Excusing Americans

[WhiteRose]

I think the root of the problem is that most Americans genuinely believe that everyone else wants to be American.

Starting from that position it is impossible for you to understand anyone else. Add to that your desire to impose your ways on the rest of the world (Vietnam, Greneda, Cuba, Chile, Iraq, etc etc etc)
and you have a redipe for trouble.

heh and how do you think England came to be in control over so much territory at one time? Not by playing nice-nice, but by destroying other cultures and expecting everyone to want to be English. Read a little about the English colonization methods around the world. Same with the Spaniards, same with the French...same with all of the top countries in their time. You can't claim that the U.S. is the only country to do use a heavy hand, though we aren't attempting to colonize any of these countries now.

Remeber that our first colonists, the ones who set up our government, came from your countries. We learned from you. Yes, we do still step in when things get out of hand. A lot of the time because we're asked to.

 

[bluespoke]

heh and how do you think England came to be in control over so much territory at one time?

I know I am being pedantic but it's Briitish not just English. There are other countries involved.

 

[BustyTheClown]

Hey, this thread's been helpful for me to figure out why Americans can be so vehemently hated. But it's good to see that people seem to understand that we are not all the same and don't necessarily deserve to be measured by the same ruler across the board.

And hey, the same goes for the rest of the countries out there under Americans' scrutiny. It alarms me how easily a lot of Americans seem to generalize and stereotype about others out there (not always in a joking manner), while they themselves get frustrated when they are generalized, as well. It seems to me like schools should focus a bit less on poetry and a bit more on geography, other cultures (similarities as well as differences), and the humanity of people around the world. Maybe less of us would have to deal with such harsh stereotypes that way.

 

[Pechorin]

Fuck those bastards. Their agriculture is so heavily protected even the farmers get a six-week paid vacation every year.

We make better wine anyway. And the cheese is always good cuz our cows are smarter.

With anti French comments like that, you sure you're not English?

 

[WhiteRose]

I know I am being pedantic but it's Briitish not just English. There are other countries involved.

Aye, you are correct. And England fought hard with those other countries to earn the collective ruler-of-the-roost title

 

[p_p_man]

Ahh, well perhaps we didn't see that clearly enough in your first post, and for that I do apologize. Perhaps it was merely our cultural differences and I guess if it hadn't come in context right after pp_man's endlessly caustic remarks, I might have looked at your post differently and seen what you were trying to say, though I did read it through a number of times. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

You seem to miss quite a few points on this thread. If you slow down a bit and read and comprehend what has been written before, you may not be apologising so much on practically every post you're writing now.

I even gave you a chance to comprehend by repeating my final paragraph for you, but I suppose by then you had the bit between your teeth and words were spewing like machine gun bullets from your keyboard.

Remember:

Read and comprehend

ppman

 

[WhiteRose]

You seem to miss quite a few points on this thread. If you slow down a bit and read and comprehend what has been written before, you may not be apologising so much on practically every post you're writing now.

Hrm, I counted one post in which I apologized. Sorry you didn't comprehend my writing. *ponders who she's trying to be logical with* Ah nevermind...

 

[Ishmael]

Hrm, I counted one post in which I apologized. Sorry you didn't comprehend my writing. *ponders who she's trying to be logical with* Ah nevermind...

See what happens when you try to be nice?

Ishmael

 

[WhiteRose]

See what happens when you try to be nice?

Ishmael

I know, I know. Spank me and put me to bed...or just take me there

 

[Pechorin]

Takes foot out of mouth long enough to type...

I think part of the problem is the overwhelming impact the USA has on the rest of the world.
How much Americana do those of us living outside its borders come into contact with on a daily basis? This huge presence is bound to have caused the extinction of some indigenous custom or firm or organisation and that can leave people with a feeling of being pushed around by that irresistable force that is the USA.
People look for scapegoats rightly or wrongly and hey there's a HUGE one over the other side of the Atlantic.
Personally I love visiting the USA partly because it is so vast and so different to the UK. Can't say I'm over enamoured with George Dubyah but I have the similar reservations about Tony Blair, Ian Duncan-Smith, Charles Kennedy etc.
I've met people who make me embarrased to be British. Equally, I've met many who have made me feel envious I'm not American.

 

[Ebonyfire]

So what else is new?

the only thing i can think of is that many people see the people of the country as represented by the government we have. and since our government is currently comprised of upper class white conservative males, and they have this thought that they need to protect us from everything.

anywyas, aside from political issues i'd say that some people disagree with the nation as a whole on its religious views, let alone political views. and i would say that the religion thing lies more heavily as a reason than anything else.

This country was founded by upper class white conservative males ( landowners). As for voting for Bush, yeah I voted for Bush cause I was tired of Gore and the rest of the democrats telling me I am rich. Hell, I could not even afford to send my kid to college! Being middle class in america is like being Bubba's bitch in prison. Bend over and close your eyes cause Bubba has a nice big one for you, and sorry we are fresh out of lube!

Being american these days is kind of like being the only black person at a party. You are expected to represent the race! Well, I am tired of representing all blacks and all americans.
Americans don't want to claim me cause I am black, and the world wants to condemn me cause I am american. I can't win! Plus there is this misinformation going around the world that all americans are rich and lazy. I must have been asleep when the memo was circulated about my so called wealth! As for laziness, I guess 60 Minutes missed that period where I had to work three jobs to keep food on the table.

Rant over!

Ebonyfire <who is mad as hell and ain't taking it anymore!>

 

[p_p_man]

Is there an excuse for Americans? We catch SO much damn flak, and I'm just wondering why. Don't just respond with mindless crap...Tell me real reasons WHY Americans deserve to be loathed, hated, and ridiculed all the time.

I expect some political reasons regarding our government, our current President, our foreign relationships, etc. But I don't care about that. Believe it or not, I am not my government. In other words, I am not a rich, white, over-40 male. What's more, I voted for Gore, and the government that is now in place does not represent me -- nor does it represent the majority of the country. We could debate that for hours, but give me something else to cling on to.

I'm just quoting BustyTheClowns original opening post to remind everyone what this thread was all about.

I gave a list of what I saw was a sympton of the problem but others seem to think they have to defend America without replying to Busty's request.

It's an interesting thread and deserves good, non-biased contributions. There have been a number of sensible non-defensive replies but they seemed to run out when the Court Jesters started to take over.

 

[DevilBoy79]

Is there an excuse for Americans? We catch SO much damn flak, and I'm just wondering why. Don't get me wrong, I make fun of Americans and I AM one -- but there seems to be a difference between Americans making fun of each other and the rest of the world making fun of them. Don't just respond with mindless crap about how we're stupid and selfish. Tell me real reasons WHY Americans deserve to be loathed, hated, and ridiculed all the time.

I expect some political reasons regarding our government, our current President, our foreign relationships, etc. But I don't care about that. Believe it or not, I am not my government. In other words, I am not a rich, white, over-40 male. What's more, I voted for Gore, and the government that is now in place does not represent me -- nor does it represent the majority of the country. We could debate that for hours, but give me something else to cling on to.

So, aside from political reasons, what is so terrible about Americans? Why do people think we deserve to be ridiculed SO much?

its not that people dont like americans as individuals, its they bull crap the countries leaders pull, they hate, i'm american too, and half the time i dont like it

 

[sch00lteacher]

Once again I want to thank everyone who has shared themselves in this thread. I love it when I can come to Literotica and read some REAL thoughts about REAL subjects. I am glad to know that there are real people out there.

Great thread. Lots of well thought out responses. So far I give this thread an A+.

 

[dankei]

Ignorance is the biggest reason

Ignorance is the biggest reason that many people around the world supposedly hate Americans. At this time when people mention others hating Americans they are usually talking about Islamic cultures, which are by and large the most ignorant cultures on the planet, except for the few tribal cultures left around the world. Now before some of you blow your Politically Correct minds remember that I used the word "ignorance" not "stupidity". The vast majority of the Islamic States like Afghanistan and Iran and Iraq are illiterate and even the ones who are educated or only exposed to what their governments allow to be printed.

There are other reasons as well but ignorance is by far the dominate one. Come on, if they were ignorant of America would a person really spend their time standing in the streets (bussed there by the governments) beating themselves on their backs with chains yelling "Death to Carter" or "Death to Reagan" or "death to Rushdie"? No, only ignorant people do that sort of thing. Of course a stupid person could be talked into doing it as well but that is another issue.