# Why do American men have such great reputations amoung foreign women? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746 "2002-11-07T17:57:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/61 "2002-11-17T06:09:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > \*\* > Says more about your perceptions than the media’s, I think. I wouldn’t call a man who could kick _your_ ass seven ways to Tuesday a “buffoon”. \*\* And as much as I enjoy Jackie Chan’s films, I wouldn’t call his screen persona a healthy, non-stereotypical image of an Asian man. At least he has a sense of humor, unlike the dour martial artists of yore, but let’s not pretend that “wacky kung-fu guy” is a great step forward for Western media portrayls of Asians. Shockingly, most real Asians are not martial arts experts. > [@](#): > > \*\* > And as for Lucy Liu, she’s far from my favorite Asian actress, but where do you get the “dragon lady” impression? \*\* Hell, the woman’s said herself that she takes stereotypical dragon lady roles because that’s about the only thing available to Asian-American actresses. > [@](#): > > \*\* > And what about Michelle Yeoh and (ladies, don’t drool) Chow Yun-Fat? \*\* When **Feistymongol** said “the media” I took “American” as implied. If you expand things to include _Asian_ media (neither of the above mentioned actors has appeared in many American films, and are best known for their much larger body of Asian work) then of course you’ll find more balanced depictions of Asians. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/62 "2002-11-17T06:31:47Z")
**shrug** I just don’t see it, and I think you’ve got a bit of a chip on your shoulder there. If you think the subject’s worth pursuing, maybe you can open a Cafe Society thread on it. Or a Pit thread, if you like. In any case, I think it’s a bit disingenuous to blame a particular Asian man’s inability to score on Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![Fishhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@Fishhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishhead)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/63 "2002-11-17T07:17:46Z")
In Costa Rica, blonde people, regardless of nationality (and there are quite a few blonde and “rubio” Costa Ricans) seemed to get all the sex they could want. A strange thing, I always thought. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/64 "2002-11-17T14:58:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > **I just don’t see it, and I think you’ve got a bit of a chip on your shoulder there.** Don’t know why I would, since I’m about as white as they come and have a great reputation among foreign women… ---
**Author:** ![aenea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@aenea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aenea)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/65 "2002-11-17T21:11:15Z")
**Luna** , You should hang around here more often. Your point of view is unique and adds greatly to our knowledge pool. And…as an American female (blonde and bitchy), I think you are great. Not all of us are as distainful as those you so unfortunately met . ---
**Author:** ![Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/66 "2002-11-20T17:38:36Z")
Hey **aenea**! Thank you for your warm invite! I am not sure if I could add more than what I had, on this topic, without revealing my provincial ignorance, so, I think I should let it rest while the going is still good! 😃 But I am a, what do you Dopers call PLU (people like us)? - lurkers?, and I do lurk around A LOT! If ever there was an opportunity where I can submit my humble input for consideration, I hope it would be met with just as much encouraging acceptance, as the one that you had given me. Thanks to the OP, for giving me this chance to make new friends! Luna ---
**Author:** ![Speakthetruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Speakthetruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speakthetruth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/67 "2011-03-09T11:15:42Z")
We don’t…anymore.Why ? It’s been too long since the last World War that’s why.Brits ,Aussies & Kiwis, like the French have VERY short memories & Canadians have been reaping the benefits of sharing a border with the USA for years.In short if it wasn’t for the USA Brits would be goosestepping & Aussie/Kiwis would be paying homage to Japan.Sorry Ladies or Lassies or Birds or Shelias or whatever your calling yourself this week, your “MUM’s” & “Queen Mum’s” couldn’t spread em fast enough for a Yank when your Country (Because of your WEAK & INFERIOR MEN) was on the verge of being conquered.So in comes the USA, saves your Country & 50 years later you despise us for being what you call “Cocky”, well Sweetie Pie, “COCKY” Repels the “HUNS”, I had a Grandfather who left a Leg in France on 6-6-44, we we’re not being occupied…YOU & YOUR KIND WERE, yet we died to save your hide…So once the threat was extinguished & The World went back to being Normal (?) , you came to resent us for the very same mindset that had the intestinal fortitude,courage & strength to provide you a safe enviroment from which to criticize us.We ARE NOT YOUR GUARD DOG, however in the event & you will be, probably from the Chinese,when your National Interest is at risk you’ll call us “YANKS” to save you because why ? YOUR MEN CAN"T.We don’t need you & your Aussie/Kiwi Accents are repellent to my ears. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/68 "2011-03-09T11:43:06Z")
The _Chinese_ are a military threat to _Europe_ ? There’s a deal of land to cross… But thanks for all you did. ---
**Author:** ![donnie\_darko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/69 "2011-03-09T11:56:29Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Because their impression of Americans come from Hollywood movies. This. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/70 "2011-03-09T12:05:07Z")
> [@Speakthetruth](#): > > We don’t…anymore.Why ? It’s been too long since the last World War that’s why.Brits ,Aussies & Kiwis, like the French have VERY short memories & Canadians have been reaping the benefits of sharing a border with the USA for years.In short if it wasn’t for the USA Brits would be goosestepping & Aussie/Kiwis would be paying homage to Japan.Sorry Ladies or Lassies or Birds or Shelias or whatever your calling yourself this week, your “MUM’s” & “Queen Mum’s” couldn’t spread em fast enough for a Yank when your Country (Because of your WEAK & INFERIOR MEN) was on the verge of being conquered.So in comes the USA, saves your Country & 50 years later you despise us for being what you call “Cocky”, well Sweetie Pie, “COCKY” Repels the “HUNS”, I had a Grandfather who left a Leg in France on 6-6-44, we we’re not being occupied..YOU & YOUR KIND WERE, yet we died to save your hide…So once the threat was extinguished & The World went back to being Normal (?) , you came to resent us for the very same mindset that had the intestinal fortitude,courage & strength to provide you a safe enviroment from which to criticize us.We ARE NOT YOUR GUARD DOG, however in the event & you will be, probably from the Chinese,when your National Interest is at risk you’ll call us “YANKS” to save you because why ? YOUR MEN CAN"T.We don’t need you & your Aussie/Kiwi Accents are repellent to my ears. Recent join date? Check Resurrectionist? Check Incomprehensible? Check You need to start someof your own threads dude, I think you’ve got what it takes. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/71 "2011-03-09T12:30:52Z")
Why do American zombies have such a great reputation amongst foreign zombies? … Oh, right, Hollywood movies. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/72 "2011-03-09T13:52:39Z")
What attracts Japanese zombies to American men? Our blaiiiins! Thank you, thank you! Here all week. ---
**Author:** ![Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/73 "2011-03-09T14:07:07Z")
FWIW–maybe not much–female friends who teach overseas tell me that American males generally have zero trouble finding females from the native population to date. One friend’s now-ex husband is an American whose parents are Korean immigrants to the US, and he was no exception, which is why he’s now her _ex_-husband. Conversely, I’m told, American women tend to be eschewed by males of the native population. Obviously this is just anecdotal from the four or five friends who have taught overseas, and they haven’t been everywhere, just Venezuela, Kuwait, Chile, Vietnam, Argentina, Singapore, and a few other places I’ve forgotten. But it must not be just _white_ American males. There seems to be a thread running through this thread that cultural gender roles may be a factor. So do American males (of whatever flavor) tend to find females from cultures that raise women to be more subservient to be more attractive, while men from those same cultures find American women (of whatever flavor) to be less attractive because they’re less subservient? Is that the theory, or have I misunderstood? ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/74 "2011-03-09T14:32:18Z")
> [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](#): > > So do American males (of whatever flavor) tend to find females from cultures that raise women to be more subservient to be more attractive, while men from those same cultures find American women (of whatever flavor) to be less attractive because they’re less subservient? Is that the theory, or have I misunderstood? That’s the way this thread seems to be heading. Anecdotally, all of my Russian female family members, myself included, are married to Americans, and we tend to come in “loud/bossy/opinionated” flavors… Hmm… I’d guess that American men have great reputations because, as many had said already, they’re viewed as good providers and are very attentive to their other halves. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/75 "2011-03-09T14:42:45Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > …but the Japanese women I know in the US (mostly students who are planning to return to Japan) universally refuse to date American men. That hasn’t been my experience…I think what happens with the international students is that they come with a group of other Japanese students and they stick together too much. > [@Eidolon909](#): > > In fact, hymen replacement surgery is a big business in Korea and the majority of women who get married who have had pre-marital sex get it done so their husband has the illusion of marrying a maiden. Wow, I’d thought I’d heard everything–and one of my work sites is an office run by young, gossipy Korean women. I don’t think the OP’s premise is necessarily always valid. Probably every country has a certain number of women who idealize men from other countries–usually because of the machismo of men in their own country, as mentioned above. (That’s definitely the situation with North American men in Colombia. Unfortunately, some of my North American women colleagues there have to deal with a corollary stereotype perceived by Colombian men–namely, that North American women are “easy.”) However, keep in mind the when you talk to immigrants in California as **Muad’Dib** describes, you’re talking to those people who usually wanted to leave their country. They’re not necessarily the typical person from there, with the average attitudes. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/76 "2011-03-09T14:46:12Z")
> [@caitiff](#): > > I seem to remember reading quite a few articles about obesession with American culture, in Asian countries at least, and i think that would naturally lead to an obsession with American men. Sorry i have no specific examples, but it should be to hard to see how well American clothing sells in Japan. To which American clothing are you referring? I haven’t been able to purchase a garment that was made in this country in at least 5 years, maybe 10. Everything I am wearing right at this second was manufactured in Asia. Other thought about “American” clothing overseas: in general, as a nation, we are bigger than Asians. (Read: more commonly overweight) I am a tiny little white woman and have been looking for a red silk Susie Wan dress for forever. Dresses like that which are actually made in Asia, by Asians, for Asians are not cut for Caucasian American hips. I cannot find a Susie Wan dress that will not cut too tightly across my hips! I would imagine that Asian women would have a hard time finding clothes that are small enough to fit well. Hell, I have a hard time finding clothes that are small enough to fit well (without going to the Juniors’ or little Girls’ sections of the stores). ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/77 "2011-03-09T16:39:07Z")
A lot depends on what country you’re talking about. While I was working in the U.K., the consistent rule that I and others came up with was that American women were attracted to British men more than British women were attracted to American men. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/78 "2011-03-09T18:19:46Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I can’t resist… > > Heaven: American teeth, British government, Russian liquor > Hell: British teeth, Russian government, American liquor There’s an English-born comedian named Natalie Gray who, at least when I met her, was using this slogan on her promotional material: “From England … Don’t let the teeth fool you!” (Because she has very nice teeth.) > [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > In Russia, in particular, alcoholism and domestic abuse are much more accepted than they are here, and it’s almost impossible to prosecute an acquaintance rape, because apparently if a woman knew her attacker it’s almost impossible to get a prosecutor to believe it wasn’t consensual. I’ve browsed a few of those “Russian/Ukrainian Bride” sites, and did notice that a large percentage of the ladies specified that they wanted a man who “isn’t a drunk”. (It was also interesting seeing how many also specified that they wanted a man who is “taller than me”, especially considering most of these ladies with that requirement seemed to be 5’-2" to 5’-4" tall.) ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/79 "2011-03-09T18:23:56Z")
> [@Speakthetruth](#): > > We don’t…anymore.Why ? It’s been too long since the last World War that’s why. No… > [@=Speakthetruth](#): > > Brits ,Aussies & Kiwis, like the French have VERY short memories & Canadians have been reaping the benefits of sharing a border with the USA for years.In short if it wasn’t for the USA Brits would be goosestepping & Aussie/Kiwis would be paying homage to Japan.Sorry Ladies or Lassies or Birds or Shelias or whatever your calling yourself this week, your “MUM’s” & “Queen Mum’s” couldn’t spread em fast enough for a Yank when your Country (Because of your WEAK & INFERIOR MEN) was on the verge of being conquered.So in comes the USA, saves your Country & 50 years later you despise us for being what you call “Cocky”, well Sweetie Pie, “COCKY” Repels the “HUNS”, I had a Grandfather who left a Leg in France on 6-6-44, we we’re not being occupied..YOU & YOUR KIND WERE, yet we died to save your hide…So once the threat was extinguished & The World went back to being Normal (?) , you came to resent us for the very same mindset that had the intestinal fortitude,courage & strength to provide you a safe enviroment from which to criticize us.We ARE NOT YOUR GUARD DOG, however in the event & you will be, probably from the Chinese,when your National Interest is at risk you’ll call us “YANKS” to save you because why ? YOUR MEN CAN"T.We don’t need you & your Aussie/Kiwi Accents are repellent to my ears. This is why. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746/80 "2011-03-09T18:41:00Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Other thought about “American” clothing overseas: in general, as a nation, we are bigger than Asians. (Read: more commonly overweight) I am a tiny little white woman and have been looking for a red silk Susie Wan dress for forever. Dresses like that which are actually made in Asia, by Asians, for Asians are not cut for Caucasian American hips. I cannot find a Susie Wan dress that will not cut too tightly across my hips! I would imagine that Asian women would have a hard time finding clothes that are small enough to fit well. Well, the average height of American women is only 5’ 4" ( men: 5’ 9" ), unless they expand widthways they can’t be that massive. Although it makes a good international joke that Americans are overweight, I tend to think Americans are too hard on themselves on this issue. There have been grossly overweight Asians after all; similarly, whilst a smallish proportion of Americans may be actually obese ( not counting those fabled unfortunates who are rumoured to need little motorised cycles to go shopping, which may be a myth ), most of those we actually see, whether in real life or on screen, seem fairly normal. Plus, a whole lot of Asians and Africans would probably like to eat as well as Americans do, had they the chance. > [@](#): > > …(without going to the Juniors’ or little Girls’ sections of the stores). Now you’re just boasting… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-men-have-such-great-reputations-amoung-foreign-women/135746.md?page=5)