Are we still the ugly Americans? What do you think of us overseas?
344489
We don't hate the American people, they're victims of their own media and education systems. What we are strongly against is the current American governament which is a worse lier than gobelz .
1080301
Even Americans are mortified to see themselves and their neighbors be so huge. Check out WalMart sometime. Criminy. \n\nI think that people tend to do what they have seen done before them. Look at the impossibility of the 4 minute mile. Once the barrier was broken, there were many more that came right after. \n\nWhen one sees truly huge people, it is easy to think of ones self as "not too fat." I'm not as big as "that" person, so I am not so bad. \n\nAmericans don't all do things as a group. We live in an enormous country. We tend to do things that our families and neighbors do. There is very little true necessary activity in this nation anymore. Farming is done with machines, clothes are washed in machines, dishes are washed similarly, no ironing is truly necessary, food is microwavable and served up instantly in fast food restaurants. \n\nOur lifestyle, in general, seems to be one of needing more hours in the day. Most people are working couples, kids get second place to the parents' jobs. There isn't much time for family life, and for personal recreation, much let alone kayaking, cycling, mountain hiking, and volksmarching. \n\nThe hectic lives many Americans lead does not lend itself to healthful living. \n\nAnother thing to consider is that most Americans are not rich. Most Americans work very hard to try to "keep up with the Joneses." There are images of monied perfection that we try to attain, and it takes 2 jobs and not much time for anything else. The people who you see as jetsetters, ski bunnies, and driving great cars and living in fantastic homes are the top of the economic pile. Most of us are not as well heeled, and can't afford the gym, or even find time for a nice walk. \n\nYou talk about how the rest of the world views Americans. Sorry that the fat slobs here are ruining our world image. Sometimes it might be impossible, but a nice dream, to think that others might check in their own backyards before judging the rest of the world. \n\nI know that Americans are not the favorites of the world. But again, the great majority of us are decent, caring, well-balanced individuals, with open minds and hearts. Even the very fattest of us all might surprise the rest of the svelte world population with intelligence, dignity, inner grace, and kindness. \n\nSorry America doesn't present the best picture for you or the "rest of the world." Sorry about the starving folks in other countries. Truly I am. But to be angry with us because of a weight issue is to be small-minded and ignorant of the real factors facing transglobal relations. \n\nWe're fat because we have access to unhealthy foods, live an unhealthy lifestyle, and are caught in a rut of modern living. Habits are hard to break, and no one is eating extra calories to cause international hardship. Perhaps the next time I consider putting that second serving of Cheerios into my cereal bowl, I'll remember how it'll look to the rest of the world, and be ashamed.
887870
Sadly, many of the ignorant people of this world have this view. Not based on anything they actually know about America the country and the people in general of America. Their hatred comes from their hatred of our current leader. They are misguided in their reasoning and shallow people to think this way. Unfortunately there is little chance it will change as there will always be these type of people that cannot see beyond the tip of their nose. American people are not unlike people the world over, there are rich, poor, in between and good and bad people. People from other countries that bad mouth America really don't have a clue, what regular every day life is like here. Such is life! There will always be bigots no matter where one is from.
139973
Foreigners do not hate America, I think they hate our politicians. But, I agree with you, I do think it's ignorant. But at the same time you have to consider the fact that our image is influenced by what the world sees on the news and what they see in our movies, music, etc. But, I think it's mostly influenced by the media.
201021
Yes, I don't think Americans are very well liked there. Or even let in.
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.
1078706
I think we want to think of ourselves as good and always enjoyed other Countries looking up to us. (of course, now, that is no longer true. George Bush made as all look like agressors and idiots.)
728114
I have learned that it is not the American people that the rest of the world doens't like, it's the politics and policies of the government.  Sometimes it comes across as anti-american.  I do wish that the ones who are saying these things would get to know some Americans as you have.  There are good and bad from everywhere.
988866
Americans are rude, lazy, selfish and arrogant.  Yes, we should keep out of other countries' disputes.  You wouldn't want someone whose life is screwed up telling you how to run yours, would you?  America is a mess.  We have no business telling others what to do.  We should stay home and clean house here.
348200
I must preface what I have to say just a bit...I love America, and what I say here is not a reflection on ALL Americans, but how we have gotten the reputation that we have!           I have traveled extensively and it is true Americans are VERY disliked! It because of a few different reasons. One being entitlement. Most American think they are due the best and fastest service, that they are entitled to tell other people how to live and what to believe. We are a nation that is very spoiled and really has no grasp on other peoples lives. Americans...I hate to say are a complacent people also, which leads to mis-understanding from other cultural groups. Finally there is our President...I think from what you wrote above I need not expound on this issue. Yes Americans ARE very dis-liked, but this is not all together unfounded.
308251
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.
1156556
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.
911910
I'm American and I don't think they do. I think some of us think that we are inferior though.
863035
Jealous of Alec Baldwin's looks are we?\n\nGet a clue.Iraq is a disgrace.\nrepublicans would do nothing better.
1144041
Many don't like Americans but I don't think that it is fair to ask them that question.  In reality they have limited exposure and can only go by what they get in the media.  Many countries have state-controlled media and others are just very liberal and only present them with what the media bigwigs think is important.\n\nAlso, many people outside the country erroneously believe that Americans are like what they see on TV shows.  It's easy to see how that can happen but in reality 99.99% of the people are nothing like that.\n\nDon't forget that most of our media is based out of Los Angeles and New York.  Although those areas dominate the media that are absolutely not representative of the rest of the country.  That gives people from out of the country a skewed sense of our culture.\n\nAs for being rude I am really sick about hearing this.  I really don't understand why Americans are so quick to spew out this stereotype.  Rudeness is really a cultural thing.  What is rude in one culture isn't in another.  Living in Southern California we get more than our fair share of tourists.  I have seen so many European tourists that are "rude" simply because they don't understand our culture.  I'm sure that many of the things that they are doing are perfectly acceptable in theirs.  How about Asia?  Ever try riding public transit without being beaten?  Hell half the stuff they do there would land an American in jail but it is perfectly acceptable in their culture.
994712
I have no problem with most of America.  There are some stereotypes...and some of them may be true.  \n\n1.  Centric (not knowing much about the world outside USA)\n2.  Boasters (biggest everything)\n3.  Bullies (current foreign policy)\n4.  Wasters/not environmentally friendly (not wanting to support biofuel production to its max...see Bush's comments on the use of corn for biodiesel)\n\nHaving said that, there are plenty, more than plenty of Americans who are concerned and friendly and humble and just like everyone else.  Unfortunately, we don't hear much from them, as the newscasts prefer stories that are shocking and awful.  So the world's view of the typical American is probably skewed.
1046371
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.