What do the rest of the world think of: America

Your topic title should be what does the world think of the United States. "America" is too broad of a term, we aren't talking about Venezuela I don't think so.Hemmaroids

In my opinion, it's just fun to hate on eachother for the outrageous sterotypes. I love ticking French people off on CoD by telling them to stop speaking Canadian, and they FREAK.

As an American, my opinion would be generally considered biased, but I love my country. It's varied from region to region, and the gun-toting, patriotic rednecks you see are often just confined to the boonies (which, unfortunately, I live in. I love living in the country, but people who find out I live here often stereotype me quickly). I think that we are heading down a slippery slope right now as no one is this country can ever seem to agree on anything or elect people based on experience and good ideas rather than popular opinion (for the record, I like Obama, but I think he was too inexperienced to run the country) and the rich do have too much influence, but in the indivdualistic sense and with all the different places and people there are, it's an amazing place to live. I wouldn't trade it to live anywhere else... except maybe Canada, I prefer the cold.

Are you getting overly defensive about calling Americans overly defensive!. You're kind of missing why you got called out on your first post....Huffanddoback

People misinterpreted what I meant by "the people" and "culture of fear", you too as well. I already reiterated what I meant previously.

As for "overly defensive about calling Americans overly defensive" that doesn't make a shred of sense.

imperialist controlled by cooperate interests

[QUOTE="MrPraline"][QUOTE="hadoken"] GLUNG GLUNG GLUNG!!!!!!!hadoken

I've been impressed with the few places in the US I got a chance to visit back in '10 during the BCPA Easter Tour. Apart from having to pay for healthcare (a real dealbreaker) and the additional tax you get charged in Cali, I don't have issues with the place.

I can't stand apsects of British people's attitudes which decide to automatically hate America. A least most American's aren't lame enough to b*tch about kids in tracky-bottoms because they were dumb enough to latch onto a joke started by the media.

I'm not an American, but I lived there for three years (in Massachusetts). Here's what I think:

- Very pragmatic. From economical issues to day-to-day things, making things simpler is a common cause.

- A large portion of the populace has tinted goggles when it comes to dealing with the U.S's international affairs.

- Very organized.

I'd honestly pick the U.S. to live in over any other European country due to how their level of xenophobia doesn't come close to that of Europe's. It's not that they aren't prejudicial, but in my experience, as long as you're at or above middle-class status, working legitimately and/or have money, your country of origin becomes secondary. I think their freedom of speech is praise-worthy. I also think the younger generations give a lot more attention to vain and superfluos things than they should. Education needs to take a step up -- there aren't enough universities and schools of high quality.

It's not my place to opinate on their virtual lack of a public welfare system: having public or private welfare is their choice, not mine.

I'll just leave this here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI

too many talking heads on tv trying to tell you what to do. to much emphasis in your pop culture on fads rather than trends. not enough ears open to other peoples views and idea's. but you all are veyr determined people. and that is both a good and bad thing (at least in my experience). you also all got a thing for memerobelia of your various accomplishments. while thats not something that other peoples in other places dont do.. i personnaly cant see its value. as a result some of you place a significant amount of senimental value in something trivial.

I've been to the US twice, though I spent both times in LA. It was a pretty nice place; much sunnier and happier than where I'm from :P

The whole religious thing kinda bugged me though.

Jerks. I.e. the Government, not been to US and don't plan to.

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

No country in the world has a law as secular as the United State's First Amendment.

Even predominately atheist countries like Japan have restrictions towards free expression.

toast_burner

Because People are predominately Christian, but our constitution is strong. Even with all the Christian nutjobs, they still can't censor our media. That's how powerful our first amendment is. The same can't be said for Japan or Australia, they still have fairly conservative censorship.

People also forget that the U.S. is a young country. It will take us time to catch up on social matters. I believe our Atheist community is growing and will eventually take over in the future.

Making wars everywhere.

Full of pride and proud of being patriotic.


And see Terrorists everywhere.

MURIKA! World Police! - Rest of the world

i'm pretty sure a lot of people hate America

America provides the best of our TV and Film entertainment.

I would just ask that if you are from a different country don't judge us by our media, its just hyperbole to get ratings. I think our biggest flaw is the apathy of the masses.DaBrainz

A lot of them are quite dumb from who i've talked to. Other than that meh.

A country of trigger-happy idiots that vote for one of two political parties without doing proper research, thus making democracy a joke.

Also:

Corrupt government who thinks they are the world-police.

Silly patriotism.

Thinks they are some kind of "heroes" because of their participation in World War II.

Etc.

A lot of the bands I listen to are from America.....umm yeah.

I was born, grew up in and still live in the U.S.A, so I certainly do view the U.S positively.

It certainly has its flaws; Our politics and economy are currently a mess, but otherwise ther ehave been great people I met, great products I was able to get here (some made here and some made elsewhere of course), I've been able to live a decent life in a safe enviroment as opposed to a third world country, and there is a nice amoungt of diversity and variety here. Overall I enjoy living here in the States.

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

No country in the world has a law as secular as the United State's First Amendment.

Even predominately atheist countries like Japan have restrictions towards free expression.

Blue-Sky

Because People are predominately Christian, but our constitution is strong. Even with all the Christian nutjobs, they still can't censor our media. That's how powerful our first amendment is. The same can't be said for Japan or Australia, they still have fairly conservative censorship.

People also forget that the U.S. is a young country. It will take us time to catch up on social matters. I believe our Atheist community is growing and will eventually take over in the future.

It's has one of the oldest goverments in the world.

I despise the "MURICA IS DA BESTEST COUNTRY" mentality that a lot of dumb Americans have. But in general, I got no beef with America. It's got a great entertainment industry.

I despise the "MURICA IS DA BESTEST COUNTRY" mentality that a lot of dumb Americans have. But in general, I got no beef with America. It's got a great entertainment industry.

Artekus

Patriotism is hardly exclusive to America..... I'm pretty sure most Canadians will tell you Canada is the best, and most Japanese will tell you Japan is the best. And so on...

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Economy is in tatters, bad social welfare, high level of unemployment, huge religious right and a big culture of fear.

Can't really comment on the people since I haven't met a lot of Americans. But overall not a place I'd like to live in or visit.

Vesica_Prime

When the religious right can pass laws that forces the teachings of Creationism a purely religious doctrine into a science cIass I'd say that the religious right has more power than it should. As for the culture of fear, I am not commenting on the people I am commenting on the high murder rate, news broadcasts (yes we get CNN and Fox News over here) and the sort of television that reaches the masses (for example Cops.)

And when I meant "the people" I mean the average person on the street or in the supermarket, not the things that gets coverage on TV or on the news.

We get it, you hate people saying America is the evil empire of the world. But America isn't the perfect flower you think it is, hell even Australia, Canada, UK isn't perfect.

Got no problem with america

We basically have a shet, greedy government that will not do anything to help America's real problems.

But other than that, people here are generally nice. All the racism b.s. you hear is all brought up because of politicians working for votes. I don't think we are a racist country.

But ya, we can have guns, shoot them out in the woods, say whatever we want as long as we aren't threatening anyone's life. Basically just a badazz country other than our government always pushing the "politically correct" bullspit all the time.

I hope the USA wins the world cup and the whole world will see us not caring about it.DaBrainz

Failing Economy, really bad social welfare, terrible government andalot of the people i have met seem to be very ignorant of the rest of the world.

But hey i'd go there one day since its where most the UFC events are held.

Is it OK for those of us who live in America to comment on what we think about our country?

I've lived in the US my whole life and never traveled outside it, but I've had friends from all over the world such as Sweden, Mexico, UK, and Canada so I've got a pretty good grasp of what life outside the US is like. I can agree with the stereotype about Americans being ignorant about how things really are in their own country and foreign countries, but not all Americans are bad people. Some of us really are friendly and don't care where you're from or what religion you follow just as long as you are polite and respectful to us, even the ones who are fanatically patriotic about their government. Some good things about our country is that we do have a great source of entertainment and a stable government, despite the fact that we do indeed have a high crime rate (but that mostly applies to big cities like New York and Los Angeles). We also do have a weight problem due to the foods we eat, but I think people over exaggerate it a lot. I've seen some Europeans who look just like us fat Americans but speak with a different accent so I don't think they should be ones to talk.

An fundamentally terrible government. Also, they have a few incredibly nonsensical laws. I mean, guns? really?

Also many Americans I've met have been arrogant ****s. But the nice ones i've met have been really nice.

The education system is pretty bad too. and there are far too many religious extremists, and religion has a bit too much influence in politics, etc...

And it seems that alot of day-to-day life is media-driven. Ads consitently pushed in your face, that sort of thing.

However, it has a good entertainment industry. And it was built on solid morals. but alas, as someone said earlier, it seems to have to decayed to what it is now.

No country in the world has a law as secular as the United State's First Amendment.

Even predominately atheist countries like Japan have restrictions towards free expression.

Blue-Sky

and yet you have "In God We Trust" written clearly on your dollar bills

Obama sighned into law in secret the NDAA and the A new bill pretty much outlawing freedom of speech. America is going to suck pretty soon.

A very beautiful continent.

Economy is in tatters, bad social welfare, high level of unemployment, huge religious right and a big culture of fear.

Can't really comment on the people since I haven't met a lot of Americans. But overall not a place I'd like to live in or visit.

Vesica_Prime