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lilred · 18-09-2016, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjolnir

I don't think people in Europe actually dislike Americans per se, rather their attitudes and the 'American dream'. Freedom to carry guns, homophobia, capitalism, imperialism and a love of war, stuff like that. I know I personally can find their attitudes towards certain things, such as anyone who's not christian or those who are LGBT+ as disgusting and archaic, and don't even get me started on their love of their military forces and military supremacy. The one day-to-day thing about Americans (not America as a whole) that really annoys me though is 'aluminum' (aluminium), 'gotten', 'labor' (labour), omitted small words (like in the phrase 'write (to) me'), 'math' (maths), 'realize' (realise) and other Americanisms.
I saw someone mention that America is a better world superpower than Russia or China... is it? That comment that the opinions of any country that hadn't put a man on the moon is to be disregarded, elitist somewhat?- that sort of attitude is what I don't like about America. On the other hand, America does make good sci-fi 'movies', but they do (almost) always seem to star an American white in the lead role (only examples to the contrary include Independence Day, I Robot and perhaps a few others), regardless of the era or country involved, oh and Brits talk with clear Americanisms.

The biggest things for me by far are the bigotry towards LGBT+ individuals (yes, I realise the law has changed... the attitudes of those that don't like it haven't... westboro 'church' and its followers wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else), the attitude towards other religions, especially Muslims (although not my favourite subject (I don't really approve of the idea of religion as a whole, it causes too much harm) I don't target individual religions and certainly not the individuals who believe in the religion). And, similar to an attitude shared throughout Europe, I of course hate the American love affair with guns and weapons (of mass destruction)

I barely know anyone my own age that has negative attitudes towards the LGBT community. And the majority of my peers are pro refugee status and any religion. I'm 22 so my generation is not quite in any kind of power to truly change the media and government, but I really hope in the next few years and decades you'll see a shift in attitudes. My generation is also realizing the American dream doesn't exist. We're mostly single, saddled with crazy student loans, working low paying jobs, attempting to make it financially on our own, while our parents tell us to get a better job, get more education, get married and have us some grandchildren. I think young Americans are just as discontent with the idea of the American dream. And I'm American and I totally don't understand this fascination with guns and weapons... Although I do believe we should have the right to have some way to protect ourselves. I really appreciate your thoughts! Btw everyone I know is obsessed with a British accent, we're super jealous of how England talks, so we acknowledge our Americanisms are not cool.

18-09-2016, 09:09 PM	#56
lilred Join Date: Feb 2012	Quote: Originally Posted by Mjolnir I don't think people in Europe actually dislike Americans per se, rather their attitudes and the 'American dream'. Freedom to carry guns, homophobia, capitalism, imperialism and a love of war, stuff like that. I know I personally can find their attitudes towards certain things, such as anyone who's not christian or those who are LGBT+ as disgusting and archaic, and don't even get me started on their love of their military forces and military supremacy. The one day-to-day thing about Americans (not America as a whole) that really annoys me though is 'aluminum' (aluminium), 'gotten', 'labor' (labour), omitted small words (like in the phrase 'write (to) me'), 'math' (maths), 'realize' (realise) and other Americanisms. I saw someone mention that America is a better world superpower than Russia or China... is it? That comment that the opinions of any country that hadn't put a man on the moon is to be disregarded, elitist somewhat?- that sort of attitude is what I don't like about America. On the other hand, America does make good sci-fi 'movies', but they do (almost) always seem to star an American white in the lead role (only examples to the contrary include Independence Day, I Robot and perhaps a few others), regardless of the era or country involved, oh and Brits talk with clear Americanisms. The biggest things for me by far are the bigotry towards LGBT+ individuals (yes, I realise the law has changed... the attitudes of those that don't like it haven't... westboro 'church' and its followers wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else), the attitude towards other religions, especially Muslims (although not my favourite subject (I don't really approve of the idea of religion as a whole, it causes too much harm) I don't target individual religions and certainly not the individuals who believe in the religion). And, similar to an attitude shared throughout Europe, I of course hate the American love affair with guns and weapons (of mass destruction) I barely know anyone my own age that has negative attitudes towards the LGBT community. And the majority of my peers are pro refugee status and any religion. I'm 22 so my generation is not quite in any kind of power to truly change the media and government, but I really hope in the next few years and decades you'll see a shift in attitudes. My generation is also realizing the American dream doesn't exist. We're mostly single, saddled with crazy student loans, working low paying jobs, attempting to make it financially on our own, while our parents tell us to get a better job, get more education, get married and have us some grandchildren. I think young Americans are just as discontent with the idea of the American dream. And I'm American and I totally don't understand this fascination with guns and weapons... Although I do believe we should have the right to have some way to protect ourselves. I really appreciate your thoughts! Btw everyone I know is obsessed with a British accent, we're super jealous of how England talks, so we acknowledge our Americanisms are not cool.
lilred Join Date: Feb 2012