Do you dislike Americans?

[Kismett]

I feel like I often read posts online that are insulting American people, culture, food, etc. In person people are generally nice to me in the UK, although I do get unsolicited comments about how our chocolate is shit or they'd never want to live in the US. It's not a great feeling, to be honest. But is this how most people really feel?

I think the main issue is Trump. Many people might not think too highly of the people of a country who voted him in. I'm not saying that's right but it's caused a lot of questions and opinions.

As a Brit who is now a US Citizen. Americans are more friendly, approachable and community focused than British people.

The USA is how the UK used to be in terms of safety, friendliness etc.

I didn’t vote for Trump but I do own guns.

American chocolate isn’t the best, but British chocolate has changed so much recently it isn’t any better!!!!

How can anyone say they like or dislike all people from one country?

Everyone was lovely when I went to NYC some years ago; I mean everyone, every single person I interacted with. Blew me away how friendly and open everyone is.

DP has American parents (he's German) and his mum is just like those New Yorkers; just so open and loving.

American tourists however - when I've been to other countries - have without exception been loud, impolite, and racist.

So when you smush all that together I guess I'd generalise that Americans are like people of any other nation: a mix of the good and the not so good.

The chocolate is foul though, and social and political attitudes to healthcare, poverty and gun control just - to me - mind boggling.

I think there's a difference between disliking the nation and disliking cultural imperialism. Saying that baby showers, Halloween, 'mom' and engagement parties are a tacky import (however inaccurate) is about that, not whether people like Americans.

I don't like having shitty American junk food shops on every corner. I hate the predominance of American films and TV. Doesn't mean I dislike Americans.

I’ve liked every American I’ve known.

But in tourism I’ve seen some awful and very arrogant behaviour from coach parties of American tourists. They genuinely believe they’re from the greatest nation on earth and that the rest of us would do anything to be them.

But I wouldn’t judge the whole country on that anymore than I’d judge the U.K. on some drunken yobs in magaluf.

no not at all, what a strange question.

American people that we meet here are perfectly charming, with more old fashioned manners than we have, I think.

Do you remember Borat? I think that showed how polite and kind Americans are, more than anything. Especially the driving instructor, the guys on the street.

You might find people moaning about the Americanisation of our culture...

One view of Americans is that they are like the American tourists in 'harry and Paul'. Sorry cannot link to it right now, but it is on youtube.

Ah sorry OP...I didn't mean to imply that I thought that 'you' were sad...what I meant was, that I am saddened that you feel how you feel in your OP where you read insulting things online. That upsets me. I hate that you read those things...that can't be nice for you!

It’s just not possible to judge a nation of what 200 million people in the basis of the handful you meet on a holiday etc.

I think you’re a bit naive though OP if you think people won’t articulate their thoughts on Trump and guns or big ticket items like that. We take an active interest.

And you cannot deny the chocolate is minging. It is a fact.

..but sorry Hershey's Kisses should be renamed Hershey's Sicky Burps.

American living in England for 10 years and yes it was very difficult for the first few years. I still haven’t made a friend but I stopped trying in my third year. My work colleagues are wonderful and this is my home now. And yes, American chocolate is shite but if you like it then eat it! 😁 And take your holidays! The British understand work/life balance and it’s great.

Having lived in the States for 8 years I'm laughing at some of the bullshit in this thread.

No other country would be allowed to take the bashing America does on mn.

People where I live at least are mostly kind, funny and extremely generous. And not at ALL pushy or loud.

America is huge for fucks sake. It's like comparing someone from the UK to someone from Russia.

I've quite a few American penpals and they are nice kind people. But they seem very ignorant of anywhere but there. I was told it was a shame I can't vote and I'm stuck with the Queen

yes one American said to me 'you guys hate the Irish right?' like it was really simple and just like that.
Er no, my granny is Irish..

The only things I dislike about American culture is that a great many of them appear to believe in rubbish. Most of the alien, ufo, fake moon landings and flat earthers seem to be American.

They also seem to believe in god and keep banging on about god in online comments. God saved this person, god helped that person, god is fantastic because he created these cute animals etc. It’s very childlike and evidence of sloppy thinking to attribute absolutely anything and everything to a ‘god’.

I have one American relative by marriage and he’s okay, but very religious and rather hyperactive.

Nothing against Americans. American food or 'culture' in the other hand.... I don't like British food either if that makes it any better. I have this weird thing where I don't like my food tasting of plastic.

I've met Americans who are compicit in this, eager to suck up to what they see as higher standards here in Europe, and I wonder if everyone who is overtly critical just expects you to agree so you can prove you're the right kind of American. (I get a more specific version of this when other Americans hear I'm from NJ and then I'm meant to join in the 'armpit of America' banter.)*

I've lived uneventfully in the UK for 30yrs, am naturalised, dh is English and I feel pretty assimilated but equally I'm unashamed of where I'm from and the language I speak. Of course we pronounce and spell things differently, act differently etc. The US has been an independent country since the 18th c and has its own culture and dialect. Every anglophone country is different to the UK in its own way.

I am not fond of some of what I see as American traits/values (individualism trumps consensus, attention-seeking, sensation-seeking, lots of loud complaining every time anyone has to wait a few fucking minutes for anything) but this is probably why I'm comfortable in the UK.

*(Writing this waterside at the sunny Jersey shore.)

Would totally consider living in America by the way. Just don't expect respect for shit food or a lack of culture.

Of the many people I know here NONE believe in 'weird stuff' and only a couple believe in God and don't ram it down anyone's throats.

I wish people would stop fucking generalising, it's utterly ridiculous. Where are you getting this all from?

Can't some of you see how close minded and judgemental YOU'RE being?????

I'm leaving this thread now because it's ignorant, I'll informed and making my fucking blood boil.

Shit food???

I've never eaten so well as here.

We eat nothing processed, everything local and organic. We have some world class places to eat.

Fucking hell.

Septima please tell me people don't believe the earth is flat Surely no one, whatever country they are from, could believe that?

philosophyfruit there’s loads of them! Google “flat earthers” it’ll give you a giggle if nothing else

The thing is is America is bigger than the size of the EU geographically. I bet if you asked any number of British people about various countries in Europe they wouldn't have a scooby. So people saying that Americans seem ignorant of anywhere but there, just need to put it in that context.