# If you are not an American citizen... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362 "2002-10-08T14:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stccrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Stccrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stccrd)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/1 "2002-10-08T14:42:20Z")
On average, what is the general attitude people of the world have of the United States? Do most people have anti-American sentiments? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/2 "2002-10-08T15:53:58Z")
Some parts of American culture jars with me. -The very strong patriotism -What comes across as arrogance about your position in the world -All the truth/justice/liberty/American way crap -On average you are way more right wing that myself -You are constantly moaning about anti-American sentiments šŸ˜‰ -The whole ā€œIf you donā€™t like it you can leave thingā€ is just silly IMO -No real social provisions for the sick/unemployed etc AFAIK (Iā€™m probably wrong on this one) I could probably put a list together for any country Iā€™ve visited BTW and a huge one about Ireland but you asked about the States. Basically youā€™re the big boy on the block and so get noticed a lot. You also have a huge amount of influence in the world which leads to people criticising. I really like the States and do respect a huge amount of things about your country, people and culture. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/3 "2002-10-08T16:13:58Z")
Oh BTW what I see called anti-American is generally disagreements with decisions made by the US administration which IMO is not Anti-American. Ireland is very pro-America. We have a lot of very strong ties with the States and for example had a official day of mourning after 9/11 which meant that the country closed enough closed down for 1 day. Shops, businessā€™s even the pubs closed :eek:, one mile queue to sign condolence book etc but we are not in favour of the US and UK position re: Iraq ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/4 "2002-10-08T18:03:28Z")
I can make just as many complaints about my own country as I can about yours, but since you askedā€¦ Personally I quite like Americans. Iā€™ll just mention minor peeves not major foreign policy disagreements. That every politician seems to end their speeches with ā€œGod Bless Americaā€. The continual bragging about how America is the ā€œFreest nation on Earthā€. Iā€™m sure a lot of residents of other western democracies kind of role their eyes at that one. The near religious ferver associated with your constitution. Politicians splitting hairs on what the writers of the second amendment intended for gun control over 200 years ago. But I would have to say the most vexing thing is that you kick the worldā€™s ass in basically everything. It is not proper considering you are all supposed to be a bunch of dumb lazy rednecks! ---
**Author:** ![Stccrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Stccrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stccrd)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/5 "2002-10-08T18:29:38Z")
I was just asking because I was listening to the radio, and some schmuck from Kentucky called in and blatantly said that the rest of the world hates us. Point blank, like that. He said that despite Bushā€™s speech last night, everyone is against us going to Iraq and wiping out Saddam. ---
**Author:** ![EchoKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@EchoKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EchoKitty)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/6 "2002-10-08T18:38:23Z")
Balduran, you hate the same things I hate about America. But I can add to the list. And I will. Right now: People who think flying a flag makes them a good American or good citizen (ugh!) Foisting our values on other societies. People who bitch about foreigners and foreign countries and then donā€™t bother to vote. Our uncanny ability to elect near-braindead people to run the show. Thatā€™s the short list. But I still think itā€™s the best game in town most of the time. And Iā€™m born and raised in the U. S. of A. ---
**Author:** ![EchoKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@EchoKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EchoKitty)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/7 "2002-10-08T18:47:14Z")
Balduran, you hate the same things I hate about America. But I can add to the list. And I will. Right now: People who think flying a flag makes them a good American or good citizen (ugh!) Foisting our values on other societies. People who bitch about foreigners and foreign countries and then donā€™t bother to vote. Our uncanny ability to elect near-braindead people to run the show. Thatā€™s the short list. But I still think itā€™s the best game in town most of the time. And Iā€™m born and raised in the U. S. of A. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/8 "2002-10-08T20:44:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stccrd \* > \*\*I was just asking because I was listening to the radio, and some schmuck from Kentucky called in and blatantly said that the rest of the world hates us. Point blank, like that. He said that despite Bushā€™s speech last night, everyone is against us going to Iraq and wiping out Saddam. \*\* That says more about radio phone-ins than it does about the worldā€™s attitude towards the USA. Re the proposed military action against the Iraqi government; there are plenty of countries saying ā€œwith UN approval yes/without UN approval noā€, or ā€œno bombing raids on Iraq for the sake of Iraqi civiliansā€, and whether you agree with those positions or not, surely you can see that they donā€™t equate to the world hating America (even if a schmuck from Kentucky canā€™t)? ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/9 "2002-10-08T21:17:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yojimbo \* > **-The very strong patriotism > -What comes across as arrogance about your position in the world > -All the truth/justice/liberty/American way crap > -On average you are way more right wing that myself > -You are constantly moaning about anti-American sentiments šŸ˜‰ > -The whole ā€œIf you donā€™t like it you can leave thingā€ is just silly IMO > -No real social provisions for the sick/unemployed etc AFAIK (Iā€™m probably wrong on this one)** Funny, the last one is the only one that rings true with me. (Iā€™m an American who has spent a lot of time abroad.) Last year was the first time I heard this patriotism stereotype. It was from a Brit - maybe these stereotypes are somewhat regional. Iā€™ve always felt that other countries were much more patriotic and much more likely to engage in flag waving. Certainly most countries have a stronger sense of national identity than the U.S. does. Prior to 9/11 I had never seen private citizens displaying American flags. I suppose things are a bit different in rural areas and places like the Midwest. I have also lived most of my life happily sheltered from right-wingers. In my experience, most people in the world do strongly disapprove of U.S. government because of its foreign policy. Thatā€™s not the same thing as hating Americans, though people often confuse the two. Iā€™ve had people be hostile to me because of evil things the government of this country has done. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/10 "2002-10-08T21:52:56Z")
> [@](#): > > The near religious ferver _[sic]_ associated with your constitution. Politicians splitting hairs on what the writers of the second amendment intended for gun control over 200 years ago. Lot of valid criticisms, but this one is something Iā€™m actually happy about. The U.S. Constitution is one of the great documents of the world, and the fact that weā€™re still arguing about it shows that itā€™s still relevant. I hope people are still arguing about the Second Amendment a hundred years from now. What worries me is when politicians seem to be _ignoring_ the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/11 "2002-10-08T22:05:01Z")
What bugs me is whenever the President of the United States is referred to - usually by US media it seems, or other US politicians - as the ā€œleader of the free world.ā€ Thatā€™s quite a presumption. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/12 "2002-10-08T23:53:27Z")
I was going to post some stuff similar to the posts above, but Iā€™m not at all sure that the America that is presented to me by the UK popular media is anything more than a gross caricature. Certainly my experience has been that the majority of Americans on this board are moreā€¦ummā€¦moderate than I would otherwise be encouraged to believe. I donā€™t see any reason to believe that the American stereotypes in circulation are any more valid than, say, it would be to suggest that all Frenchmen wear berets and striped shirts and sell onions from bicycles. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/13 "2002-10-09T02:19:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > ā€¦Certainly my experience has been that the majority of Americans on this board are moreā€¦ummā€¦moderate than I would otherwise be encouraged to believe. > > I donā€™t see any reason to believe that the American stereotypes in circulation are any more valid than, say, it would be to suggest that all Frenchmen wear berets and striped shirts and sell onions from bicycles. Iā€™d endorse those views, **Mangetout** , although there is a certain amount of national stereotyping on this board too. Ironically, I believe the French are especially badly treated here. ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/14 "2002-10-09T02:56:55Z")
Itā€™s quite fashionable in some circles to be anti-American. Even among Brits and Aussies I know here in HK, who are better-traveled than average, itā€™s thought funny to refer to Americans as ā€œsepticsā€ [itā€™s too tiresome to explain] and generally mock them. It seems to spring from jealousy, resentment and a chip on the shoulder about US success (or ā€œdominanceā€). A pity, because most Americans have a lot of respect and affection for the UK and Australia. Now I think about it, the Aussies also mock the Brits, who in return think Australiaā€™s great. Itā€™s a way to compensate for feelings of inferiority. Noblesse oblige - you just have to put up with it. ---
**Author:** ![bee\_with\_an\_itch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@bee\_with\_an\_itch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bee_with_an_itch)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/15 "2002-10-09T03:00:13Z")
Most of us Canucks hold that ā€œBigger Brotherā€ sentiment: theyā€™re our partner, major influence, source of income, and view it as a symbiotic relationshipā€¦butā€¦heaven forbid that the U.S. try to impose their views upon us, take all of our precious resources, or influence our laws. Other Canadians, however, feel that we are basically a ā€œMini-Meā€ version of the U.S., what with the pop culture, economic reasons, etc. Most of those people harbor some ā€œnot-so-niceā€ sentiment towards the U.S.,but itā€™s definitely not a ā€œBomb the U.S.! death to America!ā€-type rage. Bush may blow but heā€™s our biggest brother right now. (not on that whole Iraq war, but on everything else practically)ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/16 "2002-10-09T03:28:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Balduran \* > \*\*I can make just as many complaints about my own country as I can about yours, but since you askedā€¦ Personally I quite like Americans. Iā€™ll just mention minor peeves not major foreign policy disagreements. > > That every politician seems to end their speeches with ā€œGod Bless Americaā€. \*\* > > Wellā€¦ no argument thereā€¦ itā€™s somewhat cliched, but there it is. > > **The continual bragging about how America is the ā€œFreest nation on Earthā€. Iā€™m sure a lot of residents of other western democracies kind of role their eyes at that one.** > > Considering the federal, state, and local governments prohibit smoking in virtually all areas, determines the type of toilet I may buy, ad nauseum ad infinitum the whole ā€œweā€™re the freestā€ mantra is getting rather threadbare, heh. > > **The near religious ferver associated with your constitution. Politicians splitting hairs on what the writers of the second amendment intended for gun control over 200 years ago.** > > Wellā€¦ it isnā€™t perfect, but essentially our government was designed by men of genius, but can, in theory, be run by idiots ā€“ but there are plenty of those who want to rip it up. It takes eternal vigilance to keep the bastards at bay, in a nutshell. It does seem odd that people would wish to gut the very framework of our government that allowed the US to progress in just a couple hundred years to such a position. Iā€™d be interested to hear _your_interpretation of such a simple amendment like the 2nd, which obviouslyā€¦ > > Oh, never mind. Even Cecil agrees. > > \*\*But I would have to say the most vexing thing is that you kick the worldā€™s ass in basically everything. It is not proper considering you are all supposed to be a bunch of dumb lazy rednecks! \*\* Itā€™s not ā€œyouā€ itā€™s ā€œUSā€; I mean that not in a flippant way, the idea being that freedom, quality of living, low taxes, jobs, sound fiscal policy, etc. should attract capital and labor and brains from around the world ā€“ a ā€œbrain drainā€ if you will, but we have our problems. Crime is still legendary here, coupled with an increasingly whiny, entitlement-itā€™s-not-my-fault type of uneducated oaf who is content to muck up a good thing. And so it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/17 "2002-10-09T03:40:53Z")
American living overseas. I think most people who give some consideration to the matter will have different feelings about American people than they do about the American government. A frequent sentiment Iā€™ve heard from people in Japan is that Americans tend to boast about their abilities a lot. Weā€™re also lacking in subtlety and can be pretty loud at times. And fat. On the other hand, weā€™re also viewed as very friendly, romantic and honest about our feelings. America is also sometimes seen as ā€œThe Big Timeā€ and Japanese who even partially succeed there (Ichiro, Takeshi Kitano, [Youki Kudoh](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Kudoh,+Youki)) are viewed with some measure of awe. ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/18 "2002-10-09T06:28:24Z")
backstory: Iā€™m a Brit, still a resident alien, my parents brought me to the US as a child. I dislike blind patriotism that borders on outright jingoism. I a military wife, so I see a lot of this. I hate the ā€œlove it or leave itā€ sentiment. I have a hard time dealing with how in your face religion is here. I hate what I see as corporate control of our government. ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/19 "2002-10-09T07:05:58Z")
I would say that one of the most frustrating things for myself - and I suspect many other Aussies - is when comments regarding the US (and in particular US politics) which arenā€™t glowingly positive are perceived as ā€œanti-Americanā€ or as implying that the US ā€œdeserves to be hated/attacked/etcā€. This is especially true when we comment on the impact of your foreign policy. I also worry about the belief that because the US is economically and militarily strong now it will always be so. History is littered with fallen empires which once believed in their own superiority and invincibility. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2002, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362/20 "2002-10-09T07:09:49Z")
Have we had enough ā€œwho hates (list of pet peeves) about the Great Satan in Clouds of Sulfur?ā€ threads on the SDMB? Alternately, how many more will we need before we can move on? šŸ˜• [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-not-an-american-citizen/131362.md?page=2)