how do other countries view america?
826621
I'm an Aussie and I don't have a low opinion of Americans. \nI don't think Americans are any dumber or smarter than Poms or other Aussies.\nI do have a low opinion of Bush, but I know he does not represent all Americans, just the ones who like him. From what I've read on the yahoo message boards not many Americans like Bush either.\n(To all those who chose to vote this week, well done!)\nI don't think America is any better than Australia, nor any worse.\nBut of course I think Australia is the best place to live.
711522
Because many Americans (erroneously) assume that America is the greatest country on Earth and that every country wants to be like the U.S.  This decreases whatever motivation Americans might have to learn about other countries.  \n\nNot only do many Americans not know about other countries, but they are also pretty oblivious to a lot of America's history.  Namely, those things that we are not proud of.  How long did it take to free the slaves, grant black people the vote and the right to attend public schools (not specifically set aside for blacks).  How much fighting did it take for women to get the vote?  When did the American judicial system finally recognize spouse and child abuse?  When did our country finally realize that infants, toddlers, and young children do not seduce their fathers?  Of the homeless, which population is the greatest- veterans, mental health patients, or families with children.  Look these questions up- you will find the answers appalling.\n\nI am American, and I love my country.  However, I do recognize that our country has weaknesses and could stand to learn from other countries.
47462
It comes down to different perspectives. Each part of the world, each political affiliation, religion and individuals see things different. Now, is the object to get everyone to see from your perspective? Is it to cater to everone elses perspectives?  America, nor any other country for that matter can win hearts and minds of the world, let alone all the people within that country itself.
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.
9098
For all of America's weath and influence, for all of its powerful media, we are surprisingly isolated from the world.  What's more, we are still very slowing climbing out of the cultural muck that has allowed many of us to believe we are literally superior to the rest of the world.\n\nAmerica continues to behave arrogantly to the world, insisting we always know best, and our interests should be always honored.  It has done a great deal of harm to us the past 15 year in my opinion.\n\nIf only some of us could see ourselves in the eyes of those around us in the world.  Of course, most of us are so conceited and self-involved that we couldn't care less.
496981
Well, this may come as a shock to you, but Americans DO own MOST of the world.  The entire world's economy is based on the US dollar. Technology and productivity, human rights, and quality of life have improved ALL OVER THE WORLD because of American innovative thought and ( YES!! ) compassion!\n\nWhy are we now embroiled in a situation where MANY ( NOT ALL!! ) non-American's hate us?..I think it is JEALOUSY!!\nYes, there are GREEDY and SELFISH American's...But I think you'll find those faults also in other cultures.\n\nBottom line: Americans only want the BEST for everyone!!..We don't want to conquer or impose our will on anyone.  But we will fight to preserve our way of life! And the world would be better off if other governments would simply recognize that fact, and let us HELP them.\n\nDon't under sell American resilience and resourcefullness!\nWe will be a powerful force to deal with for MANY more years.\n\nDon't tread on us!!
1084607
Hi, I am an Englishman and never visited the States. I suppose like many people I would have to say that I have had mixed feelings about the USA. Most of the information regarding world events etc comes via the media and does not I think always give the most unbiased opinion. Not just in political events. We all see popular shows like Oprah and this without doubt has a profoundly negative effect. We see in the main what can only be described as weirdos and have to wonder if these strange selfish people are indicative of the country as a whole.\nHigh consumers, irresponsible ecological attitude and a me, me, me mind set.\nAll sounds horrible doesn't it? Thankfully there is the Internet where over the past couple of years I have made some excellent friends who have illustrated that there is a far more caring and unselfish, generous aspect to many of the citizens of the US than I previously thought. \nMy country and yours have been strong allies both economically and in time of conflict and shared a whole lot together. I personally hope that this will always be the case.\nWho knows what may happen in Iraq, North Korea and the rest of the world. But I believe that in the main (although always influenced by oil) The forces currently in Iraq are trying extremely hard to bring about stability. If they were only allowed to do so, your country and mine could bring our troops home. The sooner the better.\nIn a nut shell I am pro American. OK?
1132419
You're right, to Americans if it isn't about America they really dont care. Single mindedness is what it's called. They are taught virtually nothing about the rest of the world at school, so I guess that is where it starts.
853515
Actually, no.  Being an American myself, I can tell you at least from my experience that the people I know think of Canada as our neighbors to the north.  Canada is just like America, only you guys got it right, while we continue to spiral down into a pit of despair.  A friend of mine recently moved to Canada and I'm actually quite jealous of the things that are better in Canada.  Being an American, he sees and doesn't take for granted what you guys have up there.
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.
75226
It depends on their point of view.  Personally, I think the US has a very weak culture.  Americans think the world starts and ends with the United States.  They speak, for the most part, only one language, have no interest in visiting foreign countries and so forth.  When I was in college most of the people I met didnt even have a passport !\nTravelling for americans means visiting another state.  This is very disturbing as all american cities seem to be the same.  Here's downtown, there are some suburbs and maybe a lake or if you are lucky a chunk of the ocean.  Whoppie doo!\n\nThis ignorance baffles me, it's sort of like, hi here I am, I am the center of the universe would you like to be with me ? No thank you.\n\nHeck no, you got no culture, mostly everything about the US is about Hollywood, Bombs, Sex, War and politics and money, lots of money, so materialistic.\n\nThere is so much more out there that could show the US how to start getting a proper culture.  Frankly, I consider the US to be highly ignorant.\n\nI'm not saying there is a perfect country out there, because there isnt.  Otherwise everyone would prefer to live there.  However, the US is NOT the best place Ive seen, not by a longshot.  You should do some rearch to see how the US is regarded around the world.  People out there simply laugh because the US portraits to the rest of the world nothing but Hollywood, an economy driven by a constant need of shopping and fishy politicis combined with unnecessary wars.
993305
Who told you that America is a great nation? Other than military power there is not a single aspect in which another country doesn't surpass America. It is a country of excesses, full of idiots and ruled by a few evil but intelligent people.\nIt is not surprising that those few smart (but still evil) people can easily make the fools believe whatever they want to.
1159429
What's more interesting would be to think about what it is like in the rest of the world. We are spoiled in the U.S.
33559
I think a global opinion does matter, Your country represents you and i do care how others in other countrys veiw me.(I however dont care how my country citzens veiw me).And I do think our presidents actions determine how the world sees us, hes our representitve for us. If we are running around blowing up things and killing people no matter what the cause, thats got to look bad. If we are seen as a agressive country (to the world) we could be biting off more than we can chew. I know if other people in other countries or country was over here for any reason blowing up my family and friends (even if they say they had a just cause) it wouldnt fly over to well with me.If we were arrogant and didnt care what was thought of us, we might make more mistakes than we would if we cared. Constuctive critisism is a good thing, and we should be aware of what everyones doing and thinkin and why  there doing it. Its not a good thing to be biased,like history often is,and it makes you miss out on half of perspective.If we dont care,we are just like (in a sense) the bad guys. i know i like to see the whole picture, shouldnt everyone else too?
283133
im from australia and some people here think that most americans (not all) have very bad manners and are very disrespectful. we think that some americans are selfish and think their 'all that'. but i'm not saying all americans. australia is just the same, our society is going downhill.
1106785
Americans from the USA tend to think that they are to be served by everyone else in the world. They have been taught from birth they are the best and only country in the world that is worth living in. Most of them, not all, talk down to others from other countries. They are very ignorant when it comes to knowledge of other countries because they do not want to learn about them.\n\nHow do I know this? I am an American and have lived in and visited in and have seen first hand what most of them do. I currently live in Canada, a great country and in many ways better than the USA especially when it comes to being friendly.\n\nDoes the answer above give you a clue? That shows you how ignorant many of them are...the answers below show you the same...I am sorry that Americans think they are the only ones who do anything for others around the world they aren't and those from other countries soon learn that Americans are giving up their freedoms more and more every day...I am sorry all of you but it is the truth...travel outside of the USA sometimes and observe!
77940
That's good to hear, enough countries hate us already and to be honest, i dont ever think to myself " who doesnt like America" i instead think "who does like American". We are really hated thanks to our government when really Americans themselves (most) are very nice family people.