when i was 16 i went to america for one year and went to school there...americans aren't dumb in my opinion but they are manipulated easily and brainwashed...this begins at school...one day at the history class we talked about the WW2 and the teacher told us only about the american forces and how they won the war...when i asked about the other allied forces for example great britain she replied "yeah they helped a bit" and then went off to praising the american forces how they were the brave superheroes who liberated the world from the "superbad" nazis and how bad every german and austrian is...when i told her that many germans and austrians were forced into joining the nazi forces (like my grandfather...im austrian) and how many germand and austrian resistance groups helped the allied forces to gain vulnerable victories and how some americans stole, raped and robed at their journey through europe i was suddenly sent to the headmaster and he told me to not tell lies and question their schoolsystem...i was really shocked...but then after the history class a few students asked me how the WW2 really went down and that they dont believe the propaganda their teachers tell them...others made fun of me beaucause i told "lies" and one even threatend me he said something like "if you ever talk shit about our great nation again i'll kick your ass!"...all in all...i dont think americans are dumb...they just get overwhelmed by the propaganda they get at school, tv and theirfore they get the wrong idea of patriotism...patriotism is the love for your country and that you defend your country from outside threats and from threats within...and currently the only ones that harm america are the politicans...

I lived in the US for circa 12 years, went to school there until around 8th grade. In those 8 years of school, I had maybe 1 year of world history, now to be honest in that time I only lived in 2 different states, but in one of those I went to a supposedly "good" school system. And I had around 80-90% average in history.

I find that shocking, as soon as I went to school in Germany I was a complete failure at geography and history. As I understand it, or rather heard, in the later years of school in the US world history becomes a class, but, and this is just my opinion, is 2-4 years of world history really enough time to atleast grasp the events of the last couple hundred years?

In short, I suppose if the "Average Americans" had a better grasp of what goes on in the world, and happened in the world, maybe the generell view of Americans wouldn't be so negative.

Certainly that is not the answer to everything, just a small side-note.

(I am not implying that Germany's schools are better than those of the US, although I can say that I was forced to learn more in Germany then in the US)

PurpleRain:
Ego, arrogance, close mindedness. I once heard an American think that the Statue of Liberty was built by them. It's things like this that give a bad example for the rest of the country. You have some great, smart, talented people, but when you find Americans that don't know the date of 9/11, it just makes you want to hit them.

1.The statue of liberty was built by the french?
2.I agree the other Americans give me a bad name =(,But we're just like Europeans.Like look at Wisconsin.they're all swedes that moved there and got fat/ugly and stupid.lol

I don't think people in the UK hate or even dislike americans, but their is anger about certain things, and this can become magnified on the internet.
i will attempt to list the issues in no particularly order.
1. fear about their culture and tradition being subsumed by american dominance
2. the habit in recent years to rewrite history, particularly the exclusion of everyone else from the WW2 particularly ones that completely rewrite it, like U-571. also americans generally believe in a mythos about their own history that doesn't reflect historical fact.
3.Ego, I remember reading an american book that claimed it was President Clinton that brought peace to Northern Ireland, it this self agrandising and insertion that annoys people similarly the idea that thomas edison actually invented anything.
4. the Troubles, a British comedian called al murray says in his act "i admire the yanks you play the long game, take the war on terror, you wanted to prepare us, thats why you funded the IRA for 30 years". This does have a ring of truth many people resent the fact they were under terrorist attack for 30 years by an organisation that recieved large ammounts of its funding and weapons from the US
5 Arrogance. the US government has the habit to proclaim itself best in the world, (despite the worst poverty in the industrialised world, terrible healthcare, education and social mobility) while criticising others George Bush jr recent comments on Russia's invasion of georgia given US action in the middle east, it this double standard that annoys people.
6. Foreign policy. American foreign policy has alienated pretty much the entire world and the UK is no exception, but there is also a feeling that US incompetence has lead to British deaths not just in the numerous blue on blue incidents but also by the colossusal mistakes this adminstration has made only increasing the problems. the lack of any reconstruction in Afghanistan allowing the taliban to regrow and its the British doing the bulk of the fighting. so its a feeling that Britain is having to clean up mistakes caused by american incompetence.
7. lack of respect. The UK has been a loyal friend and ally of the US but many feel that there is a lack of Reciprocity and that the UK is taken for granted.

Easykill:
Most of the world dislikes the states, not just the UK.

Very true.

Australia in particular, when they release everything 6 months late or longer (Wall-E for example; Why can't I see it NOW???).

Another example is globalisation, which is just a McDonalds-influenced version of Americanisation.

Also, arrogance. It seems a lot of Americans are too proud to admit that they are falling (if not, have fallen) into a recession. All the warning signs are there; your dollar devaluing, the stockmarket declining, and, according to the news, a whole lot of sudden bank withdrawals (All of which were factors into the Great Depression). If you really want to be patriotic and boast your American-ness, then stard doing something to boost your economy, before you become the next UK!

Sorry for the rant, but I just needed to say it. Also, Australia is currently America's puppet state; we are slowly leaning towards China nowadays, as they are the most financially stable.

A29inchbeefstick:

PurpleRain:
Ego, arrogance, close mindedness. I once heard an American think that the Statue of Liberty was built by them. It's things like this that give a bad example for the rest of the country. You have some great, smart, talented people, but when you find Americans that don't know the date of 9/11, it just makes you want to hit them.

1.The statue of liberty was built by the french?
2.I agree the other Americans give me a bad name =(,But we're just like Europeans.Like look at Wisconsin.they're all swedes that moved there and got fat/ugly and stupid.lol

I love America to death but we need to get our shit together,and just drop our military.We would show the world how a global power can be peaceful.Then give all of our existing weapons to the Africans so they can kill all those damn rebels.We need to stop being a country centered war and import because we are going to turn into the Soviet Union.Then concentrate on education for all those retard babies that the working class pops out,but now to think about it that would kinda make our population sky rocket...So damn,umm we could sell our weapons to Africa,and in exchange mine their gold so we can bring back the gold standard...PWNED

Capt_Jack_Doicy:
I don't think people in the UK hate or even dislike americans, but their is anger about certain things, and this can become magnified on the internet.
i will attempt to list the issues in no particularly order.
1. fear about their culture and tradition being subsumed by american dominance
2. the habit in recent years to rewrite history, particularly the exclusion of everyone else from the WW2 particularly ones that completely rewrite it, like U-571. also americans generally believe in a mythos about their own history that doesn't reflect historical fact.
3.Ego, I remember reading an american book that claimed it was President Clinton that brought peace to Northern Ireland, it this self agrandising and insertion that annoys people similarly the idea that thomas edison actually invented anything.
4. the Troubles, a British comedian called al murray says in his act "i admire the yanks you play the long game, take the war on terror, you wanted to prepare us, thats why you funded the IRA for 30 years". This does have a ring of truth many people resent the fact they were under terrorist attack for 30 years by an organisation that recieved large ammounts of its funding and weapons from the US
5 Arrogance. the US government has the habit to proclaim itself best in the world, (despite the worst poverty in the industrialised world, terrible healthcare, education and social mobility) while criticising others George Bush jr recent comments on Russia's invasion of georgia given US action in the middle east, it this double standard that annoys people.
6. Foreign policy. American foreign policy has alienated pretty much the entire world and the UK is no exception, but there is also a feeling that US incompetence has lead to British deaths not just in the numerous blue on blue incidents but also by the colossusal mistakes this adminstration has made only increasing the problems. the lack of any reconstruction in Afghanistan allowing the taliban to regrow and its the British doing the bulk of the fighting. so its a feeling that Britain is having to clean up mistakes caused by american incompetence.
7. lack of respect. The UK has been a loyal friend and ally of the US but many feel that there is a lack of Reciprocity and that the UK is taken for granted.

Some valid points, i think most of the world has a reason to dislike the Americans. But everyone has a reason to dislike everyone.

It is because the image we project as a nation is loud, obnoxious, and ignorant, not to mention the poor political decisions taken by our government. Not only that, take a look at our society and you will see either rampant paranoia or jingoism. It actually makes a nice formula for any evil geniuses that want to destroy a country. Put a little paranoia (Stranger Danger, conspiracy theories, claims of WMD's) to make people fear that which is unknown and add in some bravado (a.k.a. War on -insert title here-) to put the citizens in denial. Face it, I don't think we can call ourselves "Home of the Brave" any longer if this keeps up. It screws up our education system which is now awfully obsessed with political correctness that schools are no longer about expressing individual thought and critical thinking but more about pushing one political agenda. Last year, I went to a school protest and once at the area where it took place, I see there was about five people or so people who were on the opposite side of the issue. Guess what happened? They were forced to leave the vicinity by the cops. That's just downright pissing all over the First Amendment.

But beyond all that, there are good people here and hell, even some intellectuals just like it is with any country. As a nation, I think we're in the angsty teen stage and the grown-ups are shaking their heads in disapproval as we're applying thick eyeliner, growing out our hair, and doing Jackass stunts.

Edit: Because I thought some parts were stupid and unnecessary.

I'm British and I don't hate Americans. I do hate what their government has done though, pointless wars, electing a baboon into office etc. Also the fact that America are capable of broadcasting themselves more than anyone else and people copy and follow the worse parts of American culture from TV. Such as plastic surgery and botox, junk food, speaking like a "typical" American teenage girl (oh my god! etc). Also how some americans take religion so seriously, just because genesis is written in a book doesn't mean it is real (thats just stupid). 95% of Americans are probably nothing like this but its the 5% that let you down or are there more like that?

I have a feeling its a lot of short sightedness about something that the UK think they know about but really don't. Britain has this habit of trying so hard to pretend we're actually powerful or have a real effect on anything. We also like to feel superior and for some reason seem to think that jumping on the 'bone America' bandwagon prooves us to be superior, though Im not sure how it does. We have an equally as stupid leader, similar level of obesity and a far inferior way of life.

Heck, our healthcare system may be 'free' but you'll end up paying more than you would in USA I bet due to the absolutely retarded way Gordon Brown decided it would be funded, about 10 years ago he decided that he'd get hospitals to be built and run by companies payed by the government, good in theory. However, every year they would get their investment+interest+25%+running costs payed to them. It is utterly retarded, in less than a year if he just build the god damned thing we would have a hospital done cheaply, oh and that is what nearly all hospitals are like in Britain. I mean, take my parents. They have to pay 40% income tax, 17.5% value added tax on ANYTHING they buy, something like 200% tax on fuel, road tax if they want to go on the road which they already payed for with income tax. Its frankly ridiculous but thats that.

My opinion is a little bias I guess. I don't see anything wrong with the USA, its an incredibly interesting country to study. In 200 years its got so much history and worth. Meh, if anyone says 'america is a pile of *insert expletive*' it just proves that they've been through the mentally retarded British education system!

mipegg:
I have a feeling its a lot etc

Some of your points make sense. 'Far inferior way of life' is however, just as bad as saying 'America is a pile of *insert expletive*.

Your parent dont pay 40% income tax, they pay about 20% up to around £36,000, then 40% on any earnings over that. VAT is not put onto everything.

But yes, remember americans, no matter how much you think we hate america, we hate the UK 10 times as much

mipegg:
I have a feeling its a lot of short sightedness about something that the UK think they know about but really don't. Britain has this habit of trying so hard to pretend we're actually powerful or have a real effect on anything. We also like to feel superior and for some reason seem to think that jumping on the 'bone America' bandwagon prooves us to be superior, though Im not sure how it does. We have an equally as stupid leader, similar level of obesity and a far inferior way of life.

Heck, our healthcare system may be 'free' but you'll end up paying more than you would in USA I bet due to the absolutely retarded way Gordon Brown decided it would be funded, about 10 years ago he decided that he'd get hospitals to be built and run by companies payed by the government, good in theory. However, every year they would get their investment+interest+25%+running costs payed to them. It is utterly retarded, in less than a year if he just build the god damned thing we would have a hospital done cheaply, oh and that is what nearly all hospitals are like in Britain. I mean, take my parents. They have to pay 40% income tax, 17.5% value added tax on ANYTHING they buy, something like 200% tax on fuel, road tax if they want to go on the road which they already payed for with income tax. Its frankly ridiculous but thats that.

My opinion is a little bias I guess. I don't see anything wrong with the USA, its an incredibly interesting country to study. In 200 years its got so much history and worth. Meh, if anyone says 'america is a pile of *insert expletive*' it just proves that they've been through the mentally retarded British education system!

The Mentally retarded British education system? Really I thought I must have misread that particular statement. My mates house is older than America. At least Gordon Brown despite being a massive cock can string a sentence together in a public speech. Yes we are taxed into the ground but thats because America set the price of oil so that it's economy can remain bouyant and f**k the special relationship.

The whole of American foreign policy has been based on the reactionary belief that everyone wants to destroy America, the reds under the bed, terrorists etc. They have allowed and sponsored coups through out the world in order to fight the communist threat that wasnt really there in the first place. I lived through the tail end of the cold war and was always terrified that Britain was a floating Missle Silo for America.

Then the hypocricy of America funding the IRA for thirty odd years leading to countless deaths of British personel, innocents and the destruction of my home town which has now become wall to wall American homogenised commercialism. Then one act of terrorism actually befalls the poor americans and bang all of a sudden terrorism is the new great evil. Just in time for the closing play of the cold war, now anyone who disagrees with Bush could be placed in the access of evil so we may be surfing dangerous ground being critical here.

Tomorrow morning the 51st Airbourne may well be driving up the mall outside Buckingham Palace to oust the ruling family who have been holding Britain in its sway for over and hundred years "and restore democracy"

On a more light hearted note I used to do historical re-enactment and we had to deal with alot of American tourists, top question from all of them. "Why did they build the Castle so far from the Freeway?"

Oh and rennaisance fairs??????? Its medieval history you recreate you dolts, the rennaisance is an entirely different segment of history!

Now Im off to eat a highly British KFC and listen to the pride of Britain The Blue Oyster Cult! Then perhaps watch Britains greatest actor in the Evil Dead series.

Yes I know Im a hypocrite!

Crazyshrink:

Haha We cant stop...you must watch season 8 of American Idol the Box set...Brains...and, well actually thats it

sadly american idol is British, call it revenge for that tea party you threw us!

I think the main problem, apart from the foreign policy, the USA IS seen as just stomping into places for free oil, and no-one with a clue is blaming americans for that, just the people in power, is, like so many stereotypes, built from meeting a tiny number of americans.

In my experience, in gaming, americans seem to be rude, arrogant and believe anyone who beats them is a hacker.

However in online chat, and IRL I've always found them very good company. On a personal note, I'd say if you could rein in the whole 'USA USA USA! we're the best goddamn thing EVER!' kinda thing, you'd lose a lot of the distate some feel for you.

This is being said as a brit btw, and I know we've got a hell of a lot of failings ourselves.

As a few have said tho, its so ridiculous to paint any country as 'like this' when there's soo many different types of people, sure there's areas of america where there's people with more guns than teeth, who dont believe Canada exists and that Elvis still lives, but there's a vastly larger number who are smart, educated and 'normal' people who deserve to get noticed.

As for UK taxes, sure I don't agree with how all of them are spent, but but if I did, 99% of the UK would disagree, you can't please all of the people, etc, and the whole point of the high taxation is to protect the weaker members of society. Sure it gets abused and needs policing more, but in theory it is a good thing.

As for UK taxes, sure I don't agree with how all of them are spent, but but if I did, 99% of the UK would disagree, you can't please all of the people, etc, and the whole point of the high taxation is to protect the weaker members of society. Sure it gets abused and needs policing more, but in theory it is a good thing.[/quote]

UK taxes protect only those who know how to play the system. My brother in law lost his house and they did nothing, I worked for 4 years and got nothing, next door but one have never worked in there lives, have just squeezed out another 2 kids and bang new car.... I kid you not. I as an unemployed married man with a mortgage and nearly ten years of work behind me can qualify for no help whatsoever....

Yeah Im bitter and this isnt really the place for this rant but I felt correction was needed

electric discordian:
As for UK taxes, sure I don't agree with how all of them are spent, but but if I did, 99% of the UK would disagree, you can't please all of the people, etc, and the whole point of the high taxation is to protect the weaker members of society. Sure it gets abused and needs policing more, but in theory it is a good thing.

UK taxes protect only those who know how to play the system. My brother in law lost his house and they did nothing, I worked for 4 years and got nothing, next door but one have never worked in there lives, have just squeezed out another 2 kids and bang new car.... I kid you not. I as an unemployed married man with a mortgage and nearly ten years of work behind me can qualify for no help whatsoever....

Yeah Im bitter and this isnt really the place for this rant but I felt correction was needed[/quote]

Uk taxes were lower than the USA for the majority until the government abolished the ten pence rate. but many UK tax payer still pay less than their US equivolent.

as for your personal experience if your unemployed then your entitled to contribution based job seekers and mortgage aid to pay the interest on your mortgage. as for your brother in law why should the government pay for his house? you live in a capitalist economy learn to live with it. there used to be safety net for people like him called council housing but thanks to thatcher and the bleeting of daily mail reading morons suchas yourself thats gone for the most part, and its provision to anyone but families was restricted under the 1998 homelessness act. as for your neighbour if it is true and not a daily mail ancedote then its not the state buying them a new car, but for the most part people to which you refer are thatchers children she decimated the working class and this is the result a hopeless and disempowered generation which is force to entirely depend on the state. but then there just a small fraction of the social security budget most of that money goes on pensioners.

also how is 4 years of work nearly ten?

I just hate their ignorance, arrogance and culture.
I've never been to America, but apparently they're really kind to Brits, but I don't know.

I also don't like the American words, they just don't sound as good. :P

i think it is the fact that the most powerful nation in the world is run by fundamentalist Christian hypocrites worries a lot of people.

also we (Brits) are pissed off because of bullying from 'across the pond' deciding our own foreign policy.

and the fact Britain has been made a massive terrorist target because of America's actions, and because of their missile bases on UK soil (which we have no control over)

the fact Bush has fucked over the US's economy (and therefore the rest of the worlds) probably doesn't help

and lastly your news media is so fucking awful that most of the country has no idea what is going on in the outside world.

your government makes decisions based on fear and a god complex that the "American way" is best

opium of the people:

also we (Brits) are pissed off because of bullying from 'across the pond' deciding our own foreign policy.

So we couldnt resist but the rest of Europe could? America doesnt decide our foreign policy, that was down to Blair.

Some of your points make sense. 'Far inferior way of life' is however, just as bad as saying 'America is a pile of *insert expletive*.
[/quote]

I actually said the way of life in Britain is inferior. Whilst we may have better country side everything is also so much more expencive here. Although thats all down to your own believes. I have to admit I think that the culture in both countries leaves much to be desired.

Also, the British people need not be taxed so much if they actually bloody ran things efficiently.

And, Britain is not a massive terrorist target, fact is if someone wanted to blow up some part of Britain they would have done it, its really not hard to do. Get the plans off the internet, throw a few chemicals together and go put your bag down somewhere. This is one of the things that really gets me about the fear society, in my view there is absolutely nothing there, surely terrorists have atleast some brain behind them, if they wanted to piss people off more than anything they would blow up bigben or tower bridge. Gah.

mipegg:
Im not sure how it does. We have an equally as stupid leader, similar level of obesity and a far inferior way of life.

Looks like you said far inferior way of life to me.

agree on the taxes and target thing.

Could you guys learn how to quote properly?

Eyclonus:
Could you guys learn how to quote properly?

clipping of posts sometimes removes the [/ from [/quote]

Ripshot:

ImStarKiller:
The only good reason I have heard, is from the few Brits that go to my college. Not sure if there joking, but many say the Revolutionary War and our imperialist ways. Which if it is the second one, that seems to be odd considering England's practice of imperialism in the past.

Maybe because we said we would attempt to halt imperialism, at least in the western hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine) And yet around 1900 we were considering being an imperialist nation (see-> Theodore Roosevelt)

Also, to make this post relevant

Spoiler: Click to View

Is the part from the spoiler out of Team America World Police?

A perfect example of the arrogance which inspires so much hatred

Ok, in my opinion there is always going to be racism, sexism and prejudice in the world. Its not that every one hates the US or that people hate the UK. The fact of the matter is there is nothing wrong with either country, yes people hear stereotypes of Americans being fat and stupid, but this is not necessarily true! you have ignorant people everywhere.

but Americans.. going on the internet and using statements like

"Its not our fault this is the best damn country in the world."

is not going the right way about it. this next message goes to everyone; if you want people to stop hating you then stop fucking trying to put them beneath you or act as if they already are! cant we just get along and be unanimous in our hatred towards the French??!?! (P.S. for the French who read this, that was a joke!) XD

The whole world hates the US, because the country as a whole acts like most of its tourists.

ignorant of cultural differences, indifferent or oblivious to their effect on the world, imposing, and loud.