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Is America arrogant?

Is America arrogant?

  • No, not at all

    Votes: 9 10.1%
  • May be a little

    Votes: 13 14.6%
  • Yes, it is

    Votes: 41 46.1%
  • Oh, very arrogant

    Votes: 20 22.5%
  • I can't decide

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 6 6.7%

  • Total voters
    89
I would like to know why people think America is arrogant, specifically.
 
I would like to know why people think America is arrogant, specifically.

See below:

Imperialism. Materialism. None more satisfied by waving it's dong in the face of the world, blissfully unaware of just how bad the world thinks it's dong smells.

US foreign policy has been quite arrogant.

Of course we're arrogant - you have to be arrogant to be the best.

We try to peddle Corporatism all over the world and get away with calling it "liberty, democracy or freedom," but we're spreadin' dat OILY bidness. Is that arrogance? Yassuh, because we do it with guns. It makes us a good living.

The country's politics and diplomacy? Yes.

We have been the world's superpower for quite some time, and haven't been shy about projecting that power, certainly. There is an ingrained arrogance to such that comes almost by default -- it is a product of the position held as much as anything.

American exceptionalism is not something I've ever understood. The Romans, the British Empire, the German Third Reich, the Chinese, many empires and great nations rose and fell in part due to their arrogance

As a country we lack moderation and are extremely self-absorbed.

The United States has several bad habits, among them being, we encourage greed as a valid principle to order your life (rather than as an accessory to a spiritually ordered life that seeks to compress the numbers of its possessions to the fewest possible, while finding no less pleasure in these than it would in the acquisition of many others), the second being that we assert fame, for its own sake, as an ideal, to the expense of moderation and virtue, and thirdly, we deny our faults exist (both personally and as a nation) and don't take any responsibility for improving upon them.


- SOUTH DAKOTA 1890 Troops 300 Lakota Indians massacred at Wounded Knee.
- HAWAII 1893 Naval, troops Independent kingdom overthrown, annexed.
- CHICAGO 1894 Troops Breaking of rail strike, 34 killed
- PHILIPPINES 1898-1910 Naval, troops Seized from Spain, killed 600,000 Filipinos
- PUERTO RICO 1898 Naval, troops Seized from Spain, occupation continues
- GUAM 1898 Naval, troops Seized from Spain, still use as base.
- PANAMA 1901-14 Naval, troops Broke off from Colombia 1903, annexed Canal Zone 1914.
- PANAMA 1912 Troops Marines land during heated election.
- WEST VIRGINIA 1920-21 Troops, bombing Army intervenes against mineworkers.
- DETROIT 1943 Troops Army put down Black rebellion.
- IRAN 1953 Command Operation CIA overthrows democracy, installs Shah.
- IRAQ 1963 Command operation CIA organizes coup that killed president, brings Ba'ath Party to power, and Saddam Hussein back from exile to be head of the secret service.
- INDONESIA 1965 Command operation Million killed in CIA-assisted army coup.
- IRAQ 1990-91 Bombing, troops, naval Blockade of Iraqi and Jordanian ports, air strikes; 200,000+ killed in invasion of Iraq and Kuwait; large-scale destruction of Iraqi military
- YEMEN 2009 Missiles, command operation Cruise missile attack on Al Qaeda kills 49 civilians; Yemeni military assaults on rebels
- LIBYA 2011 Bombing, missiles, command operation NATO coordinates air strikes and missile attacks against Qaddafi government during uprising by rebel army.

USA attacked Iraq at 1963.
USA attacked Iraq at 1990. (older Bush)
USA attacked Iraq at 1998.
USA attacked Iraq at 2003. (elder Bush)

USA attacked Libya at 1986. (Ronald Reagan)
USA attacked Libya at 2011. (Barac Obama)
 
I would like to know why people think America is arrogant, specifically.

Last time I answered this I got accused of being a whiner and dis-satisfied with America, but I'll play along one more time. So to preamble, not all Americans are arrogant, and many are properly proud, but a lot of Americans are still arrogant.

Pre-preamble: I'll probably have both sides of politics disliking some of my comments, but oh what the hell...

While in Cancun, Mexico, I sat next to a fellow American on the bus (the only available seat). He asked how I was enjoying my stay and I told hims I was having a terrific time. He complained that he hated it there. I was flabbergasted but still asked what was the problem. He complained that the Mexicans in Cancun didn't speak English well enough! Why should they? It's NOT America, asshole! Expecting people in other countries to speak perfect English is stupid. This is American Arrogance.

While in Panama, I witnessed an American couple (I know because I spoke them and they told me) who were buying water from a native Panamanian. The Americans complained about the price of the water saying, "It's not like they need the money." Idiot! It's not only Americans who live in Capitalism where money is an important concern. Most other countries do too. This is American Arrogance.

Also while in Panama, the people I stayed with were, ostensibly intelligent, and running a web-development business. They lived like kings because they made an American salary while paying the living costs of Panama. So they employed several Panamanians for odd jobs. They constantly complained about how stupid all Panamanians were. Eventually they found out that all their "employees" were fleecing them out of their money. They didn't see it coming because they didn't think Panamanians could be as smart as themselves. This is American Arrogance.

When people protest Starbucks because they employed South Americans in a factory and then later closed it, supposedly leaving the workers destitute and unable to work. I ask "why can't they go back to farming or whatever they did before?" The answer is:..."they forgot how to farm." Really? In a few short years they forget what humanity has done for thousands of years? You really have to believe someone is incredibly stupid to buy into that. This is American Arrogance.

When civic activists presume that all homeless people are only there because they don't know enough to wash themselves and have no clue how to ask for a job, I am amazed. How stupid do you have to be to believe that? A large percentage of the "serial homeless" are that way out of choice. They'll happily take the money of the civic-minded naive, but that money won't change a damned thing. Thinking otherwise is believing the homeless have less common sense than a Daisy. This is American Arrogance.

If you want good quality, buy American. This is the classic nonsense, and it still exists today. Here in West Texas, people still believe in buying American cars and trucks because those "damned rice burners aren't made for sh*t." Guess what boys, most of the parts and sub-systems of American Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks are made outside the country. When you buy American, you still buy foreign. Believing quality only comes from America is foolish. This is American Arrogance.

My own Arrogance emerged. When I moved from cosmopolitan San Francisco to West Texas, I thought I was moving from civilization to a barbaric, racist, uneducated backwater. Turns out I see almost no racism here. Texans are a little nervous to try foreign foods but they still have the balls to try it anyway. And in this oil town you gotta be a pretty smart technician, because if you aren't, the oil rigs will flat out kill you. Arrogant me. It isn't unusual for Northerners to think Southerners are uneducated okies. It isn't unusual for Southerners to think Northerners have no common sense. They're both wrong in a lot of ways. This is American Arrogance.

I could go on with examples for DAYS.
 
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Actually yes, I don't think we can leave the euro's to manage their own affairs. We need to "still" be there to project our strength against Russia and new enemies, like Iran and countries that harbor terrorist organizations. Or maybe we could just tell our enemies were sorry for being arrogant and go home?


the bases in Europe have no impact on how Europe conduct their affairs.... The only reason why the states are still in europe is easy access to the middle east and Russia and where the US can not have bases they help fund British bases in places like Cyprus so they can obtain intelligence.
 
Actually yes, I don't think we can leave the euro's to manage their own affairs. We need to "still" be there to project our strength against Russia and new enemies, like Iran and countries that harbor terrorist organizations. Or maybe we could just tell our enemies were sorry for being arrogant and go home?
an arrogant sentence. Didn't you found it so?

"I don't think we can leave the euro's to manage their own affairs"
"We need to "still" be there to project our strength against" - why you think you own this world and everyone?

Next president will attack Iran, ye we know this story. But when you ppl will remove the terrorism from your mentality.

Word "terrorism" is implemented in such a way into your mentality that you forgot the real definition of "terrorism".

(this wasn't directed to you personaly but to US's mentality that politicians shows against muslim world, Africa, Russia, Cuba etc etc)
 
perhaps many of you are basing your opinion on the few US americans who could afford to go abroad. tourists in fact.. which i assure you is not representative of the rest of us.
Ive met quite a few in my travels to and from foreign lands that i felt were were jerks(of many nationalities), but i knew that not all their countrymen were as insolent and outright rude as they were. particularly when they found out i was a US american.

all i can say is, dont judge me from afar til you walk a mile in my discount steel toed working shoes.. there already enough distain to go around from the "haves" in my world.
I am a most gracious visitor in the lands ive travelled. I believe "when one is in rome.."
 
perhaps many of you are basing your opinion on the few US americans who could afford to go abroad. tourists in fact.. which i assure you is not representative of the rest of us.
Ive met quite a few in my travels to and from foreign lands that i felt were were jerks(of many nationalities), but i knew that not all their countrymen were as insolent and outright rude as they were. particularly when they found out i was a US american.

all i can say is, dont judge me from afar til you walk a mile in my discount steel toed working shoes.. there already enough distain to go around from the "haves" in my world.
I am a most gracious visitor in the lands ive travelled. I believe "when one is in rome.."

It's very cool to hear you're a gracious visitor, Whyte. When I go abroad I'm thrilled to be able to see other countries and meet the people who live there. I treat the people I meet with kindness and respect. When people overseas realize that I am not "just another ugly American" they in turn treat me very well. My experiences have been wonderful.
 
an arrogant sentence. Didn't you found it so?

"I don't think we can leave the euro's to manage their own affairs"
"We need to "still" be there to project our strength against" - why you think you own this world and everyone?

Next president will attack Iran, ye we know this story. But when you ppl will remove the terrorism from your mentality.

Word "terrorism" is implemented in such a way into your mentality that you forgot the real definition of "terrorism".

(this wasn't directed to you personaly but to US's mentality that politicians shows against muslim world, Africa, Russia, Cuba etc etc)

I don't think it was an arrogant sentence, but more of a realistic position based on the history of US intervention in Europe and reaction to Soviet aggression.

I don't think the US feels that we own this world and everyone. We are just protecting our interests, just like any country would especially after the two great conflicts: WW1 and WW2. Rise of Communism etc.

That isn't arrogant that is just being realistic...
 
the bases in Europe have no impact on how Europe conduct their affairs.... The only reason why the states are still in europe is easy access to the middle east and Russia and where the US can not have bases they help fund British bases in places like Cyprus so they can obtain intelligence.

That may be so, just a platform for the US now after the Soviet Union collapsed, but may be more complex than that. The bases help us maintain partnerships, and influence. And who knows what will happen in Europe. The present economic situation could create a completely new conflict in europe which has never been short of them. Best that we stay there in my opinion with boots on the ground...
 
It's very cool to hear you're a gracious visitor, Whyte. When I go abroad I'm thrilled to be able to see other countries and meet the people who live there. I treat the people I meet with kindness and respect. When people overseas realize that I am not "just another ugly American" they in turn treat me very well. My experiences have been wonderful.

I have travelled to a number of countries (some briefly, some more extensively - 26 at the last count) and met Americans both abroad and at home, and I can honestly say I have never encountered 'the ugly American'. Most Americans I met in the USA were very gracious and welcoming, and most were very polite. I have been jostled more on the King's Road in London, than ever I was in Boston or San Francisco.

I will say this though, some older American men tend to be a bit crabby and suspicious of younger foreigners, whereas older American women are, in my experience, universally delightful. They mother you and feed you, and are charmed by even the most incidental courtesies. I have made good friends with at least three American ladies who are older than my gran. They write to me , and phone me, and send me birthday cards. They are lovely. :lol: So the ugly American does not exist for me. :peace
 
I have travelled to a number of countries (some briefly, some more extensively - 26 at the last count) and met Americans both abroad and at home, and I can honestly say I have never encountered 'the ugly American'. Most Americans I met in the USA were very gracious and welcoming, and most were very polite. I have been jostled more on the King's Road in London, than ever I was in Boston or San Francisco.

I will say this though, some older American men tend to be a bit crabby and suspicious of younger foreigners, whereas older American women are, in my experience, universally delightful. They mother you and feed you, and are charmed by even the most incidental courtesies. I have made good friends with at least three American ladies who are older than my gran. They write to me , and phone me, and send me birthday cards. They are lovely. :lol: So the ugly American does not exist for me. :peace

Good for you, Leo. It sounds to me like you're a friendly guy and that's probably why you get along with folks. I'm glad that you haven't met an Ugly Americans. The term is over dramaticised so there aren't as many out there as the original book suggested, but they do exist. Your friendly nature is less likely to bring anyone's bad side out.

To say that Americans are generally arrogant, does NOT mean we're always walking around snarling and spitting and griping about other countries. We simply don't do that. In fact, the vast majority of Americans are very friendly and genuinely good people. It may seem that an arrogant person cannot be a "nice" person, but that is false. Americans can meet foreigners here and go abroad and meet people in foreign countries and be friendly to both parties, but still be arrogant. There's many degrees of arrogance.

My neighbor downstairs is an older guy who's very friendly and talkative. He gets along well with the Mexican families in the apartment complex. But when talking with me he reveals a denigrating and belittling view of Mexicans. This is arrogance. But when personally interacting with Mexicans, he's kind and thoughtful. So there's a certain duality happening there. My neighbor believes in treating in all people with respect, and he backs it up with his actions, so he is sincere about it. But he also maintains personal thoughts about folks from other countries that are insulting to those people.

So if someone from another country says that Americans are a mean, rotten people, I'm gonna have something nasty to say about that. Because that's a lie. If someone says Americans are a pretty good lot and clever and kind, but just a bit too big for their trousers, well yeah, I'd have to admit to that one.
 
Good for you, Leo. It sounds to me like you're a friendly guy and that's probably why you get along with folks. I'm glad that you haven't met an Ugly Americans. The term is over dramaticised so there aren't as many out there as the original book suggested, but they do exist. Your friendly nature is less likely to bring anyone's bad side out.

To say that Americans are generally arrogant, does NOT mean we're always walking around snarling and spitting and griping about other countries. We simply don't do that. In fact, the vast majority of Americans are very friendly and genuinely good people. It may seem that an arrogant person cannot be a "nice" person, but that is false. Americans can meet foreigners here and go abroad and meet people in foreign countries and be friendly to both parties, but still be arrogant. There's many degrees of arrogance.

My neighbor downstairs is an older guy who's very friendly and talkative. He gets along well with the Mexican families in the apartment complex. But when talking with me he reveals a denigrating and belittling view of Mexicans. This is arrogance. But when personally interacting with Mexicans, he's kind and thoughtful. So there's a certain duality happening there. My neighbor believes in treating in all people with respect, and he backs it up with his actions, so he is sincere about it. But he also maintains personal thoughts about folks from other countries that are insulting to those people.

So if someone from another country says that Americans are a mean, rotten people, I'm gonna have something nasty to say about that. Because that's a lie. If someone says Americans are a pretty good lot and clever and kind, but just a bit too big for their trousers, well yeah, I'd have to admit to that one.

You make some good and valid points. I would not say that all Americans are wonderful people, any more than I would say that all Brits, or all Aussies, are wonderful people. Of course there is good and bad everywhere, but I think Americans have an undeserved reputation for being loud, and uncultured, and arrogant, on the personal level.

If you read some of my posts, you will find that I am critical of some American foreign policies, just as I am critical of my own country's foreign policies. So I am not being sycophantic; I just think that Americans sometimes come in for unwarranted criticism. Like in my own country (the UK) it is common sport to make fun of Americans, but can you think of a weirder society than us Brits? So like - Mr Pot meet Mr Kettle. :mrgreen:

The Americans I met were hard working, and inventive, and kind and generous, and basically, if they thought their society was better than all others - so what? Like that was a bit unrealistic, but I understand that American society is a bit inward looking, and that most Americans are given to understand that anything American is better than everything from anywhere else. We Brits would feel the same way if we grew up in a similar society, and I don't feel in any way diminished if an American says "My country is the best country in the world". Very few do say it, but I get the impression that most think so. That's cool with me, as I know that there is no such animal as the best country in the world. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. And if it makes Americans feel good to think that - where's the harm? ;)

I greatly enjoyed the time I spent travelling around your beautiful country, and I am happy to report that I did not meet the Ugly American. So while some may argue, and not always without reason, that the USA is arrogant; I would refute the generalisation that Americans, on an individual basis, are arrogant. Or at least, no more than any other nationality. :)
 
You make some good and valid points. I would not say that all Americans are wonderful people, any more than I would say that all Brits, or all Aussies, are wonderful people. Of course there is good and bad everywhere, but I think Americans have an undeserved reputation for being loud, and uncultured, and arrogant, on the personal level.

If you read some of my posts, you will find that I am critical of some American foreign policies, just as I am critical of my own country's foreign policies. So I am not being sycophantic; I just think that Americans sometimes come in for unwarranted criticism. Like in my own country (the UK) it is common sport to make fun of Americans, but can you think of a weirder society than us Brits? So like - Mr Pot meet Mr Kettle. :mrgreen:

The Americans I met were hard working, and inventive, and kind and generous, and basically, if they thought their society was better than all others - so what? Like that was a bit unrealistic, but I understand that American society is a bit inward looking, and that most Americans are given to understand that anything American is better than everything from anywhere else. We Brits would feel the same way if we grew up in a similar society, and I don't feel in any way diminished if an American says "My country is the best country in the world". Very few do say it, but I get the impression that most think so. That's cool with me, as I know that there is no such animal as the best country in the world. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. And if it makes Americans feel good to think that - where's the harm? ;)

I greatly enjoyed the time I spent travelling around your beautiful country, and I am happy to report that I did not meet the Ugly American. So while some may argue, and not always without reason, that the USA is arrogant; I would refute the generalisation that Americans, on an individual basis, are arrogant. Or at least, no more than any other nationality. :)

Thanks for the kind words.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of good-natured ribbing amongst cousins is there?

I would agree that there's good folks and bad folks in any country you can name. From my experiences abroad, I would still say there's mostly good. I think you can find a certain degree of arrogance in the people of any country as well. As long as people are good-natured about it, what's the harm, as you say.

Well, I am glad you enjoyed your stay. I hope you can come again.
 
Actually yes, I don't think we can leave the euro's to manage their own affairs.

Now, that is arrogant!

I don't think the US feels that we own this world and everyone. We are just protecting our interests, just like any country would especially after the two great conflicts: WW1 and WW2. Rise of Communism etc.

Yeah, if you want to rule the world, sure. I want to rule myself you know...
I like the answer of that young American (please, see 2:57 onwards). ;)
 
Now, that is arrogant!



Yeah, if you want to rule the world, sure. I want to rule myself you know...
I like the answer of that young American (please, see 2:57 onwards). ;)

No, it's just realistic validated by Europe not being able to control itself or defend itself. Now, with the US presence Europe is beginning to make the necessary changes and progress but it remains to be seen.
 
No, it's just realistic validated by Europe not being able to control itself or defend itself. Now, with the US presence Europe is beginning to make the necessary changes and progress but it remains to be seen.

You can't be real....
 
No, it's just realistic validated by Europe not being able to control itself or defend itself.

Europe can't control itself or defend itself? please.

Anyway, the moment that EU will be in such a situation as you believe will be when the economy of EU's lokomotive will be destroyed. Guess, who's lokomotive of EU and never let europeans to go down?
 
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No, it's just realistic validated by Europe not being able to control itself or defend itself. Now, with the US presence Europe is beginning to make the necessary changes and progress but it remains to be seen.

what presence are you talking about?
 
We need mr Awesome to come back to the thread and explain how american occupation is civilizing the Europeans...

as if it werent an ironic evidence to the point of this thread.
 
Americans generally aren't arrogant but it's the dynasty that actually own this country (aka Rockefeller, Rothschild) that had some of the most ambitious arrogant foreign policies the world had ever seen! You've got oil in your country? Great! We'd be happy to flex off our all mighty naval/air superiority/well trained forces and take it away from ya and called it "spreading freedom" and stopping "Terrorism or Regime" and there's not a damn thing you could do about it! You've got cheap labor in your country? Excellent! We'd use them to make all the crap we purchase daily here to keep the public's minds off what we're really doing in the white house! And when we're in major debt to a point where we'll never able to pay off to the trading imbalance, don't come and ask us to pay up cuz if you dare we'd bomb the **** out of ya and call it even! While we're at it because you're of a different color, we'd like to reduce your population just because we can! While we're busy taking over the world, we'll continue to entertain the American's people and feed with with non-sense bipartisan debates and fake elections that are absolutely meaningless cuz we're the real men in charge behind close doors!
 
We need mr Awesome to come back to the thread and explain how american occupation is civilizing the Europeans...

as if it werent an ironic evidence to the point of this thread.

My intention was not to hijack the thread and explain how America is helping civilize the europeans, but to provide my opinion as to why some may feel that America is arrogant. Assumption why they feel that way primarily being due to our foreign policy among others, but I feel this is one of the main reasons. Also the question from the OP begs the response: As opposed to what? And that is why I brought Europe into the equation because of a lot of euros seem to think we are waiving the past (America's involvement in WW1 and 2 in their face lording it over them, but I would argue that is not the case. Point being that european countries have been painting this world red for many, many years with their internal conflicts/wars and external conflicts/wars for quite some time and most of their peace now has been largely acheived through American involvement after WW2. So, while America may be considered arrogant, I would say that we are just looking out for our interests as any nation would. Keeping Europe cooperating is in our interest. :peace
 
My intention was not to hijack the thread and explain how America is helping civilize the europeans, but to provide my opinion as to why some may feel that America is arrogant. Assumption why they feel that way primarily being due to our foreign policy among others, but I feel this is one of the main reasons. Also the question from the OP begs the response: As opposed to what? And that is why I brought Europe into the equation because of a lot of euros seem to think we are waiving the past (America's involvement in WW1 and 2 in their face lording it over them, but I would argue that is not the case. Point being that european countries have been painting this world red for many, many years with their internal conflicts/wars and external conflicts/wars for quite some time and most of their peace now has been largely acheived through American involvement after WW2. So, while America may be considered arrogant, I would say that we are just looking out for our interests as any nation would. Keeping Europe cooperating is in our interest. :peace

I don't know where your mind is, perhaps 1950.
 
My intention was not to hijack the thread and explain how America is helping civilize the europeans, but to provide my opinion as to why some may feel that America is arrogant. Assumption why they feel that way primarily being due to our foreign policy among others, but I feel this is one of the main reasons. Also the question from the OP begs the response: As opposed to what? And that is why I brought Europe into the equation because of a lot of euros seem to think we are waiving the past (America's involvement in WW1 and 2 in their face lording it over them, but I would argue that is not the case. Point being that european countries have been painting this world red for many, many years with their internal conflicts/wars and external conflicts/wars for quite some time and most of their peace now has been largely acheived through American involvement after WW2. So, while America may be considered arrogant, I would say that we are just looking out for our interests as any nation would. Keeping Europe cooperating is in our interest. :peace

I say this with all due respect, but the concept of the USA 'civilising' Europe is an interesting (some might say provocative) one. Similar in many respects to the likelihood of an immature and unruly 15 year old 'civilising' his suave and erudite grandfather. :mrgreen:

And while upon the subject of 'painting the world red' with conflict, I am given the impression that the US has more than rivalled any European state over the past 200 years or so.

History of U.S. Military Interventions since 1890

So, I suspect if there were any civilising effected across the Atlantic, the most probable direction was from East to West. Leaving aside conflict, visit any art gallery, theatre, concert hall, ballet stage, or opera house, to see whence came the major works of art, literature, and music which comprise a significant part of what might be regarded as civilisation. And while you are at it, have a look at which societies provide the greatest social justice, I am not entirely sure you will be gazing West. :)

Arrogance is often defined as having an overbearing and unrealistic sense of self-worth and self-importance, so on the personal level, you might just have answered the OP. :lol:
 
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