Geography-related
Questions 51-60
Feel free to browse the following questions, some of which may
still await answers. You can then post an answer or counter an answer
that has already been posted. Please read the
guidelines for answering questions
before making a posting.
Previous 10 this topic
area 
Next 10 this topic area
THE
QUESTION:
G60: What is life like in Liberia?
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Stephen S., 31, San Antonio, TX
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G59: Why do Americans think Mexicans are taking over their
jobs?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
R. Garcia
<abqteachr@netscape.net>,
Albuquerque, NM
ANSWER 1:
That perception stems from the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), which lowered the economic barriers that prevented
U.S. companies from diverting their jobs south of the border, where
the labor market is much cheaper. At this point, I sense that
sentiment is more of a political issue than one of prejudice,
although I assume there are some out there who blame the Mexicans,
rather than the American politicians who passed the law. There are
others, though, who realize that NAFTA is an attempt to improve the
lives of all North Americans, not just those living in the United
States, and that we cannot in good conscience continue protectionist
policies that left our neighbors behind.
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Dan, 34
<dnh6n@virginia.edu>,
Charlottesville, VA
FURTHER NOTICE:
There are two main reasons for this misconception:
Corporate relocation and the constant reports of illegal immigration.
Corporations discovered it was easier to work in Mexico, under
less-strigent environmental regulations and labor laws, than it was
to stay in the United States. And while the case is sometimes
overstated, there is a constant problem of illegal immigration into
the United States from Mexico. This overshadows the fact that once a
Mexican legitimately immigrates into the United States, he or she has
as much right to a job as any other American. And from my experience,
unions do a great job demonizing both sides of the issue and
perpetuating this incorrect point of view.
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
John K., 25
<the-macs@geocities.com>,
Cranford, NJ
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Those of us who think Mexico is taking jobs away are not
really being honest with ourselves; we take the easy way out of how
to cope with irresponsible legislative loopholes and blame the people
of Mexico for our discomfort. Some companies change from supporting
the Americans who have supported them for years, and sell off their
interests in the United States, go south of our border and take
advantage of Mexican workers who may not be as organized and free.
Some of us have no experience with organized labor anyhow, and so our
perception is even more slanted toward blaming the people we can see
"benefitting" from our loss of long-term, well-paying jobs, instead
of the true problem of how to even out all of the world economies so
that everyone has equal chances to prosper.
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Camilla N., 40, white female former union carpenter, Millerton,
PA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Maybe you just perceive Americans' resentment of
illegal Mexican immigrants coming here to work. Personally, this
is the only class of Mexican workers I resent, and rightfully so, I
might add.
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Mark S., 30, white male, Houston , TX
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
It is simple. This is what happens: Immigrants come into
countries and take lower-paying jobs , which is perfectly acceptable.
But then Americans think they are too good to work with the
immigrants, so they leave those jobs. Then the immigrants slowly turn
to higher-paying jobs, and then Americans get out of those jobs
because they don't want to be equal to the immigrants. This creates a
huge gap where now almost every lawn maintenace guy in Florida is an
immigrant, and almost every McDonald's worker is an immigrant. This
is the same thing happening in France. The Arabs come in and take the
lower-paying jobs, and the French are snobs and won't work with the
immigrants. It's kind of sick.
POSTED DEC. 11, 1998
R.E.M.
<thesiegelfam@prodigy.net>
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G58: Recently I was at a youth hostel in Japan, and I met a
nice Mexican girl and we shared our respective views of America and
the world. In particular, we talked about the "world cop" position of
America. We had different viewpoints, and I would just like to know
what people from various parts of the world think about it. How do
you view the current global position of America?
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
M.S. <ms@gol.com>, Osaka,
Japan
ANSWER 1:
I think a lot of Swedes have mixed feelings about it. The
United States is "admired" and has a lot of influence on Swedish
culture, and most people are pro-United States. At the same time,
Jante�s law (Don�t think you�re better than anyone else) has a strong
influence in Sweden. The result is resentment and the question, "Why
do those Americans always think they�re better than anyone else?" The
Swedish intelligentsia prefer that a unanimous U.N. makes all
decisions. Personally, I think a strong democracy should influence
the world as much as possible, but I resent the hypocrisy of American
policymakers: Terrorism is fought by bombing civilians in Sudan and
Afghanistan; and Saddam Hussein is dealt with by killing up to a
million children in Iraq through the economic boycott.
POSTED DEC. 14, 1998
Peter
<peter.erlandsson@observer.se>,
Stockholm, Sweden
FURTHER NOTICE:
I had a similar experience speaking with a Mexican college
student from Mexico City. She wanted to know why we in the United
States refer to our country as "America" when Mexico, Canada, etc.
have as much claim to that title as anyone. There is a perception
internationally that we in this country place ourselves above all
others. I responded to her by saying that I guessed I hadn't thought
about it. She opened my eyes, and I hope she opens a few more. Let's
think about it.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
Michael O., 25,white male
<mjolson@prodigy.net>,
St. Paul, MN
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I am an American. I grieve for the folks in Iraq who suffer from
our policy. Americans at heart tend toward isolationalism. We really
don't want to be involved with or in others' affairs. However, world
wars and our own proseprity have thrust us into the role of "cop." A
role of world leadership cannot happen in a philisophical vacuum.
Thus, we view things from a democratic and English law perspective.
We know, too, that we will be expected to act in the "greater good."
Iraq has leadership that is seen as dangerous to its own people, to
the region and to people far away. Iraq, through its leadership, is
slaughtering her own people - the Kurds - among others. Americans
view such things as simply unacceptable - against mankind's
inalienable rights. We have a saying here: "You can pay the piper
now, or you can pay the piper later." Either way, you pay! We
resolutely hold firm against Saddam while the Iraqi nation finds her
voice. We know a huge price is being paid now by the Iraqi people.
Know also, Saddam could erase this all in a moment. It is a painful
situation. Hypocrisy? Don't be too self-assured. We are now taking
down our own president because he broke the rule of law. Rest
assured, the American people struggle over these things. We are a
compassionate people. We seek to do the right thing. We hope we can
thread the needle. When we fail, we grieve. When we succeed, we
simply sigh in relief
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
Everyman
<mcgau001@tc.umn.edu>,
Minneapolis, MN
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G57: To me, women from America seem really closed-minded and
"stuck-up," and aren't physical at all. Yet when I travel Europe, the
women are much more friendly and are not afraid to be affectionate.
Why is this?
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
John M.
<CDE24@usenet.edu>, New
York, NY
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G56: How do people who live in major cities feel about gun
ownership? Currently in cities like New York, only criminals and
police officers carry guns. Do people think they would reduce crime
if your average law-abiding person could protect themselves by
carrying a gun?
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
Rob D., white guy from NJ, 26, Charlotte, NC
ANSWER 1:
I live in suburban Atlanta, and I have a license to carry
a concealed firearm. Georgia has allowed concealed carry, as a "shall
issue" state, since 1968. That means a license must be issued unless
one has a criminal record or mental illness. Other states, like New
York, have "needs based" licensing, meaning you must have a
"compelling need" to get a license. With rare exceptions, the only
way to fulfill this need is to be rich, famous, politically powerful
or some combination of the three. Other states flatly forbid civilian
concealed carry at all. I believe we are blessed in America to have
this right; few countries do. When facing violent criminals, it could
save your life. The gun isn't called "the equalizer" for nothing.
Most of all, the responsibility for your security lies with you. The
police simply can't be everywhere.
POSTED DEC. 3, 1998
Michael, 32, white
<edit15@aol.com>, Stone
Mountain, GA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G55: As an Irish person who for years has been amazed at the
lack of accurate information Americans seem to get regarding this
country, I'm curious to know what foreign perceptions are of the
situation in Northern Ireland.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
Agrivaine
<agrivaine@yahoo.com>,
Dublin, Ireland
ANSWER 1:
I am an American with an Irish family background, and I
have studied Irish history in great detail. I am also disappointed by
the lack of understanding and knowledge displayed by much of the
world about Irish history and the current conditions there. I see the
Northern Ireland situation as the current statement of a problem that
has been ongoing since the invasion of the Normans more than 800
years ago. Now those political and cultural divisions have also
become religious, thanks to the fact that the invading English became
Protestant while the indigenous Irish remained Catholic. The most
annoying misconception of many Americans is that the conflict is over
religion, and they are completely ignorant of the historically
overwhelming political and cultural roots of the conflict. Now, we
have come to the point where most of the people on both sides of the
conflict want to use political means to resolve the conflict, while
extremist groups on each side threaten to use violence to destroy the
peace process (Real IRA, etc.). While a great majority of Americans
seem to think President Clinton had everything to do with the latest
peace accord, the true acknowledgment should go to the people of
Northern Ireland, who had the courage to vote for a solution that was
essentially a middle ground. Only time will tell if the latest
attempt will work. For Ireland's sake (and the sake of my family
still over there), I hope so.
POSTED DEC. 1, 1998
John K., 25
<the-macs@geocities.com>,
Cranford , NJ
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G54: Why do Americans appear unaware that they are the most
hated people on the planet?
POSTED NOV. 23, 1998
Andreina, 31, Canadian
<andreinaa@usa.net>,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ANSWER 1:
The most hated people on the planet? Wow. All of us, or
just some of us, and if just some of us, which of us? Is it because
we use a disproportionate amount of the world's resources or because
we're ignorant of other cultures, or what? It's ironic that such a
multicultural society should be the most hated on earth. Are you
talking about real Americans (and by the way, residents of Mexico,
Central America and South America also consider themselves
"Americanos") or TV Americans? Could you please elaborate?
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Carolyn, 38
<Noahlin@aol.com>,
Lawrence, KS
FURTHER NOTICE:
Andreina, a friend and I had a conversation like this
about me. She said that I and her husband were alike in that we
didn't care whether people like us or not. I replied that I did care
but would not let their opinion matter so much that I couldn't
function without their approval. If someone liked me, that was
fantastic. If they didn't, then I could live with that knowledge. If
what you say is true, and Americans are the most disliked people on
the planet and don't know it, then I applaud our attitude. You can
neither please nor cater to every point of view on the planet. What
you see as ignorance may be indifference: We may not care what other
people think of us. I see jingoism as bad, but I will never see
national pride, self-confidence and self-sufficiency as negatives.
Instead of writing a question which implicitly insults your southern
neighbors, why not tell us all the things that make Canada wonderful?
And there are many, many positives about your country.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Diane, Durham , NC
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Believe it or not, Americans are not the most hated people
on earth. I had thought that we were also, but no longer. This summer
I went to India for a homestay in the Himalayas. Besides meeting
Indians of every religion and ethnic background, I met many, many
travellers from all over the world. Only one group had virulently
nasty things to say about Americans, and that was the Germans I had
met. All the other nationalities seemed to have a fair and mostly
accurate assessment of Americans. Coincidentally, most of them had
not so flattering things to say about Germans. Perhaps more telling
was the fact that other nationalities were sensitive to the
difference between the American people and its government. In Asia,
where my parents live, it's either the Chinese or Japanese who are
the most hated (depending on which side of the South China Sea you're
on.)
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Amy, 29, white female
<amydel@netgate.net>,
Milpitas, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I see two possible answers. The first is that the United
States tends to be pretty insular, and there are many people who
honestly don't know or don't care much about the rest of the world.
Second, if you are a member of a group that annoys the heck out of
many others, what can you do about it? For myself, I carry myself
with pride, try to treat others with courtesy and generally do the
best I can. If someone wants to hate me for being American, well,
that's their privilege.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Catherine
<tylik@eskimo.com>,
Woodinville, WA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Perhaps because they really aren't the most hated people
in the world. Is there some worldwide poll or basis in fact for your
statement? Or are you just letting your own distaste for Americans
hang out there for all to see?
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Andrew, 34, American
<ziptron@start.com.au>,
Huntington, NY
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I believe Americans who have traveled outside the United
States would have a much better understanding of how non-Americans
feel than those who stay in the United States and only know this
country's perpective on the world. However, I don't think Americans
are as hated as the questioner would believe. It is more a case of
hating "Americana" and its omnipresence. I have traveled extensively
and was surprised in many cases by the warm reception I received from
the locals.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Allison, 27, New York, NY
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
What proof do you have that Americans are so hated? A big
part of this so-called hatred is jelousy.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
S.B.
<www.robby123@.com>,
Tamarac, Fl
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
I didn't know that we were the most-hated country or
citizens in the world, and am not aware of what would make you say
that. I have friends who have been warmly greeted by people in
Europe, Australia, Asia, South America, Canada and Mexico. I have had
friends asked by Germans if they could buy the jeans they were
wearing, or British people ask with interest what music was big here.
I have met friends in college from China, El Salvador, Venezuela and
Japan, and none of them said anything about how much they hated
people from the States. Can you explain the question?
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Craig <cmorris@loft.org>,
Minneapolis, MN
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
At first glance I was insulted by this question, first
thinking to myself, Who hates Americans besides the Middle East
countries? After pondering the matter for a few moments, I thought of
the old saying, "Imitation is the best form of flattery," and thought
about how most of the world in some form or fashion imitates or
aspires to be like Americans. Be it our freedoms, or fashion or
capitalism, or form of government, I can only assume if we are hated
by "most" of the planet it would be from envy moreso than from
founded reasons. We have it all here, and most either don't have any
of what we have or only have one or two pieces of what we enjoy.
True, we are a spoiled, rich nation that enjoys the benefits of all
the "other" parts of the world, but I will not apologize for any of
that. Besides, we deserve it. We have maintained ourselves through
all sorts of world wars and conflicts and remained the last super
power, which in itself bears a huge responsibility. You will find
most Americans are tired of being the world's police department,
putting our sons and daughters in harm's way for the well-being of
another nation, which may hate us also, but through it all we have
maintained as the world's most influential and wealthy nation in
history. In the same way most people despise those with too much
money and power, other nations envy us and want what we have, and
that envy sometimes brings with it hatred. Be thankful we are who we
are, and remember your liberty rests in the hands of the most hated
people on the planet.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Cwhitt, 27, white male
<cwhitt@gte.net>, Dallas,
Tx
FURTHER NOTICE 9:
The main reason I believe Americans are oblivious to the
hatred toward them is that Americans are oblivious to almost anything
that isn't American. The goings-on of the world are just another
compartmentalized news fragment, like politics and sports. The
average American doesn't give a hoot about what goes on in the next
state. They are self-centered, grazing cows with no ability to look
beyond their frame of reference. I think their measuring system and
their lack of appreciation of the World Cup illustrates the point. As
an artist, I, of course, don't share the perspective of my
compatriots, and it is very likely that one day I will leave this
Land of Misguided Opportunity. Consider yourself lucky.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
W.F., 29, dark male artist, American
<wfelix@netscape.net>,
Orlando, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 10:
Probably because we don't care. We are the dominant
country in the world. We help other countries with food, money and
military support when we know we will never be reimbursed or even
thanked. We do this because it's the right thing, not because it
makes us the most popular. The only people who don't receive bad
reviews are those who never do anything.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Katy, 38, white female, Newport Beach, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 11:
First, I don't think that's completely true. Despite
inevitable differences, the United States and its people have strong
ties with peoples around the world. We are mostly a nation of
immigrants, after all. But as for negative perception of the United
States around the world, if we seem unaware, I would say it's because
we just don't care. The way I see it, pretty much every country out
there is advancing its own self-interest 95+ percent of the time,
only when we do it, we are perceived as being a bully. Half the world
feels we owe them something because we're so rich, the other half
blames us for their own problems, ranging from weather to political
instability. It's just the price you pay for being the big boy on the
block. But you know the next time there's a crisis the world will
again look to the United States for leadership in solving it.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Mark, U.S. citizen, 31, Alexandria, VA
FURTHER NOTICE 12:
As an American, I have long been aware that we are
probably the most hated nation on earth. Of course, this does not
make me feel comfortable! It makes sense, because we are the most
powerful, richest nation. I love my country, but I understand why we
are hated because we have made major mistakes. However, I do suspect
that we are also the most loved nation on earth, too. Ironic, isn't
it?
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Jan, 42, Corvallis, OR
FURTHER NOTICE 13:
Quite honestly, I have much better things to do in life
than worry about whether people hate me for where I was born, or for
what color I was born, what gender, etc. Oh, I'll discuss the
subject, and debate over it, but at the end of the day, I cannot let
it stop me from achieving my goals. So I would say I am well aware of
the hatred other citizens of the world hold toward Americans, but
that is their problem, not mine. Maybe they should look toward fixing
their own state of affairs, rather than hate us for what we have
accomplished.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
John K., 25
<the-macs@geocities.com>,
Cranford, NJ
FURTHER NOTICE 14:
I am surprised this question was posted. It assumes a lot,
it sounds very venemous and it can be construed as provoking. In
response, though, I have to say that yes, I as an American am aware
that our society is hated by many other societies. But, as far as
being the most hated on the planet, I do not think this is true. If
it were, we would not have as much immigration as we do. People want
to come here to live, and as far as I know there are no massive
numbers of people dying to get into Iraq, Iran or any other nation
that "hates" America. Perhaps you should be asking why these other
societies hate Americans so much. After all, I am not an American
citizen by choice. I was born that way. Yes, I could change my
citizenship status, but the last I heard it was a bad thing to hate
someone for the way they were born.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Stephen S., 31, third-generation American, San Antonio, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 15:
Because Americans know that America is the greatest
country on the planet and they feel sorry for people who don't also
know that. In case you didn't catch the sarcasm in that, it's there.
I think many Americans seem unaware that many don't like them because
they don't know anything outside of America. Whereas other countries,
especially in Europe, get TV shows and such from other countries, the
United States only gets American shows and news. Americans as a whole
also like to be liked. They might seem unaware because they refuse to
accept that people don't like Americans. There are many other reasons
for this. From my experiences internationally, though they are
limited, I have found that it is only a small number of people who
openly dislike Americans.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Alec C., 16, American
<alec_catani@hotmail.com>,
WI
FURTHER NOTICE 16:
I don't believe Americans are the most hated people on the
planet. Yes, there may be many who hate Americans, but that would be
the case with any group of people who have had such an incredible
influence on world events, the arts, fashion and so much more. If
Americans are as hated as you say, then why is it that so many
millions of young people visit this country every year? Why is it
that American fashion, music and movies are so popular and often
imitated all over the world? Perhaps it's just you and the people
around you who feel this way.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
A.B. <AbieDee@aol.com>,
New York, NY
FURTHER NOTICE 17:
If we are truly unaware that we are hated, then that is
the answer to your question: We didn't know. Are we really that hated
by everyone, or just really intensely by a loud minority of
countries? Being unaware myself, I'm curious as to whether other
counties hate Americans or the American government. When I say I
don't like Saddam Hussein, that doesn't mean I hate all Iraqis.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
B., 23, white male, Kokomo, IN
FURTHER NOTICE 18:
Once a society has established righteousness in place of
fairness, it doesn't matter what the others (world community) think.
A prominent belief; "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - is
how some nations justify their actions. As did Hitler with his
versions of ethnic-cleansing. America's ethnic-cleansing is evident
in the denial of full equality to homosexuals. Do Americans justify
to the world the unnatural, survival of the greediest as the fittest?
Do its competitive markets adhere to the golden rule? I think most
wealthy Americans would have a problem with "what is right" being
"what is fair to all." The middle paths of fairness, compromise and
peace have been lost to the impaired judgment of black-and-white
thinking. Choosing either heaven or hell (god vs devil), ignoring the
gray areas in between; where we all live in the present. A world
leader should also show concern/respect for all the world's life
forms and resources instead of the live-for-today glut, and military
muscle flexing. "We the people" comprises six major races, two
genders and two or more sexual preferences. However, the
representatives/courts are predominately white males, over 40,
heterosexual, upper-class, Christian sect. Is this an accurate
reflection of America? To me it reflects the problems of a society
unwilling to participate in the game of fairness.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Rocky, Los Angeles, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 19:
Andreina, please respond to this and clarify your
question. I am just a working-class stiff, trying to make a living
and have a decent life, and provide for those who depend on me. I'm
not clear about the motivation for your question, but I read some
anger in to it. Personally, and I don't think I'm alone here, I don't
have time to worry about whether you or anybody else hates me 'cause
I'm too busy just trying to get through life. I suspect that's what
most others you are refering to are trying to do also. If it is you
who hates all Americans, why don't you post a statement explaining
why and how you got this angry at 260 million people in only 31years?
If you are speaking for the rest of the world, then I would ask, how
did you form your opinion? If all of the "haters" in this world would
direct their energy toward something positive and constructive (even
a little bit) imagine how much better our lives could be. When I hear
the statement "I hate that so-and-so," my first reaction is, Why are
you wasting your time hating them? They don't care! Come on Andreina,
give us a little more info and let's talk about it. I'll be
waiting.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Blake, 42, Midwesterner
<bl2300@aol.com>,
Cleveland, OH
FURTHER NOTICE 20:
My guess would be the propaganda (I doubt you'll get an
American response, it obviously takes more than being told they are
hated to believe it). Americans are probably the most thoroughly
propagandized people in the world, and their government doesn't even
need to do it. It's in their TV, movies and news reports. The
overwhelming message is "Americans are the Good Guys." Hey, people
all over the world enjoy that same propaganda, though they usually
recognize the shallow picture it presents. Also, immigrants are
people who go to a country they'd rather live in than the one they
left. Immigrants are the foreigners Americans are most familiar with,
so they get the idea that all foreigners would rather live in
America.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Darrell, 21, straight white male, Canadian
FURTHER NOTICE 21:
Wow, that one really slipped through, huh? Where is the
moderator? From my understanding, Y? Forum is a place where all sorts
of questions may be asked ,as long as they are not asked from a
position of hatred. This question is not, in my opinion, being asked
"to increase understanding."
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Iteki, 22, Irish, dyke
<iteki@chickmail.com>,
Stockholm, Sweden
FURTHER NOTICE 22:
Well, those who would lump all members of an incredibly
diverse nation together and hate them all - how do you fight that?
It's hard to muster much enthusiasm about reaching out to the rest of
the world when such a damning condemnation is already hanging over
our collective heads. However, I think part of the problem comes from
some patriotic arrogance that permeates American culture. There is a
lot of emphasis on being the "best" in the world on a variety of
measures. That assessment may not always be accurate, but it is
something often taught from a young age, and it often goes
unchallenged. Perhaps it stems from being a country that fought for
independence early, and that is made up of many immigrants (even
outcasts) from other countries. There is a lot of "American pride"
that may make it easy for many Americans to ignore or dismiss the ill
feelings of citizens of other nations. Finally, I think the U.S. role
in world affairs has been one-sided. We don't know what it is like to
be a bystander in geopolitical affairs. Some may see the United
States as a meddling bully, but many people here see the United
States as shouldering a big burden and responsibility for the rest of
the world. Some Americans look at our huge defense and foreign aid
budget and expect gratitude instead of resentment. Again, that might
not be fair, but I think it is how many people see it.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Karen, 30, American, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 23:
In my opinion, people tend to bash what they don't
understand or have. I am a bit put out with the constant hammering
the United States receives. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as a world
leader, the United States makes difficult decisions that tend to
ruffle feathers, but as a leader you cannot make everyone happy. The
waters of the world are muddied, and many times a stance needs to be
taken, for example in the Iraq situation. Next time there is a global
need, pay attention to who is called on hardest to help out.
Interesting how hate changes to need in times of crisis. Granted, the
United States has plenty of social ills, but it's still a great place
to live - just like Canada.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Mike, 31, single, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 24:
First, I hope what you say is not true. I hope Americans
are not "the most hated people on the planet." However, assuming for
a moment that your contention is true, what good would come of our
approaching every encounter with non-Americans out of an assumption
that they hate us? For my part, I would feel angry that they have
decided they hate me without ever giving me the opportunity to prove
myself unhateful. Anger is never a good basis for developing
friendship. I would also feel resentful and defensive of myself and
my country. Resentment and defensiveness are fairly natural reactions
to being attacked. They are not, however, useful in attempts to get
to know and understand others. Finally, I would tend to be as
dismissive of the non-Americans as they are of me. If someone is not
interested in getting to know me and makes that very plain, my
tendency is to avoid futile attempts to change his/her mind. Thus, my
being constantly "aware" that I am one of "the most hated people on
the planet" would only be detrimental to any relationship I might
develop with a non-American. A better, more useful, approach seems to
be to assume that people differ in their attitudes to Americans just
as they differ in their attitudes to people of any other nation. If I
do my best to be respectful to the non-Americans I encounter, I hope
they will likewise do their best to be respectful to me. If I make
mistakes and am unintentionally disrespectful, I would hope that the
people I encounter would make allowances for those mistakes and help
me, politely, to correct them. No one is perfect, and encountering a
culture that differs from one's own is more likely than not to result
in misunderstandings. If we assume that every misunderstanding is the
result of disregard or disrespect instead of simple ignorance or
well-intentioned mistakes, we prime the pump for future conflict.
Even if I find myself disagreeing with a non-American's ideas, as
long as those ideas are not physically harmful to me and mine, I
assume we can agree to disagree. Finally, I am curious as to why
non-Americans are free to take pride in their countries and cultures
while in Americans the same attitude is considered the height of
rudeness.
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
J.D., American
<j-lemke@ti.com>, Plano,
TX
FURTHER NOTICE 25:
Wow. Most hated in the world. Your assertion is so broad.
Can you be more specific? Do all the people of all the other
countries hate all American people? Or do their governments hate the
U.S. government? Do you as a Canadian hate me because I'm American?
If so, why?
POSTED NOV. 25, 1998
Natalie, 34, 8th+ Generation American
<nataliepw@aol.com>,
Rochester, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 26:
America is taking over almost every society in the world -
not by force but through cultural means. So does this mean the hatred
for the United States is out of jelousy? I would say that some of it
is, but not all of it. I feel the hatred comes from two main sources:
Many people have mentioned the widescale imitation of America
throughout the world. There are a huge number of people who love
anything American (USA). I meet such people all the time in Europe
and elsewhere. I feel the hatred of America in my society is
sometimes the fault of these people, not the actual American people
themselves. They are turning our societies into an American imitation
culture. We all have the same Disney movies, Holywood movies,
terrible American TV shows, clothing, ice cream flavors, etc.
Everything is taken over by Americanized produce. Of course, we
wouldn't buy them if they weren't good, and I don't mean that I don't
enjoy a good American movie, but the problem is we are losing our own
brands and lifestyles. A lot of people who may come across as
American-hating (because they can't express themselves properly) are
just rejecting this way of life. Secondly, U.S. Americans have a lot
of pride in their country and rightly so, as there is a lot to be
proud of. However, the problem is that people from other cultures
aren't interested in how wonderful someone else is. And because of
the high imports of television and films, we have to swallow a large
amount of self-praise from Americans. Self-praise is not widely
acceptable here in Britain/Europe. In Britain, our once-successful
empire also made the English arrogant and hence unpopular, for all
the same reasons that make the Americans unpopular today. I actually
wonder if the same thing once happened to the Romans.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
E.B., Leicester, U.K.
FURTHER NOTICE 27:
As an American who has lived and worked in Europe and the
Middle East for the last 22 years, I disagree. My experience has been
the reverse. While I have encountered some induviduals who disliked
Americans because they were Americans, most I have worked with and
encountered have been friendly. They may disagree strongly with
American politics or policy, but that dislike does not extend to
individuals.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
Keith, 40, white male
<keith_gordon@yahoo.com>,
Heppenheim, Germany
FURTHER NOTICE 28:
To W.F., the dark male artist, what are you trying to say
here? That all Americans except for artists are ignorant, egotistical
bastards? Your statement in itself doesn't reflect too kindly upon
dark male artists if that is who you are trying to represent. Your
stereotype of all Americans is embarrassing and brings you down to
the level of the ignorant Americans you are attempting to bash. Yes,
there are Americans who don't care about anything else other than
what goes on in their lives or their country, but not all fit this
label. The self-centered Americans you refer to in your statement
derive this attitude from close mindedness - the same thing you
clearly suffer from.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
M.D., 24, dark female artist, San Jose, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 29:
I believe that to totally dismiss this question as
preposterous might be a bit naive. While America is, in many ways, a
wonderfully diverse and vibrant nation with much good to offer, we
have an incredibly heinous dark side. While some nations, and some
individuals, may see us and appreciate our good qualities, never
forget there are millions who have suffered at the hands of those who
claimed to be acting on behalf of America. Consider this list of
events in which America shares at least partial complicity: The
transatlantic slave trade, which was fueled largely by a growing
America's need for cheap labor, and which was partially responsible
for the cultural and economic destruction of much of West Africa;
America's military and political forays into Haiti, Mexico and South
and Central America (especially in the Woodrow Wilson era), which
were in part responsible for the continuing instability of nations in
these regions; and our very dubious political involvement and
subsequent military intervention in both Cuba and Vietnam in the
1960s. While many nations and individuals have ample reason to want
to emulate America, or even emigrate here, an honest look at our
often brutally inept foreign policy provides a very understandable
impetus for any ill will that may be directed toward us by our
foreign neighbors.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
Sam, 30, male, brown American
<SamAlex67@aol.com>,
Chicago, Ill.
FURTHER NOTICE 30:
I think the Y? Forum editor made a huge mistake in posting
this question. It drips with venom, probably more than any question
could, short of questioning the Holocaust. Some of the respondents
have let themselves get trapped into the cycle of hatred by
responding with equally hateful or jingoistic answers vainly boastful
of U.S. "superiority." I always thought the French (and French
Canadians) had the dubious honor you claim for the United States,
except in Asia, where Japan has it. It's important to remember that a
government is not the same as a nation, though many Americans make
this hateful and ignorant mistake when it comes to Middle Eastern and
Asian governments and peoples. It is not Americans, but U.S.
government meddling and corporate abuses that are resented,
rightfully.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
A.C.C., San Antonio, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 31:
The original questioner responds:
I asked the question in that way for two reasons: First, to see to
whom and what Americans would assume the question was being aimed
(government, individuals, tourists, etc.) and second, to see how many
people would answer the question that was actually asked. OK, third,
to be provocative.
The fact that most of the answers actually responded to the
question, "Why do people hate Americans?" or at best "Do people hate
Americans?" is very telling. Being as we (Canada) are right beside
you, and yet not you, we have a distinct vantage point of
being able to watch your version of the news from time to time, and
contrast it with our own. We also get a far broader selection of
foreign coverage. We have the ability to see what is selectively
removed from yours. We can also see what escapes your borders in the
line of "cultural output," and what you allow to be presented to the
world as "average Americans." We, here, do get to meet people who
(fortunately) do not seem to belong on episodes of Jerry Springer.
But then we meet these other, peculiar people abroad carrying
knapsacks with huge Canadian flags, and yet with accents not found
anywhere A Mari usque ad Mare. Oh, and when you ask them what
province they're from, they invariably answer "Toronto." (Hint:
Toronto is a city, not a province.) So, we know that on some level,
you recognize this.
And as for the idea that it is purely jealousy inspiring this
distaste, you erroneously think the rest of the world views you as
their saviors; notice the difference between events that inspire
international cooperation in giving help, and those events in which
your government unsolicitedly "helps"maintain the status quo of
poverty and illiteracy. The day after Remembrance Day, your
government is threatening to bomb people, an irony that seemed to be
lost on all of you.
So, the question again was of what benefit is this obliviousness,
and is it deliberate, or are you really kept in the dark?
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
Andreina
<andreinaa@usa.net>,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FURTHER NOTICE 32:
I am fully aware we are the most hated population on the
planet, but I find it little more than amusing. People hate us so
much, yet they keep immigrating here. People hate us so much, but
other countries come running to us the minute they need help
(militarily or financially). People hate us so much, yet no matter
where you travel you see elements of American culture mimicked in
every society. The rest of the world loves and needs us more than
they ever want to admit. We're not oblivious to the world attitude
toward us, but as the strongest, wealthiest, most free country in the
world, we have no reason to care.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
D.M.M., 24, white, female
<donikam@hotmail.com>,
Charleston, SC
FURTHER NOTICE 33:
Some of the responses above have been along the lines of
"Because Americans know that America is the greatest country on the
planet and they feel sorry for people who don't also know that" and
"A lot of their hatred is jealousy." I think not! I think they hate
Americans because Americans make incredibly self-centered, ignorant
statements like these. I think it makes perfect sense for
non-Americans to hate Americans; I'm American and I don't care for
Americans all that much. If you, like most of the world's citizens,
lived in a country or culture that was being subsumed by American
politics, culture and values, you would feel threatened and
angry.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
Wendy, 24
<wiebke@juno.com>,
Atlanta, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 34:
I have traveled most of my life, and I have found that
Americans overseas are made fun of, kidded, joked about and taken
advantage of. In other words, they are treated just as foreigners
anywhere are treated - no worse, and maybe a little bit better. Yes,
there is resentment that accrues to American nationality, but this is
a natural function of American wealth and power, and the resentment
manifests itself in two ways: Aspiration, whereby the aspirant seeks
to become American, or denigration, whereby the denigrator curses all
that America represents. But even these cases (Libya, Iran, Syria,
Cuba, etc.) aspire to American levels of income and personal
consumption, not to mention technical expertise and efficiency. Their
attitude is not: You go your way and we'll go ours; it is rather "Yo!
How do we get back on your Most Favored Nations list?" As much as it
may discombobulate the "America is Always Wrong" crowd, American
culture, technology and industrial products are in constant demand
throughout the world. When people want to be like us, and want to
learn our dominant technologies (e.g. Microsoft and IBM), and want to
watch our films (which, after all, reflect us) and listen to our
music (and when you speak of pop or rock or jazz or blues or country,
there is no place but the United States) it becomes hard to reconcile
the notion that we're so "hated" with these above-mentioned facts.
Only a handful of ideologically backward countries - none of which
would ever allow a forum like this one - consider America an evil,
imperialist entity. Well, to hell with them.
POSTED NOV. 28, 1998
Gregg S., American, Jewish, 43
<gregg1@alumni.ksgt.harvard.edu>,
Boston, MA
FURTHER NOTICE 35:
If I based my view of Canadians on the few that I have met
at hockey games, I think I might be inclined to view all of them as
knuckle-headed beer drinkers. All countries are full of citizens who
are unaware, uniformed and uncultured. But most nations do not have a
populous that travels so widely and so freely as do Americans. The
average income among Americans is high enough to allow even our
less-than-perfectly-cultured citizens to escape our borders. Sure,
America's power has been abused and its cultural imperialism is less
than gracious, but I do not think Americans, as a whole, are any less
unaware or less cultured than any other people. Look around and I
think you'll find the same percentage of bone-heads in Canada as we
have down here. I was aware that we are made fun of north of the
border. Did you know we laugh at your hockey fans in return?
POSTED DEC. 1, 1998
Alan, American
<alan_s_c@yahoo.com>,
New York
FURTHER NOTICE 36:
If someone is going to ask why Americans are the most
hated, I think the distinction should be made of what racial group
these typically hated "Americans" belong to, because in my exeriences
abroad, as an African American, a lot of the indifference to
Americans was mostly directed at the white tourists. What do peole
think about this?
POSTED DEC. 4, 1998
African American
<browne45@osu.edu>,
Columbus , OH
FURTHER NOTICE 37:
Well, this question has set off a storm of responses. As a
naturalized American who travels a lot, let me tell you it's quite a
privilege to wave that American passport and get very close to
preferred treatment entering almost any country in the world. On the
other hand, and if for no other reason, we are currently looked upon
with utter amazement by most people in other countries (in my
experience) because of what some of us are doing to our President.
The entire issue is regarded with disbelief and even contempt by a
world that sees us as Puritanically priggish on the one hand and the
purveyors of violence and even prurience in our entertainment. It's a
puzzling and contradictory condition as seen by older and perhaps
more jaded societies (Europe, Asia). To them, it looks like clumsy
dithering over inconsequential presidential pecadilloes when there
are far more urgent matters that should occupy the world's most
powerful country.
POSTED DEC. 4, 1998
RALF, senior male
<ROLOFA@ix.netcom.com>,
Norwalk , CT
FURTHER NOTICE 38:
I feel the person who asked the question is very much
misinformed. I live in India, and I am sure not all of us over here
hate Americans. Of course,when Americans interfere in the internal
affairs of our country (in Kashmir) without knowing the full
historical details, we do tend to get angry. But for the most part,
we are grateful to the Americans for innovating everything from
computer chips to satellites. You hate someone only when he
repeatedly insults you and comes in your path. But Americans for the
most part have been helpful to the world at large.Their actions, even
though some may be self-centered, for the most part turn out to be
good for the world. I will vote for Americans any day for the single
reason that they are the guardians of democracy throughout the
world.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
S. Rajagopal, 21
<rajagopal@writeme.com>,
Mumbai (Bombay), India
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G53: Why do so many American people marry for such a short
time and then divorce so quickly? I'm surperised at the divorce rate
in the United States.
POSTED NOV. 21, 1998
Shun N., Asian
<shun31@hotmail.com>,
San Francisco, CA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G52: To Americans: Do you think English is the best language
in the world, and if so, why?
POSTED NOV. 21, 1998
Cynthia H., Asian
<yukofujita@hotmail.com>,
San Francisco, CA
ANSWER 1:
I don't necessarily think English is the "best" language
in the world, but it is superior as far as literary expression goes.
Our modern English is essentially a dual language (Old English fused
with Old French), meaning there are almost always two or more ways to
express the same idea, each way with its own subtle differences. This
duality, or doubleness, gives the language, or tongue, a richness
that lends itself well to poetry and literary expression. That's what
I love about English.
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
Stephen S., 31, Master of Arts in English, San Antonio, TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
Best for what? English is extremely difficult to learn and
has spelling and grammar that is so haphazard as to be ridiculous. To
me, the idea of English becoming the defacto world language makes me
slightly ill. If the peoples of the world are to speak to each other
well, let's choose something more straightforward and easy to learn.
On the other hand, it is my first language, my native tongue, and
with its convoluted and mixed background does come a certain fineness
of nuance. This does not make it "best," perhaps, but it is mine and
I love it.
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
Catherine H., female
<tylik@eskimo.com>,
Woodinville, WA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Wow, what an interesting question. How does one rank a
language as "best" or "worst?" To me, each language comes with its
own advantages and disadvantages. English is more difficult than
Spanish because the spelling in English is not consistent. Spanish is
more difficult than English because I have to remember if the noun is
female or male, while in English nouns are gender neutral. French
sounds beautiful to my ear. Swedish sounds intriguing - almost like
English pronounced backwards. Best, worst - the important part is the
act of communication, in whatever language works at the moment.
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
Katy, 38, white female, Newport Beach, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Having the privilege of working with international
students and refugees over the past several years, I have encountered
many different languages. I do not believe there is a better or best
language in the world. Every language, and every dialect is beautiful
to me.
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
M. Houston, 22, Southern black female, Charlotte, NC
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
As far as America goes, yes, but only because it is the
language of business. Without English, it becomes more difficult to
break into U.S. industry. Globally, I do not think one particular
language is any better than another. The best thing to do is learn
multiple languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, etc.) so you can
easily communicate with people you encounter. Of course, the trick is
learning all of the different languages!
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
John K., 25
<the-macs@geocities.com>,
Cranford, NJ
FURTHER NOTICE:
As a native English speaker, I will shout a resounding NO!
I think English is a confusing, odd, difficult language. How can
"It's all downhill from here" mean something is going to get better
or something is going to get worse, depending upon its use? There are
too/to/two many homonyms and strange grammatical rules (i before e,
except after c and sometimes y). I wish we'd stuck with Latin.
POSTED NOV. 24, 1998
Rob, 26, Charlotte, NC
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
G51: Which states rank the lowest in education and
employment?
POSTED NOV. 17, 1998
D. Price
<abqteachr@netscape.net>,
Albuquerque, NM
ANSWER 1:
I live in South Carolina, and I know our SAT scores rank
last (or next to last) in the United Statees, and our public school
system as a whole is very near the bottom. However, we have a very
high employment rate and businesses (small and large) are thriving
here.
POSTED NOV. 23, 1998
David, 29
<dash@netside.com>,
Columbia, SC
To respond
BACK TO TOP