Do they really hate Americans?
 

In response to a number of posts that I've read in the forum section, I wanted to relate an experience that I had in November of 2005. I happened to be traveling down the Tenn Tom Bigby waterway, heading from Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico. Since my boat needed work, I hauled her out of the water in Demopolis Alabama, and planned to spend Thanksgiving "living on the hard" (the boat out of the water on dry land). Since friends on another boat were doing the same thing, we decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner together.

A French couple were working on their boat nearby, so in the spirit of international relations, we invited them to join us. After a few glasses of wine, I asked them why they were visiting the US? I related that the press suggested that the French hated Americans, and we figured most Americans would return the favor. They were shocked by this idea.

They immediately explained that the French don't hate Americans. The French GOVERNMENT hates Americans. Most French people were enamored of American culture, and loved visiting the US. They further explained that every American that they met so far had extended an incredible level of hospitality, and that they were having a wonderful time touring our country. They told me that this was their third visit to the US, and they hoped they'd be back in the future. Thinking about it, I certainly didn't hate the French, and experienced one of the better Thanksgiving celebrations with these people.

Other friends who shipped their boat to Italy from the US were concerned about flying the American flag while sailing that section of the Med. Upon arriving in Italy and Greece, they discovered that the people of these two countries loved seeing Americans visiting, and often gave thumbs up signals when my friends displayed their flag.

I'd display the flag, and act in such a fashion that you give everyone a good impression of this neck of the woods.

Chris

I think that most of Europe distinguishes between the US government and people, who live in the US, quite well.

You might want to keep it quiet if you are in any Islamic countries though..... I went through C. Asia last year and unsurprisingly politics is usually high on the agenda. No one seemed to mention America though, only George Bush. I found that spitting on the ground if anyone mentioned G.W. or Tony Blair soothed the waters and resulted in free food/tea etc.

The stars and stripes were being torched in St Petersburg when I passed through, in preperation for the G8 summit.

In summary the US is not going to win any popularity polls at the moment but global resentment seems directed at the administration, not the citizens. This may be bolstered by the fact that the majority of Americans that travel abroad (that I have come across) don't support the republican dynasty....

If in doubt say you are a Canadian!

I'm Canadian!!! Well... I am...
 

Interesting topic to say the least and one that is a big can of worms waiting to be opened... To throw my hat into it...

Each country has its own character and personality and a common conciousness etc. of who they percieve themselves to be. Who they think they are and in general who the world thinks they are. As a Canadian we tend to fit into a group of expectations when travelling as well. Why most of my friends from the States call themselves Canadians when travelling is a source of pride to me - depending on how you look at it. Are we meek? Are we complacent? etc. Depends on how you look at it. Either way Canadians are non threatening it seems and a good route to vent about the US it seems for the people I meet abroad. So-be-it. We here (HUBB) have all spent a lot of time travelling - me to more than 35 countries - and the perception of the US is universally the same wherever I go. (real or not - including my many friends in the US - who love their country but not so much some of its people) Americans (if I can use the term) are generally perceived as a people who really think that their way is the only way - or the best way. All of the rest comes from that. This has been born out many times in individual encounters backpacking across Europe (Where the majority of Americans put Canadian flags onto their packs) - to Africa - to travels in the US itself over the last 25 years - it hasn't changed much. Which doesn't mean that they are not nice and accomodating as I have always been warmly welcomed into the US and have many of my closest friends there. It is just a simple overwhelming perception that unfortunately the current administration is doing little to assuage right now. And, remember we all have our perceptions to overcome - a rude taxi driver in Paris does not make for a rude people. And, I am not sure that being an unassuming, non-threatening Canadian is such a good or bad thing - it just is. Which is what we all have to work with I think. One thing that has always stood out in my travels. One on one - sitting by a fire or over food... most every human being I have met (some more than others) have been kind to me, helpful, interested, engaging, and an individual - far apart from the general perception I had of the country they were from or we were in. Of that I am always pleasantly suprised.

taking the blame
 

I don't say I'm Canadian, I just say I'm from California.

Most people in Australia and New Zealand assumed I was Canadian because I know a little about ANZAC and World War I history. Septics* aren't supposed to know those things.

--Dave

*Septics is rhyming slang. Septic tank = yank. Considered rude but I think it's funny when it's tossed my way (although it's always been in fun -- I think)

Ya Bleedin Seppo Dave!

I get mistaken for an Aussie every now and then........ mainly when I hear a plan and sat 'awwww yeah'

Hope the old Duke is going OK - on the subject of national stereotypes it just took me a week to properly diagnose the gremlin that was hiding in my wiring loom and fix it (touch wood). Bloody Italians. (I am now on Elefant MKII (MK I got torched by some f"@?king b>"#$rds))

Not only Yanks
 

Throughout my travels I have found that all nationalities have about their fair share of saints and of ar53h01es, but I wonder how much perception is influenced by our experience even when we know we only see part of the picture?

When you're in a place that is full of quiet, unobtrusive Englishmen, of the sort once called gentlemen (and/or ladies), you don't notice them. When the place is full of drunken, loudmouthed chavs (an urban underclass, sometimes explained as "Council House And Violent" for the benefit of overseas readers) you can't miss them, but you try. Equally loudmouthed Yanks etc are easily noticed and you may not notice the gentlemen.

I can't remember who said it of whom (but I think it was Scottish enlightenment philosphers), but I accept that it sometimes applies to me:

"He hates all men as a group, but loves Tom, Dick and Harry as individuals"

I'll throw my two cents:

I'm Australian, and was just in the US, Mexico and the UAE.
Every American individual I met in the US was more than helpful when asked for directions, advice etc, even just walking the streets of Hollywood (cabbies are a differnt story hah ha).

I dont hate americans, but I can often be heard to comment "farkin yanks" "bloody americans" - which is more a result of the US administration, and Agricultural/free trade policies hypocricies (I'm a farmer by trade).
So I agree it is an administration thing, with the US "policing the world" potrayal in the media. Thats a huge argument I'm not going into, but the American citizens I've met have been great - and I was in Vegas on the all star weekend, so I saw THE WHOLE SPECTRUM.

In Mexico, I was in PV, and some locals did give a better response when we explained we weren't American, but I think thats because we were more of a novelty, and spring break was in town, so there were some less than model examples running around.
The Canadians had a smiliar response, but I think thats more a border sharing rivalry/issue with both countries.

In the Persian Gulf, I wondered if there would be an ills towards me if assumed to be American, or just as another whitey in town with big business. None what-so-ever.
Hell, in that neck of the woods, someone is always fighting someone, and the bad blood goes back a lot longer between some factions than the War on Terror. This view was expressed by many locals.

I judge each individual AS an individual. Most people do the same. Respect given, is respect reflected.

I have nothing against Americans. Actually, some of my best friends are American...

Interesting
 

Im a Canuck who drove from Canada down the entire US west coast and had nothing but pleasureable experiences with everyone we met. (You find the occational rude person, but you get that anywhere you travel).

I agree that most people outside the US are angered at the US government and foreign policy, not citizens themselves. Best way to fix that is to elect a more diplometic government, but thats for the people to decide not foreigners like myself.

Im often mistaken for an American while travelling, and once people find out im Canadian I do notice a different tone and treatment. Could just be that we are a pretty humble, powerless country, thus non-threatning, who knows, but i did find these usefull tips to win the hearts of those in the country you are visiting:

#1) Language - if you are in a non-english speaking country, speak to the locals in their language - even if its "hellow, how are you" and even if you are totally butchering it. Speaking their language shows respect and shows you are making the attempt to adjust to their culture - dont assume they know english.

#2) Learn something about the local history and events - people are floored when you are understand their culture, history, or religion. This can easily be done by reading any guide book ahead of time. When talking to locals ask them questions about their country, instead of getting on a soap box and preeching your countries values, history etc..

#3) Positivity - When you are experincing a foreign country or being asked what you think about their country, be positive. Dont turn your nose at their food, there are polite ways to side step cultural shock.

These are no-brainers, but its amazing better received you will be. As for Americans travelling as Canucks, it doesnt matter to me as those who do travel as Canadians have very similar values, but I would encourage you to be proud of your country and impact those you meet positively while reflecting you homeland, just stay away from stars and strips shits, pants or hats, no one wants Rex-kwondo rolling through their neighborhood! :)

This topic is everywhere
 

As many of you are, I am a seasoned traveler. I am an American and I have been all around the world. I am not a flag wavin patriot by any means but never not once have I misrepresented myself as Canadian or any other nationality. I have never been shown any kind of hate or disdain for my nationality. In fact even in Muslim countries most people I meet are happy to meet me and discuss lots of things including politics. I am not in any way proud of our current government and therefore I think it is up to us Americans that do travel to be good representatives of the US. I have always found I am treated as I treat others. When I travel I am very aware of local customs and attitudes down to the pants I wear. There are opinionated A- holes in every country. If you are kind you will usually be met with kindness. Leave all that Yanks and Americans are hated shit out to dry, its old and really stupid.

that being said
 

That being said, I would not want to ride a Harley through any country...

Why is this, you prefer the reliability of a Japanese motorcycle?

I'll put my two cents in here if i may.. I am an Australian that lived in the USA for many years. So first off my accent is a bit odd and i get confused for an Irish Canadian (what ever the hell that is) all the time. As someone above wrote and is completely true.. you only notice the "Bad" people, so being a travelers that is rude or loud, or grumpy.. whatever, that standout and is remembered.. This is true about riders in general.. cars never notice or complain about the bike that has ridden in the lane next to them for 40 k, but then a power ranger zips by going 100k over the limit and cuts them off and all bikers are nuts and a$$holes. So this puts Americans at kinda of a disadvantage, Americans are taught national pride like i have not seen in any other 1st world country, they are a boisterouse people that talk and laugh loudly this is not a good or bad thing (we aussies are the same), but in reserved cultures (Asian for example), this makes these people stand out. So you have a Government that is (sorry Americans) an evil bunch of b@$tards (they have roped my country into the war too), a loud person that has a national pride that scares many and they stand out and get remembered instantaneously it is "bloody americans" and all have been bunched. I do believe that there is a lot of resentment towards the american government around the world, this is true in many contries, I am living in th UK and it is as true here as it is in Aus, but we dont disslike the people as a whole. On my travels I have seen an example of every country having a££holes, but is only a few that stand out.. and two of them are Americans, why cus both said.. "In America we do things better then....."
In both occasions wondered if you do not want to learn different ways why travel? It is not only yanks that think this.. even at this years HU meet in response to Grant saying "you have to respect and accept other peoples culture..." I heard someone say that "No, you dont have to respect it or accept it but you do you do deal with it...". To which I shook my head in disbelief, and answered him you dont have to agree with it.. but you do have to respect it...

yanks are like volvos, we have all had bad experience with them and only remember the one that try to kill you...

I have personally destroyed languages all over the world.. and no matter how badly I have mutilated their national tongue, it has always been appreciated, (if not a source of great amusement). Simple travel story, I was in France, wanting to get a train ticket. I proceed up to the counter, pull out my phase book.. and start to make a beautiful language sound like something from far east Asia spoken by a creature from hell. The woman behind the counter with the understanding of saint let me struggle though the process of ordering my tickets, she helped me with some pronunciations (gave up on more).. and processed my ticket. However, before taking my money in perfect english she said.. "Just to be sure.. you wanted a ticket from...." . She then said good bye in (french) and in english thanked me for trying..
I stepped aside to organise myself and the next in line was an American.. He just started to speak english and assumed that she would do the same..No I am sorry I do not speak Freanch, or even Please do you speak english.. She told him that she did not speak any english (in french) and he would have to go into an other line... in order to buy his tickets. Seeing my grin the woman winked at me and call the next person in line...

The moral a person would much rather be insulted (although usually not) by you doing something wrong but trying.. then you insulting them by you making them do it your way....


:eek3: wow I can ramble... huh?

What???
 

So you have a Government that is (sorry Americans) an evil bunch of b@$tards (they have roped my country into the war too),

What???
 

Then what you are saying is that all Aussies are mindless loudmouth fools like All of us YANKS and you ALL just followed us in to a war. How about your govt is just as evil as ours and made the same decision for your country as our govt did for ours. I understand what you are trying to say it just seems a bit self righteous and way over generalized to me. There are loud boisterous people from every culture. Yes, even Asian. Why not stop all the generalizing and labeling. You forget that there are almost 400,000,000 Americans and we are mostly a mixed bag. You know Asian, African, Mexican, Jewish, Hindu, catholic, muslim and yea even a few loud mouth white guys.

For the record: That is bloody well said!

Thanks
 

Thanks Hans. I have read several of your posts as well. Seem pretty level headed. Probably a good travel mate.

Best

not racist at all
 

Hi all,:thumbup1:
just wanted to say: I ain·t got nuffink against americans....!:cowboy: Even shook hands with one, once! :1eye: :w00t: :lol2:

Love and peace,
Dan:tongue_smilie:

I obviously did not make my self clear.. My point was my government is just as bad as yours( i.e. we are both in a stupid war)! and yes Aussies are just as loud mouthed (maybe more:confused1:)!.. My point was exactly yours, that there are a$$hole is every county (I said as much):nono:.. but because of the Resentment towards the US government (justified or not (irrelevant to the point here)) when there is a loud mouth American, people that want an excuse to hate them ONLY REMEMBER THEM! not the nice guy! See example of volvos or nut on sports bike..

Mate I was defending you and yours!

Cheers
 

Xander

No worries. These threads can often get kind of sensitive. Thanks for the reply.

I can't remember if anything like mass murder happened there. And if its a problem with the name IE Africa Twin in relation to Americas slave history and Honda is so sensitive to that maybe they should change the name of the bike to something Cute Little twin.

No worries I wanted to make myself clear... Not sure what the second part (HTML part) is all about though????

As for AT not being sold in the US I know they didnt, and they didnt sell them in Aus either..so it cant be an anti-USA thing.. it is just stupid market research that for some reason decided that two places were you can spend a lot of time dual sporting (USA and Australia both have a lot more out back then Europe) they dont need to sell a dual sport bike and they wonder why world sales of that model were lower then road tourers??? I think they forgot to notice that the GS is BMW #1 seller in Aus (or at least was in 2005). I love my AT and cant understand that decision?????:confused1::confused1::confused1:

It amazes me that in many countries where the government of the US played such active rolls in fomenting troubles (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Chile, etc.), which costs the lives of countless non-combatants, they don't just take us outside and beat the shit out of us. But they never show any hint of animosity towards Americans. They get over their issues much faster than those of us in the US - who are stuck in WWII land.

Then there's Iraq. It'll be a long time before the American tour operators start booking trips there - they will beat the shit out of us, and then some.

All good fiends and jolly good company....
 

Hello all,:thumbup1:
Why don·t we admit it.... it·s much more difficult to be nasty and say nasty and aggressive things when we are looking into the eyes of the receiver!!!!:nono:
Timid?, lack of confidence? or just chicken.....?:innocent:
At the meetings everyone is over the moon with everyone, but when there·s a distance between us, all our lower instincts come out and we write to kill!? :stormy: :stormy: :stormy: :stormy: :stormy: :stormy:
What a load of childish rubbish we spend our time on.:(
Are our lives so boring that we have to confront with and agress others.:confused1:
One thing is to have different opinions, another to bark like a mad dog (like the infamous white mut ) when not face to face.!:taz:

Love and peace and if not,and You·re so fond of war:tank:, do whatever You want but FACE to FACE! (or wear human sissy bars) :ban:

Dan:tongue_smilie:

Chris:

I'm not so sure it would be a good idea to "display the flag" of the United States of America if you are traveling internationally.

I'm a Canadian who lives in Europe and who works in various countries in Africa. 99% of the American people whom I meet are delightful human beings. However, the American government, most especially the current administration, is not generally well liked or well respected in many other countries of the world.

Most citizens of other countries of the world are smart enough to make a distinction between people who are American vs. the Government of America. However, when you fly a flag, the flag represents that nation, not yourself as an individual. The most commonly seen media images of the American Flag are either on the shoulders of American servicemen and women who are engaged in conflicts in countries that did not invite them, or on the lapel of the suit jacket of the current American president, who is generally not well respected outside of his country.

For this reason, I think it might be best if you didn't "display the flag". Just be your normal nice and friendly self, and let people get to know you as "Chris the human being", not "That American with a flag". No-one expects you to apologize for your government's actions, or to not be proud of being a citizen of our country, but sometimes, discretion is the better part of valour. My personal guess is that 'Sometimes' is going to last until about November of 2008.

Michael

Barely on topic but...
 

Apologies that this is only tangentially on topic but I think it has some relevence to the discussion about different views of people c/w governments.

When I was a child (in the 1960s) we took occasional foreign holidays, and one year we went to Germany; staying in private houses along the Mosel valley. In one such house the woman of the house ran the gasthoff while the man worked in a local factory and had a couple of rows of vines. Being proud of his wine, he was happy to share a bottle with my father, and then another bottle. Late in the evening I remember two old fools, well in their cups, reminiscing about their wartime service. These reminiscences were about lousy rations, idiot officers and happy comradeship - exactly the same as any time old soldiers meet. At the time I was surprised that two men who had been on opposing sides in a war which was still recent back then could enjoy each other's company like this (I was very young), but I now understand how powerful the common bond of shared experience can be. Two people meeting face to face are just that = two people.

This was one of the most important formative experiences of my childhood and I treasure it still.

The general consensus seems to be, as expected, that US citizens are NOT hated, but their government's appalling foreign policy is detested by most. Incidentally, referring to US citizens as "Americans" is misleading - Canadians are Americans and so are Chileans.

The UK has a lousy foreign policy, with Blair licking Bush's hand, and I think we ordinary Brits will suffer for that. English football hooligans have caused much resentment abroad, which is why I only have the European Union stars on my number plate but not the country of origin. I'm not English and I dont want the blame!

So every country has its dorks and ignorant farmhands who should be drowned in a bucket and who make us cringe.

Vive la France

I agree that Canadian people are pretty impressive, but Canadian ducks are much less so? Last time I was in Canadian waters, a gang of rowdy ducks partied in my dinghy. When I awoke in the morning, I found feathers, poop, grass, mud and Molson bottles everywhere. Took me an hour to clean up the mess. You guys really need to teach these waterfowl some manners, especially relating to how they treat the tourists.

C

While I've only traveled abroad a moderate amount,Canada,Mexico,Italy.Bahamas,and Costa Rica. I have never felt mistreated for being from the U.S. . I'm fairly modest and genuinely intrested in where I am ,or else why bother?
As a farmer I'm used to not having much money and to being and working with others in similar situations. My father taught us that we wer'nt too good for any job so just get on with it.
As to politics all I can say is the bastiges didn't ask me!
When I feel down the best thing for me is to remember the words to Louie's song " I think to myself , what a wonderful world"

what a debate!
 

My few cents worth...... there is good and bad in every bunch, every nationality, every family, every street, village, town or country.

treat everyone you meet how you would like to be treated, always be polite, it costs nowt, if things get heated, keep a cool head, an even temper and a closed mouth and you will be the better man.

Heck, i should take my own advice sometimes!!!!:rolleyes2:

For the record, I always say I'm from Texas. Often people follow my reponse and ask if I have a horse/gun or something like that. I hate saying "America" or blabbing out the whole united states of america thinig because when in Mexico, we're all Americans, or from the "United States" of America or Mexico. So I just say Texas. Anyway.. I digress.

3ish years ago I was at a bar in New Zealand (Nelson, I think)
and was having drinks with another Texan and Auklander and I go up to a group of locals who are smoking and ask to bum a light. I go through the usual routine of "texas.. no horses" then the guy proceeds to lay into how much he hates the US.

I was fine with this and just listening and chuckling because I always wanted (like the author of this thread) to know why people hate Americans. His points (though rather drunk) were mostly around the themes of cultural prevalence of movies and music. He really hated US films. Sheesh. I think he hated all movies because he couldn't come up with an example of anything he liked. Eventually, we find some common ground and all was merry...

That was the only time I really had someone go off on me how they hated us US'ers.

I look forward to meeting Americans when I'm traveling-- it is great to find others from my country who share the same cultural background and wanderlust. The only time I've cringed when hearing other Americans talk to eachother was in Paris. Just because YOU don't understand the language that everyone else is speaking doesn't mean everyone else doesn't understand yours.

Sadly, all those American kids with Canadian flags on their backpacks are doing it for a reason. They otherwise find that on occasion some bias creeps into the way they are treated in comparison to other travellers. It took me while to figure out, but on my last trip I noticed that sometimes people were initially a little cooler, more distant than in previous trips. Not all places, but after a while I figured out that it was because my current bike has US plates and that is enough to trigger a bias if someone happens to have one. It goes away soon enough, when they figure out that you are not American as in my case or when they separate the individual from government foreign policy as mentioned by previous posters. It serves as a reminder of the far reaching implications of foreign policy and that we serve as ambassadors of our countries when travelling overseas.

Yanks
 

Yanks, I bloody love,em.As a bar owner in Ecuador all I can say is that they come in have a great time,spend loads of cash,drink like fish,eat like horses,pay their bill without complaint!!! leave a bloody great tip for the waitresses and say we,ll be back tomorrow and actually come back and do it all again.
God save the good ol USA and all who sail in her,I,ve seen a load of people from a lot of nations at their best and worst in the pub business and in general the Yanks are better behaved than most.Long may they continue to get pissed as rats and leaving big tips
Albert,The Turtles Head,Quito Ecuador.

Hating AMericians
 

It's not the Americians per sae but their Governments Foreign Policy.

I gotta put my two cents in on this one!
 

If anyone asks, I'm an American. From the USA.....whatever. What difference does it make. I deliver, via ships, food cargoes for WFP(World Food Program), USAID, CARE, Feed The Children, Catholic Charities, World Vision, UNICEF, The Menonites,.... and so on. We never ask for thanks, and don't expect any. We work directly with the locals and rarely encounter any hostilities. We're just a bunch of average Joes doing our thing. Even in countries that supposedly target the US politically. It doesn't stop the flow of food. I can only say, like "Popeye the Sailor" would say in the old cartoons " I Yams what I Yams and dats all that I Yams".....unquote. I could never pretend to be another nationality for whatever reason. Whatever policies the US has is the burden US travelers bear (regardless of their policies). I've always found that when it comes down to it, most people I've talked to think their governments suck in one way or another. Be it corruption or ridiculous politicians or policies.....and such is life. Now and historically. If you're a good person, good people will seek you out. "Always keep your front wheel in front of you"... Good ridin... Smitty

Sadly, this thread turns into a political thread.

There are also some other Americans who deliver, via ships (or plane) guns, bullets, bombs, tears, sorrow, etc for some reasons..

Local people knows why you are there and what are you looking for. If you are on a motorbike with dirty clotes they know that you are there just to see the other side of the hill, and, they know that you are an adventurer who wants to know about the world.

I dont want to involve such a political discussion. This is a traveler website. Only who loves travel and seeing places are here.

No one wants to hear if you are proud or not about your nations. We have to be proud just because we are human, and, help for human.

Ozhanu, you are right that this is not a political forum. But remember this-

..you may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in YOU.

You cannot ignore it, even if you'd like to. Many countries, including mine and yours, have a nasty history. If you're not aware of politics/history, then you will say the wrong thing somewhere, and land in trouble. In your case, I suggest that you be politically aware when talking to Armenians or Kurds or Greeks. If you think you can travel yet be unaware of poilitics then you are heading for trouble...

Good roads

Caminando,

I did not say (or write) that I am not interested in politics. I have just said that i dont want to be involved such a political discussion, but, unfortunately i am in for last time.

If you live in Turkiye, if you are Turkish and if you have graduated from a university (and did PhD in the UK) you have to have an idea about the nations and their problems all over world, and you have to interested in politics, read history what the other nations done in Middle East, Central Asia, Far East, Australia, New Zeland, South Africa, why and how Greeks attacks to Turks at the end of first world war, where the guns and money come to Kurdish terrorist group PKK, etc..

Yes, I am interested in politics, but, only in the right time and right place! Not in a traveler forum. On my previous thread I have just pointed out that this is a traveler website and there is no need to go in politics deeply.

"Getting information about political situation "and "writing something patriotic - politic" are compelety different things. So, in your case, I suggests you to that not to mix the apples with pears.

ride safely.

Cheers Albert
 

Albert, I'd like to check your joint out next time in Quito. Do you happen to know Pat Dunn. We were partners in a Bar in Costa Rica a number of years back. He had a place "Nashville South" in Ecuador. I heard he got wacked by robbers last year. They were trying to get his body back to San Jose. Just wondered if you knew him. Smitty

thats just the way it is.
 

We have it coming.

We (the USA) are the last of the super powers. We bully the rest of the world around. We tell them how to run them selves. We invade, in force no fly zones, knowing destroy infrastructure that hurts civilians not there government or military. Impose rulers on them they did not vote for then tell them we want them to vote.

If the rolls were reversed we will be hating on them.

We tell them its for the safety of the world, that if the USA stepped in sooner WW2 may well have never happened. And the CIA was built to do just that. And all we are doing is to help. The USA is the worlds police? I don't remember voting that in, I don't see that in the UN charter.

So many people hate the USA but most don't hate people from there.

As far as not being "political" hate to tell you but world travel for Americans is ALWAYS political. Americans need to watch what they say, what they do.
I live 60 miles or so miles from Canada every time I go there I here about something people don't like about me, Bush, USA health care, USA education, redneck hicks, or some other things they seem to want to talk about. Even at the HU meeting there. I smile try to explain I didn't do it, I hate them to, and don't care I'm out on a ride and if they have any ideas on cool places to go (works on even the worst of people there) No there is no way for the American to get out of the political crap.

Yep I heard some rumors about this guy but I never met him,but I know his bar was in the costal city of Manta and that it had a bit of a reputation for being a wild place,Manta in general isn,t to dangerous place,so I guess he pissed off the wrong people.

Quite surprised that this thread is still running; It has quite a few posts so it is, therefore, very likely that everything that can be said, has been said -- perhaps that is why threads seem to turn toward politics as such rather than how politics impacts on bike riding?

Anyway, I don't normally get involved in this type of discussion; similarly to other posts here, we can get all the politics that we can handle elsewhere and there is no need for such on this forum, IMHO.

But, as a reality check, the USA is the world's policeman just as the UK was a century or more ago and the Romans were a couple of thousand years ago; the real world problems will occur when the US chooses to give up on this essential task or declines in status etc etc to the point where that nation has no other choice in the matter.

I prefer to have the US as the current super-power than, say, Russia (check out Putin in todays news) or China.
No need to "apologise" for USA foreign policy DLbiten (and I don't think you are in fact) - someone has to be the worlds policeman, and pay for it!!!
Democracy is a pretty flawed type of Government, until you see the alternatives (loosely quoting WS Churchill).

That's me finished with politics on here!! :rolleyes2:

You are what you are...everyone knows it.
 

I have travelled and lived all around the world. I have never hidden that I was an American, but didn't necessarily go out of my way to let people know either. One thing for sure is that people around the world understand that you can't choose where you are from, only how you act. If treated with respect/friendship almost without exception they will reciprocate.

Bad people look for any difference as an excuse. In our own countries being a different color, social class, religion can be just as dangerous (physically or mentally) as in most of the world.

I feel bad for those that want to hide who/what they are. Take the opportunity to be an ambassador for what you want Americans to be seen as.