[Closed] Why do so many people hate Americans?

I think it's their governments foreign policy that annoys people mostly.

I don't

When we went to the USA I went to do and see certain things and I was fully expecting the Yanks to annoy the tits out of me. I was so, so wrong.
Very friendly, sincere, helpful people.
I'll be going again.
😀

Personally i think its the wilful ignorance of a large percentage of the population. See the mindless drivel being spouted about the NHS. It seems they're just too sheep-like to possibly, like, maybe... Question any of the ludicrous tripe they're being spoon-fed by people with a pretty damn obvious vested interest. Its depressing.

Ignorance, insularity, obesity, selfishness and extremism.

I actually like Americans. It's America that is a bit of a problem.

there cars are crap and don't go round corners. Other than that I have found them great.

More their hegemonic influence rather than the the country itself or the majority of the people. Most nationalistic stereotypes, preconceptions and prejudices are broken down or at least changed once someone actually visits a place.

Ignorance, insularity, obesity, selfishness and extremism.

See, it's difficult for me to tell which country you're referring to here.

Eddie Izzard puts this quite simply

🙂

Nice Friday trolling.

I don't have anything against americans, but I can't help finding most of their accents pretty annoying.

I do think there are certain cultural differences that tend to grate - the stereotypes are true to an extent, but only so far.

It would be a lot more clear cut if the boundaries were redefined by uniting the good parts of the US with their awesome Northern neighbours thus:

[img] [/img]

Any nation that thinks its acceptable to export Budweiser and other such pish has to be dubious 🙂

It's cool to.

I'm not cool.

grumm... it's not the accents its the nasel tone some of us...us??.. did I say us?.. I mean them.. some of them have.

mrs.G who is from bucks had to translate for me when we were up in Essex a few months ago. there were "wot he say" on both sides.

p.s.. in all my travels in england tho I've never gotten anything but respect and good treatment.. sometimes well hidden behind a good bit of stick tho.

and.. a couple of old boys have bought me beers as thanks for U.S. soldiers who gave them sweets when they were tykes.

Its the rampant faux-Christian crusade (their governments foreign policy).

Three of the people I'd like to have dinner/a beer with are Woody Allen, Bill Clinton and Lance Armstrong.

People who generalise/'hate' a whole nation are of limited intelligence IMO.

Any nation that thinks its acceptable to export Budweiser and other such pish has to be dubious

Dunno what that says about a country that decides to start producing under licence that insidious Aussie lolly water Fosters. Trojan horse, if you ask me. Next thing the country'll be invaded by.... whoops.

Any nation that thinks its acceptable to export Budweiser and other such pish has to be dubious

Is't Bud German or something?

It's cool to.

I'm not cool.

Drac hits the nail square and hard, right on the head.

Same reason that a 150 years ago every-one hated the British, 400 years ago it was the Spanish, and a 1000 years ago people hated the Romans.

I work with Americans most days. Some of them are irritating, some of them are ok. Just like everywhere else really.

[i]Is't Bud German or something? [/i]

There's a Czechoslovakian beer with the same name, but it's not the same beer.

I think it is a leftover of the Bush administration and what it represented. However, I don't think that was so much an American thing as a dumb arrogance thing, but sadly Bush seemed to fit a sterotype which seems to be very american which I understand isn't actually the norm (thank God) and most americans are normal people - well the ones that decide there is a world outside of its own borders.

More their hegemonic influence rather than the the country itself or the majority of the people.

Think this is also true - American culture is so dominant there's naturally going to be some resentment about it

Most nationalistic stereotypes, preconceptions and prejudices are broken down or at least changed once someone actually visits a place.

You see, I find that some are, but many are actually revealed to be true! Not really in a bad way, just different. The American culture of 'individualism' does exist, for example.

Because they cannot talk in anything but ear splitting volume so that the entire world can hear what they're saying.

STFU!

Religion

That's why they were sent there to start with

What Drac said.

Americans, to be honest don't always travel very well. Go see them in the States, are just the most welcoming and friendly people.

Also, remember this is a country of 300m the size of a continent. There are plenty of New York hipsters and ageing San Fran techies who never go anywhere near the Red states. Me I'd love to see the South and South West.

.....and anyone who'd ever like to do a cycling tour of the Civil War battlefields, I have that one on my before I die "to do" list. Start in the Deep South, up the Shenandoah Valley, Gettysburg.....bliss.

blingblind, ok there are loud americans.. yes too many off em (us) but in fairness I think "american" is what your ear is tuned to. have you ever travelled and heard "Look love, pot noodles" being bellowed across a market in Greece?

mcboo.. .add this to your travel plans.. absolutely gorgeous in the early morning hours... great cycling too if you get out early before the cars cause miles of traffic queques
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

I think its because they have a higher GDP per capita than most other places and use faux rightous/religious arguments to pusue policies intended to increase their GDP per capita higher.

Personally I like the Americans I have met so far.

See, it's difficult for me to tell which country you're referring to here.

You started the thread. Pay attention.

I think it is a leftover of the Bush administration and what it represented.

I always liked the Queen / George Bush joke that was doing the rounds a few years back....

PeterPoddy - Member

Any nation that thinks its acceptable to export Budweiser and other such pish has to be dubious

Is't Bud German or something?

There are two different beers. Budvar, which is made in Ceske Budjejovice in the Czech Republic. Often called Budweiser for export from the German name for the town Budweis. The Anheuser Busch brewing company started brewing a beer under the name Budweiser I believe some time late in the 19th century. They called it this in much the same way many beers are called 'Pilsner' (name derived in the same way as above Plzen/Pilsen) but the trademarked it. Since the collapse of communism the (still state owned) Budvar brewery has been in trademark disputes with Anheuser Busch globally over who has rights to the name 'Budweiser'. Morally, I guess you would say the Czechs do as beer has been brewed in a specific style in Budejovice (which the American stuff in no way reflects) for hundreds of years. However the Americans trademarked it first so legally they often prevail in these disputes, like in the UK.

However, with other beer exports like Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams and Anchor Steam I'll forgive them the flavourless brand thieving piss that is Bud.

Fosters brewed in the UK is nothing like Fosters in Australia.

Shenandoah is great, i'd love to cycle along skyline drive. If i had to choose between living in the Uk or the Usa i think i'd opt for usa (lived in missouri for a few years). It's not that i prefer americans over the british, more that it's much easier to get away from other people over there!

It's not hatred, it's in jest; same we we love to mock the French whilst actually admiring their approach and lifestyle.

I've found yanks to be a completely different group of people once you're over there, I think that might be part of the problem. Once in Yankland I found most people to be invariably pleasant, reasonably quiet, helpful and considerate.

In a lot of places you can walk into a bar by yourself, not knowing anyone and within 15 minutes you'd be talking to some complete strangers. Within 30 you'd be sat down with a big group of friendly americans and within the hour they'd have you invited out for dinner. I never found out how long I'd have to be with them before I found myself in bed with one of their daughters. 🙁

Brits on the other hand manage to be loud mouthed obnoxious ****s no matter where they are.

Mmmmm Anchor Steam :o)

It's true about the friendliness of Americans in America - I thought it seemed a bit false at first but I don't think it is.

Some Americans are annoying, some are very nice people. Hate's a strong word, in some places Americans can appear irritating, but not half as irritating as "Brits Abroad" mentality. As for America, I only hate a small minority, mostly the people who made/make foreign policy and run roughshod over smaller country's views. But as British people we cannnot act holier than thou. We should be pretty ashamed of our foreign policy history. So I don't hate American people, I hate their government, same feeling towards the Chinese. Lovely people. dreadful government.

Actually, I think I hate more British "people" than I do foreigners. Let's face it, we are scum.

Fosters brewed in the UK is nothing like Fosters in Australia.

I think you might find that that's the 'holiday effect' - you know, when you drink retsina in greece, and it tastes like ambrosia, and you bring half a dozen bottles back home to find out it really tastes like turps.

I think its a bit like Israelis - in small numbers they're very pleasant and good company, however, once you reach a critical mass it all goes a bit wrong.
Oh, I studied in Mississippi for my post grad so have spent quite some time there, and not in thoes chichi places like Oregon you guys go to. Still got quite a few good friends out there from then.

Yeah Brits abroad are a massive embarassment, far worse than Americans really, who just tend to be a bit brash and demanding. 😉

I think you might find that that's the 'holiday effect' - you know, when you drink retsina in greece, and it tastes like ambrosia, and you bring half a dozen bottles back home to find out it really tastes like turps.

Dunno about Fosters but I can definitely taste a (negative) difference between the real and the uk-made versions of beers like Stella and San Miguel

Same reason that a 150 years ago every-one hated the British, 400 years ago it was the Spanish, and a 1000 years ago people hated the Romans.

Not sure who hated the Romans 1000 years ago however those Normans were about to become an annoyance.

Americans are the nicest people, on the whole. Never met one I didn't like bar the drunk at a friends wedding and he gets the benefit of the doubt.

What have the [s]Romans[/s]Americans ever done for us

What have the [s]Americans[/s] Russians ever done for us

They royally saved our asses in WWII. Thanks to the Americans in the 50/60's who then saved our asses from the Russians....

vinnyeh - Member

Fosters brewed in the UK is nothing like Fosters in Australia.

I think you might find that that's the 'holiday effect' - you know, when you drink retsina in greece, and it tastes like ambrosia, and you bring half a dozen bottles back home to find out it really tastes like turps.

As I'm from Australia I think that's unlikely. Unless It's some sort of reverse effect of being here that I think it tastes worse in the UK than it really does?

Thanks to the Americans in the 50/60's who [s]then saved our asses from the Russians.... [/s]
took airplane/radar/submarine/boat designs from us and then refused to give anything back.

As I'm from Australia I think that's unlikely. Unless It's some sort of reverse effect of being here that I think it tastes worse in the UK than it really does?

Maybe. I think that tap lagers generally taste worse in this country than at home. Probably cos there's not enough temperature differential between the beer and the air.

Thanks to the Americans in the 50/60's who then saved our asses from the Russians....
took airplane/radar/submarine/boat designs from us and then refused to give anything back.

Instances please (not trolling).

[url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_M.52 ]Miles M.52[/url]
Look under the heading "Prototypes"
Miles M.52 (1942-45) [img] [/img]
Bell X.1 (1945-48) [img] [/img]
Look at radar research, propellor design, hull dsign, aerodynamics....

I married an American so I'm a little closer to the subject but...

By and large I find Americans friendly, welcoming and open. I've rarely encountered much anti-European rhetoric (except, bizarrely at the birthday for a 9 year old) and I've always found people interested in who I am, where I'm from etc. The food is good (can't get breakfasts and lunches like that over here), the beer is great if you ignore the mass produced crap and the cars, although awful for European driving, are perfect for the "shove on the cruise control and drive 400 miles" type driving they do there.

Generally I like the place (good job as I go there regularly) and the people.

The government and the system of how it's organised and run, not so much.

Agree about the breakfast over there, mmmm....

"Agree about the breakfast over there, mmmm...."

You mean the cremated bacon and weak coffee? Not to my taste...

mmmmm Pancakes........
🙂

You mean the cremated bacon and weak coffee? Not to my taste...

No more like Eggs Benedict with fried potatoes and a milkshake - mmmmmm.......

Pancakes rule. Especially hubcaps. 🙂

FWIW, I used to work for Scottish Courage who make Fosters in the UK. It is different here to other places - most brands tweak their recipes in different countries to suit local tastes. It's still pretty crap in Oz though.

They royally saved our asses in WWII.

A common cry often used by Americans.

While at least partially true, it somewhat ignores the facts that they very nearly waited too long before deciding to join the war and that the Russians did far more in stopping Germany (and paid a far, far greater cost than any other ally).

"I actually like Americans. It's America that is a bit of a problem."
Agreed, have a look at Dave Gormans US road trip (Unchained?)- how many petrol stations in the UK would drive a jerry can (or ameri-can) of gas to you when you ran out of fuel? Then only charge you for the gas in the can.
Its the US is right attitude that gets me. When they (like everyone else) are so often wrong.

I think my favourite meal in the world is the New York breakfast. Orange juice, pancakes or a bagel, fresh fruit, coffee on tap. I just love going there.

Just had a week in Turkey. Brits abroad are a ****ing embarrasment. are we now the fattest, most badly dressed people on the planet? Whole families in matching football shirts. Why? Why? Why?

Because football is considered a religion to many of the lower orders of Brit.

I took my 5 year old to Blackpool Tower circus yesterday and I have never seen so much cheap sportswear on so many fatties.

English people find their positivity quite suspicious.

what smiffy said, obvious really

going out for breakfast is a good one

foreign policy etc sucks, but our history is not good in that department, as has been stated

I married one too 🙂

she reckons life is a bit more convenient in California than in the UK

lives here though, and appreciates the differences, but readily accepts that much of her own country is, shall we say, of the redneck persuasion, and she has never visited all of it.

Can't argue with the geography and natural beauty etc (as La France)

yeah, jelousy maybe ? - certainly in jest for the most part though

we ain't perfect you know 😉

i like them if they're intelligent and articulate. its the thick insular ones i don't get. but that's same every where. they're more friendly than brits, more positive too. mid west is deviod of hope. i can see why they're hated - they make a fuss over the lockeribe alleged bomber being released on compassionate grounds - Libya apologised and paid compensation to victims families - US shoot down an Iranian airliner killing 230+ and neither apologies or pay up. Phuckers.

people are people, some good some bad, some aggressive, some cute - nationalities are unimportant, borders are in the mind.

I have nothing against our collateral warrior friends.

Although not everyone [i]necessarily[/i] considers them to be "nice friendly people" as you put it.

Nice Friendly People :

{Images removed following complaints; people can google for those Abu Ghraib images if they wish - Mod}

Maybe it's as mcboo says, and [i]"Americans, to be honest don't always travel very well"[/i] ❓

.

And as for the comment : [i]"Ignorance, insularity, obesity, selfishness and extremism."[/i] It should be remembered it is the 'United States' only in name.

The US has become deeply deeply divided, and deeply deeply polarised, specially in recent years. So whilst that comment may be true for some, the complete opposite is true for many others. Sadly, we tend to focus on the 'Sarah Palins' of this world.

They're not Americans - they're soldiers.

i would have to place those pictured outside my intelligent and articulate category

I find brits abroad (and at home) to be far more obnoxious than Americans.

And our foreign policy is nothing to be proud of in comparison to the US

I'm going to stick my neck out here

I loooooove US Budweiser (from a bottle) :P. And I don't think I have bad taste in Beer - I like Real Ale and hate Fosters/ Stella/ pretty much all mass produced lagers.

But a cold bottle of Bud is a lovely, simple, refreshing drink. I agree that it is on the bland side - but I would rather something , clear and refreshing then the rank, harsh aftertaste of Fosters or Stella

It's not that difficult to understand why people can't stand Americans really.

My brother emigrated to the States about 10 years ago, he felt it necessary to adopt the American accent and to adopt their condescending terminolgy as well.

Refering to the UK as England, gas for petrol and a general ignorance of anything outside of America.

Being the guardians of all things democracy doesn't help eithr.

Yep, you've guessed - I'm not their biggest fan........

gas for petrol

how dare he. he should call it petrol and be totally misunderstood by everyone else in his chosen county.

as for the accent thing [i]maybe[/i] it helps people to understand him

who's being insular?

ask a yank to say 'mirror', and there's the answer!

My rule when i lived in america was i would use whichever word was shorter, so gas instead of petrol but bin instead of trashcan. If you ask for a torch instead of a flashlight though you get fire on the end of a stick!

They invented those news programmes with the constantly scrolling banners full of rubbish at the bottom. Load of cobblers.

"And at the top of the hour..." Smack. They even say that here now.

it actually IS gasoline - refined petroleum ..

(chemists put me right here please)

I find most Americans fine, Americans and America are separate things. The two things I don't like about the nation is the religious element and the almost blind patriotism...my country right or wrong.

But they are a young country and hopefully should grow out of it soon enough.

[i](End of topic sweeping generalisations about any nation seem utterly futile. Mod)[/i]

I used to be told by some of my American friends that, "We're two countries separated by a common language".

Well, it's one opinion Mod.

iDave

I don't need to justify myself - it's my opinion after all.

Why would anyone want to change themselves to an extent that they remove any reference to who they are , and where they come from.

I work for an American owned company - in the main I find they very agressive, and condescending - hope that's ok with everyone - its my opinion and experience.

Not overly fond of them, but I'm honest enough to admit that they're not all the same.

>Any nation that thinks its acceptable to export Budweiser and other such pish has to be dubious

Who's more stupid, the country that exports it or the country than imports it ? 😀

[i] iDave - Member

gas for petrol

how dare he. he should call it petrol and be totally misunderstood by everyone else in his chosen county.

as for the accent thing maybe it helps people to understand him

who's being insular? [/i]

ok.. my two cents... I'm american but I say such silly things as "petrol" and "car park" so I will be understood.

and dennis... I don't know you mate ( oh look another one of "those" words) but maybe it's just you they are being condesceding to?

hope that's ok with you, it's my opinion.

I don't think the accent thing is a conscious decision for most people (and this goes for any country). I definetly picked up a hint of american whilst i was there, i wasn't trying to, in fact i hated it. My Danish boyfriend has a Scottish accent, perhaps i should tell him to stop trying to pretend to be something he's not.