Please kindly read
- My about me
- My comment policy/disclaimer
- My FAQ
- My Glossary
- My Political Profile
- My Posts on Americanophobia
Before you say I’m “paranoid” and that only a “small minority” are Americanophobic, read the below:
Anti-American Groups and Topics on Facebook
AMERICA SUCKS!
Americans Against the American Way of Life
Bitch please… i’m from Canada <3: for people who hate Bush and everything having to do with Americans
Canada Should Annex America
Canadians Rock! Americans Suck!
For everyone who is sick and tired of americanism and the arrogance of a hated government.
Fuck America I am Canadian Bitches
FUCK AMERICA!!!!Who is sick of all the american cunts!!
Fuck the USA, CANADA IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!
I don’t hate America, I only hate Americans
I Hate Americans! :] ♥Canda <3
i hate it when americans claim to speak english but spell everything wrong!
The “We hate stupid Americans club of America”
The British are infinitely superior to the Americans
The Real Canadains That Hate Americans
Turks who hate America
Why Canadians Hate Americans
Anti-Americanism (not just Bush’s fault)
‘Death to the US’: Anti-Americanism examined
A Canadian Forum primarily focused on Anti-Americanism
A Close Look at Anti-Americanism (an in-depth interview)
A cornucopia of anti-Americanism
American Unpopularity Abroad: What It Really Means
Latin America Claims to Hate the American People
Anti-Americanism in North America: Canada and Mexico (50 pages long!)
Americans Offerred ‘Canadian Disguise Kit’ for Traveling (What is the necessity of this site if Anti-Americanism only consists of a few individuals?))
I AM NOT AMERICAN.COM (What is the necessity of this site if Anti-Americanism only consists of a few individuals?)
In love with an American: How Anti-Americanism is Racism according to a New Zealander
How Canadian Anti-Americanism constantly goes unnoticed and more
An American’s Experience Traveling throughout Europe
Anti-Americanism ‘feels like racism’
ANTI-AMERICANISM IN THE EUROPEAN MEDIA PART I (Video)
ANTI-AMERICANISM IN THE EUROPEAN MEDIA PART II (Video)
Anti-Americanism Sells in Canada
Anti-Americanism spoonfed to Canadian grade school kids
Anti-Anti-Americanism: Will the U.S. tell the world to take this job and shove it?
Before You Flee to Canada, Can We Talk?
British and French Staunch Anti-Americanism (our new and old enemies)
Canada’s Anti-Americanism (A Canadian Blogger’s Perspective)
Canadian Anti-Americanism according to the Vancouver Sun
Canadian Green Party candidate applauding 9-11
CBC fans flames of anti-Americanism
CBC television news guilty of anti-American bias says new study
Dissecting Chomsky and Anti-Americanism
Don’t Buy American
Hating America – by Bruce Bawer
Have Canadians taken anti-Americanism too far?
Islamic Terrorist Supporter and past Canadian Green Party Candidate shows his support for Osama bin Laden
More Canadian Anti-Americanism
Myth-busting and the hypocrisies of Anti-Americanism
Poll: over 40% of Canadian teens think America is “evil”
The Difference between Canada and the US (um… nothing… hardly)
The many stripes of anti-Americanism
The misconceptions Canadians have about America (a Canadian perspective)
The New Anti-Americanism – A British Perspective
The Sickness of Canadian Anti-Americanism
Top Pet Issues for German Media Coverage of the United States
Ugly sentiments sting American tourists
Un-Happy Birthday, Canada
Understanding Anti-Americanism (since 1867)
We (Canadians) share common cause with the Islamist terrorists
Why anti-Americanism is as Canadian as maple syrup
Anti-Anti-Americanism
A 12-step Guide for Americans Traveling to Europe!
A Closer Look at American Generosity
A German immigrant shares what makes America great (video)
A Singaporean Living in America
Anti-Americanism Rant
Canadians *AGAINST* Anti-Americanism (blog)
Anti-Anti-Americanism: Dealing with the Crazy World after Iraq
Canadians Against Anti-Americanism (on Facebook)
Dave Hatton’s Blog: Exploration of Issues, Views and Reviews: The finer things in life!
David’s Medienkritik-Online
Giving America Credit where Credit is Due
How to hate America (A MUST SEE!)
How to Observe Memorial Day (A Canadian Tribute to America)
O Canada! Can We Stop the Hate?
On Hating America (An American living in Europe’s perspective)
Robin Hood im Schwarzwald (Trying to find sense in a world that has lost its way)
The Average American
To hate America is to hate mankind
What’s so Great about America
Why is Anti-Americanism Racism Too? (an Englishman’s perspective)
MY PERSONAL POSTINGS ON AMERICANOPHOBIA:
POSTS AIMED AT DEBUNKING AND/OR SHOWING WHAT IS POPULARLY THOUGHT TO BE SIMPLE – A RATHER COMPLEX PHENOMENON.
Americanophobia is Based on Ignorance
Canadian and American Nationalism Explored
How to create Propaganda in 12 easy steps
The Difference between an Americanophobe and a Humanitarian
Who controls the American media?
Do Americans have a Self-Entitlement Syndrome?
Who are the best and worst tourists?
Americans are so meannnnnnn!
My Anti-Anti-American Quote of the Week (#2)
Oh, the naivete of some Americans…
Unicorns, Sasquatch, Pro-American Liberals and other Mythological Creatures (guest post by Happy Leftie)
The Europeans Voted in Obama – NOT the Americans! Huh?
Well, Of Course America is Divided – DUH
Why Didn’t Barack Obama Get More Votes, You Ask?
Not Your Garden Variety Americanophobe
The Americanophobes Declare Obama “The Token Negro”
Americans are Overreacting to the Financial Meltdown?
Governer Sarah Palin is an Anti-American
How Bush Got Elected Twice (The Electoral College for Dummies)
Americans Got the President They Deserved
My Anti-Anti-American Quote of the Week
My Anti-Anti-American Quote of the Week #3
Just Do as I Say; Don’t Do as I Do (Fucking American Tourists 
)
Americans are all Spoiled and Rich, You Say?
Some Brits find the US to Be More Peaceful and Less Violent than Britain
How Do YOU Define Anti-Americanism?
The Foreign Anti-Americans VS The American Anti-Americans
The world’s verdict will be harsh if the US rejects OBAMA? No shit!?
What is the American Dream? (Addressing the foreign myth)
What Good Is America in the World, Anyway?
NEED HELP FROM BOOGIE MAN! I lock my doors at night! Is there a medication for this???
Isolationism Americans Insularism Americans Inwardism Americans
Anti-Americanism in New Zealand (written by Mish, a guest blogger)
Don’t You Hate it When Americans Stereotype Canadians?
Canadian Patriotism Linked with Americanophobia
What the FAR Right and FAR Left Have in Common
PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT AMERICA IS A CONTINENT NEED TO DIE!
America – From the Eyes of a Foreigner: Edition III (Troy) (written by Troy, a guest blogger)
AUSTRALIA has Officially Become the Fattest Nation in the World!
Why Don’t Americans have Passports? Why do non-Americans always know more???
American Patriotism and Liberalism *UPDATED*
Fortunately for Anti-Americans, Love is not “Breaking News” (written by Jean, a guest blogger)
“Racism”: The most overused and abused term in modern society
Planning to Become a Student or Live in America?
So, you think only yanks are dumb, right? Let’s see for real! 
Are Only American-Whites Capable of Racism and Intolerance?
How Anti-Americanism is Not Only Hypocritical, but Nonproductive and Nonconstructive (Part II)
How Anti-Americanism is Not Only Hypocritical, but Nonproductive and Nonconstructive (Part I)
What Makes America So Great: Are we a Bunch of Fascist, Greedy, Dumb Pigs?
Planning a Trip to Canada? (What the American Media Won’t Tell You)
America: “The Homogeneous Land of the Racist and Intolerant”
Why are Americans so FAT, and are they the FATTEST?
Canadians Do *Not* Have *Free* Health Care
Americanophobia in the European and Canadian Media
DOES EVERYBODY HATE
AMERICANS?
NOT REALLY
Canadians and Americans Speak Up (Part I)
Canadians and Americans Speak Up (Part II)
Some Positive Feedback from Europe (Part I)
Some Positive Feedback from Europe (Part II)
Canadians *AGAINST* Americanophobia
MISCELLANEOUS POSTS ON
AMERICANOPHOBIA
Anti-Americanism Is Racism Too! (written by David Hatton, a guest blogger)
Saying I’m an exception just makes you sound more stupid (written by JM, a guest blogger)
Alternatives to “American” don’t make sense (written by JM, a guest blogger)
What Unites the French and the Americans
Help Mum! The Yanks are Out to Get Meeeeeeeeeee
The British Left, Youtube, Pat Condell, and the Muslim Extremists We Must Fight For!
My Anti-American Anecdote of the Day (written by Texas Expat, a guest blogger)
The Most Hilarious Comment I’ve Received to Date
Canadian Americanophobia Never Takes a Holiday
Evening , folks, call me Sonnabend (written by Sonnabend, a guest blogger)
Anti-Americanism in Indonesia: What It Looks Like (written by Orjack, a guest blogger)
The Age of Informational Warfare – Propaganda (written by Chris, a guest blogger)
What the British and the Canadians want YOU to know
Help! Ronald McDonald and Wal-Mart are Taking Over My Countryyyyyy!
“Virgomonkey! You’re Showing your ‘Americanism’!!”
The European Love/Hate Relationship with America
Where are the Shades of Gray???
The Mumbai Siege and Traveling as an American (written by culturepress, a guest blogger)
Anti-Americanism on Steroids (written by patricksperry, a guest blogger)
…But You DESERVE to be Hated by the Whole World
‘Cause Everybody Hates You
(about the Americanophobic mob mentality as in “because everyone else is doing it, it must be right!)
Thoughts by other people against Anti-Americanism:
“There is a big difference between being anti-American and being critical of the United States….critiques are appropriate and necessary, provided that they rest on facts and address real abuses, real errors and real excesses–without deliberately losing sight of America’s wise decisions, beneficient interventions and salutary policies. But critiques of this kind–balanced, fair and well-rounded–are hard to find, except in America herself…” — Jean-Francois Revel
“The fundamental role of anti-Americanism in Europe in general, and particularly among those on the Left, is to absolve themselves of their own moral failings and intellectual errors by heaping them onto the monster scapegoat, the United States of America. The U.S. is charged with all the evils, real or imagined, that afflict humanity, from the falling price of beef in France to AIDS in Africa and global warming everywhere. The result is a widespread refusal to accept responsibility for one’s own actions.” — Jean-Francois Revel
“Anti-Americanism is hypocrisy at its finest, You can spend your evening catching the latest episode of “24″ and then complain about Guantanamo the next morning.” –the Berlin bureau chief of Der Spiegel
“Of course some Americans are stupid, but… “It all boils down to the fact that knowledge and intelligence are two different issues. Rote memorization of world capitals does not equate intelligence.
I do find it interesting that Canadians and Europeans have such strong opinions on this, considering that there are many more pressing issues to be concerned about. Perhaps the steady Canadian and European refrain of “Americans are stupid” is a reflection of their own deep-rooted insecurity. You know — an inferiority complex.” –Mohammed
“As an American, please allow me to begin by asserting that our nation has had its strengths and its weaknesses, its successes and its failures, and its justices and injustices throughout history and continuing into the present. Although I sense much patriotism for my homeland, I recognize our need for humility to understand that our country is not above questioning or reproach but is rather under the same standards as all other nations of the world. I would simply like to ask those who view our country from afar to maintain a balanced perspective and realize too that there exists good and bad in America, both in terms of its domestic society and politics as well as in its relations with other nations.
Whilst there may be growing anti-Americanism in the United Kingdom I do not believe such sentiment to be reciprocated on our side of the Atlantic. I viewed a recent survey that indicated most Americans view England positively, and never have I seen the flag of your country (or any other foreign land, for that matter) burned in the streets of our cities. Clearly we as American citizens have not meant to be your enemies.” –Seth
“As someone who takes human rights seriously, I’m appalled by the lack of sympathy the left feels toward the victims of any regime other than the Bush administration. Let’s shout it to prisoners everywhere: If you’re not harmed by an American, your suffering doesn’t count.” –Erik Svane
“Ambivalence, antipathy, and resentment toward and about the United States have comprised an important component of European culture since the American Revolution at the latest, thus way before America became the world’s ‘Mr. Big’ — the proverbial eight-hundred-pound gorilla — and a credible rival to Europe’s main powers, particularly Britain and France . . . . While the politics, style, and discourse of the Bush administration — and of George W. Bush as a person — have undoubtedly exacerbated anti-American sentiment among Europeans and fostered a heretofore unmatched degree of unity between elite and mass opinion in Europe, they are not anti-Americanism’s cause. Indeed, a change to a center-left administration in Washington, led by a Democratic president, would not bring about its abatement, let alone disappearance.” –Andrei S. Markovits (author of Uncouth Nation – Why Europe Dislikes America)
“Is Euro Disney Land a threat to the French Culture? If French culture can be squashed by Mickey Mouse, or more exactly by simply moving Mickey geographically, it would have to be disturbingly fragile.” Moreover, Revel argued, culture always circulates and, in the case of Euro Disneyland, California was merely repackaging for Europeans such European stories as Cinderella and Pinocchio. According to Revel, French culture was not being colonized and if any culture was in crisis, he contended, it was that of America with its fad for political correctness and other forms of “neoprovincialism.” –Jean-François Revel
“Anti-Americanism is the only face of xenophobia still broadly accepted in Europe.” –Mary Fitzgerald (New Statesman)
“Americans find themselves damned either way. If they remain within their own borders, they are isolationist hicks who are shirking their responsibilities. If they intervene, they are rapacious imperialists.” –To hate America is to hate mankind
“The British find it very difficult to come to terms with the loss of their global dominance. We felt a deep sense of hurt and loss. We used to run the world, and we don’t anymore. So, in order to palliate that insecurity, we tend to run ourselves down too much. And we’re also snooty about the people who DO run the world.” — Boris Johnson (Member of Parliament)
“It is tragic that Anti-American ideas are so easily passed through rumour, while reconciliatory ideas and notions must be backed up with catalogues of evidence before they are even considered, purely because of the fact that it is so much easier to hate than to keep an objective open mind.” –David Hatton
“Other common anti-American objections are ignorance and stupidity. In dealing with these two, I have no reason to suspect that the average American is any less intelligent than the average person from anywhere else. One trait I have noticed is that other cultures are generally much more ashamed of any deficit in the intellect of the individual, especially ours (the British), and as such will make a much greater attempt to hide it. If all cultures bar one are scared of looking stupid and take action to prevent that happening, then that one remaining culture is inevitably going to be lumbered with that image.” –David Hatton
“We became not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” –Jimmy Carter
“Most of the anti-Americanism these days stems from plain old nationalistic jealousy by a lot of countries that are born of insecurity about their own place in the world and their painful self awareness of their own failings and shortcomings…like the kids in the next block who are jealous of the boy who has a better bicycle or a newer fancier skateboard….phuque ‘em all.” –Robbins Mitchell
“Europeans, like the rest of the world, hate America and Americans, but love our aid when in distress, and our soldiers to die for THEIR COUNTRIES. You need to work, live and pay taxes from this side of the Atlantic to understand our vision of Europe and the rest of the world.” –Jerry
“Unjustified hatred of Americans: There is much unjustified hatred in the world. There is unjustified hatred of the USA. Much of this arises from the victimisation complex that sweeps much of mankind. Whoever is in charge, whoever is powerful or successful will also be hated. This immature hatred often evaporates quickly with a little reason or thought. There are some some invalid, unjustified criticisms. The most widespread hate is the hate by people the world over who fall victim to their own shortcomings, and want a scapegoat.” –Vexen Crabtree
“USA citizens are not given world news in the same way as most the other developed nations, and may well be genuinely unaware that much of the world is as poor as it is. European news is highly world-centric, whereas due to its size most USA news does not have enough time to cover news in all neighbouring states, let alone news from around the world. ” –Vexen Crabtree
“Despite the USA’s dominance of mass media, it is frequently only the pro-USA, self-congratulatory messages that seem to arrive in Europe, the USA citizens criticism and disbelief of their own government is not apparent, which gives the overall impression that Americans are either gullible, ignorant or honestly uncaring.” –Vexen Crabtree
“If a person outside of American culture is a hateful person, they may actively hate and verbally attack America. If the person takes this to include a hatred of Americans themselves, they are inconsiderate and have become a fool. If a person like this is brought up by people with vested interests in attacking America (and there are many), a person can be driven to take his opinions to a violent level. Generic hatred is not solved or soothed by adding more layers of hatred.
There is a belief and hope that if enough nations oppose America, the American people will realize what their government has been doing and will overthrow them. This hope is misguided, as anti-American actions are causing the opposite”–Vexen Crabtree
“I think it is best, when faced with people from other nations, to treat them as individuals. Yes, you can “hate” the injustices that governments perpetuate on us all, and yes, you can despise ignorance in all its’ forms. But any sort of blanket prejudice punishes yourself more than anyone else, because it thwarts the opportunity to learn from someone else. It stops you from making potential connections that could ultimately change your life. As an “american” living abroad, I pity my fellow countrymen who still have the wool over their eyes, but I don’t hate them. The fact that when I meet them, they are indeed traveling at the time, says to me that they are in the process of opening their minds. Being in Europe, for many Americans, is the first step to realizing that other cultures do indeed exist and thrive, and that other forms of social structures are both possible and desireable.
—————– Many ask me why I left. Political reasons aside, when I mention that my family now enjoys free health-care and that my daughter will have the opportunity to go to university virtually for free (O.K. not free exactly, because we all pay taxes, but these services are included in what we as citizens receive for our tax dollars here in Europe,) they always respond with a sigh as they realize that this is the way all societies should be run. They know that something has gone terribly afoul in their beloved “homeland.”
————– Americans, in essence, need to be re-taught what is possible in the world, they do not need to be shunned. Shunning them will only help to produce more negativity in the world. If we all, from without, can help them to change what is wrong with their country from within, by sharing our knowledge of alternatives, then the whole world will benefit.” –Lily
“Sometimes the caliber of a nation is found not in why it is liked, but rather in why it is not.” –Victor Davis Hanson
“Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.” –Winston Churchill
“With a military that has become a laughing stock and her increasing irrelevance in the world around her, I believe that the Canada I know and loved is gone. The sad truth is, Canadians have only themselves to blame since they meekly chose to accept everything without question and without fighting back. Most of them even pat themselves on the back for being so “progressive” and “multicultural” and “diverse,” while failing to recognize that all of those things will bring about Canada’s demise. America may not be perfect, but at least there is a strong conservative movement and a population who will fight to keep their rights.” –Jayne Gardener (Why I left Canada)
“Regarding Race Relations in the South:
I once read an observation that ONE (and there are many) of the differences between the Northern and Southern approach to race is that the North tends to reject the Individual while embracing the Race. The South conversely seems to have prejudice towards the other Race while embracing the Individuals. It’s a generalization to be sure but one with more than a grain of truth. Blacks and Whites have always lived closely in the South, most southerners have an aquantince of another race whom they like, while at the same time generalizing about the ‘others’.
The North has always been more segregated and less mixed in ordinary commerce and interaction. They accept the race but interact with few individuals of another group. Leading to less real experience with the other group. Fewer Northerners subsequently have friends of a different race.
I think we a need to be cautious when making these generalizations but I believe they still offer food for comment.
I guess I’m just saying that one shouldn’t assume the South has a less open society because of some who have lingering, isolated, racist attitudes towards ‘Canadians’. It just seems that these notions, are more exposed, and carry more gravity due to their past. –JG (reply #70)
“My “two cents” to all you Americans out there: speaking as a Brit, it pains me to see some of the comments emanating from this page by alleged British sophisticates. Much of the real reason for anti-Americanism of this type — though it will be hotly denied — is nothing more than envy. Truth be told, many an Englishman yearns for the day when we were the number one dog in town, with the world sitting obediently at the feet of hordes of short-back-and sides public school boys lording it over primitive tribes of Africans and Asians, whilst men such as Joseph Chamberlain and Winston Churchill sincerely speculated on the chances of the USA being welcomed back into the imperial bosom.
Americans, don’t lose heart; you are the great power of the age. It is your lot to be envied and feared. Do not fall for the soft hearted illusion that this translates into moral superiority of any variety.” –James
“It is sick that to be Canadian one must hate other people. I’ve been to US hundreds of times and England as well and they never equate their nationality with hatred of others. It seems we are a nation of people that are in serious need of therapy. Thank god I enjoy visiting other countries and felt no need to hate or denigrate others. When ever I go to United States or England I always leave the Canadian stuff at home and I get along just fine. I would recommend this for others.” –Nov. 12th, 2005 5:08PM
“The only thing more annoying that a ‘typical American’ (and they do exist!) is a Canadian with a superiority complex! Americans do get the piss ripped out of them behind their backs but with the flag on your pack you probably will as well.” –travoholic
“I grew up on army bases my whole life and nothing makes me prouder than watching Canadian soldiers do what they can, when they can, to help out more impoverished nations. I do, however, become angered at people who begin talking about who has the better, or bigger army and who can beat whom. Soldiers sacrifice their lives for the betterment of mankind, not to win pissing contests.” –Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:12 pm
“I attribute European anti-Americanism to a state of prolonged “adolescence” from being protected by American treasure and military might throughout the post-WW2 era. I think about how teenagers rail against their parents actions and restrictions, all the while knowing, deep down, that they cannot provide for themselves.
On a somewhat lighter note, there was a program on PBS (Public Broadcasting System) a while back about why Europeans don’t like America. One interviewee attributed it to the Europeans knowing that America won’t hurt them.” –Denis Eugene Sullivan
“In spite of the constant accusations of “arrogance,” Americans are really very self-deprecating in many ways and often place the French, and other Western Europeans, on a pedestal of cultural superiority; this probably goes further back into world history than virulent anti-Americanism does.” –Jennifer
Info from Search Engines:
Anti-Americanism on Youtube:
Click me.
Books written on Anti-Americanism: (5,567 results)
Click me.
I made this page specifically for the knee-jerk land-o-denial reactionaries who would rather think that someone is “paranoid” than accept a negative reality. If this is too much trouble for you, then don’t bother to comment because there’s a big chance it will be deleted or not even read in full.
Thank you for your time and patience.
virgomonkey, I give you a permanent link on http://Danmark.WordPress.com because we have to admit that even a paranoid can be persecuted and a non-racial minded is allowed to love her country and wonder what the topmen do in their ideological and unreal world of thinking when it comes to the result in the world that is non-ideologic and real.
Sonia, Denmark
I have linked back to you, Sonia. Thank you.
I did read this disclaimer before I posted and I especially took the first quote to heart.
“There is a big difference between being anti-American and being critical of the United States….critiques are appropriate and necessary, provided that they rest on facts and address real abuses, real errors and real excesses–without deliberately losing sight of America’s wise decisions, beneficient interventions and salutary policies. But critiques of this kind–balanced, fair and well-rounded–are hard to find, except in America herself…” — Jean-Francois Revel
I believe my first post was a fair, balanced, and well rounded comment on how the “just like us” statement is sometimes received. However, my second post was unnecessarily confrontational and I think caused my first post to be dismissed as that of an uninformed crank.
Phil R
Hi virgomonkey
I thought I’d comment on the “Why Britons hate Americans”. Clearly the guys who commented on that are a little misguided. The sad thing is, though, some of the things they say are perceived as true, because of the impression we get from American media, films, music, culture etc.
Let me address the main points from one of the posts:
(1) Patriotism – America is seen as fiercely patriotic, annoyingly so. In Britain we keep our patriotism to ourselves. We watch TV and see flags outside every house and Americans patronising the rest of the world by claiming their country to be the greatest nation that has ever existed. I’ve been to America on numerous occasions and have been irritated myself. I was in Orlando for example at the Epcot Center when a bunch of musicians started to sing folk songs, finishing with the obvious one – the National Anthem. Every single person stood up, put their hands on their hearts and sang loudly. I identified another Brit because we were the only ones sitting down. And boy did we get some bad stares. I was talking to my missus afterwards and asked “How many states are there?” An American lady glared at me as if I had committed a major crime by not knowing. In Britain we do not stand up and bellow the national anthem whenever we hear it. Most of hate it – it is dreary and boring and they sing about the monarch rather than the country.
Brits who have met Americans in Europe regard a lot of them as arrogant because by announcing that they are American seems to make them think that they deserve preferential treatment. In Britain that is frowned upon – seriously. From a personal point of view, I treat Americans as I treat everybody else.
(2) George W Bush – Many Brits are horrified that America elected a cheat. To be honest, not a lot of us know how the American political system works but the fact that he was elected in the first place is regarded as a travesty. And then of course he was elected AGAIN! A lot of Brits therefore think that the American people are just stupid for doing so. I know this is not true but the background is there.
(3) Outside America – I have to say that I have experienced the rather insular nature of Americans myself but I do not blame them for it, simply because the media does not expose you guys to what is happening in the rest of the world. I was there for two weeks once watching TV and reading newspapers and I only ever saw or heard news about what was going on in the local state or the country itself. We only heard about what was going on outside the US when it involved the US directly. I am sorry to say that I have been asked some pretty stupid questions like:
“Hey, a friend of mine lives in London. His name is John Smith. Do you know him?
“Wow – you’re from England. Do you know the Queen?”
“Do you have microwave ovens in England?”
“Are you from out of state?”
When the iron curtain came down and the Soviet Union imploded, it was a major event. In Europe we embraced it. Yet in America, I spoke to a few people who said “I don’t trust those commie bastards.” – they had no clue about what was going on.
The “World Series” also annoys the hell out of people because Brits (and others) think that Americans are so obsessed with themselves that they think that they are the only ones who count.
(4) Stupid Americans – I don’t think Americans are stupid. I believe that the country has its fair share of morons – as do we all. We have all seen comedy shows where Canadians and Australians TV shows have visited the US and made fools out of people on the streets who simply do not know what is going on outside their own state (as I’ve said above). One particular item I saw on You-Tube highlights this perfectly (I will dig it out and send it to you). An Australian comedian pretending to be a journalist had a world map labelling Australia as Iraq and asked loads of people to point Iraq out on the map. The number of people who didn’t know where Iraq was staggered even me. Worse still the number of people who believed that Australia was indeed Iraq was unbelievable. Recently we had an American Football player who, on his first trip to England said something like “I didn’t know they spoke English in London.” This is why we laugh.
I could go on but perhaps I should stop there. I may comment further later.
As I said in my post – I love America but I can understand why Brits and others are anti-American. As I said, most of those who hate America haven’t been there or met any Americans so their views are coloured by what they read about and see. When each presidential candidate stands up and claims that the US is the greatest nation ever, even I wince with embarrassment. There is also the view that we in Britain are becoming more American every single year. For example, ten years ago you would never see adverts trying to help people sue others for accidents; now we get this all the time. Our towns are being taken over by American franchises such as Starbucks and McDonalds. And, as I said, the American election is all over our news. I have conversations with people every day who say “Who the fuck cares????”
I have been to many countries including Russia, China, Australia, most European countries, Thailand and South Africa and so I have experienced a hell of a lot of cultures. I could tell you some stories about those places I can tell you.
Hope this gives you a fresh insight. Apologies if I’m telling you stuff you already know …
Cheers
PM
P.S. I am fascinated by your blog so I shall continue to read it
As far as American Patriotism is concerned, you are correct with your observations, but we get dirty looks too when we visit Britain and don’t know, for example, where the queen lives etc. Additionally, the blind patriots in the US are of the Staunch Republican Neo-Conservative Party. Keep in mind that Liberals make up about half or more, so when your people hate us for the rampant and annoying patriotic actions that are committed here, they are unfairly putting liberals and conservatives under the same umbrella.
Did you ever read this post? I, on only rare occasions, find any other Western country’s people being self-critical as wildly as the Americans.
Also, America has realized from centuries ago that it has always been the most hated country. With that said, even I become more patriotic when I find hate speech online about Americans. Just like other countries, Americans become more bonded when we are attacked whether verbally or physically. This is not an American phenomenon. I have lived in three states and have been to many, many areas of the US traveling, and I have never once observed people singing a patriotic song in front of me. I believe your story, but this is not something that happens every day over here. You might enjoy this post that tries to explain American patriotism a little.
I don’t understand this. Do Americans just walk up and say, “Hi. I’m American”. What “special favors” are Americans looking for over there? We live in a “fend for yourself” country, so this seems odd. And suspicious. I am sure weird Americans like that exist, but it is odd for me to hear this. I don’t think we’re getting the whole story here. Brits DO expect us to hide our place of birth, and if asked where we come from and we answer, “America”, I think this is when they get pissed off – especially if we answer confidently.
Confidence is part of the American culture. You have to understand that there MUST be cultural differences as we are two different countries. I had to learn this when I moved to Japan. Two different countries cannot possibly be expected to be the same.
In Britain, Americans are expected to be shy, bashful, and ashamed about where they are from. If they do say where they were born without apparent humility glowing on their faces, they are considered “blind and arrogant patriots”. This is frustrating as we don’t place rules, for the most part, on poor travelers that come to see the US.
Please keep in mind that those Americans THAT DO TRAVEL TO YOUR COUNTRY ARE L-I-B-E-R-A-L-S. Many Americans talk about this. We come to your country BECAUSE WE ARE HUMBLE ENOUGH to explore other places and REALIZE that America isn’t the center of the earth. Yet, we are still considered “Amerocentric”.
Americans frequently come back from your country explaining how arrogant the Brits are. I find the Anti-American Brits be hypocritical and ignorant in this manner. Tourism has also declined do to the arrogance in your own people. Before Britons start with the childish name calling, they should look in the mirror first.
Britons do not keep their patriotism inside because every time an Americanophobe starts to talk, it is all about how their country is better than ours – whether directly or indirectly.
Do you think that this could possibly be a blind spot on your end?
Other countries do not receive fair and balanced news about the US. There is a slant. And part of that slant is to get YOUR PEOPLE to feel better and more patriotic about your own places and to feel better about your own shortcomings. It is no wonder that Britain is at the top of the list of Americanophobic countries. The Anti-Americans believe most of what they listen to on the news and accept propaganda as fact and let it go unquestioned and unchallenged.
On that alone, the Anti-American Brits should be the very last people to speak. I’d bet that there are just as many egomaniacs in Britain as there are in the US!!
Microwaves are understandable. We only just got them here two decades ago, and my Australian friend thought that Americans were strange as so many Americans owned one. She even thought answering machines were weird. But then again, she lived in Tasmania so… many there not all that updated yet.
As far as dumb Americans are concerned, you might enjoy reading this. The ignorance in the US is matched with other countries. The only reason why America is focused on is not only because she is stupid, but because she is high up there on the world stage, so naturally other countries won’t look into the UNintelligence levels elsewhere.
Some of us visit Europe with high hopes that you know more than we do, and that isn’t the case. The ignorance goes both ways – even weighing in the fact that you people see more international news. And speaking of American Insularism, here are a couple of good reads that may open your eyes.
Why Americans don’t know anything about other countries
American Insularism
As you can see, you are bringing up all the clichés under the roof of typical Americanophobic rhetoric. I know you may not be speaking about your personal feelings and that you are speaking for your people or for those that are prejudiced.
Yes, you were talking to a conservative.
Stay away from the red states next time and hang out with the other 50% and you’ll notice a HUGE difference. The Liberals are only rarely represented over here. Why? Because bad news sells.
What’s happening here is that Americans are being judged by their extremists. And how fair is that?
Which Americans, exactly?
Yep. I’ve seen all those videos. I practically have them memorized.
I addressed that in my “America, the Stupid” post which just basically proves how we are not too different from you guys in that regard. Those videos are incredibly EASY to make. Take 200 people. Pull 20 dumb ones. Put them on the tape and presto! You now have propagandized an entire nation! Well, it was done to the Irish too. See for yourself, here.
Americanophobia is actually based on propaganda, ignorance, scapegoatism, and hyperbole. If anything, you should be ashamed of your people as I am ashamed of my people when I see Anti-Frenchism and Anti-Muslimism.
Do you know why our presidents do that? To cater to the mindset of the Right Wing. Obama? You need to study more about him. He is very humble, but politicians WILL SAY ANYTHING to become president.
McCain/Palin kept Bush out of the way of the Republican Convention to cater to the Left Wing audience.
Why blame America for this? Isn’t this a problem of the British to let this happen to your country? Why are the Japanese able to be themselves, but the British cannot? You do realize that we borrowed more culture from you guys than the opposite, right?
You should read this blog too. Your people are over there as well, are busting myths about the Americans like I do on my blog.
I used to live in Japan, and I can tell you that those people who have lived there are usually not Americanophobic as the Japanese have amazing commonality with Americans. That is what I have observed.
By the way, everything that you have mentioned here was already mentioned in this post. It’s okay, though. I had no idea you’d go through all this trouble or I would have warned you. But you have done it more coherently and eloquently. Additionally, I am almost done debunking all the clichés about “the average American” in my blog. You can just read under the Anti-Americanism category.
It could literally fill libraries re: what the rest of the world doesn’t know about us – yet pretends so confidently to know. Here is something else that most Britons don’t know. Americans aren’t the most patriotic, anymore. Additionally, on Mexican Independence Day, the Mexicans here celebrate it in the streets where hundreds upon hundreds of them wave their flags, sing, and chant, and burn American flags in the streets. In what other country can this be done. Imagine Americans trying to get away with this in Britain?!?! What I am trying to say is that if Americans were as patriotic as Brits make us out to be, then we wouldn’t allow for international patriotism and blatant bigotry on our own turf.
By the way, many Americans are confused over what “the average American” is. America, in my opinion, due to its population and diversity, you’d think it’d be way too hard to pigeon-hole us, no?
Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to more of your commentary.
Just to clear up the “World Series” v “World Cup” thing, the “World Series” as I understand it does not include the rest of the world (apart from maybe Canada) but the “World Cup” does include 32 other nations all of whom have to qualify.
Cheers
PM
I thought you were talking about the “World Series” in terms of patriotism – rather than ignorance.
Actually, that is another myth about the US debunked on this website. It is just an innocuous name anyway not intended to hurt, offend, or pretend that other countries don’t exist. I just think Anti-American countries get desperate and try and look for ammunition to use against us. It’s really silly and childish.
This is why I always say on my blog that “we know as much about you as you know about us”. As far as ignorance and arrogance are concerned, we’re just about even.
In any event, the person who changed the title from “The World’s Series” to “The World Series” was not the decision of every American. If it wasn’t the decision of one man, it was the decision of a few. It doesn’t represent the average view of the average man on the street in the US.
And just an FYI: Many Americans when traveling to Europe wear the Canadian maple leaf on their backpack and tell everyone that they’re Canadian to avoid the Anti-American interrogation process. So, beware. Many Americans are in disguise.
Personally I couldn’t give two hoots whether it is called the World Series or not. At the end of the day, of all those Anti-Americans in Britain, most of them are ignorant and have never even met an American. I would say that Anti-Americans are a minority and the welcome you guys get from most Brits will be warm.
Beware of London though – it is a tourist trap in every sense of the phrase, i.e. full of people who will exploit the ignorance of foreigners in general (not just Americans) and will try to rip you all off. They even rip fellow Brits off.
If you venture outside the capital you will meet a totally different kind of Brit – of course there will be Anti-Americanism there but you won’t be the only ones who suffer their bigotry. They don’t care where foreigners come from sadly.
Cheers
PM
But how could all of those links up above written by the British themselves (in defense of the US) represent the minority? If it were just the minority, the British and other activist groups all over the world wouldn’t be making such a big deal of it by writing books, websites, blogs, and television documentaries about Anti-Americanism.
That is how many French feel in the US. They feel Anti-Frenchism represents far more than the minority. And I hadn’t even been aware of it until I found a few French blogs on the internet railing against Anti-Frenchism in the US and in its media.
My opinion is that if we aren’t specifically targeted, we turn a blind eye to it. It’s human nature.
virgomonkey. However unintentional “just like us” statements are hot buttons for many foreigners who cherish some differences, which may seen insignificant to many Americans. Your statement “we are not too different from you guys” while obviously out of context is kind of unnecessarily confrontational.
To be fair your question “How is this any different from the World Cup?” did seem kind of uninformed. I guess I am uninformed but I don’t understand how World’s Series is better than World Series or vise versa.
Phil R
You have a terrible habit of misunderstanding me.
When I say, “just like us”, I am pointing out the context in which I am saying it. Never, do I say, “just like us” as a whole making a defining sweep. Please point out where I am doing this and then we can debate out differences in interpretations.
And didn’t I already write paragraphs upon paragraphs explaining this to you already in another post? I’m not saying this to be rude, but do you speak English as a second language?
For the last time, when I say, “just like us”, I am referring to ignorance and arrogance. WHAT PART OF THIS DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?
Regarding the World Cup and the World Series, could you please point out, kindly, where I made mention that the World Series was better? Additionally, would you also mind pointing out where any of my compatriots made mention that the World Serious was better? Are you really that insecure?
I have a feeling that you filter what you read in my journal to fit your own feelings of persecution as this isn’t the first time that you have twisted my words around to mean the opposite of what I am trying to say.
I even went as far as providing a link to where the term, “World Series” came from. Yes, it does have an origin. No, it has nothing to do with hating British people, Canadians, any Europeans, Zombies, Elephants, Turtles, or Martians, or anybody else on the planet. Read the link. Save the persecution complexes!
Read who I am responding to before you jump to conclusions. Do you not understand what a blog is and what comment sections mean? Comment sections are a place in which the blog owners and commenters have a CONVERSATION. If you are going to challenge a reply, YOU MUST DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO LOOK AT THE COMMENT THAT I AM REPLYING TO! lol
Quote me first, then give your opinion. How hard is that?
“How is this different from the World Cup”. I had misunderstood the person that I was commenting to. And I even said that to her in my reply. She cleared it up for me.
This is the third time on my blog you have read things out of context refusing to read the replies I am replying to. If you continue to do this (as it wastes my time and frustrates me), I will have to ban you from this blog.
Good Lord!
You said “You have a terrible habit of misunderstanding me”.
I don’t think I am misunderstanding about acknowledging differences. I just believe that acknowledging differences is very important and failing to do so can result in confrontation.
You are right though, you can ban any comments you don’t like or don’t fit in your paradigm.
You asked me about my question about the World Series/World’s Series I will admit that I should not have used the term “better” and simply asked what the difference between the two terms is. I don’t really understand now but it is not important now and I meant nothing derogatory by my question.
Phil R
Virgomonkey, if you have any more problems commenting on my blog please let me know. I hopefully have corrected any problems. Ann
Unfortunately American policy makers don’t represent Americans. Most Americans thought War for Oil was a pretty bad premise.. even if there were “other reasons.” Nor did most American’s advocate for CIA training for Bin Laden to terrorize other Nations as a US agent, Nor did Americans advocate for the millions of others the US trains to instigate instability around the world (but I am thinking particularly of Central and South America). Literally many US Policy makers seem to think they are above everything. Most US Citizens are against secret prisons like Guantanamo Bay, or people being tortured, not given a trial or an attorney or access to family or even know what they are accused of. Most Americans are fiercely against this.. yet it happens in America’s name anyway.
On a more superficial note, it’s true Americans often come across as ignorant particularly in cultural matters. But I have met a good many equally culturally ignorant English people. People whose sole impression of the US is based upon “Friends” or Bruce Willis action movies. People who assume everyone in the US eats hamburgers for every meal.. ironic coming from Briton but so it is. I think Ignorance is fairly universal.
Americans “may appear” more ignorant (and I’m not vouching for all of them!) due to several factors..
A. America’s perceived position in the world. AKA “SuperPower”
B. American policy makers exploitation of America’s perceived position in the world.
C. The fact that a good many Americans feel alienated and disconnected from the world for many reasons but including:
a. policy makers which do things in America’s name which the people (either personally or majority) are against.. feeling of powerlessness
b. policy makers intentionally keep things under wraps from the American people.. i.e. vietnam, iran contra scandal, introduction of crack cocaine into US intercities by the CIA, infiltration of other countries governments, new martial law, Guantanamo bay, the Fed reserve scandal, and some would claim 9-11
c. for whatever reasons (chicken or egg) media hasn’t exposed much of this until US is already waist deep into problems.. and then the average American doesn’t feel they have a voice in these matters, or if they do voice it nothing happens. What impact can US citizens do between working three jobs, paying for relatives huge medical bills and caring for children ect. Not to mention, if the politicians are crooked, who do you vote for? Briton is having a similar problem in recent years.
d. Americans are under a lot of stress (not many holidays, support or medical care) and feel strong urge to escape (hollywood films).
D. Hollywood movies
E. People just trying to “live their lives, earn their living, ect” and without cultural support or unbiased information and yet being fed lies of being in the Greatest Countries yet not feeling any power over where the country is going (apart from grassroots orgs which are usually more community origented, not international.)
I could go on. But while I see a fare amount of ignorance in every country I’ve traveled to/lived in, the American style is universally recognized, but not necessarily understood.
All the best,
Sam
Virgo Money and Phil R. I think you two are basically in agreement, but semantics are different. Which can be key. From this one vantage point, you both seem to be trying to “understand” one another, and it the misunderstanding seems to be mutually frustrating. I hope you two can continue to communicate openly, it’s an interesting read. You both have valid points (remarkably similar too;)
All the best to you,
Sam
whoopsee, my mistake, I got confused.. in my above post I ment to say Plastic Manc and Virgo Monkey got mixed up. I put the wrong name/spelling. I’m sorry.
I think the World Series thing is about the fact every team in the “World Series” is American. Instead of calling it the World Series, wouldn’t it make more sense to call it the American Series. It does seem to suggest egotism or that the US thinks they are the world. Then an American come along who doesn’t even perceive this irony because of her background.
In the US, people just call it the World Series, because that’s the name, even if it sounds dumb. It was probably named that when American style baseball was only played in the US. So as well as a catchy grande title, it may well have been accurate (for American Baseball).
Trouble is if you look very far, Cricket is superisingly similar (and also rather different) from Baseball.
Perhaps because of the origins of the US being it’s own country after throwing off the English (with other’s help) there is self- promotional and often boastful quality to communication. i.e. The World Series, the best in the world, but a sport (at one time, anyway) played only in the US.
Sam, yes, there was and still is huge egomania over having become independent from GREAT Britain.
What I don’t like is when other countries use this World Series against us as in all 300 million of us conspired together to snub our noses over the rest of the world. You know what I mean?
I have read once that countries that are either new and/or have aggressively fought for their independence have a tendency to be quite staunchly patriotic. I had never thought about that before, but it does make sense.
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Hatred hurts everyone. Even the one who hates. Me, personally, I hate when people say things like that based on anger. They call us ALL ignorant. (along with other stereotypes) Well the ones who say that are ignorant themselves. I’m a man with temper problems but I try not to use an individual as a representative for ALL people in that group. It’s just bad all around. Bad from all angles. If a white dude in a pick-up truck speeds by me on the street and calls me “Nigger!!!”, I’m not gonna blame whites, although that would make me a considerable candidate to join the Nation of Domination. (LOL) But seriously, I wouldn’t do that, I wouldn’t say “ALL White people are racist!” I say all white people who think they are the supreme race are racist.
I am of African and Jamaican descent. So technically, I’m Black or African American. I’m also a man who is trying to be a Christian in everything I do. Trust me, I know all to well about stereotypes. And they are all stupid. So is the blame game.
I thank virgomonkey for bringing some of this stuff to knowledge.
Despite Bret Hart’s projected hatred for the American fan base back then, I went out and bought the Bret Hart “Hitman” DVD. Bret was very talented and it was be a great addition to my collection of great wrestling classics. I never knew Bret was Canadian until I started to turn away from the new WWE product and started to go back to the older WWF product I missed back around the time I started watching actively. I saw some footage of what happened that turned Bret so bitter to say what he said about American fans…and America altogether. Supporting Canada is good. But not at the expense of another country.
When people generalize a group from personal experiences with a few people, it’s bad all around. It’s like this world wide and I’m discourage to talk to someone of another place because it seems that everyone hates America and Americans. It’s worse for Christians. It hurts me in almost everyway when things like this happened. I’d hate for a woman of Latin descent to say “I can’t go out with you.” “Why not?” “My family won’t let me date Americans.”
One well-known phrase…”Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” That can apply directly to the kind of situation in which you address in your “Reasons Canadians and Britons Hate America and Americans So Much” article. If you have a problem with America, you really have a problem with what happens in America and how the American government handles it. Don’t blame ALL AMERICANS. I most cases, I find myself having to examine…myself. And make sure I don’t screw up. A lot of people know about that bible quote that goes along the lines of “How can you pick out the speck in your brothers’ eye, when their is a plank in your own?” I have to worry about doing that myself. Because if not then I have become a hypocrite…Like the individuals who have jumped up and represented Americans, LIKE BUSH! We should have know that it would be bad because even the way Bush got in office was crooked. And I hope brother Barack Obama will practice what he preached to get in.
James, thank you for your contribution!
I’m sorry. The article that got me was the “Don’t You Hate it When Americans Stereotype Canadians?”
Fantastic post,, will come back again..
Dude, no offense, your blog looks like the subject matter would be interesting and I’d probably be agreeable to most of it. But it’s virtually impossible to read coherently. The links and the text are like all over the place.
Anyway, I don’t want you to publish my comment, I just wanted to ask you to change up the format a little bit. I’ll check back in a couple weeks and see if it’s a little bit easier to dig into your material.
Good luck! V
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