Geography-related Questions 51-60

THE QUESTION:
G60: What is life like in Liberia?
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Stephen S., 31, San Antonio, TX
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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>
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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