Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Non-US Citizens: What Do You Really Think of America?

alansmithee · 09-16-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwan

Great topic. Thanks to the poster – it’s nice that the TFP wants to hear something from the non-US TFP-ers. I’ve spent some time in the US, and was educated in a number of American school in various places around the world, my country included. I’ve also gotten to know a lot of Americans. I’ll be as honest as possible here.

I think all my colleagues admire the US in one way or another. Mainly, as a place where hard work will guarantee a proper standard of living. Whether that is true in another thing. Admire the US for the technological advancements it made possible. A lot of people in Poland admire the US for it’s anti-soviet stance after WW II.

However, when Americans visit our country, or Europe for that matter, you can be sure they’ll act in a certain way. More often than not, they’re terribly obnoxious, loud, insensitive and downright ignorant. They have absolutely no respect for the way people live, for their ways and their cultures, and as cliché as it may sound, they act as if they would want a McDonalds on every street corner. You’re most likely to find US tourists in McDonalds and US-styled malls, BTW.

Also, there’s this common perception about a laughable level of education in the US. Polish jokes may be popular in the US, but I’m sure you’ll find it interesting that Polish people tend to share anecdotes about the US – mainly pointing out the terrible ignorance. A lot of people engage in an interesting hobby – they enter chat rooms and talk with Americans, telling them, that it’s true what they heard about Poland – that we live in wooden huts, have no media, and spend the day lying on cow pastures. When asked how come they’re on the internet, the common answer is that we have coal-run computers. Sound bad? 7 out of 10 people fall for it. It’s shocking.

Personally, I think the US should be more humble. The hurricane in NO has showed the world that the richest country can become a third world state very quickly. Knowing the US, though, I don’t think any lessons will be learned. The “we shall overcome, under God” rhetoric will silence the critics and no lesson will be learned. A lot of people I know feel in a similar way about the us – history likes to repeat itself, and the US will cave in on itself, and will take a lot of other countries with it.

So there. This is the opinion of most of the people that I know – 20-30 year olds from western and central Europe.

I'm wondering what it is about Americans visiting other places that seems to make them seem so obnoxious, rude, etc.? For those who have travelled in the states, do they notice it there as well, or is it different? Is it cultural misunderstanding, or are Americans just generally boors overseas? And what behaviors specifically (if there is any that can be pinpointed) cause this obnoxious impression? I'm thinking of taking an extended trip overseas (Japan) when I'm finished getting my degree, and would like to avoid looking like some buffoonish American. I generally think I'm well-mannered but it could be something that Americans don't even notice that gives them the bad impression around the world.