What do people internationally think of Americans? Do they think we support the "war"?

Question

I was just thinking.......what do people all over the world think of Americans.

If you aren't from the United States, give us your opinion about Americans.......don't be shy.

Answer 1

I am from Canada, and I feel sorry for you Americans, I highly doubt they support the war, but some of them do if it benefits them somehow (George W.)



I also hate how everything from America is such a big deal when everyone else in the rest of the world has just the same problems, except the ones that bush has caused to fall upon his country.

Answer 2

I think that large number of people around the world don't think much of americans, mostly because they wonder how could you possibly elect that man to run your country. In this site most people are from the US, and therefore I had the chance to realize that americans are not just couch potatoes, without any sense of cultural education. There are indeed people with respectable opinions and remarkable thinking. I believe that a lot of people support the war in Iraq, and that's why it is taking place. However many others don't and I support them for that.



Some americans prefer to ignore the rest of the world. I'm sure that those answerers are either retarded or 10 year olds.

Answer 3

As a non-American, here is my point of view...



Most Americans, just like people from every other planet on the country, are basicly good people.



As a culture/society/national entity though the way that the US seems to operate is essentially like a rather arrogant and childish bully who then turns around and cries 'Unfair!' if someone hits them back and thinks the whold world should stop because of it.



I dislike the way that the US interferes in the politics of other countries so much - there would be outrage if others tried to do that in your country. I dislike the fact that you guys feel the right to police the world according to your standards, standards that are pretty low on the world scale since you guys have a generally poor education system, are often pretty naive and ignorant and very rarely have a good understanding of history (even American history but especially that of the rest of the world) or context of things that occur. This explains why 9/11 shocked you when if you knew your history you'd realize that it was a retaliation against the way that the US has acted in the middle east rather than an attack against 'Freedom (tm)' - not that I in any way condone terrorist attacks, simply that I don't think it came out of nowhere or that the US is the white handed innocent it claims to be in all of this, you guys have messed large sections of the middle eastern populace around for five or six decades now and caused far more than 3000 deaths doing so.



I find it tragically comical that you guys think that you have the best country in the world when the average standard of living is nowhere near the highest, when the poor don't have adequate medical services, when your education system is steadily degrading and you're about the worst nation in the world in many ways environmentally. You also have a high rate of crime and just about the highest rate of imprisonment in the world.



As a scientist I downright loathe the way that science is under attack from various interest groups in the US with apparent approval by the current US government (who I think are the worst thing to happen to the US and the rest of the world for awhile but I digress). I dislike that you're supporting the interests of a few corporations vs those of people everywhere. I dislike the fact that America can't seem to be able to see something as having value unless it's either patriotic or you can put a dollar and cents price on it. I dislike the rather stupid 'With us or against us' attitude - allies aren't allowed to question your actions ever? Look at how you guys have acted towards France cause they wouldn't support a futile and unnecessary war you guys wanted to have.



I also think you guys don't understand irony and that you tend to have simplistic, judgemental, black and white, dualistic views of the world - you think that the world is made up of good people and evil people and that there is always a straight distinction between the two. I also think that you guys tend to be hypocritical often - judging others on things that the US does as well.



All in all though, while I think that the US leaves much to be desired, I don't think you're altogether worse than the rest of the world - your citizens are people just like the rest of us. I think your country is misguided, arrogant, ignorant and often senseless and that your view of the world (ie unrestrained capitalism at the expense of everything else) is foolish and immature... but I don't think that you're evil villains (or heros for that matter), just fools like the rest of us - I could equally write for just as long about the flaws of any other country (including my own). I do think you need to stop putting your interests and values so far ahead of everyone elses though - particularly since your interests are often selfish and greedy and your values are often pretty poor and ill informed, why should everyone else have them forced upon them?



I mostly though just hope that America can learn to deal better with the rest of the world without constantly trying to enforce their own values and interests at the expense of others - despite all of it's flaws the US has alot to offer the rest of the world and despite all of their flaws the rest of the world has alot to offer the US.

Answer 4

I think you can see this from Yahoo answers.

If you say something that is against this goverment or the war you'll get the most negative votes.



I think the majority of americans support the war, some dont care and a lot oppose to the war.



For Europe it is thought to be remarkable how someone like G.W.Bush would be considered as a politician.









But he got to be elected.



Still he has a lot of followers.





By the way Madbaldscotsm: The people in iraq are not terrorists, the are RESISTING the American INTRUSION in their ground. They are patriots and soldiers. You chose to call them terrorists. Kind like if I brake in to your home and you try to hit me with something, i'll start to scream :"help! Terrorist attack!"

Answer 5

In the 80s the world saw USA as a special country where anything could happen. Interestingly, I remember watching Hollywood movies in those days and feeling sympathy for your country.



This has changed. Many of you are not fully aware because you don't travel abroad. Even those that travel hang around with their own and don't really expose themselves to the richness of other cultures.



Answering your question, most people regards most USA citizens as simple, narrow-minded, unaware of the world outside their frontiers and, above all, violent.



Ps: The guy that replies before, Matt, is a perfect example.

Answer 6

People are different around the world, just as we are different and varied in our own opinions. No monolithic view of the US exists. Many believe that any war is bad. Others believe we are supporting Israelis or engaging in actions against Arabs for the sole purpose of holding them back or because we want their oil. Others may perceive a "clash of civilizations" and cheer the United States on its effort to root out terrorism.



Many people interviewed seem to hold the government responsible for actions, but don't hold the people accountable. Most seem to genuinely like Americans, with many secretly wishing they lived here--possibly a modicum of jealousy (something that the leading economy of the world would inevitably face, whoever it may be--in this case, the United States) . But they cannot stand how American governmental institutions and the people running them so conflict with ideas and ideals of the so-called international community.

Answer 7

I'm from here, but know people who travel and most countries don't like us.

they think we are prude and too concerned with trivial things. they like our economy. they dislike our lack of health care.

they think we are too violent and use war and threats to solve everything. (which we do)



I like what lewis black said- how would you feel if you were sitting in an office and someone came in and started screaming that they were great and better than everyone else?

thats what america does

Answer 8

I do support the war, and I cannot care less about what anyone else around the world think about it. It's very easy for people living in other countries to pass judgement on us while they dont have the balls to face, confront and solve the problems within their own governments.



"How easy is to see the splinter in someone else's eye, but how difficult is to even notice the whole piece of wood in our own eye."

Answer 9

The people in other countries love Americans for the most part, it's the governments of other countries that doesn't like us.

Answer 10

I thank all of those who've made a positive response to your question. Personally from my examinations and investigations our international relationships are very low at this time. I am from the USA and offer this answer to focus along with yourself the position that we're not all alike to the world populace.

Answer 11

The French people just elected a President who supports Bush and America. Too bad Paris had to burn for the French to wake up and smell the jihad.

Answer 12

No one supports war. Do you remember 911? That should never happen again so we're working on it may stopping people from supporting terrorists and given them a place to stay and train.

I say this again and again. I was there in Iraq when we overran 3 terrorist camps. It only takes one.

Answer 13

It will vary from individual to individual. And they'll all curse us out because they think we worship Bush.

Answer 14

From what I have experienced they believe we are violent,warmongers, arrogant ,spoiled etc. And to tell the truth ,we are .