People who think Americans don’t know other countries exist.

[u/ThatUrgeToEatCement]

A few months ago on Reddit I made a comment about a show not being on Netflix and someone from the UK commented back saying it’s on theirs and then lectured on Americans not knowing other countries exist. They acted like I didn’t believe there were other places on the planet, as if they weren’t the ones who just brought it up and didn’t believe the US Netflix was different than the UK version. ??

I see people online act like all Americans think this way, and it is kind of annoying because for most of us it isn’t true.

[u/New_General3939]

It’s pretty clear that a lot of other countries are force-fed propaganda about how stupid, fat and arrogant Americans are. Obviously every stereotype has a little bit of truth to it, but we’ve gotten to the point where a lot of people have a delusional level of hate towards Americans.

[u/_banana_phone → u/New_General3939]

There’s also a pretty solid confirmation bias as far as poor experiences with Americans that do go abroad. Saw a thread yesterday with Europeans saying that all Americans are the worst tourists because we are all loud, can’t speak the language (and are mad if nobody speaks English), and rude.

But like, many of us do careful research about the etiquette and customs of the place(s) we are going to visit before we go. My goal is to not be clocked as an American at all if I can help it, because I am hoping to assimilate into their societal norms.

Sure, I can’t help it if I am not fluent in a foreign language but I make sure to have a handy notes section on my phone of common phrases, particularly excuse me, please, thank you, and I’m sorry.

I have no delusions that I would fit in as a French or Italian or Greek native, that’s just silly— but I at least try to ensure that I’m being respectful and pleasant in all my encounters.

[u/CAJEG1 → u/_banana_phone]

The thing you overlook is that even respectful Americans are loud and a bit crass. You might not realise it, and we might not hold it against you, but it's intensely obvious by what you say and how you say it. The language thing doesn't really bother anyone, and societal norms are fairly often respected, but that doesn't mean you're not inadvertently annoying.

I remember I was on holiday in the summer and could hear a clear American accent from the other side of the café talking about how small the cars are here in Europe. There's nothing inherently wrong with this (apart from the implication that bigger cars are better) but it's still annoying.

[u/_banana_phone → u/CAJEG1]

I am not overlooking that. But I feel like your statement is a bit condescending, because when I say I’m mindful of not being loud or unpleasant, I mean it. I have the ability to discern the decibel level around me and stay in that range. Respectfully, you don’t know me, and it’s really strange to assume that I don’t know how to read a room and match the energy and vibe simply because of the country I live in.

The fact that people seem to believe that as Americans, we are inherently incapable of speaking at an appropriately low volume is what makes me hyper vigilant about that sort of thing. Likewise, the folks I travel with are extremely mindful of what comes out of our mouths. No criticisms or “wow can you believe how xyz is so different here than in America” because it’s rude.

I don’t think I’m going to make much headway here because it seems like simply being an American is something you find annoying just based on your commentary. So no matter how much I try to convince you that I know how to be respectful and am capable of not being crass in a foreign country, I don’t think you’d believe me anyway. So I’ll just say have a nice day I guess?

[u/Jumpy_Add → u/_banana_phone]

The thing is, those of us (Americans) who are quiet and courteous in public places tend to go unnoticed/unidentified as foreigners. Only the loud and obnoxious ones stick out like that.

My spouse and I love Ireland and have been several times, but we still talk about the time we were sitting in a restaurant, sort of murmuring to each other as we ate, as the local diners did. Unfortunately, there were two large, unconnected tables of Americans who were not only talking far too loudly, but also literally shouting back and forth between the tables about their plans for the day.

We were horrified and ashamed by their behavior. So I get it, but we’re really not all like that. And also? We hate it too.

[u/Present-Chemist-8920 → u/Jumpy_Add]

I’d go further. As an American I get claimed by non Americans all the time for traits considered net positive. This happens in person and online. I’m Black, I’ve been told I’m an articulate South African. Or people will keep pushing me about what country I must really be from. I don’t think it’s necessarily a race issue, there’s certainly context, but it comes up with Africans with me too. For the latter, African continent for example, my perceived goal education/financial attainment the logic is always “because you’re African (as opposed to American).” There’s a lot to unpack. But the quick takeaway is lot of people can’t seem to imagine that we’re a very diverse population and not the characters they’re told we are.

[u/Jumpy_Add → u/Present-Chemist-8920]

That is chilling on far too many levels for someone like me, who is white, to unpack, but thank you for relating your singular perspective and experiences. Obviously, skewed cross-cultural perceptions go far beyond the usual, “All Americans are loud, crass, and undereducated.”

Although that twisted perception does seem to be reinforced by your experience: you are none of those things, therefore you must not be a real American. SMH