
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Its population is much smaller, so streamlining and reforming tends to be easier. Plus, Canada doesn't concern itself much with outside nations, so its efforts can be more focused.
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Member Since: 8/17/2010
Posts: 3,155
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Know It All
Well, the beauty of America is that its government has a flexible constitution capable of allowing change as needed. Thus, we can support (though with difficulty) a massively larger population than almost any other nation without succumbing to "communism"; you can't necessarily compare the US with Sweden, for example, because the issues of the two nations are very different.
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I agree that the constitution one of the most effective documents of governance in the world and that its "ammendability" is probably what makes it so great.
However, as I said before, the massive political divide and partisanship makes it extremely difficult to get anything done. There's a reason why America seems to progress much more slowly, in many aspects, when compared to its European counterparts.
I also agree that the large population arguably contributes to some of the difficulty. And that's just something that can't be changed.
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 12,590
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America is an extremely split country.
There is the south (that is called the bible belt) which is where people tend to be more conservative. They are generalized as being aganist gay marriage and abortion but are for religion and guns.
Then there is the north where the people tend to be more liberal and diverse. They believe in gay marriage and are more for freedom of choicde when it comes to religion and abortion.
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Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 2,338
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Quote:
Originally posted by ethan
What a horrible woman that was...
Who cares if we don't know what's going on in Trinidad? Really? Why should I care what's going on in your little country?
People visiting Trinidad are helping your economy. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. |
Wow. This is the kind of arrogance that is so off-putting. Believes-that-America-is-the-world specimen #213123
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Member Since: 12/28/2010
Posts: 26,529
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Quote:
Originally posted by (Cole)
I am an American and I have a negative view of the country as a whole. There are too many issues the country is facing that it really just shouldn't. I think lots of the issues have to due with a rather dysfunctional partisan government, and strict adherence to religion that often gets intertwined in politics when it has no business being there.
American exceptionalism bugs me to no end, especially considering that dozens of countries are much better off than we are--economically, "democratically," and just in the general quality of living (see: Sweden, Norway, Canada, Denmark, the UK, Iceland, Switzerland...I could keep going.)
I never share this view outside of the internet because I'd immediately be told that I'm "un-American" or that "if I don't like it," I "should just leave."
But to be honest, as soon as I'm capable of leaving the country, I will.
Feel free to love America. I'm not going to tell you that you're "wrong." I just don't love America. And it's not like I'm planning to overthrow the government or anything.
I will also say that nationalism of any kind sort of irks me.
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i agree 
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Member Since: 12/15/2011
Posts: 1,698
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Quote:
Originally posted by CoolestPerson12
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Not my state as one of the least progressive.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by (Cole)
I am an American and I have a negative view of the country as a whole. There are too many issues the country is facing that it really just shouldn't. I think lots of the issues have to due with a rather dysfunctional partisan government, and strict adherence to religion that often gets intertwined in politics when it has no business being there.
American exceptionalism bugs me to no end, especially considering that dozens of countries are much better off than we are--economically, "democratically," and just in the general quality of living (see: Sweden, Norway, Canada, Denmark, the UK, Iceland, Switzerland...I could keep going.)
I never share this view outside of the internet because I'd immediately be told that I'm "un-American" or that "if I don't like it," I "should just leave."
But to be honest, as soon as I'm capable of leaving the country, I will.
Feel free to love America. I'm not going to tell you that you're "wrong." I just don't love America. And it's not like I'm planning to overthrow the government or anything.
I will also say that nationalism of any kind sort of irks me.
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That's great, the less people who don't like it here the better. Good bye when you leave. But remember this, every country has problems, and every country has radicals, and nationalists. Every country you mentioned has problems.
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Member Since: 8/17/2010
Posts: 3,155
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Quote:
Originally posted by TeamMinaj
I was being sarcastic, but I am very proud to be an American and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I love my country.
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Good. I was getting ready to jump down your throat. 
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