I've heard that Americans think we're quirky and eccentric
213668
I think that they would like to think that it's a mix of London in the swinging 60s and Oxford, an image helped by the likes of The Spice Girls and Richard Curtis films. Much of the Daily Mail-reading swathe of Britain would like to think that it is like The Antiques Roadshow. \n\nThe truth is that much of Britain is mundane with pockets of greatness. There are few great eccentrics- those that are have to keep it hidden for fear of being thought abnormal by the beery, swearing, sweaty majority.
45341
There are differences in the way non-Americans express themselves (and it's not all due to poor English!). \nBut come to think of it, I'm not sure if those differences represent our different countries. I'd rather say that we're all 'aliens' in a product that is basically US-targeted, and maybe we're eager to please and give a good impression (many US users just don't seem to care). Some cultural differences are apparent, especially with respect to the perception of humor and irony; that's when the common sociocultural background becomes more visible, I think. \nI have no idea if I project something of Argentina in my Q&A, and I don't know what a "typical" Argentine person is like. We're said to be pedantic and think ourselves too cool, but that's just a stereotype... or is it? There was another user from Argentina here that sounded really silly, and I didn't want this person to be associated with 'my' country!\n\nI guess this question was directed at US users...I wanted to add my contribution anyway. I have to say that the mere fact that you call yourselves "Americans", as if the rest of us lived in Oceania or quite another continent, makes me smile. And I think that says a lot about the US too!\n--------------------\nUpdate: Hola Rantrax!! No, it was not you. Glad to know more of us are joining this :-D
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?
637644
what is a needy?????not all of us americans are rude and proudy.....maybre you should look at SELF
8944
americans never really mature at all -they just love to act like spoiled kids...
186579
Speaking as an Englishman....\n\nAmericans visiting England CAN be stereotyped as noisy, brash and demanding. \nThat is not at all my experience of visiting Americans, who are generally courteous, considerate, and polite - unless of course they're here on a Preaching Mission. \n\nBecause of the media, most people in England believe that the US is all like New York or San Francisco. \n\nThis is about as accurate as imagining that all Englishmen wear a bowler hat. \nBowler hats are extinct outside of the ancient heart of the City of London, where they are increasingly rare. \n\nBecause so much English humour is based on irony, American humour often seems too obvious. (American soaps are predictable and formulaic.) \n\nIt can sometimes seem to an English person therefore that Americans are lacking in real humour.\nMisunderstandings are likely, where Americans think the English are bawdy or coarse, whilst the English think the Americans are being prissy. \nThis is a real cultural difference. \n\nOn the other hand, just about everyone in England loves The Simpsons, and most of the young want to go to New York. \n\nHowever, if your president is typical, it is evident that few Americans know much about the rest of the world. \n\nIf you think I'm wrong, try this: \nA while ago, I tried to name as many of the States as I could, and got 38. \nIf you're American, how many English counties can you name? \n\nBut maybe I should declare myself, and admit that although I've lived in Britain all my life, my grandfather was born in 1888 in a log cabin in Tawas, Michigan, built by his father. \n\nAnd maybe that's just typical of the way our histories are inextricably linked. \nAmericans and British are intrigued by one another. \nLong may that continue!
591482
Yes,  We as Americans should be very concerned about world opinion.  My girlfriend went on a vacation to Australia not long after we met.  She noticed a little hostility from some of the people from other countries that were in their group.  These ultra conservative "cowboy" extremest are giving us a very bad image around the world.  I stumbled across a website for a German band .........  I think it was Ram-stein but I'm not sure.  I was shocked and appalled at all the anti U.S. statements. \n      I once got into a discussion at a bar with a girl from Czechoslovakia she told me that Americans in general were uninformed and often deceived by our media.   We are the most powerful country in the world right now our problems are the worlds problems and visa verse.  We as Americans have a responsibility to know whats going on in the world (not just what FOX news tells us) and act accordingly.
437207
I am british and we hear your accent the same as you do, its just we are not used to it so we know you are from america, its because we are so accustomed to our own accent that when we hear others we find them different and strange.
658454
I'm not American but I love a lot of things about traveling there and I do work with Americans. Do I think it's great? Hell, yeah. Do I think it's messed up too? Hell, yeah. Then again people mistake redneck donutheads as speaking for ALL of America.
131012
Because most of us Americans live under the belief that because our nation is so great and whatever, then so are we, and the rest of humanity just doesn't compare. Which is fine, I could careless, I live in England anyhow.
221438
cos there just silly americans who think america is the whole world
221447
it is true...very strange but true...strange creatures we are.
122556
No, we don't.\nAlthough, the people that DO have accents think that we have accents just because we don't have their accent! We still sound different to them, so they think we have an accent.\nMake sense?! ;0)
250583
when people move to our country and tell us how great their country is seems crazy to me.one time I went to Mexico on\nvacation crossed the boarder and yelled I'm Mexican I'm Mexican\nbut in  reality I'm American. must have been the drugs
318052
We are Americans, the best word to describe us is Diverse.
224675
You're very strange, do you know that?
287169
I don't think it sums up all Americans, but many have noticed that we in America (and the west) tend to be extremely materialistic and that the value of one's life is determined in our societies by how much we own, how big the things we own, or how new the things we own are, etc. This has led some (Americans and Westerners as well as others outside of the west and Amerca) to point out that sometimes we miss the things of other value: family, friends, an active culture, an honoring of ancestry and family history, the chance to positively effect other people's lives and have them effect your life in a true and meaningful way that's value is beyond all material things.