Television! I'm not kidding. I went to Guatemala, Venezuela, and Singapore. While there I was at first treated with disrespect particularly by men. They thought I was an alcoholic and that I would jump into bed them. One guy actually offered himself to me to take back to America where he offered to live with me. I politely explained that I was married to which he said he didn't mind sharing me with my husband.
I almost threw up on him. He was shocked by reaction. I asked him why he thought I'd even consider it, and he said he watches American television.
It happened again and again. If what they know of us comes from soap operas and commercials, foreigners think we put on perfume and suck on each other's tongues. Soap operas have us having untold partners, and even comedy shows make us look like we think lying and cheating is fun, just follow the laugh tracks.
We are no longer Ozzie and Harriet.
I know this is not the only reason but I know from personal experience this is for most regular folks in foreign countries all they know of us. After they got to know me, I was treated with the utmost respect, but our television programs are the biggest source of their knowledge of our lifestyles, and it's not realistic for the majority of decent Americans.
America is looked at as the "Great Satan."
Think about it.
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Comments: 60
I found the same when I traveled extensively for business. You must keep in mind a lot of foreign country's thoughts of America comes from our own history. Like in Latin America we have more than once lead the distruction of duly elected democratic leaders who would not act the way we wished. We did the same thing in the mid east more than once.
In the past many Americans behave with crassness and rudeness in other countries as well. I know a teacher that had the unfortunate task of taking a group of students to Germany. He taught respect for the country and traditions, but a previous group that had "demanded" service, condemned others whose English was not perfect, and trashed their hotel room, had given the locals an extreme distaste for American tourism.
That's so sad.
Have you thought about how these people are potrayed in Americas movies and our TV ? We go into their country and demand they speak to us im English and we have the bad habit of acting superior
In American movies they have usually been ridiculous stereotypes, for horror or comedy.
TV would have them all think we have huge houses and huge living rooms. And we don't work, we just have criminal adventures. For all the police shows they must think we're a police state, with love affairs.
From Washington D.C. we have come off as voracious oil junkies that have made us into bombing Imperialists.
As tourists, Americans consume so much that we often come off as spoiled pigs. But they want our money.
Absolutely. They offered me liquor and wanted me drunk. They were shocked that I didn't drink, but some of the people I was with acted like pigs. I think Americans think they can do whatever in a foreign country and get away with it, but all eyes are on us.
That happens lots of places in the U.S., to. The real money is made on drinks.
The simpler life is long gone. The world isn't the same any more and we all look at things differently now; more realistically...with the information presented to us...and what we learn about things through different mediums now. It's all out there; just not as wide-spread as they think it is; the way it's protrayed.
Any old excuse will do, I reckon. I think the real reason is simple envy.
Some of that is true, but I saw them watch television. Programing is American and there we are portrayed as Peter said, living in big houses, cheating, lying, and having sex every five minutes with no care for morals. Envy of our wealth, but not our portrayed immoral behavior.
Because, we've become arrogant bullies.
I don't think were bullies or arrogant. Why are you so quick to call us bullies when these people are bombing us, plotting to kill our children, and cutting off heads and hands of their own people not to mention ours. In fact, part of why they hate us is because people like you make statements like that justifying their hatred. Thanks.
I'm not just talking about the way we treat OTHER countries. I'm talking about the way we treat EACH OTHER, right here in the US. WE as a people are very nasty to each other. We seem to have NO respect for the people in our own country who we percieve as "different". How many times have you read "People who are poor are just lazy and trying to live off of the government."? I have NO DOUBT that there are people who "work the system", however I also have NO DOUBT that the majority are in circumstances that are beyond their immediate control. If we treat our OWN people that way, WHY would someone in another country think that we were anything else?
Carol, give some thought to what you're saying. What people are bombing us and plotting to kill us. Maybe you need to visit a foreign country and look at the US thru their eyes.
I've been all over the world and can normally pick out an American from a distance by their behavior. We are bullies and arrogant.
I know very well that not every American is like that, dear Spencer - in fact, I was most fortunate to meet one of my Gather friends here in Moscow, and she was indeed a beautiful, kind and intelligent person who loves and respects my people and culture - but at least some whom I encountered back in my student years behaved exactly the way you described.
Blessings and best wishes - S.
You were fortunate. Most Americans have GIANT chips on their shoulders. They carry a sense of entitlement wherever they go, and believe that they are the best thing to come along since sliced bread.
Spencer,
Did you read the article? I did visit three countries, and not all, but they hate our guts. Some people love us. But my impression came from my visiting other countries.
I used to like to travel when I was young, then not so much, and now never is what I feel.
What about other countries in the world that Americans look at in the same exact way??....
This goes back many decades, to "The Ugly American", an image that American tourists reinforce daily when visiting other countries. The United States has had a tremendous ego problem since the second world war that still exists today. Television doesn't help much, but neither does a beligerent government that insists the rest of the world lock step with us.
It annoys me to no end when Americans wear Canadian flags when travelling in other countries. For goodness sake, fix your own damn reputation, don't try and benefit from ours, or before too long the Canadian flag will develop the reputation of being the thing American tourists hide behind.
I was raised knowing that Americans were my neighbour, not I was "taought" aobut their ego from a very early age. While I saw that ego in action quite a few times, I knew it didn't represent every American. Wouldn't you know one night I found an American banging his fists on the bars of the cage that ego created. He wanted OUT!!!! I could tell he was trapped by the ego-maniacs in the government, and not "just another Ugly American." There are lots of people like him in the USA, I'd even go so far as to say that most Americans are NOT the ugly ones that Canadians tease, but living under the umbrella of the American ego, and the American government sure hides them well.
*Waving my hand carzily* ME TOO! I WANT OUT TOO!
I have NEVER understood Americans absolute OBSESSION with "things", "labels" and "keeping up with the Jones'". I have NO interest in the biggest, the best, the newest, and never have. I don't understan materialistic people.
Now that, Elizabeth, I agree with. We are spoiled, but I never waved anything when I went out of the country or otherwise in the country. Any wealth I have I keep to myself.
I think that America and Americans are still stigmatized by their prolonged stay in Britain leading up to the D-Day invasion. Starting in '43 and through to the end of the war, if you asked any Brit what the problem was with the Yanks, the answer was always the same:
"Over paid, Over sexed & Over here".
In the almost 65 years since the war, very little has been done to dispel that image of arrogance. Some are almost proud to wear it like a badge. Unfortunately, because of a few "loud" Americans, the world has a tendency to paint all Americans with the same broad brush stroke.
-R.
Well as far as other nations populations thinking that all American woman are Hoes and sexually easy- well think Billy Clinton and his Oval Office degeneracy act for the entire world to see.
Other nations are for one reason and one reason only mad at America, and that reason is JEALOUSY.
This up-start nation has accomplished more-fed the world-defeated Nazism-Tojo- has given more financial aid to other countries than all other countries combined.
The United States of America is the one hope in the entire world to stop the evil Islamic Jihad murderers.
By-the way, lets not forget that millions of people choose to come to America everyday, for a better life and freedom. Some would say that there are allot of ungrateful people who came to America and our now complaining that America is bad because it does not give me everything they want. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is what was promised- no guarantee's.
Ladies and Gentlemen-My Example...
It was Russia who played the pivotal role in defeating Nazis, Micky. Just to set the record straight. We paid 26 million lives for that and I won't allow you to forget about this fact. Most ungrateful of you, yes. And, how my own humble experience shows, Bill Clinton has very little to do with the negative feelings towards Americans that have grown stronger during the last 8 years than they ever were during the darkest years of Soviet propaganda. Bush has. Only when Obama took the office, the situation has begun to slowly improve. But you still have a long way to go in order to repair the damage your ex-President has caused.
Blessings - S.
Svetlana,
We or I know that and love the Russians for that. Thank God for our Russians allies.
Russia, tare down that wall, Mr. Gorbachev. Free the millions of people you keep in prison behing a wall. Bill Clinton was a moral disgrace, please save your liberal adderation for someother democrat president, do not waste it on Clinton.
If Russia took control of Europe after WW11, Svetlana, they would have imprisioned all of Europe like they did in Berlin. Ronald Wilson Reagan- trust but verify- took old KGB -Gorby to the cleaners. Tare down that-------WALL.
America freed MILLIONS in Eastern Europe, from Communist thugs ruling from Moscow.
And you still ask why so many countries view America negatively, dear Carol?... Here's an example. An arrogant type who never lived in the USSR, who doesn't know anything about the real history or the real situation here and even allows himself to denigrate "our" victory over Nazism and all the tremendous sacrifices it did cost for my people. What kind of "respect" one can possibly talk about?... As for Clinton, ask virtually any Russian who disgraced the US more, and you'd hear the answer - the one I've given above. Face it. Chew it.
Blessings and best wishes - S.
No, Svetlana. That was just rude of our friend. I don't see Americans acting like that, and I never would, but I'm sure as we see here, some do.
It's easy to see why Ismalic clerics don't want their people corrupted by America.
I am glad you were offended by anyone not treating you with respect. That shows confidence and strength of character. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't just as good as anyone else.
That's the point, Larry. Men in particular just thought if I were an American woman I was no good. They changed their minds quickly. Some of the ladies I was with went to bars. I refused. They made fun of me and tried to convince me just to go in and have a Coke. No, what would people think. When we travel we do make impressions on people and going into and out of a bar is not the impression I wanted to make.
What makes money for our entertainment industry does not necessarily speak well of us. I am glad you were there to set them straight. Some women don't have the assertiveness to do what you did.
Tony, I don't understand you turn around with my statements, but I am not going to bother with this poster any longer so BBFN.
When I was in Europe, no one liked the American friends I brought and told me it was because of Bush. So there it is.
there is a great deal of crap on american TV. it does not protray our culture in a good light. But then again, we are watching this crap, what does it say about us. I am constantly annoyed on gather by the american idol updates with 2000 hits. Look, gather, this is what i am trying to ESCAPE by coming here.
Maybe you were simply unlucky and found yourself in the wrong crowd. Not everyone thinks the same after all.
What did the Russian communist victors do-Svetlana, after ww11-they did what all com-my rulers do they imprisoned people. What did America do, they gave these people freedom-Russians built a wall around them. I am glad you are in America Svetlana. I have nothing against you, I hope you life in America is blessed. What annoys me to no end is the constant criticism of America and especially this "THING", that is currently leading America.
B. Hussein Obama, why don't you just paint "I'm-Sorry onto Air-Force-One, and fly around the world every six months- to remind everyone that you consider America a bad country. Saalam-aleikum- my jihad brothers!
"I am glad you are in America Svetlana."
I am in Russia. And prefer to stay that way. :-)
Blessings and best wishes - S.
correction Micky, B Obama considers USA to be a very good country that can be a better country. That's all.
I had to laugh about the soap opera part...have you ever watched a soap opera from Argentina? They have full frontal nudity on them. Plus some of the shows from other countries are very sexual in context.
I know quite a few people from different countries, and this has been discussed at nights in circles. Reason why alot of countries look down at America isn't the movies or tv....it is how Americans act when they are in another country. The attidute, the mouths (thinking that the taxi driver doesn't understand english and that person is critizing the country) and the throwing around money.
Ever watch Amazing Race? If not, watch this past season...you will see the point why very clearly.
This has been very interesting. I think it's so important to behave nicely not only in other countries but here as well. How about we start with being nice to each other and keep our middle finger folded.
america is different, yes. We Americans can be very rude and crude, self-rightous, independent and loud. That is just the result of America being made up of rugged individualism. America is the only country that has a birthday. America was created from rugged individuals who fought a war against its oppressor Brirtian.
Millions and millions of people still come to AMERICA EVERYDAY, from every color, religion and every nation, Why? Every thinking person knows the answer to that question- some unfortunately resent the answer, Jealousy?
Yeah, that's why i can not wait for this clown prince socialist Obama to get bounced. Tony, I seem to hear constant criticism of America, America did this, America does that, America is a racist country. But who does the world call on when ever there is an emergency of any kind-storms-earthquakes-floods-tsunamis-hunger-nazis-terrorist-etc.etc. The American people give more aid to other nations than all other nations combined. American men and woman soldiers lie in graveyards all over the world-because the American people came to their aid in wars- to preserve those peoples freedom.
Tony, I am just sick and tired of all the criticism America gets from all those countries that quite frankly owe their freedom to American men, woman and boys who died helping these countries keep their freedom.
We in America now actually have a man who dislikes America- who says he the great Obama is going to fundamentally change America to be more like the European model.
Tony, watch closely as this Over-sized, Ego, Messianic, Smug, inexperienced, fool---- Obama, is soon going to hear from the American people- who do to their individualist American gene, are getting ready to lower that good old American hammer on his Marxist, Socialist, European America Dream--ASS!
Mr. salaam aleikum Barack, is about to get the European Gordon Brown treatment. Another socialist fool. Good luck, Tony.