US Citizen Perception Abroad? (home, living in, move)

[powerfulpup]

So it's probably not a big secret that the US isn't super popular around the world right now for a variety of reasons. So let's not argue about that, what's done is done. As a general rule, how "welcome" are Americans in other countries? Maybe mention where you hail from in your response? I'm sure the majority of the people in the world don't condemn a person because of his homeland's policies, but are there certain areas (aside from the middle east) that people are outright rude to Americans?

[mead]

Never been to any Arab countries, so I have no idea how that goes.

Euro's are usually the ones who make the biggest deal out of it to me.

Asians generally dont' care (or at least they won't let you know it at first). Later over dinner or drinks American policy or politics might come up, but its definitely less blunt than with Euros.

[scorpionleather]

I was traveling around Austria and Hungary this January. At least from what I've noticed, Europeans are still happy to see Americans and admire the popular culture that we export (everything from music stars to dreams of classic cars).

This news that America is unpopular around the world is largely a myth played up by the liberal media outlets. When I go overseas in person everyone is really friendly with me knowing that I'm from the US and they are so happy to see someone from the US.

[Tiger Beer]

I've been living outside of the U.S. for around 13 years with a few times back home in the States.

I was in and out of South Korea for years throughout that time. Previous to Bush, I use to often hear U.S. #１, and I want to go to the U.S., etc. Bush did the entire 'Axis of Evil' speech among just about every other isolating thing. Even though South Korea is an ally with the U.S., they get real nervous when the U.S. starts getting aggressive, as it really increases the tension to high levels on the Peninsula when it doesnt necessarily seem to have to be that way.

Generally though, through traveling extensively and living abroad in Europe, South America and Asia. I would 100% say that pretty much every country in Europe HATES Americans and PARTICULARLY American policies. They are very eager to share exactly why every chance they get as well. I lived in Europe for about a year total, and every bad stereotype that exists, they would quickly stick to us. If you saw a fat person or overheard someone speaking loudly, they would quickly say 'I hate all of these Americans in Europe' and then you'd get close to the person in question only to find it was a loud or fat European.

Canadians even moreso, trying very strongly to differentiate and separate themselves. They are also most knowledgeable about the U.S., so they have significant loads of ammunition to throw at us. I never defend U.S. foreign policy, but Canadians love to be the most anti-American people you'll ever meet while abroad with Canadian flags attached to everything they own and even tattoo it to themselves. They try to pass themselves as good people who help people around the world and try to say how the U.S. is too violent, too many murders, too fat, too uneducated, etc. The list goes on and on.　　I can see their points, but I end up in way too many defensive arguments because most of it so ridiculous and exaggerated even if slightly true.

I've been to muslim countries, and oddly enough, they are fine. They still have that interest in the United States and it's freedoms (for lack of a better word - most countries in the world mock the word 'freedoms' as most Western countries are equally free and generally actually enjoying significantly more freedoms). Anyhow, most muslims from muslim countries seem to have this sadness that 9-11 occurred and the world is different now. They are also seem to think that the U.S. is the agressor and really mucking up their region, in addition to being helpless about what to do about it.

Asian countries could generally dont care, however South Korea has been going more and more anti-American all the time. I'm in Japan now, and they are fine, but I think they see the U.S. as messing up world peace unncessarily so. Most Asian countries just want the American money, and are pretty indifferent to the policies and people.

South America. I was living there about ten years ago, and no one seemed to care much, except for the Brazilians. I lived in Brazil, and I remember that Americans were viewed as pretty low-class and not desireable, whereas European countries were perceived very highly. There was another standard of viewing Americans as just insanely wealthly, but again, lacking any class or sophistication about it. Argentina was quite similar in that regard. I remember Bolivians were pretty upset about U.S. involvement in South America. THinking back, I think most South American countries blamed a lot of their problems on US governmental agencies like the CIA or Drug Czar-related stuff, and how the U.S. was always in everyone elses backyard mucking up their countries, but would never address drug-related problems in the States which fueled the problems more than anywhere else.

Thinking of pro-American people. I do remember one guy I met in Spain (the only one I ever met in Europe who was very pro-American). He just hated muslims and wanted them all dead. I actually felt very uncomfortable having him telling all his friends that an American was there and he liked Americans for killing muslims.

All this being said, I don't necessarily have a problem being an American abroad. Well, I'm living in Japan now, so no problem at all - they generally respectful regardless of their personal opinion. But when I meet fellow caucasians, particularly many Canadians and quite a few Europeans, I really hate telling them my nationality, as I'm always half expecting a big long anti-American diatribes, and try to quickly move away when I hear one bellowing up from inside them.

I think at this particular time, a lot of that is letting up, as it is an election year. I think they are giving us the benefit of the doubt that things might change domestically and internally in the United States. So there seems to be a lot of positive curiousity about that lately, which is quite refreshing.

[pigeonhole]

I must say I find incredibly dumb the generalizations "Americans are like this", and "Germans [or French or whoever]" are like that, look at your President [your Queen, your Head of State], look at your politicians, and your spin doctors and hear Mr. X (any VIP in any country) said that, "that says a lot on the country", what a BS.
For me it's just "pub talk" of ignorant and prejudiced jerks looking for a brawl.

[BigSwede]

It has already been discussed:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/world...-hate-u-s.html
It´s a lie that everybody in Europe hate the USA and americans.

[scorpionleather]

Tiger, what you said is NOT true about "every" European country. Have you been to "every" country in Europe? Maybe you have not been to Eastern Europe. In Hungary most people love Americans, and I can feel it when I visit that country. Maybe you were visiting France or some place like that.

[pincet]

In Russia most of people don't like USA and it's goverment. But are very friendly and accepting to Americans

[LovinDecatur]

As an American, I can say that I have never encountered rudeness in Europe. Occasional aloofness in the stores, yes; however, that is usually overcome by extending courtesy and gratitude to them.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by mead

Never been to any Arab countries, so I have no idea how that goes.

And I wouldn't even attempt to right now...I knew a fellow American who traveled to Syria 3 years ago on business and was detained in jail for a day and a half when they noticed the Israeli stamp in his passport.
BTW, Israel will forego stamping your passport if you request it.