What do you think?

redmagic

I'm from the States and am extremely curious about what the Irish really think about Americans. Mainly I'm curious because when I've visited pretty much everyone I have encountered has been friendly, but recently I've been hearing that the Irish think Americans are rude and loud. And since someone has already posted a 'what do people think of you' thread I figure it's okay to post this thread. Be honest, please:)

Beruthiel

OP
sometimes it's a good idea to do a search first
B
linkie

Karl Hungus

redmagic wrote:

Mainly I'm curious because when I've visited pretty much everyone I have encountered has been friendly, but recently I've been hearing that the Irish think Americans are rude and loud.

I'd say that people who meet you would probably throw away misconceptions or stereotypes that they might have. There is an image of the typical loud, obnoxious American tourist, but once people meet a real person, they usually judge that person on their actual merits, rather than on a preconcieved notion.

I've known some extremely rude Americans, but moreso I've also known some extremely polite and friendly ones too, and I'm sure that most people who would've had similar experiences would agree that it's ignorant to tar them all with the same brush.

So no, the Irish don't think Americans are rude and loud. Perhaps some Irish think that some Americans are, but not as a whole of either group.

DonkeyStyle \o/

Typical f*cking american, waltzing in here posting away like butter wouldn't melt in your mouth :rolleyes:

But to answer your question:
No, I hate all people equally.

le-dub

My opion changed on americans since they invaded iraq and i really dont like goerge bush, he comes accross as thick and its so abvious that he been spoon fed rubbish. There is saying that 85% of americans dont and will never own a passport.

The end of the day i dont know any americas and i've actuallly no time for the either.

redmagic

Beruthiel wrote:

OP
sometimes it's a good idea to do a search first
B
linkie

honestly, I'm tired (as it's after midnight here) and didn't think about doing a search. However, just noticed the 'image of americans' above my question and all i have to say is... Well, I'm a f***ing idiot!:eek:

redmagic

DonkeyStyle \o/ wrote:

Typical f*cking american, waltzing in here posting away like butter wouldn't melt in your mouth :rolleyes:

But to answer your question:
No, I hate all people equally.

Please, tell me how you REALLY feel:)

redmagic

le-dub wrote:

My opion changed on americans since they invaded iraq and i really dont like goerge bush, he comes accross as thick and its so abvious that he been spoon fed rubbish. There is saying that 85% of americans dont and will never own a passport.

The end of the day i dont know any americas and i've actuallly no time for the either.

my view of my fellow americans has changed since the invasion of Iraq as well. as far as passports---thankfully I'm not one of those in the 85% catagory. I have possessed a passport for over ten years and travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and Ireland. I appreciate your honesty.

jesus_thats_gre

Hmmm the slag jawed idiots is the ones I have a problem with.. In general, I like America and I know it is full of good people. Unfortunately, it seems that the idiots have too much say and too much power. I know they have achieved this through numbers alone but they really do tarnish the worlds view of America..

The OP

The MAJORITY of Americans are stupid, and it can be proven by this simple equation:

Bush won the elections, which means more than 50% of people voted for him, and anyone who voted for Bush is an idiot. In addition, anyone who didn't vote at all, or didn't register specifically to vote against Bush, is also an idiot.

Even if I never usually bothered voting, and I saw there was a chance a dumbass like this might win, I would register just to vote AGAINST him - anyone who didn't do that is stupid.

40YardScreamer

The OP wrote:

The MAJORITY of Americans are stupid, and it can be proven by this simple equation:

Bush won the elections, which means more than 50% of people voted for him, and anyone who voted for Bush is an idiot. In addition, anyone who didn't vote at all, or didn't register specifically to vote against Bush, is also an idiot.

Even if I never usually bothered voting, and I saw there was a chance a dumbass like this might win, I would register just to vote AGAINST him - anyone who didn't do that is stupid.

Oh dear, this guy does not represent us!!!

Cake Fiend

redmagic wrote:

I've been hearing that the Irish think Americans are rude and loud

I don't think that's just the Irish tbh.

Most young Americans I've met have been intelligent and educated, but there are an alarming number of Yanks who are so ignorant of the world outside their own borders that they couldn't point out Iraq on a map of the Middle East. Hell, they probably couldn't even pick out the Middle East on an atlas. I think it's very dangerous to have a country the size of the USA controlled by a single government and fed propoganda by a couple of major 'news' broadcasters.

The younger generations seem to have more worldly knowledge, thank Christ.

The OP wrote:

Bush won the elections, which means more than 50% of people voted for him

You're assuming the election was a fair, democratic vote. I doubt that was really the case, but that's a thread for the Politics and/or conspiracy boards...

LundiMardi

i never been to america, but the americans i've know are pricks.. but i won't pass judgement as a whole. However, ''the OP'' has a point, whoever voted for Bush is a ****ing dumbass!!

I'd love to go to visit America, i wouldn't want to live there though.

Hagar

redmagic wrote:

Well, I'm a f***ing idiot!:eek:

The first step on the road to enlightenment is self-realization.;)

The OP

40YardScreamer wrote:

Oh dear, this guy does not represent us!!!

Explain how my logic is flawed. Anyone who voted FOR Bush is an idiot (for obvious reasons), and anyone who didn't vote against him (that includes people who didn't specifically register just to do so) are dumb too. I know that if I lived in the US, I would vote specifically to make sure that nimrod didn't get back in office - I wouldn't care who it was for, because anyone would be better IMO. And since he won the last election, clearly the American people were dumb enough to let that happen. Simple concept.

arbeitsscheuer

The OP wrote:

Explain how my logic is flawed. Anyone who voted FOR Bush is an idiot (for obvious reasons), and anyone who didn't vote against him (that includes people who didn't specifically register just to do so) are dumb too.

Yeah, I was talking to a Californian in Templebar Sq. the other day, and he seconded this. He basically said that if you don't vote you don't deserve "jack-sh*t" which would be a viewpoint I'd subscribe to...

But hey, only about 1 in 5 Americans actually voted FOR bush, so in reality I only hate about 20% of the population, including the current administration...

The OP

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

Hmmm the slag jawed idiots is the ones I have a problem with..

It's "slack" jawed.

The OP

SebtheBum wrote:

Yeah, I was talking to a Californian in Templebar Sq. the other day, and he seconded this. He basically said that if you don't vote you don't deserve "jack-sh*t" which would be a viewpoint I'd subscribe to...

But hey, only about 1 in 5 Americans actually voted FOR bush, so in reality I only hate about 20% of the population, including the current administration...

That's exactly my point - that leaves a potential 80% to vote against him, and since that didn't happen, that means the majority are stupid.
I know if there was a complete retard trying to win an election in my country, I wouldn't care who he was running against: I'd vote just so the retard didn't win - its common sense.

Terry

the american electoral system is different to ours.
the president doesn't need a numerical majority of votes to win an election.
click for details on how it works.
we use the proportional representation system, which ensures the person with the majority of votes is elected.
because of the two party system in america, proportional representation would not be an effective means of electing someone.
basically, most people didn't vote for bush (the first time around, anyway), but he was elected anyway. then there was the whole florida debacle. you can't blame the majority of american voters for bush's first term as president because he wasn't the choice of the majority and probably wasn't the choice for those who were left off the electoral roll (thus leaving those who wanted to vote unable to do so) in florida.
as for the second term, i would put that down to fear instilled into american by falsified claims of impending terrorist attacks every time they were needed.

Willymuncher

le-dub wrote:

My opion changed on americans since they invaded iraq and i really dont like goerge bush, he comes accross as thick and its so abvious that he been spoon fed rubbish. There is saying that 85% of americans dont and will never own a passport.

The end of the day i dont know any americas and i've actuallly no time for the either.

You changed your opinion on every American person because of the Iraqi war? right.... you do realise not everyone in America supports the war?

The people who go and hate on Americans and call them idiots just highlight their own ignorance, many admit to have never set foot inside the country or even met that many Americans.....I'd advise these people to visit the country, you'll find they are a completely different people on the whole to what you think they are. What you guys fail to see is that you are just as bad as these ignorant stupid Americans you talk about.

The OP

I've been there loads of times - I love being in the US, and I do like *a lot* of the people, and I especially like the food. But, I don't agree one tiny bit with who they picked as their leader. It's the typical ignorant "yanks" that piss me off.

metrovelvet

I have found that if you're American in Ireland the Irish will love to use you as a sounding board for how ****ed up our country is and how stupid we are. If you're a woman, the men will like you for your confidence and assume you're flirting but then not be able to deal with your confidence when its not suitable for them.

Also when you are there they think they are very funny when they send you in the wrong direction and then laugh amongst themselves about how "yanks will believe anything."tuo

Its quite annoying actually. Now that I am in NYC when Irish people ask me for directions I now deliberatelly give them the wrong ones. I used to help Irish immigrants out because my own parents were Irish immigrants but the attitude among the Irish is so bad toward Americans that I dont waste my time anymore helping them when they are here. And Im not the only irish american who has changed their tune about the Irish.

Terry

thanks for tarring us all with the same brush.

netwhizkid

My own personaly opinons of Americans is that first of all. George W. Bush is not an idiot but actually very intelligent, Who else could come up with the idea of an Iraqi War, enter the country, privatise the oil. He has singlehandley got alot of the Iraqi Oil revenue into his own pocket, Not America INC. But Bush's Personal, Haliburton, and all the rest of them Bush is benefiting big time. Like Michael Moore Said.....Who's yer Daddy? Like the man is clearly a war criminal and I would love to see him before the Hague.

As for Americans, I love them, they are so funny if a little thick. I have been there twice and have been to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I really liked the Pennsylvania attitude, I was so astonished when I went into McDonald's off the Highway towards Williamsport PA. Every worker in there was white, no immigrants or anything. I couldn't get over it, They were some really HOT girls working there and they were enthralled by me an Irish guy out there in rural America, One taught we were still at war But generally they were amongst the nicest people I have ever met. I didn't really like New Yorker's so brash and always in a hurry. I would love to visit Montana seeing it in the Horse Whisperer last night made me look at Aer Lingus today:) I like Americans just not George Bush. America is after all a nation gripped by Xenophobia and Christian Fundamentalism... Iran style. I like Americans, I have less time for anyone I hear Praising Bush or spouting Republican Capitalist slurry. Great Country I like ye. I hope to visit there again this year, I like visiting England's Grand-children, I can't stand a language barrier.

Willymuncher

metrovelvet wrote:

Its quite annoying actually. Now that I am in NYC when Irish people ask me for directions I now deliberatelly give them the wrong ones. I used to help Irish immigrants out because my own parents were Irish immigrants but the attitude among the Irish is so bad toward Americans that I dont waste my time anymore helping them when they are here. And Im not the only irish american who has changed their tune about the Irish.

I don't blame you one bit, it sickens me to see the ignorance of so many thick Irish people towards Americans, but they're usually the same towards any foreign person, ignore the fools.

Many will complain how f*cked up America is without looking at their own country...the few ignorant Irish piss me off just as much as the few ignorant Americans.

The OP

Willymuncher wrote:

Many will complain how f*cked up America is without looking at their own country...the few ignorant Irish piss me off just as much as the few ignorant Americans.

Yeah, but we don't start wars for no reason. That's a big factor - thousands of innocent people dying, y'know? That small little difference between ignorant Irish people and ignorant Americans? Their ignorance has a sliiiightly bigger effect.

netwhizkid

metrovelvet wrote:

And Im not the only irish american who has changed their tune about the Irish.

I just had to follow this up, I agree with you, I have seen first hand what the Irish were doing in the USA last year. Like heck if the poles were doing it here I'd be making noise so much. All the fighting and drunkenness in pubs, American Women are very confident and most certainly don't like to be "groped" or "felt" like some of the floozies over here. My own Cousin 1st generation Irish American said to me how he couldn't wait till the summer was over till all of the Irish go home. The J1'ers did wreck last year to our rep, partially because so many went over following the American consulate appeal for the Irish to come over. Every sort of idiot went, (now doubt awash with cash from the Celtic Tiger). Now we are despised for being lazy old drunks. I always help Americans here, I love telling them the History even though some it sounds made up! Like feck it fellas we are all agreed that Bush is an Intelligent Idiot. We all have things to say to him, but let the yanks alone when they come over and for gods sake behave while in yankland. I hope they don't take offense to the term Yank, I like it and it has a cuddly type appeal to it.

Civilian_Target

I know some obnoxious Americans, but like people all over the world, the vast majority of them are sound. Regardless of political orientation.

On a sidenote: yous all rant against Bush's regime blah blah, but the fact is, we have our own terrorism/bank robbery/Dublin riots party right here, they're called Sinn Fein. How many of you went down to your local polling booth to vote against them at the last elections? Its easy to criticise people from far away, try looking under your own noses...

The OP

Civilian_Target wrote:

we have our own terrorism/bank robbery/Dublin riots party right here, they're called Sinn Fein. How many of you went down to your local polling booth to vote against them at the last elections?

I did - specifically so I could put them last.

But when was the last time Ireland (including Sinn Fein) stuck it's nose in another country's affairs, then invaded them for no reason other than greed? And don't say anything about Northern Ireland/IRA, etc, as that IS Ireland's business.

Sand

Its obvious theres a popular negative stereotypical view of Americans thats out there in Ireland today. Id like to think its not the majority, but it probably is, especially in the dumber, stupider, arts students politics lite crowd. Its always been there, but before it was limited to the die hard communist set on campus. In the last 10 years it has been transplanted to the wider population, possibly as a result of more people going into 3rd level and getting exposed to the stupidity. Its diluted, but its more widespread. A huge amount of people hate George Bush. Most cant give a solid reason why they do - over say the likes of Putin - but they do.

Generally in pubs, Americans are condemned as being humourless or not getting irony - the conversation will then move on without a beat to discussing The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, Frazier, Team America, etc etc.

Then they will be condemned as being ignorant of the world outside their borders - pop quiz challenge, name all the countries bordering Sierra Leone without reference to a map. Id be surprised if 1 or 2% of people in Ireland could do it, and theyre probably from Sierra Leone. I cant do it, let alone Anto, Bazo and Charlo.

Their society will be condemned as racist and divided, whereas we dont need Katrina to prove that the wrong sort of people will be attacked in Ireland.

The list goes on and on. Generally, the US is the whipping boy and is a good target for passing the blame onto. I mean someone can say "America is after all a nation gripped by Xenophobia and Christian Fundamentalism... Iran style" without significant issues, whereas if I mention I found the French to be obnoxious and ignorant when I was over there a veritable army of Francophiles will descend upon me.

Willymuncher

The OP wrote:

Yeah, but we don't start wars for no reason. That's a big factor - thousands of innocent people dying, y'know? That small little difference between ignorant Irish people and ignorant Americans? Their ignorance has a sliiiightly bigger effect.

Perhaps it does, but the war cannot be blamed on the ordinary American, its not that simple.

The OP

Sand wrote:

A huge amount of people hate George Bush. Most cant give a solid reason why they do

I think you'll find most people have numerous & very strong reasons. How about you don't tar Irish people with the same brush?

name all the countries bordering Sierra Leone without reference to a map. Id be surprised if 1 or 2% of people in Ireland could do it,

Eh, I also think you'll find that the questions the Americans can't answer are a lot simpler - like where is IRAQ! I've seen it on numerous talk shows - Leno, Letterman, Conan - out on the street asking them. And I know they only show the dumber ones, but the frightening thing is that they're probably the same dumb ones who support the war & Bush, but don't even know where its taking place...

Dooom

Sand wrote:

Anto, Bazo and Charlo.

ROFL, for a second there, I thought they were the countries bordering Sierra Leone.

My googol post balances out the stupidty though.

The OP

Willymuncher wrote:

Perhaps it does, but the war cannot be blamed on the ordinary American, its not that simple.

It is that simple - it can be blamed on Bush, who the "ordinary Americans" voted into office. Where's the complexity in that?

Dooom

The OP wrote:

It is that simple - it can be blamed on Bush, who the "ordinary Americans" voted into office. Where's the complexity in that?

But Bush never stated he was going to go and invade a few countries if he was elected did he?

The OP

Spike wrote:

But Bush never stated he was going to go and invade a few countries if he was elected did he?

Eh, he had already invaded Iraq (March 20, 2003) by the time he was re-elected (November 2004), so anyone who voted for him knew this and clearly supported unjust war.

Dooom

The OP wrote:

Eh, he had already invaded Iraq (March 20, 2003) by the time he was re-elected (November 2004), so anyone who voted for him knew this and clearly supported unjust war.

Oh. My memory isn't as good as it used to be. Not that it was ever that good in the first place.

Bartronilic

Here's what I think:

YOU HAVE HORRIBLE YUKKY FOOD AND CRAPPY CHEAP TV ADS THAT COME ON 12,000 TIMES IN A 10 MINUTE TV PRGRAMME.

YOU HAVE 4 FLAVOURS OF CISPS WHICH ARE ALL MUCK.

American peole on the other hand - some are good, some are bad. Very racist though (they actually think being black means you have to act black). But that's all.

The OP

Bartronilic wrote:

Here's what I think:

YOU HAVE HORRIBLE YUKKY FOOD AND CRAPPY CHEAP TV ADS THAT COME ON 12,000 TIMES IN A 10 MINUTE TV PRGRAMME.

YOU HAVE 4 FLAVOURS OF CISPS WHICH ARE ALL MUCK.

American peole on the other hand - some are good, some are bad. Very racist though (they actually think being black means you have to act black). But that's all.

How enlightening. Thanks for your profound input.

Dooom

Bartronilic wrote:

Here's what I think:

YOU HAVE HORRIBLE YUKKY FOOD AND CRAPPY CHEAP TV ADS THAT COME ON 12,000 TIMES IN A 10 MINUTE TV PRGRAMME.

YOU HAVE 4 FLAVOURS OF CISPS WHICH ARE ALL MUCK.

American peole on the other hand - some are good, some are bad. Very racist though (they actually think being black means you have to act black). But that's all.

Have you never watched American TV ads? They're better than here, but still crappy and cheap. Also, American ads appear far more frequently during a program than here.

I'm assuming you mean crisp when you say cisp, but we certainly have more than 4 flavours. Granted not all of them are indigenous, but there's still more than 4.

Sand

I think you'll find most people have numerous & very strong reasons. How about you don't tar Irish people with the same brush?

I didnt. But anytime Bush comes up in a conversation, it goes something like this
A) "God that Bush is terrible, if only Clinton could be President still"
"What so terrible about him?"
A) "You know....war mongering and all ....mongering stuff. I read a book once"
"Didnt Clinton bomb and invade a lot of countries too, didnt he go against the UN to invade Kosovo?"
A) "Uhhhh, eh....What about that game last night then?"

Seriously, youll meet loads of people who hate Bush and dont know anything about why. Sheep tbh. Bush is just a symbol of their prejudices.

Eh, I also think you'll find that the questions the Americans can't answer are a lot simpler - like where is IRAQ! I've seen it on numerous talk shows - Leno, Letterman, Conan - out on the street asking them. And I know they only show the dumber ones, but the frightening thing is that they're probably the same dumb ones who support the war & Bush, but don't even know where its taking place...

Simple or not, Id take that question to Dublin and see how many people can identify where Iraq is when most people cant name the Irish cabinet. Actually, Id bet I could find a good amount of people who couldnt name the Irish President. But if the standard of "knowledge outside your own borders" is knowing where Ireland is then lets face it - a nation of 283 million people, of whom only 150,000 odd were born in Ireland arent going to have any better knowledge of Ireland than Irish people have of Sierra Leone, or to keep it more to scale the islands of Micronesia.

Having said that, I do remember an interview with a Californian on the beach who was stumped when he was asked to name the Pacific Ocean (the ocean beside him). But Id put that down to the ask enough times and youll eventually find a twit than anything else. I wouldnt draw a correlation between a dumb Californian and Californias voting patterns.

Willymuncher

The OP wrote:

Eh, he had already invaded Iraq (March 20, 2003) by the time he was re-elected (November 2004), so anyone who voted for him knew this and clearly supported unjust war.

Don't you think it would have been a bad idea to vote in another president during the middle of a conflict? I would think so...and many people didn't view Kerry in the best light either, Bush was probably the best of a bad lot in that case. Its better to finish what you start rather than quit half way through.

Besides I'm sure the people that did vote for him (and many did not vote for him) had their reasons other than the Iraqi war. I can't blame the war on the people.

The OP

Willymuncher wrote:

Don't you think it would have been a bad idea to vote in another president during the middle of a conflict? I would think so...and many people didn't view Kerry in the best light either, Bush was probably the best of a bad lot in that case. Its better to finish what you start rather than quit half way through.

Besides I'm sure the people that did vote for him (and many did not vote for him) had their reasons other than the Iraqi war. I can't blame the war on the people.

No, I think they should have got him out of office while they had the chance, and stop the war ASAP - eh, don't you think? Stop the war, or keep the idiot in office that started a war in the first place? Simple choice for me.

"Its better to finish what you start" - except when there's innocent people dying - I'd prefer to just stop the war ASAP than play it out until the end.

Your notion of "ah sure, we've started the war now; we can't just stop in the middle of it" is ignorant and plain dumb.

Civilian_Target

The OP wrote:

I did - specifically so I could put them last.

But when was the last time Ireland (including Sinn Fein) stuck it's nose in another country's affairs, then invaded them for no reason other than greed? And don't say anything about Northern Ireland/IRA, etc, as that IS Ireland's business.

Good man. We may not have a great army, but Irelands diplomatic weight, given the size of the country, is immense. A massively disproportionate number of the leading positions in the EU are held by Irish people. We have an important influence in both the UK and the US as a good chunk of the population in each country considers themselves Irish, do you think the president of Switzerland gets invited to dine with George W. every year at The White House?

How long do you think that would last with Gerry as Taoiseach?

Willymuncher

The OP wrote:

No, I think they should have got him out of office while they had the chance, and stop the war ASAP - eh, don't you think? Stop the war, or keep the idiot in office that started a war in the first place? Simple choice for me.

"Its better to finish what you start" - except when there's innocent people dying - I'd prefer to just stop the war ASAP than play it out until the end.

Your notion of "ah sure, we've started the war now; we can't just stop in the middle of it" is ignorant and plain dumb.

Do you realise how many more innocent people would die if the Americans pulled out of Iraq? Civil war would kick in for sure, there would be a lot of unrest, the country is in a time of crisis and the Iraqi security forces are not capable yet of handling the trouble....you can't just pick up and leave at a time like that, it would not make everything okay again. This has to be finished for the sake of the Iraqi people, the country has to be rebuilt...its in a shambles.

If you think that pulling out would solve everything, well thats just plain ignorant and dumb. I don't agree with the Iraqi war but until the country is strong enough to cope with the trouble itself, I believe the Americans should stay.

The OP

Willymuncher wrote:

If you think that pulling out would solve everything, well thats just plain ignorant and dumb. I don't agree with the Iraqi war but until the country is strong enough to cope with the trouble itself, I believe the Americans should stay.

Or why not spend a month or so tidying up, let the Iraqi people elect a leader, and then f*ck off and leave them alone?

Dooom

The OP wrote:

Or why not spend a month or so tidying up, let the Iraqi people elect a leader, and then f*ck off and leave them alone?

Because as soon as they pull out, it's going to go back to the way it was. Some Saddam-like type will see an opening, see there won't be anything in his way, and will take it.

The OP

Spike wrote:

Because as soon as they pull out, it's going to go back to the way it was. Some Saddam-like type will see an opening, see there won't be anything in his way, and will take it.

But what makes that their business in the first place? They're not the "world police". The UN are suppossed to assume some of that role, but the US blatantly refused their ruling, and invaded Iraq anyway.

Dooom

The OP wrote:

But what makes that their business in the first place? They're not the "world police". The UN are suppossed to assume some of that role, but the US blatantly refused their ruling, and invaded Iraq anyway.

Just answered your own question.

redmagic

The OP wrote:

That's exactly my point - that leaves a potential 80% to vote against him, and since that didn't happen, that means the majority are stupid.
I know if there was a complete retard trying to win an election in my country, I wouldn't care who he was running against: I'd vote just so the retard didn't win - its common sense.

what if the other guy you voted for was a retart too?
AND, you can't judge people (well i guess you can if you want to) just by who they vote for. give me something else to go on here besides your view of our flawed government....i.g. people you've actually met.....:D

redmagic

netwhizkid wrote:

...They were some really HOT girls working there and they were enthralled by me an Irish guy out there in rural America,....

i'm not surprised they liked you. here at our college there are two NI guys and one NI girl and everyone is entralled by them---especially the guys:)
Montana is huge, wide-open, and beautiful---a lovely place to visit. you should try Alaska too:D