Why do Americans parrot the saying we are the greatest country when most have never lived or visited elsewhere
596159
Brain washing works well here.  I do not believe that this is the greatest country.  Yes, I have traveled and it reaffirms the fact the America is not the greatest country.
693566
The problem here is people can't think outside of the box. Americans just love to segregate, and pretend we're the cream of the crop. People forget we're all in this world together, no country is better than another country, we're just all people populating the world.
199276
Because we are the land of opportunity and freedom. Despite what we may or may not feel or agree on about America...compared to many places, it's a wonderful place to live and to follow your dreams..because you can.
572739
Americans love themselves the most. We are a most selfish group of people.  So it could be any of the things you have mentioned.  We are the fattest, laziest, most entertained group of people in history.
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.
701607
Because America forgets where they come from they think they just popped up out of no where on this land we call America today.
1099812
No, I haven't, our society is far too arrogant.  Lost in a slur of generations of relaxed up bringing.  You can see it in how we use slang for our words so much that we create new words.\n\nI've had the opportunity to visit other countries, to see what it's like to have customs that demonstrate respect towards others.  People who are happy to have a job and do what it takes to be the best at their job no matter how demeaning that job may seem.  And also people whom remain polite, no matter how rude you may be with them.  \n\nThen I come back to America and hit a gas station, just to be instantly reminded how rude we are too each other by some life hating pimple farmer that's acting like I'm messing up his day simply by being a customer and interrupting his personal phone call to pay for my drinks and gas.  But does that give me the right to return the favor by being rude back?  (If your first thought was yes, don't worry, it's the programming of our upbringing that forces that out of you.)\n\nI blame that we have no ancient history of our own as Americans.  While other countries have had thousands of years to create their on civilized cultures.  To create customs that embody history.  We as Americans came across from other parts of the world and stole this land from others.  It's our history and our nature to be forceful and commanding.\n\nIn short, the question shouldn't be "Why do people have to be so rude towards me?" when maybe it should be "Why do I feel the need to return the attitude?"
714061
Because some, not all, think that they actually run the world (see the Project for the New American Century for specifics).  I find most Americans to be wonderful people but some, mostly those in powerful positions, speak to the world in a condescending manner which sadly reflects badly on all Americans.  \nBTW, I am Canadian myself and although I understand your sarcasm vis a vis the tax and policing the world, it really wasn't a very good analogy.  \n\nCheers to Cute Fuzzy Kitty
83211
The history of the United States is something everyone who lives here should know. How the people before us devoted their lives and some times died so that a country could be born. The people back then had interesting lives and it is informative to look at them from our perspective because we are living in the fruits of their labor.
975383
Until 4 years ago, my opinion of Americans was Rude, Loud, Arrogant, Inconsiderate. When I went to Mexico, this was justified.\n\n3 years ago, I visited Upstate New York, and my opinion changed, I have met a lot of good people, not many of them are rude and arrogant, in fact, very few.\n\nOriginally being from England, I have learnt a lot about American upbringing since I have been here. \n\nThere are US flags everywhere, people are proud to be American. \n\nChildren are taught the national anthem at a young age, they are proud, and their nation makes them feel proud.\n\nThey are taught that America is the best country in the world, the Land of the Free.\n\n70% of Americans do not hold a passport, or have never left the continental US. They have never compared their country to another civilised country, so are naive in that respect, and they tend to regard other countries as less civilised, and inferior.\n\nGenerally, they are good people! I live here now, so they can't be that bad!
338983
No, so many other Americans take so much pride in themselves that they make up for me though.  That's one reason we're called ugly Americans.  We love ourselves too much and think our country is better than all the others.  I'd like to move to another country if I could afford it.
1012469
Each country (mostly the democracies) offers something that is better than what America does such as the Netherlands have more free speech, German deals with the health care the best, Switzerland deals with unemployment the best and on it goes but I do think the innocent til proved guilty idea of America is best. Most Americans just love their country especially when talking from someone from another country but most people love the country they love as long as they have rights and opportunities. That said you will rarely find an American that doesn't have something about their country they hate and I think its true for most people in other countries just don't expect them to admit it to a foreigner hehe! Also, not many Americans are interested in other countries because until recently we were not impacted by them as much as other countries seem to be impacted or knowledgeable of us.
1089398
Sure, France is wonderful to visit. And America is considered the greatest country because it is.
486101
cos there just silly americans who think america is the whole world
247576
America is big.  There are lots of different cities and places to travel within the country.  There are things in America that Americans haven't experienced or seen.  They probably just want to check out their country before they go to other countries.  Besides, there's a lack of time and money.  It's not as feasible for Americans to travel to other countries all the time so there really is no need for a passport.
988333
Think about it this way...\nWhy is it that more people try to get into America than any other country?  That should give you an indication on what the rest of the world REALLY thinks about life in America.\n\nConsidering how good it really is here I think we have a right to be proud of our country.\n\nBesides, I have never heard anyone rip other countires for being jingoistic or proud of THEIR country.  Why should we?\n\nGod Bless America.
464675
CAUSE THERE NOT DUMB AMERICANS