or is prejudice against America considered OK by most of mumsnet?

[VajazzHands]

Comments about America on mumsnet, really ridiculous comments (basically that all Americans, are fat, stupid, god botherers bent on taking over the world) seem to be largely ignored and accepted as fact in a way that comments about any other country never would.

Blatant sexism, racism, xenophobia, disablism would never be tolerated on MN in any other circumstance. Why do people let it go about Americans?

I'm not saying posters don't say stuff like that, but I've never come across it, got any links to the threads?

Of course it's not OK to slag people off for just coming from America, on the other hand what you're talking about could be classed as opinion and open to discussion?

Because Americans aren't seen to be a group historically disadvantaged or discriminated against?

Because people aren't talking about all americans, or saying that if you are american you will be X, Y, Z but are talking about 'god botherers' (to use one of your examples) who are american.

So - not that you are a 'god botherer' because you are american (comparable - you are whatever because you are black) but talking about american 'god botherers'.

If that makes any sense?

I don't know. It may be bollocks. I just wonder if there is a difference between saying some people are whatever and saying that because people are from a particular place, that is the reason they are whatever.

Now it's as clear as mud.

sorry.

I think that there is a certain section of society that thinks it is somehow clever or fashionable to be anti-american (and by the same token would never, ever criticise a muslim for eg). There is a bit of British smuggery that goes with it somehow, as if we are so totally superior to those ill-educated, badly dressed over-achievers across the water. Weird, really. And probably fuelled by jealousy? I've met a fair few yanks, mainly forces as we live near a US air base, and they have all been really lovely and friendly.

Hecate, I suppose like saying British people are miserable fuckers could also work the other way as well, that because British people live in Britain, that's the reason they're miserable fuckers.

But there's always one fucker who comes on saying 'Well I'm not a miserable fucker and I'm British' (usually before they drip feed the fact they live in Australia now)

A few recently have made wide genralised claims about Americans and it is more the fact that claims wern't disputed rather than a that a few asses made the claims.

I won't link because I've disputed it on the threads I just find it really obnoxious that people assume they know all about a such a massive country. I would never have claimed to know all about the UK based on things I saw on films and TV, all my knowledge about it comes from living there with my English husband. Even after 6 years I was always suprised by somethign new I learned everyday.

Gah, my first "WSS" to Callisto.

What I really love about my American friends is just how damned positive they are. I feel that mn like to wallow in misery. The "yanks" want to improve their lot. :)

I think we generally (*and v politely) disagree don't we?

if it is Xenia's comments then i feel sure she would not have made them without being able to back them up with a poll or somesuch. she's like that.

Callisto Tbh I can't remember, I just never wanted to turn in to one of those women who says things like "WSS" or "Link please" or "+1".

I may as well just toss my keyboard and get a like button.

Yeah Aitch it was those comments that most recently wound me up!

To actually say, Americans are behind us" I can't really fathom why that wasn't jumped on.

OP, I've spent the last 3 years pointing out the same thing when I can be arsed

Even when the OP doesn't mean it to be a 'let's slag off Americans' thread, there will be a bunch of people who turn it into one. Best to hide and ignore.

I really don't like any lumping together and deriding of any race, creed, nation or whatever. It kind of shows a person's stupidity don't you think? You get morons in every one of the above categories so why single one out? I agree with the OP - don't know that I've seen much of it here but you do see it a lot on other forums

Always think Americans have a cool way of talking, and putting things in VERY fluent and articulate way. They don't seem to go "hum" "um" "er" "innit" like we British!

Actually you guys are ruinign my point by not being arses.

Can I just use this platform of, say, like 5 people to make some comments about some of the more ill informed ideas about americans?

1. We really aren't a Christian country unlike in the UK public schools follow a strict seperation of church and state. Everything I know about the bible I larned outside of school. I never once prayed in school or attended a religious assembly. Even our Christmas plays etc were largely secular with no nativity or mention of god.

1. We never leave the US or have passports this is most likely due to the fact that many Americans only get 2 weeks leave a year (assuming they get any. I have worked jobs where I was not given any holiday entitlement). If you only had 2 weeks a year you probably wouldn't spend 2 of those days travelling somewhere. America is a very big country and it takes us a very long while to get anywhere. We can not just Easyjet to France for 2£ in an hour and half. Many Americans spend their whold lives planning one special trip to Europe and have to do the whole bloody continent in 2 weeks because they know it's their only chance.

AlpinePony - SO true. I love that Americans always join in any group activity, with gusto, especially the expats.

OK how about I throw into the equation you don't get irony??

Prejudice against Scots is acceptable here, too, because everyone knows they all hate the English.

Because, basically, its schadenfreude. The rest of the world has had decades of having to swallow Americans believing that they are a superior species to the rest of the world, the exceptionalism, the shining city on the hill, all that guff. Now that chinks are showing in the supreme self-confidence, people who have felt looked down on by Americans are quite enjoying it. Personally I love America and Americans, I like the optimism, the fact that they don't f* about but get on with things etc. But I do resent the fact that the American soul has a built in belief that its better than the soul of a person from anywhere else. We old Europeans know that America is just another declining empire like Britain was or Rome was or Greece or etc etc and we're privately rather relieved that we can stop worshipping at the shrine. And that does lead to some rather racist and regrettable remarks being uttered, not only on mumsnet but in the media and across the UK. It will fade though, when we get used to China being top dog.

Stupid to be anti-American, but not stupid to criticise their administration or be at some things that go on there.

I have a number of American friends and yes, I do find the sneering Anti-US comments a bit much sometimes. It has become fashionable, along with dissing the Welsh. I am Welsh - so that makes me mad. Not lush at all!

You cannot lump a huge country in one small box but reductionism makes people feel safe, cosy. There is a simplistic belief that all that is wrong with the world stems from the US. It's not helped by freakish documentaries about extreme religions and beliefs there.

Champersonice is this 2 threads now where we discuss the definition of irony! I do get it.

Thats fair enough Insomnia11 you can dislike a government without dislinking its people

See what I mean. Mostly just ignore. The ones banging on about Scots, too, and how they're leeches on the English, miserable, hate the English, etc.

Loads of those, too.

Not worth engaging with anyone who makes sweeping generalisations about any place, IMO.

You self identify as a Christian country. 'In god we trust?', Presidents throwing god into speeches, athletes who throw god in to post victory interviews and polls which show the vast majority of Americans believe in god and identify themselves as christian.

"chinks"? FFS.