Poll of the Day > Are Americans internationally ignorant?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I don't know what else to call it; but it seems to be a common thing in my experience. Namely that they either know nothing at all about other nations or expect them to operate exactly like America. This seems to go so far as that they'll assume laws, policies, and the like passed in the U.S.A. apply to the entire world. Heck, even in the U.S. it almost seems like everyone lives in their own little bubble at times but especially for people in cities who struggle to grasp the concept of rural America at times. Do you think this is true or that I'm just seeing things that aren't there?
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no they are universally ignorant

A strangely large/vocal number of Americans seem to not only be unapologetically ignorant, but they also wear that ignorance like a badge of honour.

Not all Americans are like that, of course. But you'll never hear someone of another nationality act as if information that they've just acquired is unimportant because it hasn't been spoon fed to them in the past.
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Every country has ignorant people. It just seems like ours are the loudest.
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I know a lot of people from different countries.
So no.
But it really makes you think about different perceptions around the world.

What are Christmas lights, are they like Diwali lights?
Why is Santa Claus not black here?.
Why is there a day off on remembrance day?
Why is voting important?

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More often than not, Id say yes. Probably due to a combination of...

1) our news outlets tend to report overwhelmingly on national affairs rather than international affairs,

2) the US is a geographically large country with only 2 boarders, so its a much longer trip to get to most other 1st world countries compared to our friends on the other side of the Atlantic or Pacific (Europe in particular has a much easier passage to neighboring countries due to its size and the European Union), and

3) a lack of desire to learn about the rest of the world, to a degree.

Those are just guesses on my part, though.

(Im American)
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But why care?

Americans are intentionally ignorant, yes. Many are almost proud of this for whatever reason. It's important to know about the world but some just refuse to

Are we supposed to know the leader of Sri Lanka?
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The Popo posted...

(Europe in particular has a much easier passage to neighboring countries due to its size and the European Union),

I think you meant the Schengen Area, not the actual EU.
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Yes. A large number of Americans have a very tunnel vision view of the world.

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We currently have a president from a political party that actively campaigns against education.

I think it's matter of relevance. It's not required for most people to have knowledge of other countries. Add in the factor that when they do leave the country they mostly experience designated resort destinations where they're told that travel is safe and people are friendly. They're essentially protected from experiencing anything too foreign.

Though the same problems exist just within the US. Just going from one state to another can be a culture shock. Or traveling between urban and rural areas. There are apparently politicians who don't know what garbage disposals are, or what farming is.Then it depends on the individual. There seem to be plenty of stories about people that can't distinguish store employees from other shoppers, expect customer service to be a personal butler, or otherwise just have a general sense of entitlement.
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not ignorant, just brainwashed. they've been living in jingoistic propaganda hell basically forever but especially since 9/11. it's not really their faults but it does make it kinda hard to talk to them
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Yes, but a large number of countries are ignorant of what happens outside of their own country.

Heck, most people are ignorant of what happens inside their own country.
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Internationally? Doubt it.
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SKARDAVNELNATE posted...

I think it's matter of relevance. It's not required for most people to have knowledge of other countries. Add in the factor that when they do leave the country they mostly experience designated resort destinations where they're told that travel is safe and people are friendly. They're essentially protected from experiencing anything too foreign.

Though the same problems exist just within the US. Just going from one state to another can be a culture shock. Or traveling between urban and rural areas. There are apparently politicians who don't know what garbage disposals are, or what farming is.Then it depends on the individual. There seem to be plenty of stories about people that can't distinguish store employees from other shoppers, expect customer service to be a personal butler, or otherwise just have a general sense of entitlement.

Who the hell has "culture shock" from going from an urban area to a rural area?
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Revelation34 posted...

Who the hell has "culture shock" from going from an urban area to a rural area?

idk, I've had culture shock going from rural to urban areas... I still can't stand the Edmonton metro area. Too many people.
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Revelation34 posted...

Who the hell has "culture shock" from going from an urban area to a rural area?

I'd venture to guess that the vast majority of people who spent their entire lives in a big city would, and likely vice versa.
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No, they are intentionally ignorant.
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No, but individuals who make generalizations about 300+ million people appear to be.

Find and watch the Talking to Americans one-hour special with Rick Mercer.

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Lokarin posted...

Revelation34 posted...

Who the hell has "culture shock" from going from an urban area to a rural area?

idk, I've had culture shock going from rural to urban areas... I still can't stand the Edmonton metro area. Too many people.

that's not culture it's just the environment you're used to. i grew up in medium-to-large cities and i still get overwhelmed every time i'm in toronto
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zebatov posted...

Find and watch the Talking to Americans one-hour special with Rick Mercer.

That's from 8+ years ago; I imagine we're much worse now.

And of course the most gullible people were the elderly. >_> Canada's capital is a scaled down replica of America's but in the form of an igloo? Seriously??