Why do people hate Americans

[falcon9]

I used to think I had a photographic memory but then I realized it was just pornographic...

Everyone has a photgraphic memory; some just forget the film, (or digital storage medium).  Others have a phonographic memory; it just goes 'round & 'round, (and sometimes, skips).

[jaymz462]

That whole war-with-Iraq-built-on-lies thing didn't help.

[Abrupt]

That whole war-with-Iraq-built-on-lies thing didn't help.

That actually did help (everyone over there hated Saddam and was glad to see him go).  Iran loved it the most and you can see their regard for us has only worsened (well their government) so some associations you wish to make do not flow linearly.

[joyroos18]

could be the same reason a lot of people from other countries come here and feel hated,  people do not trust what they do not know such a shame

[falcon9]

That whole war-with-Iraq-built-on-lies thing didn't help.

That actually did help (everyone over there hated Saddam and was glad to see him go).  Iran loved it the most and you can see their regard for us has only worsened (well their government) so some associations you wish to make do not flow linearly.

"Jay" could be referring to generally nonlinear resentments. More and more it seems as though people, (not just in other countries either), are relying upon misperceptions as opposed to how things actually are.  We've got the poor, the homeless, the hungry in the U.S. too ... every hear of other countries helping them?  Maybe we should start 'resenting' those countries for an accurate perception of their lack of compassion.

[kittenkagome]

Interesting subject. Americans are constantly associated with being spoiled, having their way all the time, and expecting to be waited upon hand and foot. We do have a very instant gratification society, and other Americans of course realize that and try to give us what we want so we can give them more money. When Americans travel to other countries, they may expect the same, or at least similar treatment. Cultural and maybe even political differences come into play, and we realize that the word "normal" is different to everyone. I think when most people think Americans are jerks they are thinking about cultural differences, maybe not taking the time to be as polite or what they see as polite in various situations.

Even though a lot of the negative views of America is warranted, a lot of it isn't. People of every culture tend to judge people who do not share their views. Not every American is a spoiled rich brat with every convenience, and to think that they are is extremely unfair. I think that everyone could benefit from a little understanding. When we go overseas we should do our best to understand what is expected of us to function in society. If we make a mistake, our hosts should be kind, and do their best to make us feel at home. If we care about the individual people, not where they are from, I think people from different societies would get along a lot better.

[diala84]

We all have bias and some of that is from experience and some is put in our head with the media. I read somewhere that when The Simpsons did an episode that showed Brazil and made fun of it. Brazilians were extremely upset with how they were betrayed on The Simpsons. Little did they know that the Simpsons is constantly making fun of all people including Americans. If all you have to go on is commercials and celebrity TV you are going to have a skewed image of American and the rest of the world for that matter. If you judge an entire people by its popular culture it will seem very shallow, spoiled, etc.. Too bad it is hard to change other conceptions of us once they are in place.     

[jaymz462]

That whole war-with-Iraq-built-on-lies thing didn't help.

That actually did help (everyone over there hated Saddam and was glad to see him go).  Iran loved it the most and you can see their regard for us has only worsened (well their government) so some associations you wish to make do not flow linearly.

I seem to remember plenty of Muslims, as well as people throughout the entire world, who were pretty ticked off about it.