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Most Americans Not Arrogant

Reader comment on item: [Symposium:] Why Does the World Hate America?
in response to reader comment: So many reasons

Submitted by Steve (United States), Jun 21, 2006 at 10:21

I have read a lot of the messages on this board and there seems to be an overwhelming sentiment that most if not all Americans are arrogant, lazy and ignorant of the rest of the world. However, this is simply not the case.

First of all, the globalization of business and government models that are based loosely on the American way of doing things is only because they are successful. How would a country full of ignorant people come up with ideas that are emulated throughout the rest of the world? And keep in mind that this is not because we are forcing it on anyone, other countries CHOOSE to do things the way that we do because they want to reap the benefits that they perceive us having. That's not to say that the American way of doing things is perfect, far from it. Our politicians worry more about insulting each other than they do about solving our problems, and I agree Bush has probably fomented hatred against my country more than any president in recent memory.

However, it is unfair to characterize ALL Americans as arrogant, and it is hypocritical to criticize us for being proud of our country and its accomplishments. Who among any other country would say that the country of their birth is inferior? No one. We do not force our lifestyles or way of doing things onto anyone else, but that doesn't stop other countries from using our way of doing things to their benefit and then criticizing us for doing the same. You want to stop American globalization? Then come up with a better way of doing things.

Also, America has the highest immigration rate of any country in the world. At my university, we have so many students from all over the world who are being educated by our social institutions. Three of my closest friends are from Korea, Iran and Turkey. To say that we are ignorant or insensitive to the rest of the world is ridiculous.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (171) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Sad, but true [155 words]SharniceJul 8, 2010 05:15175312
2you're wrong. [50 words]AllieOct 13, 2011 09:03175312
4For all of those who are talking about hating the US... [269 words]JoeMar 6, 2010 13:23169771
1910 simple reasons why the world hate americans - there are more than 10 [219 words]yenor galazoApr 28, 2010 19:07169771
2This is all true [38 words]SarahMay 22, 2010 21:13169771
1Thank You for your answer to my comment - why I hate America [370 words]Yenor GalazoMay 24, 2010 00:24169771
FFGE [21 words]HenryNov 15, 2010 15:55169771
Really? [71 words]That Guy with a FaceApr 27, 2012 23:41169771
Please [13 words]BobFeb 19, 2013 01:11169771
Feedback [84 words]Dave stenhartOct 7, 2013 20:20169771
the world without the United States [50 words]robertApr 18, 2016 14:24169771
9Hating America [210 words]MaxwellMar 7, 2008 15:46122004
General response [514 words]The GarJun 2, 2008 05:40122004
3Envy [155 words]TroyJun 28, 2008 22:58122004
2Anti-Americanism in Canada Irrational? [186 words]John, TorontoOct 5, 2008 20:45122004
4Let America Withdraw [326 words]Richard MatthewsDec 20, 2008 13:57122004
It's Bush, not the Americans the world hates! [269 words]Rob RiedijkDec 28, 2008 11:40122004
1Why don't we like the USA [150 words]sozzJan 5, 2009 04:56122004
well put [39 words]christopherFeb 18, 2010 04:08122004
i agree with many of your comments [106 words]christopherFeb 19, 2010 03:45122004
Response [52 words]Will CJul 10, 2011 20:25122004
To The Gar [327 words]KyleAug 26, 2012 23:16122004
american criticism [39 words]michaelAug 31, 2012 12:25122004
6this is why america is hated. [311 words]anthonyMar 1, 2008 07:20121477
Just leave then..? [29 words]JackSep 8, 2010 21:37121477
Sadness [59 words]Rob RiedijkDec 31, 2007 13:19117225
Can't we all just get along? [287 words]Glen PearceJun 9, 2007 21:5297159
1Youth of America speaking... [449 words]DanMar 15, 2007 13:3186371
7american arrogance [237 words]denis dukaFeb 18, 2007 17:3677820
5The World Destroying The United States [96 words]TuckerMay 31, 2007 16:5777820
Australian Culture [82 words]DennisAug 27, 2006 18:3054098
Americanization [69 words]AmericanCanadianOct 11, 2006 00:5154098
Australian Americanization [151 words]ShariFeb 24, 2007 11:1154098
American Culture [11 words]JustOneMoreMay 20, 2008 16:5554098
Whoa. [18 words]JustOneMoreMay 20, 2008 17:0054098
aussies are aussies. [72 words]avago_yamugAug 20, 2008 06:5754098
4The Greatest Country in the Entire World [312 words]McCutcheon PinckneyJun 29, 2006 23:5248496
Jealousy? ...Freedom? [477 words]SoleilJul 19, 2006 13:5348496
1America, what a great country! [400 words]JWJul 24, 2006 08:4848496
2What? [108 words]MacAug 2, 2006 23:3648496
2Greatest Country in the Entire World Part 2 [544 words]McCutcheonAug 3, 2006 00:0448496
Black & white [329 words]JWSep 5, 2006 11:1748496
The Truth. [213 words]MacSep 15, 2006 22:4248496
1QED, American boy [75 words]Stephen DaviesSep 20, 2006 05:2048496
1Good for you! [168 words]McCutcheonSep 20, 2006 22:4648496
4A reason to dislike the "Greatest Country" [638 words]Yannick DeclerckOct 13, 2006 16:5648496
1History Lesson. [337 words]McCutcheon PinckneyOct 13, 2006 22:4148496
More? [393 words]Yannick DeclerckNov 10, 2006 11:3448496
re: more? [1 words]joNov 13, 2006 14:0848496
1Some things to consider [1082 words]Doc RedJan 13, 2007 21:0148496
2The Greatest Country in the Entire World Part 3 [1474 words]McCutcheonJan 24, 2007 22:4548496
Nice comment! [135 words]Kevin PrinceJan 27, 2007 23:1048496
2Only judge someone by the content of their character [183 words]LFeb 10, 2007 11:1348496
McCutcheon what are you saying? [154 words]denis dukaFeb 13, 2007 18:3048496
Wrong about the Truth [476 words]McCutcheon PinckneyFeb 15, 2007 18:5048496
McCutcheon [110 words]denis dukaFeb 17, 2007 04:1048496
fact [103 words]denis dukaFeb 17, 2007 04:2548496
something to say [228 words]denis dukaFeb 17, 2007 05:1848496
sigh [189 words]McCutcheon PinckneyFeb 18, 2007 01:3448496
Why the world hates America [218 words]shariFeb 24, 2007 11:2248496
McCutcheon, America didn't solve anything [154 words]RaviMay 4, 2007 01:3148496
How about no spin? Let's get the facts. [968 words]McCutcheonMay 6, 2007 23:5348496
1Hey French [52 words]TuckerMay 31, 2007 17:0348496
Question [10 words]TuckerMay 31, 2007 17:0948496
No. [21 words]YannickJun 2, 2007 08:3848496
Assuming... [91 words]TuckerJun 4, 2007 09:0548496
Now you're being a hypocrite [139 words]YannickJun 5, 2007 05:2848496
1Well, you're Wrong [499 words]TuckerJun 5, 2007 16:3448496
different views [320 words]YannickJun 6, 2007 10:5948496
1"Freedom" [73 words]TerrehAug 19, 2007 18:1648496
2Misguided opinions about America [307 words]Bob SterlingAug 20, 2007 18:2448496
Arrogant [96 words]Bob SterlingAug 20, 2007 23:3248496
1freedom??? [55 words]Allen RuddNov 1, 2007 07:0548496
response [112 words]BrianOct 6, 2009 21:3948496
RE: Stephen Davis [7 words]DavidDec 9, 2009 19:5548496
Don't just open your eyes, Look and See! [361 words]KitJan 6, 2010 12:2048496
1A Response [795 words]Bob SterlingJan 7, 2010 19:4648496
Re-response [1156 words]KitJan 8, 2010 17:3848496
what america has done? [154 words]loganJul 27, 2010 20:0148496
get a life [117 words]benOct 28, 2010 21:3448496
response to yannick declerck [118 words]stephanieApr 2, 2011 04:3748496
1America in WW2 [68 words]Blaze777Sep 10, 2011 14:4648496
My eyes are seeing very clearly, thank you very much [134 words]An AmericanAug 26, 2012 23:2848496
America is not what it seems [207 words]SanreayMar 3, 2006 13:3138783
It has always been that way [162 words]JohnJul 1, 2006 11:3838783
Hard work vs quality of life [70 words]BryanJul 20, 2006 21:3738783
So many reasons [373 words]j.patrickFeb 22, 2006 05:1036929
The crescent and star [157 words]donvanFeb 22, 2006 16:0336929
1Most Americans Not Arrogant [336 words]SteveJun 21, 2006 10:2136929
1From the outside [271 words]ConsulNov 19, 2006 23:2336929
what i have to say [24 words]latoyaDec 1, 2007 14:0236929
2America Doesn't Own The World [93 words]MikeJan 25, 2006 12:5732439
hate! this is the reason [71 words]mariaJan 27, 2006 10:0032439
Retard? What? [40 words]MACJun 30, 2006 00:0232439
Ahhhh- What??? [27 words]TuckerJun 5, 2007 16:4132439
teaching Americans their own lesson. [227 words]BrianOct 6, 2009 21:3432439
What? [59 words]ReshmaMar 12, 2010 12:0232439
Umm, you might wanna check up on your history old chap. [141 words]AceMar 16, 2010 20:0632439
we hate you because your ignorant [74 words]big DaveDec 17, 2005 15:4130117
Cmon big Dave [114 words]JohnDec 19, 2005 20:0530117
nerd [16 words]MigJan 23, 2006 21:3630117
We Hate you too. [60 words]PaulJul 5, 2006 20:4230117
MASSIVE IGNORANCE [336 words]andyNov 21, 2006 10:5430117
reply [20 words]EmmaApr 8, 2007 05:1130117
Know it all [71 words]Kuray KilluaApr 8, 2007 22:4730117
India and China likes us [179 words]JohnDec 13, 2005 12:3229875
home is home [419 words]Sarah HillNov 2, 2005 07:3527668
why the world hates america... [731 words]derekOct 21, 2005 17:0827190
All the resources you need? [199 words]ClintOct 1, 2006 10:3027190
1Look Somewhere Else [139 words]AidanFeb 17, 2009 20:3827190
Why the world hates America [83 words]Johnny CanuckMar 23, 2009 18:1427190
you are the reason i dont like america [50 words]alexJul 15, 2009 17:3727190
This article is EXACTLY why people hate America [162 words]AnonJul 19, 2009 11:5527190
One thing you got terribly wrong. [320 words]AceFeb 6, 2010 08:3227190
Cocky comments. [296 words]WilliamFeb 13, 2010 12:5527190
There is no charity..... [258 words]NishantOct 9, 2005 09:4526738
i agree, the world is just jealous [170 words]chris williamsJun 8, 2005 15:3122608
4Middle East VS America - The answer [435 words]SoleilJul 22, 2006 20:5622608
Muslims [25 words]TuckerMay 31, 2007 17:3722608
Hopeless [155 words]FrankNov 23, 2004 05:4318531
you are too young to know what communism really means [24 words]felixDec 28, 2005 04:2118531
??? [64 words]JohnJul 1, 2006 11:5118531
It's the government the world hates, not Americans. [78 words]BradSep 26, 2004 06:5917264
about america [101 words]ionut, romaniaJul 23, 2006 05:3317264
America's foriegn policy [188 words]GregDec 21, 2006 16:1917264
Why do we care if they hate us? [251 words]New FederalistJun 19, 2004 03:5315730
why do you hate us [101 words]uncle samJun 2, 2006 12:0015730
1lesson on ww2 [108 words]GregDec 21, 2006 16:3115730
The Facts on the lesson of WW2. [81 words]McCutcheonJan 24, 2007 22:5115730
Externalities [561 words]JHHFeb 6, 2004 11:2413786
Its not your success...... [309 words]JohnNov 21, 2003 04:0012253
It is something basic in the psyche of the haters [399 words]Warwick WakefieldMay 17, 2003 21:349114
Economic Strength [51 words]Rod HullMar 17, 2003 10:437329
The American Myth [120 words]ShaunMar 15, 2003 06:367280
1How great is America....really??? [578 words]Crabby McCrabbAug 21, 2006 18:027280
A lesson in factual assesments. [960 words]McCutcheon PinckneyOct 6, 2006 23:347280
Wrong [133 words]McCutcheonJan 24, 2007 22:597280
1they don`t [49 words]roryFeb 1, 2007 01:427280
To McCutcheon [327 words]JJAug 3, 2010 19:317280
1Why USA should continue giving help to Israel..... [98 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
DFeb 25, 2003 23:056925
Bush administration [238 words]AdnanApr 30, 2006 14:396925
It's Bush, not the Americans the world hates! (II) [232 words]Rob RiedijkFeb 18, 2003 15:206744
It's Bush, not the Americans the world hates! [122 words]Rob RiedijkFeb 17, 2003 05:446691
Rob ...???? [95 words]TuckerJun 1, 2007 14:476691
why should we care [39 words]mikeFeb 10, 2003 20:596532
You've nailed it, Mr Pipes [217 words]Tim GombisJan 28, 2003 09:466040
It is not jealousy. [152 words]FarazJan 23, 2003 16:505911
Response to commenter Mr Faraz.. [64 words]ZmiexpatFeb 4, 2003 10:425911
Americans are stupid [542 words]JenniferDec 2, 2006 04:215911
Small correction [265 words]KitJan 8, 2010 19:045911
1Learning from Europe's mistakes [282 words]Gabriel GrossoJan 21, 2003 20:035883
It is impossible to do as Gabriel Grosso suggests [236 words]Stephen BermanJan 22, 2003 16:275883
Response to Gabriel Grosso [425 words]Susan BradfordJan 29, 2003 10:435883
The world envies America's success. [105 words]Hari IyerJan 21, 2003 13:145880
Response to commenter Mr Hari Iyer [101 words]Rob RiedijkFeb 18, 2003 15:475880
I don't agree with Hari Iyer's comments [57 words]Giri GuevaraNov 9, 2004 05:195880
Dear Americans, learn from Europe's mistakes [237 words]Gabriel GrossoJan 21, 2003 10:235877
the last crusade? [10 words]AllenNov 1, 2007 07:075877
1Anti-Americanism in Canada [136 words]AlexanderJan 20, 2003 16:225872
Not All Professors Do [69 words]Alexander KizukJan 20, 2003 16:105871
Arms' Length Respect [70 words]Hector TitusJan 19, 2003 15:405857
1THE ANSWER IS STRAIGHTFORWARD [202 words]Adam GreavesJan 19, 2003 01:415852
Jealousy? I don't think so [71 words]King JimboFeb 23, 2006 12:185852
1Jealous! [27 words]paulJul 5, 2006 20:475852
Just the facts maam. [314 words]McCutcheonJan 24, 2007 23:185852
McCutcheon are you serious? [109 words]denis dukaFeb 13, 2007 18:345852
A word of advice [307 words]Yannick DeclerckFeb 16, 2007 14:305852
The Myth of Global Warming [310 words]McCutcheon PinckneyFeb 16, 2007 23:015852
Question [22 words]TuckerJun 11, 2007 13:475852
3I would like to apologize on behalf of McCutcheon (and all other pompous Americans)... [491 words]Jesse NicholsOct 1, 2008 13:525852
People that matter [155 words]KitJan 8, 2010 18:105852

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