Americans, does it bother you when immigrants complain about America?

[Anonymous]

No it does not. I have lived and traveled throughout Europe. America is the most racist and toxic place I have lived. Sadly my family is here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I complain about the food and quality of education with the only objective of helping to improve them. Fortunately, I encountered many Americans that are on the same page because they visited other countries around the globe. There are Americans who, unfortunately, only visited Alabama, Wyoming, and N. Carolina and think food and education quality is world class.

Complaining about something will not change it. Surely you know that.

[Anonymous]

First gen immigrant here. I like to have thoughtful discussions about differences between countries and cultures. Often when ppl complain about aspects of American culture, it's done with a tone of superiority. Those get old real fast.

[Anonymous]

I'm annoyed, but mostly because they are stereotyping "americans". Immigrants are always talking about how they don't want to be stereotyped, well guess what- we don't either. There's a lot of nuance everywhere. We are a big and very diverse country, so things aren't as black and white as a more homogenous society.

And your dh criticizing you for being Anti American? Well you're an American too and your feelings are valid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it does not. I have lived and traveled throughout Europe. America is the most racist and toxic place I have lived. Sadly my family is here.

I find it hard to believe that you have done more than a "see 7 countries in 12 days" tour of Western Europe if this is the case.

[Anonymous]

One issue with complaining about where you live to someone who also lives there is that it can impact their enjoyment of the place.

I had a coworker who moved to DC from NYC and was constantly going on and on about how NY was better. The food was better. The transportation was better. The beach was closer. Theatre was better. Etc. The thing is, a lot of these are objectively true. Like I'm not going to argue that the theatre scene in DC is as good or better than NY! But listening to someone tell you over and over again about how the place you live is inferior to where they used to live is miserable. There ARE actually good things about DC and I used to just wish my coworker would learn to embrace those things, or move back to NY. She wasn't totally wrong, but her approach sucked.

I also think if you are complaining that much, it's possible that you are the one with the issue. Not that there aren't things about the US to criticize (there are lots!) but if you are complaining daily about the country you live in, you might want to speak to a therapist about how to shift your outlook so the things you don't like don't bother you so much. Like I hate American gun culture and our refusal to embrace universal healthcare, too, but most days I'm not talking about those things, I'm just enjoying my family and my neighborhood and hanging with friends. They bother me sometimes when they directly impact me, and I think about them when I vote and will discuss them at appropriate times, but they are not on my mind 24/7.

[Anonymous]

OP, please. Complaining about America just makes you more American. Bring it on!

[Anonymous]

Only if they are here illegally and especially if they are sponging off of / exploiting our school resources and social services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only if they are here illegally and especially if they are sponging off of / exploiting our school resources and social services.

PP here. Okay this is a valid point. What they say about the gift horse, and all.

[Anonymous]

I don't like when people say that Americans are stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it does not. I have lived and traveled throughout Europe. America is the most racist and toxic place I have lived. Sadly my family is here.

I find it hard to believe that you have done more than a "see 7 countries in 12 days" tour of Western Europe if this is the case.

+1 Maybe during the fly by countries tour the PP forgot to take a real look at how
Anti Semitism is on the rise in countries like France
And how the Brits treat Pakistani immigrants and Indian heritage nationals. It’s a lot subtler there. At least until you give ‘em a few pints and then it all comes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legitimate to criticize US foreign policy, and the healthcare system, and the ridiculous amount of fast food we subject ourselves to.

What annoys me is when people complain about minor cultural differences like having a dog as a pet, or sugar in coffee. Like…that’s what we do here, get over it.

+100

OP, stop b-itching about “lack of style.” 13 yo mean girls shouldn’t be married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is a white American man. I am an Asian immigrant who received her citizenship upon marriage to him.

Lately, he gets angry and defensive and calls me "anti-American" when I complain about various things. U.S. Foreign policy, the junk food, the lack of style of fellow Americans.

He says if I live here, I should be happy and not anti-patriotic.

Wondering if other Americans feel this way?

Very few immigrants have major complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First gen here. I only talk to other first gen about how spoiled Americans are.

Isn’t that why yore here? So you can reap the benefits of what this country can offer and be spoiled too?

What does that mean? Every country has immigrants and every country had benefits. The benefit of USA is that there's plenty of work here, specially minimum wage work. Anyone can work themselves to death and dream of almost reaching their bootstraps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. I lived overseas for a while and definitely complained about the things I didn't like.

Of course, I also abided by the laws of the host country and didn't attempt to overthrow the government.

Did you tell your husband that the 1st Amendment also applies to immigrants? He needs to go re-read the Bill of Rights.

How is this a First Amendment thing? It's not like her views on these things are valid. He's right -- she should keep her trap shut, her opinions to herself, and show a little more goddamn gratitude to have been saved from her shithole asian country.