I think the real problem of how the world perceives Americans can be summarized as an issue of marketing. Most cultures openly admit defeat and have learned to play second violin rather than being star all the time. This is, I think, what most Americans (and yes, I generalize because I do think it applies to most) have problems with but they still MARKET themselves as the top brass. American culture teaches that no matter how mediocer as long as you put a positive spin to it then you can still sell yourself for top dollar.
From birth onwards they are told that their culture, country, capitalist system, freedom of speech is superior to ANY other system in the world. They ergo conclude that Americans must also be better citizens than the rest of the world. However, life is much more complex than that. Americans love black and white, good and bad. But its not that easy. People outside the US expect apologies for things done wrong my Americans because most also apologize for mistakes made (please dont pick one nation or some leaders who dont, we cannot have a meaningful discussion if we cannot generalize to some extent).
Americans are educated to try to always come out on top. Some other cultures do not emphasis that because it is actually being seen as bad and is seen as destructive to a meaningful and respectful society (Japan is a good counter-example to the US). I am not speaking in an economic sense here but about daily life.
People who cant admit their weaknesses, who always try to beat others, who always try to convince others that their way of life is superior without even spending the time to evaluate other systems are simply people who are disliked by most.
Sorry, I had to generalize otherwise we should not even start talking. Of course this can never include ALL.
From birth onwards they are told that their culture, country, capitalist system, freedom of speech is superior to ANY other system in the world. They ergo conclude that Americans must also be better citizens than the rest of the world. However, life is much more complex than that. Americans love black and white, good and bad. But its not that easy. People outside the US expect apologies for things done wrong my Americans because most also apologize for mistakes made (please dont pick one nation or some leaders who dont, we cannot have a meaningful discussion if we cannot generalize to some extent).
Americans are educated to try to always come out on top. Some other cultures do not emphasis that because it is actually being seen as bad and is seen as destructive to a meaningful and respectful society (Japan is a good counter-example to the US). I am not speaking in an economic sense here but about daily life.
People who cant admit their weaknesses, who always try to beat others, who always try to convince others that their way of life is superior without even spending the time to evaluate other systems are simply people who are disliked by most.
Sorry, I had to generalize otherwise we should not even start talking. Of course this can never include ALL.
