My last trip out of the country was to visit family in Germany. They were quite outspoken about our government, to the point of insulting. They resented the fact that we are able to accumulate more material things, cars, toys, etc; I got the impression that they thought we had trees that grew money, and we need not work. What do you guys really think about Americans? Were thick skinned, tell it like it is.
Why would you even believe this would be for you?
21 Answers
When i was in Europe i found the visiting Americans Loud and Obnoxious, but when i went to the states , you were generous, inquisitive, fabulous people, the only thing that upset me was a woman asking where Australia was, northern or southern hemispere. i went to Las Vegas, and at breakfast an old guy from Arizona was listening to my ex. and i talking, he reach across to our table and asked 'where are you folks from', we told him and the next thing he was telling every body there . ' these folks are from Australia, we didn't know where to look as Aussies don't generally talk to strangers at other tables, the next thing a family from L.A. invites us to eat breakfast at their table, they asked us all the questions under the sun concernimg OZ, out of the whole trip i will never forget the kindness and the generosity of these Americans having breakfast with us, i only hope one day to return the wonderfui gesture.
12 years ago. Rating: 17 | |
I spent enough time there to realize not all Americans are millionaires.In fact the level of poverty surprised me. I found most Yanks to be generous,decent people not that much different from us.As soon as they realize you are an Australian you are generally bombarded with a thousand questions (Which I was happy to answer).As people in general I find them likeable.(Apart from one over Zealous security guard who really pissed me off).
12 years ago. Rating: 22 | |
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12 years ago. Rating: 20 | |
No, BS. I think American people on a whole are nice. Not everyone is educated, not everyone is poor, it's just like any other Western country in the world, who have their havenots and have's. I think the people whom you visited were pretty lacking in education on other countries. Of course those types are everywhere. When I visited the US years ago, I found them very helpful and concerned if they thought you were in trouble.
12 years ago. Rating: 19 | |
I bet y,all would like a bit of Scottish ancestry eH? A lot of Americans have it I hear!
Well! I love you all, and I mean ALL that I know !
Myself, dowsa, and nomdeplume are your little bit of Scottish.
KOTF
12 years ago. Rating: 18 | |
It seems to me that, unless you visit a place and "hobnob" with the people, you don't really know outside of what the media feeds you. My son traveled across the US two summers ago and says people here are the same everywhere you go with scant exception. Working in stores, restaurants, at parties, as an usher, teacher, and as a tax preparer, I interact with many people and some of them embarrass me with their poor manners. I try not be one of those people when I'm on the other side of the service line.
If you want to hang out with people who are going to accept you for just being human, join a bowling league. You'll find people from nearly every walk of American life, and you'll find yourself a great big family.
Whatever you do, please don't judge us by our political "leaders". They poorly represent the real American.
12 years ago. Rating: 18 | |
I have no malice toward Americans, or anyone else for that matter, I'm very grateful we as Australians are allied with America, there are however individuals I have met of all races I have no respect for, the only thing about Americans I can personally complain about is my Aussie spelling has got a whole lot worse!!! addit the timing is bad, by the time I'm awake, the questions are old
12 years ago. Rating: 18 | |
I am an American but, I believe the comment about us starting wars etc., should be pointed at the government and not the people. It's governments that start wars, not the people. I think most Americans would like to avoid war at almost any cost. Americans are all immigrants from other countries excluding the American Indians.
12 years ago. Rating: 17 | |
I have been to States a couple of times on holidays to South. In general, I found people, friendly, very help full. I love the food.
12 years ago. Rating: 13 | |
I think it like Colleen said , well almost except for those who think they above everyone else,seem like they got too solve all world affair, by going to war making them self superior to other nation.
12 years ago. Rating: 13 | |
, l also seem to remember we have lost troops in sand land as you put it, i didnot realise this question was about which country had done the most for the rest of world
Double thumbs up.
To Ed I respect your right to express your opinion but your "We are the greatest thing since sliced bread" is the reason a small number of your people rub a lot of other people the wrong way.
There is a world wide opinion that the greatest export from the US is the very thing you asked not be included in our answers. Bull S..t.
This is not the fault of anyone but your few brash overstated loudmouths.
I have never been to the US and as far as your cities are concerned I have no desire to do so, your "real" country outside the cities , yes I would like to see.
If you really want honesty, and I assume you do, then from the number of people from the US that are on this site obviously carrying a lot of "baggage" there is a real lack of self worth in many people.
I abhor the "gung ho" attitude of the "gun toting shoot `em dead" that comes through in many answers. "I have a gun and not afraid to use it"
Trust me you should be.
Your law enforcement, as portrayed by the cops and robbers on TV and movies is shocking in the extreme.
Obviously the makers of these shows take a degree of license but where there is smoke there has to be fire.
These shows are all wrong? Well why do you allow it to be spread like a cancer destroying your true face.
The "reality" shows are no better and do little to show your true colours.
As far as Crocodile Dundee and the like are concerned anyone who takes them to be serious need their head read. Where as the NCIS, CSI and the like give no indication that they are tongue in cheek.
As far as people go in the US, I think most of them are very nice and helpful., but I dont know why your relatives are resentful of people who have accumulated some wealth. American people have to work harder and many more long hours to make ends meet. I have some fairly wealthy relatives in Germany. Theire younger generation have all cars and go on extented vacations every year.
They also believe that the US government schould not get involved in wars that dont make sense.
12 years ago. Rating: 12 | |
On a prior thread, I came to realize we "Yanks" are referred by the Australians as Septic Tanks. I researched the title and found that was true. Would someone care to tell me why?
12 years ago. Rating: 12 | |
When I (US citizen) was in Paris a Parisian woman said she didn't understand English. I spent about 5 minutes trying to get directions- finally she burst out laughing and told me in Perfect English what I had asked- it was funny and I burst out laughing. I asked her directions in English and she gave them to me in English. I thanked her and she apologized for being rude to me at first....my response was, as an American I needed to apologize because if you visit the US (most areas) If you don't speak English you're in trouble because many people only speak English. She smiled gave me a hug and said "finally I get to meet a kind American".
12 years ago. Rating: 10 | |
I had an American girlfriend once and she was the sweetest girl I ever knew. She got fed up with waiting for me to marry her, so she met someone else ( an American) and now has a happy marriage, two kids and Jesus. We still keep in touch by e-mail. One other thing, she could spell and knew geography , and she was as hot as a scalded rattlesnake.
12 years ago. Rating: 8 | |
The only Americans I have met have been those visiting the UK or those that were stationed hear during the 50s and 60s 70s. they all seemed nice enough to me, and they certainly helped defend us during that time. My sons have both visited the states, and they were inpressed with the way they were treated and welcomed, they got the idea that Americans didn't always know what was going on in the rest of the world. I have always felt that they are very close friends of the British, and I hope it always stays that way.
12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
USA is not perfect, only the greatest country in the world and its envy. As a whole, American people is the greatest and most generous in the world. Of course there are lots of bad apples too.. USA is the most popular destination of all emigrants - legal and ilegal - in the world.
12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
Americans are the bomb. They are the greatest. They are the funnest! They love to celebrate everything. American has been through so many changes in the last 600 hundred years. The history is facinating. From Columbus coming over and being sent back to his country and coming over again. Travelers conquering the indigenous people, the indians. Bringing the Africans over on ships and enslaving them and now having an half African president. That's why so many are mad. The people that use to be slaves are now leaders. However, most Americans hate prejudice and try to fight it. Americas now tend to appreciate each other, particularly because of the fast changes that keep taking place in this country. Most American are great beautiful people and learning how to be tolerate of others. Any body can become rich in this country if they know how to market something. As Don King famously says, "Only in America!"
12 years ago. Rating: 6 | |