Does the rest of the world hate still hate Americans?

I'm thinking of taking a semester abroad in England. Both of my parents are on board. But, they both think I should lie about where I am from. My dad told me to watch the movie "Hostile". I understand where they are coming from and I think they are over reacting. In some parts of the world I'm sure people despise Americans, but England?

I have met students from Germany and Australia. Everyone just seems to be interested and intrigued by them. There is never any hostility.

 

There will be people anywhere that don't like where someone is from, the Majority will with not care where you are from or be interested.

 

I ran into more trouble with other foreigners in England than the English themselves. Like LeHaM said, 99% of people dont care. Just dont try to be a stereotypical tough guy.

 

People here tend to dislike "america" and "americans" in the sense of the whole - I.e. Don't like the wars we get dragged into with you, your attitude of ruling the world etc.

Most people have no problem with an American in the singular.

I hope you understand what I mean, but I doubt you will have any issues.

 

They'll hate you if you say THEY have the WRONG accent/language. Or if you overall act superior. That's what most people hate in the stereotypical American; the ethnocentrism some display. Just don't ask French (or foreign in general) people "Why don't you simply speak English like everyone?" or the like; I've seen that and it was not very welcome.

 

I don't think you would encounter any problems as long as you don't present yourself as an aggressively proud American. The biggest problem foreigners, especially from Europe, tend to have with American citizens is their notorious ignorance towards the rest of the world. I met people who thought that Austria did not exist ("Oooh, I know what you mean, it's spelled AustrALIA!"), could not imagine any other city planning than the American one ("What else would it be but a grid?") or didn't know shit about history except for their own ("Isn't WW2 over since, like, the 70s?"). Those quotes come from university students btw, or rather just 2 of them, both US

That being said, expect hospitality rather than hostility. Especially Europeans are generally positive towards the US because it still retains its reputation of a country full of opportunity and nice landscapes (although given the current situation, I guess not as many would want to emigrate anymore as before) and they will happily talk to you about their culture and ask you about yours.

Just, as I said, don't be too proud. Europeans are understating everything, whereas Americans are always overstating. If a person is doing very well and you ask him, "How's your day?", someone from France/Germany/Denmark would probably respond humbly "Not too bad!" whereas Chuck from Nebraska would probably say "I'm doing great, today is AWSUM"... cultural difference

 

I think you mean "Hostel", which is a movie about a group of American college students who stay in a hostel somewhere in Europe, and they're brutally tortured and murdered. I don't think that's a very likely thing to happen.

I'm personally not all that happy with what my country is doing as a whole, so I don't think I would have a superior attitude if I went abroad. If a foreigner started criticizing the US (and if they were legitimate criticisms), I'm likely to to say, "Yes, I agree."

 

Quoted for truth. Just be a nice guy. I'm British and have loads of great American drinking buddies and then there are a few arse holes who think the whole world evolves around them. Just don't be like those arse hole and you'll be fine

 

Don't be a typical arsehole American, don't think your country is superior to the rest, don't think the World revolves around you and don't talk about the war in the Middle East, particularly supporting it and talking about all your brave soldiers and what marvellous people they are. Oh, and learn to talk proper English. And that the Second World War started in 1939.

Heh, I'm kidding... although those are the sorts of things that piss people off about Americans. Most people won't care and if you do bump into xenophobic people, just be friendly or keep quiet! You could always prove you're not like whatever stereotype they don't like about Americans.

 

I'm a natural born American citizen and I hate this country. Everything has gone to h*** and back with the Obama rule.

As for "Americans" in the singular sense, I have no problem if they don't treat me like s***. Same goes for anyone from anywhere.

But "America" as a whole? F*** this place. That is all.

 

The Obama administration has presented its fair share of issues, but some (i.e. me) might argue that America's been going steadily downhill as a whole for the past ~40-70 years.

As for the actual subject, most English people seem to be cool with Americans so long as they don't act like constant reminders of their birthplace.

Although (and I'm aware this far from speaks for all English people), I do find it kinda amusing that England ranks in the top 3 countries rudest to foreigners/tourists yet America's not even in the top 5.

 

I am just really interested if Americans talk like they do on the TV, like sure = "shhhhuuuuuuurrrrr".

 

The way I see it depends on you more than where you are from. If you can't read the atmosphere of where you are and act accordingly then it is best not to go.

 

I think it was somewhere in Bratislava, Slovakia. I bet a lot of tourists probably avoid the country altogether because of this movie which sucks. Travelling anywhere overseas can be dangeorous especially when you are doing so on your own and don't speak the native language

 

Except here in Quebec city. Its a tourist hotspot so people are used to tourists and the city has possibly the lowest crime rate amongst major cities in America.

 

I haven't laughed so hard at a thread in a long time. Thanks for all the replies! I heard what I expected to hear.

"Hostel" Yep, that was the movie I was thinking of.

Saint Louis, MO isn't the south. We don't have a bad accent. I'm not Billy Bob from Alabama, "Goin to wrangle me up some gators fo suppa".

@Assembler Americans... Touchy? Where are you from?

I could care-a-less about being from America. All the douche bag kids from high school are now in the military. Our military is FAAARRR from elite. I am not one to be patriotic.

I'm generally pretty quite until I get a feel for my surroundings. As I figured, Shut-Up, Keep a low Profile, and be courteous.

 

I think you're being overly cynical, ASSEMbler. You make it sound like everyone in Europe is just looking for any possible reason to beat the shit out of you or give you a hard time. I haven't been out of the country much, but I really don't think it's that bad. And another thing to consider is that not everybody in a particular country acts exactly like everyone else in that country, or even the specific region they're living in. That's true both of Americans and of other countries, I think. This is the problem with making broad generalizations. We're all just people, and these invisible borders we call countries don't really change who we are, I think.

I'm not sure if you're right about the "touchy-feely" thing. I'm not sure about Europe, but I know there are some South American countries that are much more touchy feely than we are. For example, in some countries individuals' sense of personal space is much tighter than what we're used to - so if you're having a conversation with someone, they may want to naturally stand just a few inches away from your face. There are also cultures where it's traditional to kiss every person you meet, regardless of their gender.

 

I don't know how wide spread it is now, but I remember seeing travelers who pin Canadian flags and stuff to their bags and clothes even though they weren't Canadian. Sometimes to be friendly you try to strike up a conversation and ask what part of Canada they are from and stuff, but they don't know anything about Canada. I remember one guy who got caught by a friend, and after finding out we were Canadian, he fessed up and said "Don't mention it, but I'm just pretending to be Canadian because they'll treat me way better than if I said I was American" or something to that effect.