Why do people from other countries think that everyone in the USA is rich?
147416
After turning off the computer, I figured out I left out the main aspect. So I did some heavy editting.\n\nAnswer from Brazil\nFirst of all, most people don´t realize there is a difference between tradable and nontradeable goods. Tradeables are esily exported/imported good while nontradables...well. For ex.: A scisor is tradeable a haircut is not. Some food items are tradeable but some aren´t. A meal served at a a restaurant isn´t. Your rent and facilities aren´t. Well, you get the idea.\nYour familly might know how much you make and convert it to there local currency and imagine all they could buy. Unfortunately, you can only make that sort of money living in the US (and paying thru, there).\nIn a poor country, wealthy people can still afford the tradeables (which cost about the same in USD all over the world). For example, a Honda Civic starts at about USD20000 in Brazil and is considered a luxury car. Nontradeables, like a meal at a fancy restaurant can cost, can be as low as USD30 per person.\nLabor is a nontradeable and therefore is priced very cheap. In Brazil, a household with monthly income of over R$8000 (a little under USD 4000) is considered rich for the advertisement association. So you can figure out that, things like cars, camcorders, computers and other nontradeables are completely out of reach for poorer people.\nWhen your parents see you with all these stuff, they associate your life style with that of the rich folks they know. It's common to hear from poorer people who have relatives in the US (as ileagals) to brag about how amazing they have it, b/c they have a car, a computer, etc. What they don't know is how expensive all the other stuff cost.\nAnother reason is unrealistic word-of-mouth.\nA lot of my countrymen feel that they can make a lot of money in the US and acctually try to immigrate ilegally. It sometimes works b/c they live a miserable life there and are able to save and return w/ a lot (for local standard). This furthers the impresion that life is easy there. And whats more, people like to talk about their success, not failures. So these immigrants tend to boost-up the good things and downplay the bad things.\nHope this helps you understand your relatives and helps you on how to make them understand your life a little better.
512301
There are always detractors out there.  When you are free, powerful, and relatively wealthy (collectively), there are some out there who will feel a certain degree of envy.  America has a myriad of problems, but it is still the greatest country in the world.  \n\nTough to argue with that one.
691079
Because of greener pastures...US is the richest and most powerful country...The other reason is open culture which accepts people from other culture to live and work here. But most importantly it's money honey....
180811
One word...  "Jealousy"\nWe are still the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world although that status is now on decline due mostly to bad leadership.  People see our success and power and get quite jealous.  We are still the land of opportunity and freedom though and that is attractive to everyone.  We have jobs, unemployment support, medical care, a governement that doesn't torture or kill, and a hugely diverse population.  What isn't to like about living here?  If you were in another country with little hope of success and you saw the soap operas about the wealthy American life style I am sure you would want to come here as well.\n\nI don't agree with the view expressed by some that that people are just mad at our government.  I will concede that at one time that might have been the case but in my field of work for an environmental consulting agency with internation ties I see things differently.  I visit places and meet people of many nations and I have to say that, for the most part, when people know I or my coworkers are American they treat us very differently so we usually go with claiming to be from Australia or Ireland depending on who is in our group.  Don't get me wrong.  There are many good people as well who like Americans just like any other nationality.  They are very tolerant which makes the experience much more enjoyable.  Once again, it is the ones who make the most noise that get heard and right now those are the US haters.  Some people just like to blame others for their sad lives rather than trying to improve their situation.
529662
It is the belief that through hard work, courage and determination, anyone can achieve a better life, mainly through becoming rich. It means that many Americans may view happiness by material assets, their health, etc.\n\nThe truth is often far from this. Countries whose citizens generally report higher levels of happiness are often poorer than the US. For example, the King of Bhutan, when criticized by Western economists for not doing enough to improve the country's economy, replied he wished to maximize "Gross National Happiness", not "Gross National Product".
117558
First -Jealousy over what we have and what we don't have but is thought that we have. Example many foreigner come from overseas and are bowled over by the myriad taxes and realize our incomes aren't close to being what they seem. They call us greedy but come over here to share in the greed.   Secondly--, companies that can be ruthless have taken advantage of poorer nations and instill anger while we are used to that tactic here and are prepared for it. Thirdly--, US is powerful and is seen instead as a bully by some. Also our strenght is an embarrassment to others - example France has never been thrilled that US saved it from Nazi Germany.. Fourth--, Because of its strength US is asked to take sides in conflicts and if is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. Fifth- because we look different and people don't like people who don't look like them. Just like US is afraid of Arabs at their ports, so others don't like white people in their own backyards either. ... there are a million more reason...
655234
i agree. American culture has such in influence on all other countries that they think they know us better than we no ourselves. Idiots oh and God bless America
486101
cos there just silly americans who think america is the whole world
378680
No I think the US ignores it's 'lower class' people...richness has far more than money to it
695895
You have a computer.  You probably have a decent home, a car, fridge, dishwaser, washing machine, food mixer, TV, HIFI, CD player, more than one pair of shoes, several pairs of jeans, shirts.  There are a lot of people around the world, including in Latin America who do not have those things.  They think you are rich because you are.
150042
I am an American and the truth is Americans are arrogant. Americans will visit a foreign country and call the people there foreigners! lol, it's true. But seriously, I do think that's the reason why...not to mention we are a bit spoiled. Now understand, not ALL Americans are like this but you can safely say the majority fit in this category.
1153642
Because US is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. People are living a good life compare to the rest of the world. They have education, health care, basic services, advance technology, a largely advanced military, free media, etc.\n\nYes, the US govt is borrowing lots of money, but consumer spending is unbelievable. One of the richest countries in the world, and yet lack of education in finance. Most of these people don't know how to save.\n\nIn economical sense, the value of the dollar is constantly fluctuating. You need to understand Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy to understand it.
348398
In America we have free enterprise and a class-less society. In other words, anyone can make money and be rich and be accepted here. We have no special laws for the rich and different set for the poor. Thats the American Dream. In China, Iran,Russia, and the French Revolution, they have a class society. In other words, if you were born poor, you will probably remain that way because the oppurtunities are not there for you to advance your status in life.
35365
Most countries outside of the United States do not have the magnitude of opportunities for increasing ones income because here in the US we have three classes of people, Ultra Rich, Middle Class and Poor. Most third world countries have two class groups, Ultra wealthy and poor. This means that in the United States you have more people that can afford your goods or services. But your quetion was how do they do it here?\n\nFirst of all people that don't have much don't spend much. They save every penny that they earn. They don't beleve in credit, they pay cash for everything they have. If they don't have enough money to by what they need then they will save their money until they do. They will do without  luxury items like $5.00 expressos at Star Bucks. They don't feel like they need to be entertained every second of the day and are happy in company of family members.\n\nAlso unlike most American families they pool their resources. They are very tight nit and work together to acheive a common goal. they take every advantage of the educationl resources that our country has to offer. They are not worried that someone in the family will have more than they do. While most young American families spend 600 dollars a week for child care, Immigrant families have extended family members that will take care of the children while they work two or three jobs.\n\nIn observing the Asian culture you might wonder how they can afford such expensive homes, The truth is they can't except that 3 or 4 families will by a property together, They don't buy luxury items like furnture, curtins, luxurious carpets or paint to personalize the House. It is meerly an investment. When the property value goes up they sell, and now four families can buy another property. The cycle continues and they become very wealthy.
349252
People have it way worse then you. You're rich compared to people in poorer countries. Think of them starving, next time you think it's the end of the world when you can't buy the newest camera phone. Money isn't everything.
185738
There are Idiots and really great people in every country in the world,Americans just seem to have more idiots because your country is much larger than European countries
511415
They may not be rich by American standards, but if they are rich by Guatemalan standards they can afford to hire body guards in Guatemala ... other people do it ... America and Canada really can't take in everybody who is either too rich, or too poor, or too this or too that ..