Why is the common person in the U.S. passionless?
351451
I think the common person in the U.S. is passionless.  However, not many of the passionless people use the internet too much, and especially they don't use Yahoo! Q&A.\n\nThe answer to "Why" is long and starts several decades ago.  Why ask Why?  Instead, let's ask if that is bad? And if so, what can we do about it? What we can we change?   What can we do?  \n\nThe answer is very little.  Take care of yourself and your own passions.  Change people by setting an example.
1053263
American people are like people anywhere, some great ones and some losers.  Their politicians get them in a lot of trouble though ... but then, that is much like politicians everywhere.\n\nThe main problem with some, not all,  Americans is that they think the rest of the world wants to be like them, which makes people dislike them.  Some Americans don't seem to understand that the rest of the world really doesn't want to be like them.
1039936
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.
499694
American culture.  Consumerism, fast food, individuality... etc.  There is no "majority" culture outside of that.
689289
most americans like everyone else in the world have the tendency to stereotype and judge without enough information, sure there are those with good hearts and working brains, but sadly they are most of the time overshadowed by ignorant and arogant ones, i don't believe in communism, but this doesn't mean i have to fight everyone else with different belief than mine, and doesn't necessarily mean i'm right and they are wrong in the 1st place !! God when will this world grow up a little!
1117018
Well, I have to say, you're being very stereotypical. It's obvious that you don't like Americans, but don't you think that you're generalizing, just a bit? Most Americans have moved on from being prejudiced. Now, I'm not saying that the whole of America isn't prejudiced, because there are a large number of prejudiced people. But isn't it the same in other countries as well? And how exactly do Americans show off? I don't understand. And perhaps we do sometimes get in business that maybe we shouldn't, such as Iraq, but that shouldn't be a reflection on our country, it's a reflection on the choices of the president. And like the person above me said, there are some tourists who think they're God's gift to mankind, but not everyone is like that. A few people shouldn't be cause to hate a whole country. No person, no country, is perfect.
13591
Most Americans have great respect for everyone who is rational, productive, and self-sufficient. This also means anyone who does you harm should be served justice in the interest of protecting free principles.\n\nThe problem is that everyone BUT Americans seem to eat up whatever the media says, or they lack the education to realize that Americans are like any other human being. We live for our happiness and productive achievement, and we highly value our liberty and security.\n\nAny actions we take are a result of that love for freedom and that moral pursuit. We do not tolerate socialism, facism, or totalitarianism, but rather open and mutually beneficial relationships and trade.
814959
Because the American public has no understanding of reality.  They are led by emotion.
813737
by understanding that the superficiality associated with the American culture is not exactly what all persons are; that all Americans are not greedy, aloof, or stupid (though I definitely know quite a few that fit the bill!) And know that many more than projected are aware and not apathetic and do become involved in their nation's happenings out of actual concern rather than the chíc/vogue aspect of it...oh, also...try to understand that the American culture is the only one that some of us know, and not by choice (i.e. African American) If all else fails...your opinion's as good as the general!
802563
Most Americans are Ignorant, Selfish, Bible Thumping Prudes who don't care about others.
714588
Because we all want be successful and resent those we feel are more successful than we are.\nIt's basically one big inferiority complex.\n\nAnd it's NOT unique to Americans.
127184
This has baffled me too.  I have a friend who is crazy about Bush and she explained it this way:  "I love Bush, because he's like a common person in the way he trips over his words and sometimes doesn't make sense.  I don't really trust intellectuals that much."  I hope this isn't the prevailing sentiment in the United States, but it would explain how we ended up with such a person as the visible face of America to the rest of the world.
1184034
Many of those people like to feel others pain. Because they have a shitty life, or, because ,they are either too lazy or too stupid to fix it. So they feel better about themselves when they act like they care, and many of them do care, its just that they don't know why they care, and after a very short period of time they change their definition of "caring"  from, actively finding a solution and implementing it, to something like pointing the finger and blaming others. The great thing about most of those people (for them) is that when they point the finger at the "problem"  (i.e. America is the Devil) it looks (to them) like they are pointing the finger at them selves (thus they can appear to be truly selfless) and can act like they are fighting for a solution, when really they are just trying to make themselves feel better for being incompetent in creating a solution -and in their lives for that matter-. Unfortunately Failure and self loathing are considered greatness for many.\nThat is why (at least why I think) American  wanna-be-do-gooders\nalways find the fault in America, it is too painful to find the fault in them selves, and, it is too hard to "fix" the injustice they see.\n  I, fortunately, do not suffer from this malady.\n"I do not want to feel others pain, but, I would like to cure it"....If I don't already have something better to do....
25790
Compared to the majority of the world, which has a traditional view of human sexuality and relationships, the American attitude on sex portrayed in movies and television, is embarrassing and appalling to most of the world: Muslims, Asians, Africans. From the majority world's perspective, American sexuality is immature for being uninhibited.\n\nImplied in the question might be a preference for an even more progressive attitude about sexuality. One may need to make a case for that on a basis other than the "rest of the world."
427672
It would seem to me, that most people are busy struggling to survive on a day-to-day basis. Some struggle less and some more and in myriad ways. \n\nLife is not without suffering to one degree or other. One aspect of ones life may be easy, while at the same time another aspect is extremely difficult. What is hard for one may be easy for another; and easy for one hard for the other. Even in America, people struggle. \n\nThe point is, at any given time, how many people individually, are sitting and saying, "Dang, how I hate America!", instead of getting on with their lives?\n\nThe real problem arises when poverty is the issue and hope is non-existent and something or someone comes along and points a finger placing blame "out there" or "over there" —instead of looking for ways to correct and/or improve things for themselves and as a community.\n\nAnd anytime there is a mindset of "us" & "them"... how can there possibly be work toward a common ground for the good of all?\n\nIn one response topside, it was said that "we brought it on ourselves" or something such... rubbish! Nothing good comes from laying on a guilt trip, or fearmongery, or scapegoating, or hating! These are all dished-out or taken-on, or not, by choice and I for one choose not to accept any of it into my life.\n\nNot only am I proud to be an American, I am deeply grateful. And those who hate, sadly, are only on a path of slow internal self-destruction.
95464
It can be a maturity issue, too, irrespective of the actual age of the person using the epithet.  My 16 year old daughter always tells me that I "don't understand" when the truth is that I understand just fine, I just don't agree.  "Lack of Understanding" is similar to me as "close-minded" and sounds like it comes from someone frustrated by his or her inability to change the mind of the person being spoken to in a matter about which the speaker is passionate. Passion is a feeling, feelings often calm down when maturity lends perspective.
936640
With all those *wonderful* qualities you possess you can't find someone in America to become subservient to you?\noh yeah...American...guess not.