Hearts & Minds?

I would like to answer this one as a non-American. (Please note, this is not anti, or un, American...) And please realize, that in answering this, I HAVE to generalize...

The US influence in Canada is unmistakable. We watch your television programs, admittedly, because they are - for the most part - better than Canadian programming (except the news). And the US looks, on television, like lotus land. There are beautiful parts of the country - gorgeous in fact. But where the negative impression comes from is the people.

When Americans come to Canada, they come off as arrogant and loud mouthed. They are pushy when they are shopping in the stores, and loud in their criticisms of our "ridiculous" taxes. That was not always the case...when the dollar was higher...but it makes a difference now.

Americans show no interest or respect or understanding for their northern neighbours. They know nothing of our history or geography, and many still think that we are simply the land of ice and snow. Why should they have an interest, you ask? Well, I guess they don't NEED to, but it makes for a better rounded understanding of the world, don't you think? For a country that is supposed to be your closest neighbour, one would think that you would take an interest. Canadians study US history and are taught all the states and capitals. But not so in the US.

When travelling to Caribbean destinations, there is an overwhelming evidence that a person is American in how they act and how they expect to be treated. They don't seem to realize or appreciate that they are in a different country, with different people and customs and foods. Frequently, Americans can be heard making fun of those people and how they speak or the food being offered, in very loud and overbearing voices. You can always tell the Americans from the rest of the tourists on vacation.

Basically, it is the 'attitude' of the American people that has caused so many to dislike them. The sense that they are better than everyone else. The sense of entitlement. They get on your nerves after a while. And it makes it harder and harder for the rest of the world to support you when you make it so abundantly clear that you think you are better than everyone else.

Having said all of that, I would like to add that the US is truly a magnificent country, geographically. And it is - even with all the problems - still a great land of opportunity and possibility. It just needs for the people to take the edge off. To stop the arrogance, and get back to being people of the world. The world we ALL share.

Now...I'm off my soapbox. Thank you for the opportunity to say all of this, and please know that I was answering without meaning any kind of offence...

I'm sure it has a lot to do with the Pat Robinson 700Club airing across the World air waves with his right winged news cast. The Internet has been actually a negative towards other Countries too with all of the spamming going on. I have had some contacts through a Skype program with other associates that are working in China and Indonesia, and their Governments don't want them having any contact with the U.S... The reason is because of the Religious propaganda and hate speech with bias overtones. I don't like what I'm hearing from the self ordained Moral Majority either, and I know it has nothing to do with spreading the word of the Lord. It still is baffling how these spam artist really believe in their own BS.

Our political leaders seem to be more "wishy washy" than they once were, 9/11 hurt the over-all security of America, and we don't have that much american-made stuff anymore. Many people like to have more things in general come from their country. I'm sorry that we don't.

For myself, anyone who romps around with a "my way or the highway" attitude loses my respect. It is easy to understand why US has fallen in the polls of world esteem --- but what is it about the top 3 that people admire??

If Canada invaded Greenland for whatever reasons, world opinion would move in a negative directions.

Any country that takes to arms rather than diplomacy is frowned upon.

Because liberals that can't get with the program want to see the U.S. weaken and are causing the international community to see us in a bad light.

Sitizen X now chooses to attack me personally, I wear that like a badge of honor coming from someone who post such ridiculous questions.

the world has that perception because it is deserved.. I love the left in our country and it's non stop diatribe about the Bush administration.. when in fact if there was any participation beyond our wanton consumerism in our countries politics we might be able to effect some change.. while the right blindly follows it's partisan roots.. can you say cluster fu@k?

oh and for the answerers that say things like.. "who cares what they think", or "they're jealous" You all are the bane of our sinking republic... history is littered with this scenario.. and it always turned out the same way.

ps... Snowball is classic, you have to go check out his other answers, LOL!

It has been over the past 30-40 years as a matter of fact. When you are the wealthiest, most prosperous nation in the world--others don't seem to like it much ..........

Have you ever been to a sporting event and listened to the criticisms from the completely clueless people in the crowd? Same thing here.

We have always been the strongest nation in the world - therefore unpopular. Yet when these countries are in trouble who do they come to for aide, America. Who gives a damn what others think?