All non-Americans must have experienced it, also on Yahoo Answers: American people who do not seem to realise that the USA is only one of many countries on this planet. \n\nOne example is an American asking what the postal code is for another country - as if the whole world is part of the USA's internal postal system. \n\nOn the one hand it is a perfectly understandable phenomenon; with the USA being a superpower in the world. On the other hand we will be kind to the Americans if we make them aware that people from other countries have everything that the USA has (and in some respects more) and that we are all proud of being citizens of our countries - also of our own languages and cultures.\n\nDear American fellow Yahoo Answerers: Please do not be offended, but please be careful not to (maybe unconsciously) pretend that the USA is everything. And please teach your children: There are other intelligent, well-educated, self-sufficient, interesting and proud people out there!
129154
The mind set that you're criticizing actually has a historical term called American Exceptionalism.  It roots all the way back to the beginning of the USA and it is the belief that America is truly unique and special in the world.  Americans operate off this assumption that is ingrained in them from birth that says America is superior.  It's naturally for someone to have pride in their country, but unfortunately, most of us Americans take it to a an extreme level.  This is why the Bush administration thinks that it's O.K. for America to ignore the Kyoto Protocols and that the Geneva Conventions don't apply to them.  And thus your problem, Americans on Yahoo are so ignorant that they just assume that well of course everyone on yahoo is an American.  It's an American company in English!  And they would be surprised to know that people from around the world use Yahoo.  I think you are right to take offense at Americans who do believe that the USA is everything and I agree that they are wrong.  One of the answers to the problem and what allowed me to see it in myself was to travel abroad.  And I don't mean go be a Ugly American tourist, but I went to Brasil and actually staying in someones house for two weeks and experienced what life is like for them and it forced me to realize that the American way of doing things is not the best and that the USA is really only a small part of the world.
406444
Hmmm...I never thought about that, but I can see where you're going. Americans here are obsessed with race. It's practically the first thing people ask you, and then they through stereotypes at you. Really annoying. I don't know why it is like this however.
130568
I'm not from the USA, I don't live there and don't intend to, however I have no problems with the USA and think that people who want to be rude about the USA should look at the political structure of their own country first. If after that and they are still of the opinion that the USA is not for them then kindly state their country of residence for comparison.
186984
You are making GROSS generalizations. \n\nDoes the rest of the world have any clue how many Americans are disgusted with our own government's foreign policies?  How many Americans LOATHE our current administration?  How many Americans have expatriated or are in the process of expatriating in disgust?\n\nShut up, sit down, and don't tell me what I do and don't have a clue about.
66856
I'm proud to be a born an raised American. We stand up for ourselves not blowup ourselves. We educate our children not kill'em. We all live on the same planet an someone has to make sure YOUR kids have a world to live in. America is the land of free and opportunity. All the immigrants here can't complain, I mean come on...After all, they left their country to come to the States. U.S.A. ROCKS THE GLOBE!!
67155
People from the USA can be very sheltered. Sometimes I feel like I cannot be an adult around some of these people with small views.\nSex is something that most of us will do at some point in their life. There is no need to pretend it is not happening. If people want more info about it then it should not be a problem.
477748
I agree with you. The academics here in the U.S are still studying with a viewpoint of "us vs. them". Occidental vs. oriental etc. Its really a 17th century phenomenon that needs to stop. Look at china, singapore, hongkong, japan, etc all of them have almost the same living standard than most of americans. But we regard our opinion as somewhat higher or better or cleverer even before we let them speak. Its tautology at its best!\np.s: Thanks for asking good questions. \n:)
253659
I am an American citizen but I was not born here.  Americans are people, just like people from Palestine, from France, from China, from Africa, and from other places all over the world.  Some are good, some are bad.  Some I love, some I hate.  It doesn't matter where somebody is from, but what's in their heart.  About the government, yes it is a bad government.  But nobody has a right to judge Americans because of the government.  The same goes for people of other parts of the world.
53137
I don't think all Americans are like that, but certainly many are.  Our public education system leaves a great deal to be desired, especially the last 30 years or so.  And the media's influence on everyday life in America has become so pervasive that it threatens to completely choke off any possibility of real rational thought.\n\nBut there are those who do think for themselves.  There are many Americans who care deeply about this nation and want it to continue to be a place where the freedoms our ancestors fought and died to earn will still live and breathe.  It's a shame that so many ignorant Americans don't understand what they risk when they just go along with what someone says--especially when it involves trading your freedoms for anything.
149310
Americans aren't concerned about other Americans, or sending $$$$ overseas if they can save a buck.  That communist china is using the $$$$ to build their military, people don't care. \n\nWalmart is a good example.   Another is the way the corporations are outsourcing thousands of jobs to third world countries like Mexico, Philippines and India.
566689
If you saw how long I spend on some of my answers you might think I must come from a different country according to your statement. (Or maybe you'd just think I was a bit slow witted? Ha ha!) But guess what, I'm a US citizen.\n\nOne of my humbling moments as a US citizen came when I was living in Japan. I was at a business meeting with Japanese, Australians, English, and a couple of US citizens. One of the Australians started doing an impression of US citizens. She started talking loudly, smiling broadly (showing a lot of teeth), and gesturing. I thought it was funny. The citizens from other countries thought it was even funnier. I might imagine the whole world enjoying such a joke on US citizens, but that would be another stereotype--on the other citizens of the world.\n\nI think people will see what they want to see--especially if they are looking for it. For instance, "Is it true that Americans answer immediately, without giving it much to think about?" \n\nIt's easier for people to think in stereotypes. People think like that to make sense of their world. I'm not saying it's a terrible thing. However, they may be missing interaction with people they might actually enjoy spending time with. Such separation doesn't bring the world closer to peace. It's also rather lonely and boring don't you think?
288638
I agree that a lot of people are ignorant (as you can easily tell by some of the responses here), but some people are scared to ask in fear of offending someone. That doesn't excuse them for stereotyping, though.  And honestly most Americans couldn't any more place Colombia on a map than Lebanon.
465146
That is an interesting point about America from its neighbour. It is a pity that Americans have not earned the good will of even one of his neighbours. They need to have a re look at their international relations and relations with their neighbours.
631406
America, being one of the youngest countries ...in comparison to European, by thousands of years, yet we have accomplished more in this short time than any other. One of the reasons is this country was established by people working together, sharing the load, sharing knowledge and eventually sharing our good fortune.\n We have never questioned when help was needed "What are we going to get out of it", Americans juust jump in and help, be it friend or foe. \nI don't think it's a lack of appreciation on the part of the people we help it's just that their governments ....seem to forget.\nMaybe it's jealousy,,,,, no matter how much partisan bickering we go thru we alwayys puull together in the end (though lately i am starting to feel that some of our citizens don't realize how luckyy and blessed theyy are to be a part of this great nation).\nA nation that gives and gives without asking for anything in return.\n\nGod Bless America
217140
I've come up against that often. It drives me crazy (and I'm from one of the two countries that do get listed). It seems that about 1/3 of people think there are only two countries in North America, another 1/3 think there are noly three (this time including Mexico) and no more than 1/3 of the people I've met (even North Americans themselves) know that there are dozens of countries in North America (37 countries and territories), which includes everything north of Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas.\n\nIf you want to be proactive, you should write to the editors of the web sites that you've seen it in. Education is the only way to defeat ignorance!
198857
I don't know why.  You have a good point. I usually state that I am a New Yorker.  If I answer a question and they ask if I am an American I will answer yes but I always state that I am a New Yorker.  My g/f is from Holland.  My family has a tendency to state shes European.  No she's Dutch first. Europe is a big place.  Just as America is.  Need to be more specific in my opinion. People have been known to generalize.  And I for one dont like to be generalized so I help clarify where I am from.
120803
We are a privileged country.  One that many do not realize.  The more we get, the more we want.  People in other countries may have it "bad" in comparison to "our" standards of living, but at the same time, they don't miss what they don't have.  I love my country (USA),but I don't think we realize the cushion we have made for ourselves in comparison in other countries. Whatever happened to the famous saying, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. - John F. Kennedy". I think we forgot!