I've recently watched a cnn program,where a reporter was asking people on the streets about other countries,and there was also a large-size world map in front of them...but most of them still could not find France or Australia or etc... on that map...Are they really THAT much ignorant and illiterat or what??And how come???Wasn't America the most powerful country on the globe?What kind of a power is that????Is there any excuse for those Americans for being that much ignorant???
209184
Beacause Americans are too lazy to learn something interesting in a classroom and are always playing video games all day long and watching too much garbage on TV!!!! I for one was born here in the U.S. know what part of the world a country is located and I'm bilingual so that makes me smarter than the one-dimensional, one language American that wants to be ignorant and dumb. Most Americans don't even know how to read a gas gauge on a car when it runs out empty on them.
271363
That is an excellent question, and one that I complain about on a daily basis. It is especially ironic considering the sheer size of the country, and the fact that most current residents of the country came originally from somwhere else.\n\nPart of the reason why Americans (as a whole) remain so geographically ignorant is due to the education system or lack thereof. "More important" topics are being taught or are given a stronger emphasis than "mere" geography. That is the reason why the National Geographical Society was formed, to enhance the spread of knowledge on all things to do with mapping and geography. \n\nAnother reason is, when you are taught only one language (English) and also taught that "America is the only country worth learning about", why should you bother learning about other people's places? And this is despite the fact that this country is so big and important to the WHOLE WORLD, and this country's policies affect the lives of people worldwide, one would think that they would take the time to know more about the cultures and geography of other countries, as well as ensure that they take care when dealing with them, since, as they say, what goes around always comes around. Americans often accuse Britons of being from an "insular" island nation, but based solely on the geographical knowledge that the average American (and their leaders!) exhibit, I think that the shoe is on the other foot now. The only difference is, the American "island" is huge compared to the British Isles.\n\nA third reason is, the more interested you are about something, the more likely it is that you will learn about it. Have you noticed how often it is, that kids can learn all the words to the latest song on the radio, but ask them what they learned in school today, and they will look at you like you asked them to do brain surgery or something?\n\nA fourth reason: parents aren't taking the time to instill in their children a love of learning, and they are not supervising their education. They don't follow up on to make sure that they're doing their homework, and they don't attend Parent-Teacher Conferences. There's a reason why they call the language you speak best your "mother" tongue -- it's because your mother is the one who probably taught it to you in the first place. Any fool can have kids, that's a biological thing, but it takes a special person to be a parent. Parents have to care for all aspects of their children's well-being and development, and that includes their education about the world in which they live.\n\nThose are a few reasons.
218800
I AM -AND AGREE- WITH YOU!!!\n\nMOST PEOPLE HERE ARE SO ARROGANT AND STUPID!\n\nDON'T GIVE A S-HIT!! (report me if you want, I don't give a f-ucking shit)\n\nI HAVE TOLD BEFORE:\n\nAMERICA IS NOT A FREE COUNTRY (ANYMORE) AND MOST AMERICANS ARE ARROGANT!!\n\nMost of them do not know also other languages and are pissed off! (hah!)\n\nREPORT ME!   REPORT ME!
587605
That is the general opinion all over the world at the moment, but the truth of the matter is that Americans are no less educated than any one else in any other country.  I pinpoint the blame on the examples you pointed out as mere cases of general human stupidity.  And unfortunately for most, the stupid people are often the most vocal.  I think it's safe to say that Americans are no less intelligent that any other country's population, as idiocy is a general characteristic of humanity that is non-specific to any group of people.  America's stupids are just more vocal, and Americans are a huge news topic at the moment, so there is this sudden wave of "Look at America".  This causes people to look at what idiots in our country are doing and forget that they have morons in their country as well.  Education in America is fine.  People are just dumb.
208177
France was absolutely right!  its just that too many americans were too stupid to listen!  Americans think they know everything and through the leadership of bush have tried to dominate the world.  Now they understand how wrong their plan was and yet some people still try to justify bush's actions.. What a shame!\n\nBTW meandmine, france has NOT had terrorist attacks since 9/11 maybe spain, maybe london but NOT france!  Get your info straight!  And yes bush ahd the same intelligence info that clinton did so why did bush throw it away and decide to go with his doctored info??? because bush is the biggest bastard the world has ever seen!  He is a lying sack of shit and won't stop until he has total world domination.
551740
Hi, I have absolutely nothing against the Americans. I have been over there on holiday a few times and have worked a while in Kansas City, Missouri. Of course as a Brit (living in Switzerland presently),  I did notice that life in America is much more anonym, probably because of the vast size of your country and the sheer magnitude of your population.\nThe only reservation I have with Americans are their eating habits (fast food etc), and their lack of geographical knowledge..outside of the USA. (Who is perfect anyway?)\nI do not detest Bush as a person, I do not really know him,  but I have not agreed with all of his policies and decisions. Then again, the whole world is corrupt anyway. I think we have to be patient for the truth to be illuminated. Maybe one day we will find out the full truth with regard to Irak and other armed conflicts, in which the US Forces are and have been involved.\n\nI evaluate the change as a positive step for USA and for the world, but cannot make any prognosis, as we, normal citizens do not have access to all the information!.\nI was very suprised that Bush was re-elected in 2004 and not surprised at all, that the long-yearned for change of leadership is happening now.\n\nGood luck, and a good question. It shows that you think globally and are interested in outsiders' opinions!
254892
I hate to admit it, and I might have the CIA knocking on my door in a few hours for saying it, but I dont like Americans. I have lived here my whole life and I think that as a whole, Americans are arrogant, greedy, simpleminded, intolerant, ignorant, and superficial. (Case in point: work2twerk who posted your first answer.) We have a horrible system of not taking care of our children and elderly and those who are sick. We can not see a doctor when we need to because we are uninsured and we can not go to college because we can not afford to. Something isnt right when the richest country on the Earth can not care for it's citizens.
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!
226502
Simple propaganda is my opinion along with jealousy.  WE are a generous nation and the world is so very Lucky that the USA has been the Superpower for so many years.  Sometimes I think the world wants us to stop evil but not to many other nations want to help so we look like were are med ling.  If we don't help, we're "ignoring the pain and suffering of others".  It's a catch 22 really.  I simply wish other countries would not just "back us" (a lot of our allies) but actually, physically HELP out!!
69925
I will give you my opinion as a foreigner to the United States. I am from Guatemala, and the majority of people to whom I speak with, consider that since Mr Bush is in office, the United States is largely hated all around the world.  I hang out with a lot of tourists and volunteers and I can tell you that it is safer and nicer all around to have friends other than Americans.  The whole American mentality that you are the "Most powerful country in the world" is absolutely absurd.  Most powerful compared to what?  No country is powerful against the power of Nature, and Katrina, wild fires, Mudslides and other occurrences will prove me right.  A little humility would do you wonders.\nOf course this is not say that ALL americans are hateful.  The thing is that many are and they are actually very noisy and ocupying places of power at the moment, so they are more noticeable.  I pray for the day when things change for the better and we can all live like brothers in this world, because at this rate, we are going down....
394302
And while I agree with you I think its an unfair assumption for several reasons..\nThere are several countries that are ignorant as well...its often easy for those who live in europe and asia...countries who've had a vastly longer documented history...this country is a few hundred years old...how much do those countried know about america...\nAlso...most of the world history that people know of is about the the ones surrounding them...how truly knowledgeable are these about other civilizations history that does not relate their own country or surrounding region...\nIn general...you will find people every where that are more concerned with themselves...or what is immediate...\nI think people are very ignorant about anything that goes beyond themselves...but not all americans are like that.  I'm not anti anything or pro anything...\n\nI ask you...Do you consider yourself smart...\n\n***I dont mean to sound callous...b/c I agree...its just that...Its really very trying when the world criticizes americans for being igonrant for the lack of knowldege for things that relate to them...The stereotypes of Americans is lame thing...b/c its based on assumptions...
671830
its weird how people who don't have the faintest idea on what is currently going on in the world are the first to have some political or personal comment on the last headline. right now on yahoo there is a headline on "tainted heroin". who gives a shit if some junky gets a bad dose? there are more problems in africa that we could ever know, go to cnn.com and type in africa and read some of those stories. terrorism is everywhere, but we are only interested with what directly effects us. we as americans are so ignorant to the rest of the worlds SERIOUS problems but somehow we need to warn heroin users about whats going on in the street, are you kidding me? the reason people are enraged about what happened to those guys is the fact that they could be related to any single one of us, a neighbor, somebodys student, their son. i am angry because i am a 23 year old member of the u.s. armed forces and it could have been me. and you people who think about the innocent civilians have a point to a certain extent. but roadside bombs dont make themselves and the sooner you realize that we are fighting iraq as a whole you will be better off. and whatever you do, dont say retailiate against someone who is spreading factual info. those rebels are animals. from the political view this is a war for oil, but the kid on the other side praying he will make it home could care less about gas prices right now.
585546
Speak for yourself.  You're to fat, lazy, and stupid to type or spell  correctly.  And your opinions reflect your stupidity and laziness.  America is the greatest country on earth.  We have done more good for the world than all other countries put together.
332677
Americans (really "US citizens"--Americans include all those who live in North, Central, and South America) are not really stupid--many tend to be very ignorant though.  This, coupled with their patriotic jingoism, makes for an interesting combination.\n\nWe must remember to examine structural reasons for this rather than blaming people in terms of biology.  For example, how can US citizens be informed when their mass media is controlled by very few billionnaires who constantly espouse pro-corporate messages rather than messages that could make people feel like they have a sense of community with each other and the rest of the world?
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.
320773
Good question - when will Americans realize that they do need other people?  When will Americans realize that the world doesn't stop at their border?  When will Americans realize that they need to be accountable for their place in the world?  When will Americans stop being such stupid, ignorant people?  When will Americans realize that no super-power lasts forever, and they fun in the sun will end?\n\nThe answer my friend is blowing in the wind...
594851
I am an American, and I don't hate the Middle East. I don't hate any country. But I can see how countries around the world would think that Americans hate their respective countries. The USA being the only remaining super power feels that it must police the rest of the world because (we) have the money and or resources to do so. This can be good...like when we stop people from killing eachother and whatnot. But more often than not (especially now that Bush is KING) we go where we are not wanted and go for the wrong reasons....giving the wonderful people of this beautiful country a bad name.