The American Stereotype

[Antares]

I couldn't sleep and was snooping around GT and came across this question.
What do Europeans think of Americans?

Now, I have my thoughts on what they think but obviously I am not completely sure because the only times I have met someone that truly lived in Europe, they wouldn't have actually told us.
I was reading the responses and I came across this one that made me ROFL

The stereotypical American i dislike. But from speaking to many Americans both on govteen, as well as having a very good American friend, i know that the stereotypical american only applies to a low number of people.

The "stereotypical" American that i visualise is someone who is very narrow minded and is quite homophobic and racist, someone who is very, VERY religious, and believes in "The American Dream" and thinks they can do what they want, when they want because its their right as an American. The stereotypical American has an arsenal of weaponry at his home and drives a truck with the biggest engine you can possibly find/afford.

The above only applies to some people. Some bits apply to some, other bits do not. For example, California recently confirming that gay couples cannot wed. Clearly, 52% of California are far too religious/homophobic to leave us gays in peace.

Now, I was reading and I was thinking, "wow, this is completely true". Although most Americans would deny these statements with gusto, I think that it is quite true.

I know we don't have a large foreign base on this site but what do you think of Americans (if you don't live in the US) and for the Americans, what do you think our stereotypes are and why?

[BuryYourFlame]

I think this video here gives the general Aussie view of the average American:
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Edit: just a side note...this doesn't express my point of view, just that of the hosts of the show.

[INFERNO]

I agree that this stereotype is accurate for a limited population of Americans, although I don't quite support the notion of religiousness as evidenced by this article: CLICKIE CLICK HERE (http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/09/us.religion.less.christian/). I suppose I'm a bit unsure on the religious part but the rest, I'm more certain on it applying to a limited population.

[overcome.]

Being a non-American, what you've described from my point of view I believe to be a stereotype of Southern Americans, say from Texas for example. Racist, has a big truck, goes hunting, has a large collection of weapons (guns) and stuff.

I won't judge, but I guess you can blame the media for this negative portrayal of (some) Americans. It's like the whole English stereotype, we eat fish and chips every night, drink plenty of tea, eat cucumber sandwiches and are either a fan of watching cricket all day, or working on becoming a better football hooligan at the weekends while we drink litres of beer at the pub. For me, I do none of these things, cricket and football both bore me, I don't drink, although fish and chips are ok.

Going back to generalisations of Americans. I think like every country, wherever you go there will be different kinds of people who all sport different interests, styles, looks, etc. We're more educated on America than other countries due to the fact that we see tonnes of American TV programs that give off these stereotypes. Ideas can include that all men in California from say 16-24 will be tanned guys who work out, go surfing when they can, use "bro" and "dude" all the time when talking to people and are basically pretty boys who take care of themselves extra well. Nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, in my eyes it's called self respect. That's a stereotype you'd get from something like Saved by the Bell (Zack Morris or AC Slater). We are given a stereotype of New Yorkers to be rough crooks that will mug you for whatever money you have, and anybody in the South is racist/homophobic or lives on a farm.

Those are the stereotypes I see plastered over TV and from other media sources, coming from an Englishman. I don't know about anybody else...

[Sage]

A blame the Republicans. Or, to be more precise, the ones on the very extreme fringe. They're such a small part of the population and yet soil America's image to the rest of the world.

[ShatteredWings]

Southern stereotypes from the 1800s FTW lol Sorry, but that's what the american stereotype reminds me of. Manifest destiny(the "american dream"), slavery(racism), and the second great awakening(bible belt. If you didn't understand the reference and you're american, you need to work on your history).

I think it comes out for two reasons
History: Really. Go through the early US history, It's a hellovalot like the sterotypes
Media: What gets out to internat. markets? Americans being total idiots in movies -- thank you hollywood -- and Fox news.

[DoveGreySands]

I hate to sound offensive, I for one don't believe it one bit, but the main stereotype over here is that you aren't a very bright bunch, who believe that everything in america bodes true in the rest of the world. You're deeply religious and don't seem no know much about the outside word.

I suppose with some americans i've talked to this is true, but with most it's couldn't be any more wrong. Some of the cleverest people I know are american and others I couldn't meet any nicer people.

[JackOfClubs]

I think this picture sums up the European stereotypic view of Americans. :P
http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/political-pictures-moonshiners-america-europeans.jpg

Sure there are Americans like this (I've driven through southern Kentucky :P) but I find that most Americans are nice, sociable people. I agree that the typical European to American stereotype is based on Americans of the 1800s and before. Though I do have a friend that meets that stereotype quite perfectly...

[Antares]

Someone said that Republicans constitute a small proportion of the nation. Thats inaccurate. They're like...48 percent of the general public.

Someone else said that the stereotype that that person put (the one i quoted in the first post) is only for the southerners. I as an American, can attest to the fact that all over the US you can find big truck, gun lovin, and racist people. In the rural or states with less major cities especially, you can find them. They are all over.

Personally, stereotypes come from truths...so the image of us being...stupid, or hillbillies...maybe mean that some of us are stupid and hillbilly ish :P thats just my take kinda

[ShatteredWings]

Someone said that Republicans constitute a small proportion of the nation. Thats inaccurate. They're like...48 percent of the general public.
No, but the radical republicans, the ones who are totally bigotted assholes, do not make up the entire republican party

[KaelKaos]

Every country has some stereotype about the other.

For example, maybe Americans believe French people to be snooty and stuck up, and that all Canadians say Eh?

Now to the question. I would say our sterotypes would be that us Americans think we are the best, and that we can't mind our own buisness.

On a lighter note, I also know for a fact that many foreign people think Americans put ketchup on everything. :D

[Antares]

People do put ketchup on nearly everything :P
Even fried chicken :P

French I hear aren't snooty unless you act really ignorant with them, which is understandable.

And yea the really far left Americans dont make up many peopel but they seem to have some effect on the entire left wing.

[KaelKaos]

People do put ketchup on nearly everything :P
Even fried chicken :P

French I hear aren't snooty unless you act really ignorant with them, which is understandable.

And yea the really far left Americans dont make up many peopel but they seem to have some effect on the entire left wing.


That makes sense.

I also hear that if you speak French to them they get offended, but hey, just another rumor.

[Antares]

That makes sense.

I also hear that if you speak French to them they get offended, but hey, just another rumor.

I also hear that if you speak French to them horribly and you say things things that mean different things than you think they mean they can get offended...that makes sense.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

my thought of the US is a government that intereres too much and a population that has no idea of the outside world.

so far every american i know doesnt meet that stereotype.

[Oren]

Canadian stereotypes are more funny. I hate stereotypes/prejudice but there are some good points.

[Zephyr]

There arn't any clear indicators as to what makes one a stereotypical American. Not all Republicans are that way, nor southerners, nor people from small towns.

Quite frankly, I've never met anybody who's the perfect stereotypical American. People pick the worst cultural characteristics, stick them all together, and assume that everybody in that particular country is exactly like that.

Not every Aussie is a crocodile dundee, not every Mexican is a border-hopping lazy beaner, not every British person is a tea-sipping snob, not every Canadian is a hockey-nut Dudley-Do-Right, not every American is a narrow-minded fat-ass, etc. etc.

There are people in the media who purposefully go out and 'randomly' find people of these stereotypes to show on television so that the rest of the world gets a sample of the so called 'average' American. It's quite sad really.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

There are people in the media who purposefully go out and 'randomly' find people of these stereotypes to show on television so that the rest of the world gets a sample of the so called 'average' American. It's quite sad really.

if you are talking about the vid in this thread, the people who made it are people who try and make everything seem bad, in a comedic way.

[Perseus]

That makes sense.

I also hear that if you speak French to them they get offended, but hey, just another rumor.

Actually, from what I've heard(heard this from my French teacher), if an American speaks French to them, they get happy because they are proud of their language. Why would they get mad?

Most stereotypes aren't true. Especially in the South, since y'know, I live down here, I would know. You barely see any radical, racist, homophobes down here anymore. There are some racist kids that I went to middleschool with who are at different highschools who just are fucking annoying with their racism.

[KaelKaos]

Actually, from what I've heard(heard this from my French teacher), if an American speaks French to them, they get happy because they are proud of their language. Why would they get mad?

Most stereotypes aren't true. Especially in the South, since y'know, I live down here, I would know. You barely see any radical, racist, homophobes down here anymore. There are some racist kids that I went to middleschool with who are at different highschools who just are fucking annoying with their racism.

Really? I heard they get mad because we are "butchering" their language with accents and wrong pronunciation of words.

[Zephyr]

if you are talking about the vid in this thread, the people who made it are people who try and make everything seem bad, in a comedic way.

No, I love the Chaser, I know that they intend to make things look bad for entertainment. I'm talking about media around the world.

[Sapphire]

Tbh, when I think of Americans I think of stubborn, religious hypochondriacs lol

[The Joker]

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The fact that politicians were so unaware about Canada, that's what pisses me off.

Stereotypically, I think of the Northerners as the smarter ones, and Southerners as dumb. I know that is more than likely not true.

[Antares]

Well keep in mind that state politicians really don't need too know much about Canada (unless its their neighbor).

Honestly that video is a little tricky because obviously you will be led to believe that what the guy is saying is true because he is a Canadian reporter with a camera crew...

But the point is that Americans are oblivious to other countries and cultures which is really sad.

[The Joker]

OK, not so worried about the STATE politicians, but the fact that Al Gore and George Bush didn't know, that's just retarded.