I am so sick of listening to Anti Americanisms

Sometimes I totally understand, we can be very wasteful etc , but other times it gets really old.

I was at work yesterday (I don't work in the US) and in the teacher staff room the other teachers were talking about ADD and ADHD. They were comparing what they do over in America and how all America does it give them drugs to control the problem before their hormones fully develop. Fair enough. Then another teacher pipes in about how bad American children eat and that is probably the cause. They do not eat any better than over here.

I dont know why, but this minor comment just really got me down. I am so sick of hearing how negative the people are here towards Americans. Whenever I have a discussion about where I am from I have to hear SOMETHING negative about America. It got me thinking and in America I don't think we do that. We don't meet someone from another country and say something negative about their country (at least to their face). We are generally pretty friendly and welcoming.

Any thoughts on this?

Re: I am so sick of listening to Anti Americanisms

I think there is ignorant stereotypes everywhere. I'm sure there are people who bash other countries in America too.

I haven't heard them, maybe it's because:

- They don't live near me. NY is one of the most cuturally diverse states.

- I would have a hard time hanging out with someone who would be so stupid to stereotype an entire country. Eventually (you know, because Americans are loudmouths) I would open my mouth & ruin the potential friendship.

I know that my grandmother's generation & particularly her family was extremely negative toward any ethnicity or country outside of their own (Nazi Germany). Served them right as the children "contaminated" their precious bloodline each generation

I do think the country that bashes America the most are Americans themselves. Glad we have a smart cookie like you showing them what Americans are like.

re: ADD/ADHD, what is the protocal over there? In terms of giving drugs, I think it's because we have a huge pharmaceutical industry. I'm not sure why it's more prevalent here than there.

Re: I am so sick of listening to Anti Americanisms

I dunno, I have had this discussion before with Farah. I don't see it, I guess that my friends and I discuss life in America, and people ask me questions about living in America...but to be honest, I never see it being Anti-American. I personally don't think the news in Britain is Anti-American, I don't think that people around me, or anyone I come into contact with is Anti-American. Maybe its because I live in the North of England, Maybe its because of my personality in particular...or maybe its because I am thick as a plank...but I personally just don't see it.


I would agree that American doctors (IMO and from my experience) are drug peddlars, but children all over the world nowadays are eating and eating. The UK has a huge problem with Child Obesity, and obesity in general.

Message edited 8/11/2007 8:12:40 AM.