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Years ago I'd agree that envy could be part of the reason to hate the US. But in some parts of the world we have become the butt of their jokes. Not necessarily because of our government, but because of our people. They see us as loud, crude, fat, and slovenly. Lacking in any real culture. Yet in other parts of the world, they dislike us for our empire mentality.
I understand, ozzie. Still, there is quite a bit of a disconnect between the fat, slovenly image and the reality. Our English guest was delighted to find trim, cultured Americans who could discuss art, literature, music and history with her in a witty, fashionable (not too high brow) way. What were our occupations she wondered. (Surely we must be anomalies.) Nope. We're just typical American soldiers. She was impressed. I don't mean to come off as too impressed with myself, but I do want to convey that real Americans cut a finer image than the cartoonishly fat Peter Griffin type that we're often depicted as.
On the other hand, my American friend -- who was there that evening -- had travelled to London. He was shocked with what he found there too. Much to his surprise (his honest surprise) most of the brits he ran into were pretty ignorant about their history. (He didn't expect that.) They condescendingly tried to pan him off as the ignorant American, but time and time again, he proved that he knew a lot more of the subject matter they were supposedly taught in their superior schooling system. He was also surprised by the sloppy, loutish, boorish drunken behavior he encountered. He said most of the guys drunk themselves comatose .. so much so that he had a pretty easy time with the women... they weren't used to a guy who could go to a pub, have a few drinks and enjoy himself, but still be able to carry on a decent conversation.
One of the girls decided to take him home, but in the cab she cussed out the cab driver for no good reason, so my friend kicked her out. (He doesn't hang with people who treat cabbies and waiters and the like like "the help".) He was very amused by the cabbies overly refined manners... the one bit of English stereotyping that proved true. The cabbie chivralously apologied for the girl's behavior and said she was a discredit to her countrymen, whom he assured my friend were a good lot.
Bottom line to my rambling story -- don't assume all Americans are ignorant yobs and all brits and Europeans are paragons of sophistication. Not true.
No offense taken, dragon. I wasn't thinking of Europeans when I cited envy as the main reason we're disliked. I agree that the quality of life of the average citizen is higher in those western nations where a healthy dose of socialism took root. I can appreciate that few are eager to trade what they have for what we have here. Still, I think there is a lingering resentment toward us because we're still the nation of most consequence in western civilization. Resentment doesn't necessarily equate to envy. We're probably resented for dragging down the QOL quotient with our insistent servileness toward multinational corporations.
Sensible post. I think there are misunderstandings on both sides, but since this is a predominatly American forum, there is more ignorance directed towards Europeans. On the flip side, I also don't condone how some British and other Europeans view Americans, lumping them all into one category. I would say that most of it is just attributable to differences in culture and what we feel the role of government should be. It's a pity we can't put a few of the differences aside and learn from one another and one another's mistakes.
Most people in Europe and elsewhere quite like Americans. Although quite a few fear, resent or even hate the American government. Interestingly, the exact same thing can be said about Americans.
But we have the right to do as we please....because we are the United States of America!
We are the world's superpower we are generally asked to do a lot of things by other countries all the time. We are being asked to be involved in trying to get Iran to disarm by Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, etc. since they don't trust Iran with a nuclear weapon. The majority of NATO countries and even other countries around the world are taking a more hardline stance against Iran. Hell Canada has been taking more of a hard stance then the United States has been.
I would probably like Texas, whogo. (Other than doing a few weeks of training at Fort Hood, I've never really been.) Texans are just so exuberantly ecstatic about their state that it's fun to mess with them. Other than producing two of the nation's worst ever presidents -- LBJ and Bush II -- I have no real beef with the state.
I got to ask how LBJ is worse then Woodrow Wilson or Andrew Johnson? While Bush was definitely a horrible president I don't think he would even make it in the top 3 for worst Presidents of the United States.
If this were an issue of race...I'd be calling you an Uncle Tom. Clear enough?
Therefore your qualifications to know about modern American society and attitudes and lifestyles and behavior and social/political issues are based on what? "I saw a youtube video once..."?
Not only travelled. I lived in Canada.
So you know what the rest of the world thinks.
I generally don't watch youtube, but feel free to keep on stretching.
I find it humorous.
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