Why are Americans so defensive about America?

[Anonymous]

NP. I don’t remember US citizens being as defensive as they have been lately. I think it has to do with the internal turmoil we are currently experiencing. It’s made us all sensitive to criticism. America can be difficult to live in at times because it’s expensive, there is not much of a safety net, and right now our political parties are pitted against each other. I, for one, find it somewhat refreshing to see Americans united in telling others to STFU.

We sacrifice a lot to keep the seas open for free trade (see Bretton Woods) and other things the U.S. brings to the table but often Europeans look down on us. The superior attitude gets old. Sure America has problems! But I frankly don’t want to hear foreign complaints because there is too much going on domestically for me to care about your opinion.

[Anonymous]

In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

Of course.

But I'm not generally interested in endless, hypocritical criticism from houseguests.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

Of course.

But I'm not generally interested in endless, hypocritical criticism from houseguests.

Especially if delivered with a strong sense of superiority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

But you have no skin in the game so criticism is cheap and easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from the UK and growing up, when people criticized the UK, it was not a big deal. WE criticized ourselves. Of course there are some stereotypes I disagree with like that ALL the food is terrible. But a lot of them have merit. I feel like we constantly spoke in my family and other families about ways in which other countries were better. France had better access to good quality food and a better attitude to cooking. Japan was healthier. Most places had better weather. Having a royal family was possibly very dumb. English people are often pale and excessively embarrassing in a football abroad context. I could go on. It BAFFLES me that any time you say anything about America is sub par, Americans FREAK OUT. And immediately tell you to 'go back where you came from'. Like - WTF? Americans cannot possibly think that everything about America (obesity, drug prices, health insurance, severe weather + trailer parks, trump etc etc) is amazing. It's just not feasible - that would be lying. So what gives? Doesn't positive change happen when you are able to look inwards, see other possibilities and dream of a better way? Do ppl think they will burst into flames if they admit that Twinkies are... sub optimal?

You think Americans can’t handle criticism? Offer a critique of Canada to a Canadian, and get ready for some fireworks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

THIS.
I mean I live in NYC and if someone says NYC needs to work on dealing with the mental health issue and homelessness, I'd be like - yes. you are 100% correct.
I just dont get these people who are like - what do you even MEAN gun crime is a problem? go home if you don't like child homicide.
JFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because if not for America everyone would be learning German or Japanese or both. That those in the UK and Europe do so because of America.

It’s pretty simple.

USSR

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from the UK and growing up, when people criticized the UK, it was not a big deal. WE criticized ourselves. Of course there are some stereotypes I disagree with like that ALL the food is terrible. But a lot of them have merit. I feel like we constantly spoke in my family and other families about ways in which other countries were better. France had better access to good quality food and a better attitude to cooking. Japan was healthier. Most places had better weather. Having a royal family was possibly very dumb. English people are often pale and excessively embarrassing in a football abroad context. I could go on. It BAFFLES me that any time you say anything about America is sub par, Americans FREAK OUT. And immediately tell you to 'go back where you came from'. Like - WTF? Americans cannot possibly think that everything about America (obesity, drug prices, health insurance, severe weather + trailer parks, trump etc etc) is amazing. It's just not feasible - that would be lying. So what gives? Doesn't positive change happen when you are able to look inwards, see other possibilities and dream of a better way? Do ppl think they will burst into flames if they admit that Twinkies are... sub optimal?

Why are Europeans who post these kinds of opinions such condescending over generalizing ass hats? Note, I didn't say all Europeans, just anonymous internet blowhards like yourself.

Just how many Americans have you ever personally met and actually had a deep probing but friendly conversation with, about any topic at all? That is, actually asked about and listened to their opinions, not attacked them with your smug sense of uneatned entitlement and superiority? I would guess the number is less than 5 and probably closer to zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And another thing!

European coffee is absolute garbage. You've convinced yourselves, and for a while American tourists, that you have the coffee thing on lock. You don't. Firstly, coffee isn't grown in Europe, you're importing it the same as us. Secondly, Europeans are famous for burning their coffee. French Roast, Italian Roast-- garbage. We know what you're doing. You're taking stale beans and burning them to cover the taste. Then you claim that the taste of char is "bold" and for discerning coffee drinkers. Let's be honest, it tastes like hot trash and has none of the nuance or subtlety of more lovingly toasted beans. Finally, in Europe the cups of coffee are tiny. It's uncivilized and unacceptable to sell little thimbles of coffee to other people and look at them directly in the eyeballs and call it a "large." GTFO. This is why dunkin donuts is taking over Europe, and by the way, their macarons are better than yours.

Ma'am this is a Wendy's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

But you have no skin in the game so criticism is cheap and easy.

Huh? I'm the PP poster you're responding to, not the OP. I am a US citizen. What's your point again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from the UK and growing up, when people criticized the UK, it was not a big deal. WE criticized ourselves. Of course there are some stereotypes I disagree with like that ALL the food is terrible. But a lot of them have merit. I feel like we constantly spoke in my family and other families about ways in which other countries were better. France had better access to good quality food and a better attitude to cooking. Japan was healthier. Most places had better weather. Having a royal family was possibly very dumb. English people are often pale and excessively embarrassing in a football abroad context. I could go on. It BAFFLES me that any time you say anything about America is sub par, Americans FREAK OUT. And immediately tell you to 'go back where you came from'. Like - WTF? Americans cannot possibly think that everything about America (obesity, drug prices, health insurance, severe weather + trailer parks, trump etc etc) is amazing. It's just not feasible - that would be lying. So what gives? Doesn't positive change happen when you are able to look inwards, see other possibilities and dream of a better way? Do ppl think they will burst into flames if they admit that Twinkies are... sub optimal?

Why are Europeans who post these kinds of opinions such condescending over generalizing ass hats? Note, I didn't say all Europeans, just anonymous internet blowhards like yourself.

Just how many Americans have you ever personally met and actually had a deep probing but friendly conversation with, about any topic at all? That is, actually asked about and listened to their opinions, not attacked them with your smug sense of uneatned entitlement and superiority? I would guess the number is less than 5 and probably closer to zero.

+100

Europeans are the absolute worst when it comes to the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a healthy democracy, there should be room in public discourse for criticism of that democracy. Period.

But you have no skin in the game so criticism is cheap and easy.

Seem ambiguous. How do you quantify "skin in the game"? Is it only citizenship?

[Anonymous]

I bet OP is not from UK.