Question for Europeans

[floppa21]

Why do Europeans hate America? Not all do I am sure, but it sure seems like it from these boards. Now, before answering JUIZE, MIKOYAN, HAKAN, give me a reason. Not "because you are fascist pigs!!!" Is it media propaganda over there? I mean, if your country was attacked, who is the first you'd call for help? America. Who is the first that would call you to offer you help? America. Just curious. Real actual reasoning would be appreciated. Doubt I'll get it, but hey, stranger things have happened.

 

[TheDuckOfFlanders]

Hate is a big word ,but's it's true we do not always agrre on youre foureign and domestic policy's.
But ,asside from the differences Europe and America are relative good friends.

I think basicly we find the Americans a bit impulsif in their policy's(especcialy foreign).
I won't bash the American's too much here ,it would lead to a very long and painfull discussion.The European nations are no saint's themselfs.

But i think you American's have a bit to over-active foureign policy, and one with dubbel standerds.

There has been a lot of such discussions here were there has been pointed out how much good America has done in the world.It's true that America has done a lot of positive thing ,but they have done a lot of negative things too.I don't think the u.s can justify the bad things it has done with the good things it does or has done.

For my part ,America may be the judge of the world ,but i would like a judge that is Always honest.

 

[Juize]

(...)

 

[DaEezT]

I hate America because it always takes so damn long till we get the good games here in europe

 

[G-Man]

First of all a note - When I say "europeans" in this post I mean the anti-US europeans that floppa is talking about and not all europeans.

Europeans don't like the US because they don't understand how much the US is helping them. The US is the only western country that does things for the interest of the whole democratic world without being forced to. A lot of europeans don't understand that if the Americans wouldn't do it, they would have to. Who do you think is in Bin Laden's target list after the US? Other democracies. Probably Israel, India and Turkey first. But after us there are european countries. And these countries don't seem to help the US to fight a common enemy. Instead they wanna run away from everything. Bin Laden says he attacks because of Israel and India? Let's abandon them. He says the US isn't treating muslims fairly enough (Arabs are unfair about Israel but you don't see Israelis killing thousands of civilians in Bagdad) so let's support whatever they say. Sure, when Bin Laden will see how much violence pays off he'll probably settle down and everyone will have peace... right?

 

[Strik]

Ok first off all I do not hate America?
What I think the problem is, is that america sometimes misuses his power and think they can do almost anything that is the reason why people don't really like america that much.

An example: The kyoto agreement. America first agreed to this environment treaty. But later canceled it.

Ofcourse the European governments should have just stick with the treaty, so the US looks foolish and cowardly for bugging out. But as usual they bent for its power.

Sometimes I also think the US can hardly be a democracy, you will probably be offended by now.
I think this is so because of the lack of political parties. It seems like you can only vote for the republicans or the democrats. For what we see on TV is that the partie with the most money and the best fake promisses and the leader with the best looks wins. And those speeches I guess these do the most harm to the US reputation in Europe. Theses are the biggest propaganda in the world and makes your leaders look stupid. And especially bush. What lame speeches he had. I still can't figure out how he ever got elected.
He gives me an impression of a backstabber, I don't trust him for a nickel.

I hope I gave you a bit of an idea. And didn't insulted you, I didn't mean to do so.

Something of the dutch, next year I have to vote for the first time and I don't know who. They all say somethings I like and lots I don't like. I guess there is no partie that represents me. I think I'm not the only one.

Do you have problems with who to vote for?

 

[floppa21]

Well thanks for the replies, they all seem to be on foreign policy pretty much... I kinda agree with G-Man in a way, but then that's not to say the others aren't correct either... huh...

Strik, what you said about politicians and all, I fully agree with ya. I wasn't planning on voting either Republic or Democrat. I knew my vote wouldn't go to a winner, no chance in hell, but at least it would be a vote NOT for one of the two... Ends up I didn't vote because I wasn't able to get in before they closed the booths... And no insult taken.

 

[TheDuckOfFlanders]

G-man:

Yes ,as i said too america does a lot of good in the world ,or better: try's to do a lot of good in the world.
I know there are a lot of threat's in the world that must be fought or minimalisd.if it is possible through diplomatical way's ,if it is nescecary through millitary way's.
Only i blame the u.S. to be sometimes very un-constructive in fit's foureign policy.

For ex. the U.S. has bombed iraq numerous times.Iraq was really posing a threat thas must been fought.
Only ,2 American campaigns later and nothing really has changed for the Better.Saddam is still in Power ,and it's poppulation only hate's America more.
iraq was a war fought by America with good intentions ,but with bad results.Now saddam is developing more biological and nuclear weapons.
i don't say that uberhaupt something constructive could be reached in iraq ,but in that case ,the bombings would have proven tottaly useless.

The same apply's to Serbia.Serbia is infrastructualy destroyed now ,and is only slowly recovering.The fact that Milosovic is been triald in europe was no result of the bombings but from the student protests.

And there have been a lot of conflicts in the world recently where america hasn't reacted.A lot of people have been slayed in Rwanda by etnical conflict ,but the "good" U.S has never reacted.

For my part ,America may be the judge of the world ,but i would like a judge that is Always honest and consequent.

In this globalizing world ,there is really a need for a good and rightious judge.

 

[Dogberry_Old]

Strik... you should emigrate to Isreal. I am sure that you would find a party to vote for there.. they have so many. If not you can form your own .. call it the "Me" party & vote for yourself... you might win too ! LOL .

Dog

P.S, I agree that we don't have enough parties here in the US, but the system is set up that way & tends to work that way for reasons that are too lengthy to go into here. Overblown rhetoric & hyperbole have always been a staple of our elections .. only now we are on a world stage.. as a result we sometimes look like a bunch of clowns.. to the outsider. Most of this is real mild compared to what went on a 100 years ago.

For example, when the Democrats were running against William Howard Taft, who was the admitted father of an illegitimate child.. their campaign chant was .. "Ma ! Ma ! where's my Pa ? He's in the White House ! Ha ! Ha ! " ( Lefty, correct me if I got any of this wrong... & check the spelling too ..LOL )

 

[willemvanoranje]

The U.S. government is just too bossy.

 

[Graeme the mad]

What annoys me about Americans is the arrogance of many of its people (yes I have been to US): hey you little old english how does it fell to be in this land of freedom and justice for all. I also dislike the way americans glorify and their history: this really bugs me.
Im also concerned by the right wing views of many in Americans and the government: the christian fundamentalism that exists in the 'bible belt' and the attitude towards the environment are two very worrying examples (those caribou)
The government leaves a lot to be desired: George Bush is an idiot, this is true, what he has said shows this clearly. I read in the GUardian here today of a journalist who was sacked after suggesting that the US response to the bombing of the world trade center has not been great: this kind of censorship of the press in the frreeset country in the world is worrying.
I also found that many in the US were in denial of the poverty of many in the country (it has the biggest gap between rich and poor in any first or second world countries).
And I also really detest your comedies (bar the simpsons) the rest are such a load of DRIVEL. It makes me want to SCREAM (and US music) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[stormerne]

Originally posted by floppa21
Why do Europeans hate America? Not all do I am sure, but it sure seems like it from these boards. Now, before answering JUIZE, MIKOYAN, HAKAN, give me a reason. Not "because you are fascist pigs!!!" Is it media propaganda over there?

There's a simple answer to this Floppa: we don't. Or at least very few do. (Certainly no one worth speaking of )

I live here. Your primary assumption is not based on reality. Even my American wife would agree with me.

Remember you will find loud-mouthed idiots everywhere. Why should you believe them? You'll only do that if you're too lazy to find out for yourself.

So no it's not European media propaganda. Don't you think instead it might be American media propaganda making you feel under siege? Why the paranoia?

Do you know what the American stereotype really is in Europe? Americans are seen as brash, arrogant, shallow, naive and they have more money than sense. The old joke runs that once you've known an American for ten minutes that's all you're going to find out about them! In other words they're WYSIWYG. But in general Americans are not hated anymore than anyone else.

There are always haters in every society. In general they are a noisy few who are more interested in tearing society down than building it up. Why let your opinions be guided by them?

 

[Dell19]

Originally posted by stormerne



Do you know what the American stereotype really is in Europe? Americans are seen as brash, arrogant, shallow, naive and they have more money than sense. The old joke runs that once you've known an American for ten minutes that's all you're going to find out about them! In other words they're WYSIWYG. But in general Americans are not hated anymore than anyone else.

Now thats pretty much right! I don't particularily hate Americans although there are plenty of jokes about them, especially Bush...
English people also add the stereotype of them killing all their allies accidently and cominng into battles when they are almost over and saying they won the war...

Don't bash me on that extra addition to the stereotype

 

[floppa21]

My opinions aren't guided, just influenced. You quoted me yourself, I know it isn't all. Just on these boards, I've run into it whereas never before even heard of it except for French being rude, but then French are rude to each other... Stereotype or not... And I don't trust the American media anymore than I would trust any other media, I mean, gotta take it all with a grain of salt. America says one thing, any other country says something else, I am not gonna believe one or the other necessarily... I don't know the whole story, probably nobody does or ever will... As for paranoia, I see it all over here with terrorist arabs and anthrax. 911 call on 3 arabs in a car who turned without signaling... Pure stupidity. Stupid people + paranoia = mass fun...

 

[Cilpot]

Anyone who says he hates americans has got to be extremely narrow-minded...

But: A TV-Show like Ricki Lake or Jerry Springer would have a hard time being a success with europeeans

 

[floppa21]

Hehe, trust me, those shows have a hard time being a success with this American! And in my previous post when I said terrorist arabs, I should have put them in quotes, I was being sarcastic.

 

[Leowind]

speaking as an American (second time I've said that today), I'm proud to say I voted, but left the spot for President blank. I just could not bring myself to vote for either one.

compared to the world, we are brash, loud, arrogant, and generally have more money than sense. Keep in mind, however, that generally the Americans you Europeans see are the Americans who can afford to go to Europe. Many of us Americans find those Americans brash, loud, arrogant, and having more money than sense, too

US Foreign policy. Aiee, don't get me started. What a mess. We do generally have good intentions, I think, but we often don't take the time to understand all the local/regional situations and ramifications. We've had a tendency to apply "US" solutions to other countries. I think we're getting better. Of course, all of this applies only to top government leaders, who don't always reflect the public view, for good and bad.

Actually, we are such a diverse nation, and getting more so all the time, that no matter what ideology or attitude you find offensive, you're likely to find a significant portion of Americans to dislike. It's an easy step from there to disliking the entire country.

The US is often in a no-win situation. Right in this thread we have been chastised for playing world cop in Bosnia and Iraq,and chastised for not playing world cop in Rwanda and elsewhere. We are often damned if we do and damned if we don't. Since the break-up of the Soviet Republic, the entire world, the US included, has been trying to figure out how to deal politically with only one world superpower (although China may be changing that situation in the near future). Its a very different political landscape.

Many Americans are just as disgusted by what America does in the world as are Europeans or others. Having said all that, I still think it is one of the best places on Earth to live (I won't go so far as to say it is THE best place). Nice to hear that many of you from other countries seem to have a healthy view of us, as well Thanks.

 

[TheDuckOfFlanders]

To leowind:

Well i tottaly agree with you ,i see we have pretty much the same oppinion.
I didn't suspect such a reply of an American though.It's so Objective.

 

[Damien]

I DON'T HATE AMERICA or americans!
What i HATE is the american system.
Bureaucratic n non-democratic system.
What makes europeans dislike America is that americans r "too proud" of their country n they accept anything because of their national pride.
When Kennedy was killed by CIA for exemple.
U don't have to be proud when u know that 1/3 of the americans r poor.
Yea all those facts really make us

 

[G-Man]

Why do Europeans care so much about what's going on in the US? Let them elect whoever they want and live they want to. I don't see european countries doing any more for people around the world then the US does...