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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to think --some-- Americans are just stupid!

275 replies

Ithinkitsjustme · 30/07/2012 12:15

Have just heard that during the Olympic opening ceremony, when Sir Tim Berners-Lee was revealed, NBC commentators came out with "Who's he?" and told viewers that they would have to Google him to find out who he was! Which, ironically would have been impossible without his invention, Grin.

OP posts:
LurkingAndLearningLovesCats · 30/07/2012 14:55

If us Aussies take over the world, it will be via inflicting you all with Vegemite you evil bastards! MWAHAHHAHAHHAHHA!!

Seriously though, I have many wonderful very close (well, internet close) Yank mates who are very intelligent. I've had some very funny encounters with Americans here, but they're a very friendly bunch and labelling like this isn't fair. YABU. If I said AIBU to think some Brits are stupid, it would be just as offensive.

Stupid people exist everywhere.

amillionyears · 30/07/2012 14:58

This poster only seems to post in AIBU,but up till now did seem to make reasonable posts.
op,are you going to name change now, or apologise,or carry on?

I had heard that some posters were anti american but had not seen it up to now.

DeWe · 30/07/2012 15:01

Yep. You're probably right. I imagine the Americans are just like any other nation and have a distribution of people around average intelligence. Some Americans will be stupid and some will be very clever, but most will be round average. Hmm

Zealey · 30/07/2012 15:02

Racism is racism. You are being racist. Just because Americans are largely assumed to be white it's ok? Imagine your post said 'Am I being unreasonable to think Pakistanis are stupid'.

amillionyears · 30/07/2012 15:07

AIBU to think you are just stupid.

copied what you put.
Doesnt feel nice now does it.

You need to practice putting yourself in other peoples shoes,and teach your children the same.

Tee2072 · 30/07/2012 15:13

It isn't racist to say 'Americans are stupid' because, hey, America isn't a race.

Tee2072 · 30/07/2012 15:14

In, fact, America isn't even a country. There is no country called America.

dreamingbohemian · 30/07/2012 15:16

I agree, it's prejudiced and offensive but not racist (at least from an American POV).

Zealey · 30/07/2012 15:23

Pakistan isn't a Race either. But see how far you get putting posts like that... UABU and a bit shitty to boot

WilsonFrickett · 30/07/2012 15:38

In my defence Jodie and Joyful the sound was off...

(knows that's no defence)

AmIthatbad · 30/07/2012 17:12

Well, I didn't know who he was and I don't think I'm particularly stupid. And I'm not American either.

I also thought that the arena had shades of Hard Times about it - so thought Sir Kenny was Dickens Blush

I even said to DD - "Oh look, that's the man that wrote Oliver Twist".

She responded "is that him in real life" Grin

Kladdkaka · 30/07/2012 17:21

According to the CPS, in the UK race means:

'any group of people who are defined by reference to their race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin. This could include Gypsies and Travellers, refugees, or asylum seekers or others from less visible minorities. There has been a legal ruling that Jews and Sikhs are included in the definition of racial group.'

Dprince · 30/07/2012 17:30

the OP is offensive. Very offensive.
I am now pissed off as I really was some Reese pieces and I am dieting.
also an Americano, is not a black coffee. It is a black coffee with an extra shot. A normal black coffee, should be a black coffee.

Original poster
Ithinkitsjustme · 30/07/2012 17:32

Wow, I've been out this afternoon and hadn't expected to get the responses I have had. Serious apologies if I offended anyone, I was tickled by the NBC telling people to google "Sir Berners-Lee" and meant to start a light hearted thread. I'll wait 5 minutes so people can read this apology and then delete the thread.

OP posts:
tigercametotea · 30/07/2012 17:41

The problem is, you used "stupid" and "American" in the same jibe.

Now to Google who Sir Tim whats-his-name is.

Original poster
Ithinkitsjustme · 30/07/2012 17:47

Now to show how stupid I am, does anyone know how to remove a thread?

OP posts:
Trills · 30/07/2012 17:48

Click "report" and ask MNHQ nicely.

ivykaty44 · 30/07/2012 17:50

nice of you to say sorry

Tee2072 · 30/07/2012 17:56

No, an Americano is a shot with some hot water.

Black coffee is not espresso.

It also isn't made with something that actually dissolves, unless you like sugar. That dissolves.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 30/07/2012 17:58

so pleased there's a 'stupid Americans' thread...

As you were...

Tee2072 · 30/07/2012 18:01

Pleased? Hmm

Also, doubt they'll delete it, OP. It's actually fairly calm for such a bad beginning.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 30/07/2012 18:05

Tee, just showing that Americans do irony. Oh they won't delete it. It's fine to refer to Americans, even 'some' as stupid. But if you substitute any other nationality, it would be racist.

Tee2072 · 30/07/2012 18:06

Ah, okay. Being a bit dense tonight, it would appear.

Oh yes, Americanismist is rampant on MN. That's a fact.

Original poster
Ithinkitsjustme · 30/07/2012 18:06

Oh well, if they won't delete it I might have to go with a namechange after all Grin except that I haven't got a clue how to do that either! (I have asked them, VERY nicely!!)

OP posts:
Dprince · 30/07/2012 18:10

I didn't say an Americano is an espresso. I said its a coffee with and extra shot. So a black coffee with an extra shot.
An espresso is an espresso.