NationStates Jolt Archive

I was wondering what people from the British isles, who views lay mostly in the middle, think of the people of the United States and not of U.S. government.

I am a centrist UK national. :)

With a few exceptions personally known to me, my opinion is generally low. The US is a democracy after all, indeed the democracy self-appointed as a standard for the rest of the world to aspire to, and in view of this one must admit that the government and its actions is representative of its people. It is difficult to distinguish between the people and the state in a democracy.

Some are alright, some aren't, some are mean bastards, from the few i've met.

I'm Irish. Can I vote?

I voted with my shoulders. I would've gone for 'Their alright', but for the horrendous misuse of 'their'.

It's difficult. More than half of the Americans who voted in the last election voted for Bush. That's a minus point. The media repeatedly reports stories that seem specifically designed to portray the Americans negatively. Again, a minus.

However, my experience on this forum has shown me that for the most part, they are civil, respectful people. While they may hold views that I disagree with, that in itself is not a reason to dislike them. So overall, they seem like a decent bunch of people, if a little isolationist.

But you used 'their' not 'they're', so I voted differently.

politics, religion, "patriotism" and militarism (as well as rampant consumerism and this dogged love of capitalism) aside, generally nice people. i voted "their ok" because i have to overlook too many things to go one better......that said, i'm not exactly moderate. so, ignore me :)

Don't be so harsh on them. It's not like they have better choice when we have here in the UK. At least we actually HAVE a third a party.

Well, many Americans feel that stronger relations with European countries will help the U.S. and Europe as a whole. To me personally I think that the idea of this is good and that Europe and the U.S. should work more together and compromise more on issues. Such as in Iraq since many European countries in NATO want to withdraw their soldiers then they should be allowed to by the U.S. as long as those countries maintain diplomatic missions helping the Iraqi government stabilize itself and aide with advice and possibly with teams of volunteers and/or other resources.

I don't know them all, so I can not say anything about them as a group. Of the individuals I have met, they seem like the individuals of most other nationalities, some are complete prats, others are really great people and the majority are somewhere in between. So *shrug*.

Despite living in Brazil I am a British subject

From those that I have met, they tend to piss me off. However those I meet online, not so much (Except the evangelicals :@)

Plus the American accent grates on my nerves.

And meeting American tourists really doesn't help matters.

And to seal it, 51% voted Bush. Therefore, more than half of those who voted are idiots.

Yanks are the same as everyone else. As individuals they are mostly alright. It is when you get them in large groups that things start to go awry ...

Im american, but if I were to put myself in another region and view us through their eyes, I wouldnt really care for them much - sad but true

PS, if anyone has a free trip out of the country, this soul will take it!

I think they're generally good people, no better or worse than the people of any other nation. It's always important to distinguish between the state and the citizens of that state; I also think it's important to distinguish between a persons political views and the person themselves - just because I disagree with them doesn't necessarily make them automatically a 'bad person.'

Too arrogant and stuck up.. I don't like them.

Its strange, I have grown to despise the bush administration but every american I have met so far has been a great person. Its like you guys have a split personality when it comes to voting or something. Either that or I havent met anyone from the south of the US yet.

My biggest qualm with what I see to be Americans is the tendency to split every single issue into two and to fight fiercely for the side they pick without compromise. The whole patriotism thing is an issue for me too; national pride has been the cause of almost every conflict in recent times, so why continue it? Beyond that, they're decent people. Any other problems that may be apparent are merely derivations of the above two.

Its strange, I have grown to despise the bush administration but every american I have met so far has been a great person. Its like you guys have a split personality when it comes to voting or something. Either that or I havent met anyone from the south of the US yet.
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from what i have experienced, people only like the president BEFORE that person becomes president. once they get to be president, we all hate em! Go figure!

A person above made mention about patriotism. I agree somewhat. Patriotism is encoded into our minds at an early age, starting at school with national pledges, flags, etc. Most americans cant help but to be patriot, because to us the only unpatriotic people are neo-nazi's and other extremists. Many of us are patriotic because we feel it is best to support our government. Some have that concept of "we are bad a$$ and we know it". I think part of american pride comes from americans are never taught the loosers side of the story (especially with wars). I understand to an extent why some other countries dislike america. We are a very prideful nation, and this is taught to be a good thing. It is encouraged that other nations should not judge america by what they see on television, and ESPECIALLY the news. Both are horrid distortions of what real life is like here.

I've spoken to LOTS of morons from the US, but some of them actually have a brain.
I don't like the way some Americans just do whatever TRL tells them to do so that they'll be "cool".

many americans hate that too, but we are a strong greedy country. if it looks cool, you gotta have it! I agree with you 100% on that one. And sadly, it is mostly true!

I'd just like to point out, Americans like the British, but that still doesn't mean we care what you think.

The average American has no knowledge of anything beyond our borders if it's not on the nightly news constantly. And they're quite happy to remain that way.

*snip*Pretty much everything (s)he said. I find Americans here painful to deal with (mostly tourists admittedly, but more long-term residents at times too), but in their own country many of them are fine...it seems to depend where you go.

Overall, my view of the culture of the place is a generally negative one, but that does not mean that is what I think about every single individual there. I'm pretty much dead centre in terms of my politics (well, by UK standards!).

Hm.... I'm not British, I am Italian, but I think living in the US for my education has definently helped me to formulate an opinion.

Quite honestly, I have a complete lack of respect for 90% of American men. It seems that American men are incapable of doing anything outside of the male gender role and have no respect what so ever for women, most of them wouldn't last a day in an Italian home. And those who have evolved outside of the gender role, might as well be women. It seems the American continent is entirely lacking in balanced males who can be virile but also cook a meal and protect their family. Also, men my age seem to be complete and utter idiots who somehow manage to be arrogant and annoying all at the same time.

The women don't bother me. While the females around my age are either party animals, or recluses, there are a few moderates. Although, regardless of attitude they are generally friendly and for the most part good women. Although, the far west and far east of the US has some of the most giddy women I have ever met...

Politically, I don't really care, because a person's politics don't dictate their personality. And as far as attractiveness goes, they don't have the most unnattractive people I've seen in a country but they come close.

Finally, as tourists in my home-town, there are both idiots and intellectuals. Some of them ask their question in an intelligent way and move on, and some of them are incapable of formulating a question and then act like flippin idiots because of my accent.

I was wondering what people from the British isles, who views lay mostly in the middle, think of the people of the United States and not of U.S. government.

"Question for moderate U.K. citizens?"
"...British Isles..."

Just to clarify, those who reside in the "British Isles" are not U.K citizens as the U.K does not encompass the "British Isles".

Britain =/=British Isles.

"Question for moderate U.K. citizens?"
"...British Isles..."

Just to clarify, those who reside in the "British Isles" are not U.K citizens as the U.K does not encompass the "British Isles".

Britain =/=British Isles.
*Nod*

Do the Irish get a say in this?

*Nod*

Do the Irish get a say in this?Well an Italian already has, so why not? We'll just hand out honourary British Citizenship to everyone for the duration of this thread.

Like the French, the US-ians are alright. ( But nuffin much to shout about as there is shouted about. )