Poll: Why is America Hated?

...My boyfriend's Canadian. He's always complaining about our arrogance. And self-centeredness. And dumb. In fact, I can quote him today, "I hate when idiot Americans say Centigrade. It's because they can not spell Celcius."

I'm just thinking, "Dude, Farhenheight is like, 30000x harder to spell."

...In fact, I don't believe I did just spell it right. Alas.

centigrade was actually the original name of the scale. it was given the name Celsius after its inventor in 1948, more than 200 years after it had been invented.

"Fahrenheit" and "Celsius" are both difficult to spell (did I get them right?), but how often do people who use either scale have to spell its name?

For what it's worth, I think the first two choices work in combination with each other.� A lot of people and governments are arrogant, but the United States has the money and power to make its arrogance known throughout the world.� That, of course, is not the only reason why some foreigners hate the States, but it's A reason.

I remember being taught Celsius in school because the US was going to change to the metric system. I believe it was taught in 4th grade...so around 1980 (for me).

all of the above, plus much more.

uh... very deep, i know.

some combination of "all of the above" and "none of the above."

I think a lot of the things I don't like about America are the same things that a lot of truly anti-American people don't like about it.

the difference is that from the inside, it's easy to see how the system is good when it works and also how it can lead to a lot of negative features. but to someone who doesn't live here, it's much harder to see that, because they aren't benefiting from it. so it's easy for them to dismiss it as arrogance and such.

however, that doesn't mean that we're necessarily putting out our best image to the world, either.

I didn't remember making this poll but when I saw the typo in the first choice I knew it had to be me.

If i were doing this over I'd say, Why do some people hate America. The way it is phrased it sounds like the hate is universal. It isn't.

same here. :)

None of the options really fit what I feel is the main reason.... we are constantly sticking our nose into situations that have nothing to do with us.

That, and the whole Jian thing.

;)

It is all of the above and then some. Let's also not forget that America is not only hated. There is a whole different faction of people in the world who actually LOVE America. The problem is that they are harder to notice when the haters are throwing bombs at us.

Very special shout-out to Poland! Lets hear it for New Europe! Whooo!

The correct answer isn't there.

Our foreign policy, which is a combination of arrogance and supporting corrupt dictatorships is what earns us the most animosity. If we stopped butting our noses into situations which were none of our concern, then we'd be better liked.

One thing I will say that I get pissed off about when people start bashing the US and our foreign intervention is that, while our government may interfere and throw its weight around, Americans are some of the most charitable people on the face of the planet. Americans voluntarily give more money, supplies, labor, and time to charities and relief efforts than alot of other nations, and that's what some people seem to forget.

Your point about the US being one of the most internationally�giving�peoples on earth is quite true�(and oddly enough, it seems the less�affluent Americans�are those most likely to answer appeals for aid.� It's an empathy effect I suppose.)� Not all of that emergency aid goes to good or effective causes, but I daresay all of it is well-intentioned.�

I do wish people who "hate America" were able to make that distinction between�the US government's policies and the idealistic selflessness and generosity of�ordinary Americans in times and places�of crisis.�� But that may be the price we pay for being perceived as a "democracy" -- in their eyes, if any people should have�control over the actions of�a government we should.�

Yes, it is important to differentiate between Americans and America, as it is important to seperate Russia from Russians, and everybody else from the actions of the state they live in. It grounds you so much to think in terms of *me & you* instead of *us & them*.

Setting aside issues of foreign policy, the perceived *arrogance* of America has to do with the insatiable appetite for everything, and the fact that much of that lifestyle is courtesy of the underpaid workers of other countries, who won't even get a minimum wage lifestyle for their families no matter how hard they work making your Levis and your Nikes or sneaking into the country and working in the fields. Not that Canada is much better, but we do feel exploited sometimes�when�the dollar difference means a cost advantage to having us do something, like call centres. Unless that dollar difference would actually benefit us *cough* softwood lumber *cough*.

Sorry that was a bit of a tangent. The point I was going for was that the "idealistic selflessness and generosity of�ordinary Americans in times and places�of crisis" is well and good and applauded. What is really needed is an idealistic and selfless cut in the conspicuous consumption of the whole of North America. Which would require a radical shift in how we structure the economy, based as it is now on growth in consumption.

So� ummm...I vote for the last option, massively complicated.

... when I worked in a Tourist Trap in Canada.

We would get busloads of tourists at a time, on their way through the majestic Rockies.

You could tell when it was an American busload. just from the way they walked into the store.

"Can you count this change for me, I just don't understand the money here"

"What do you mean you won't give me the bank exchange rate on this american money?" (even though we were about three hours north of any border)

"What do you mean you can't give me my change in American? I paid in American funds I want american change back."

I had women expect me to leave the register where I was ringing through purcheses for a lineup of poeple, to help them find the right size of sweater.

Anyway, I've gotten over it since, as I'm sure a good chunk of you know.

My point here is, there is a dislike of American politics in the world, but there is also a dislike of American people.

It comes from those tourists who act as I described above: Arrogant and rude, the problem is... it's those people who are decidely, obviously american, nobody notices or remembers the pleasent, easy going american tourist because he or she doesn't stand out.

I'm sure there were many other americans who went through Hell's Gate while I worked there, but I never noticed, they were just another customer.

I remember the assholes.

and the woman who gave me a tip because I was "very helpful"

ohno,ohno,oh NO!��� Undo!� Undo!

*flashbacksgoawayflashbacksgoawayflashbacksgoaway*

"calm, blue ocean ... calm, blue ocean ... calm, blue ocean."� ...Ahhhh, better!

~ Elfy,� fellow�tourist trap survivor