Heroes or Hellions? How Americans are Perceived Abroad
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"I’ve been to America at least ten times for work and travel and every time I’m there I can’t help but feel you’re all brainwashed into the “American Way of Life.” It’s seems like the underdog doesn’t stand a chance. In high school in Ireland, we would never build someone up for being, say, good at football like it happens in the States."
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Editor's note: In October 2006, the University of Nevada, Reno awarded Erin Granat an Honors Undergraduate Research Award to travel to Australia and investigate her thesis: Heroes or Hellions? How Americans are Perceived Abroad . The following piece is excerpted from the last chapter. I’m driving along a beach on an island off mainland Australia with nine people from five different countries. We’re packed hot and sweaty into the back of a 4WD Land Rover. Enough camping gear for three days and two nights is strapped onto the roof and stuffed in between us. I watch a two-passenger airplane land alongside us on the beach, listen to Mohamed (an Algerian from France) sing a Snoop-Dogg chorus, and realize that I really, really need to pee. This is my adventure to Fraser Island. Located just off the coast of Queensland, Fraser Island has a unique natural environment—it’s the largest sand island in the world and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. In addition, there are very few hotels. Or roads. It’s only nine in the morning and I’ve already done more off-roading than I ever planned, or wanted, to in my life. That’s the only option here on Fraser; you literally just pick a spot in the tree line and go barraging through. The whole situation is completely nuts, and completely Aussie. You basically sign up for a three day/two night excursion, are given a 4WD, camping gear, and a ten-minute lesson on how to drive in sand, jump in the back with a bunch of strangers, and go cruising around a rugged island with a crinkled map and warnings not to go in the water. The island’s main attractions are the spectacular freshwater lakes located in the interior, as the surrounding ocean is so shark and jellyfish infested, as well as channeled by a brutal rip current that even dipping a toe in is treacherous. . . I glance around at my associates for the next few days. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of nationalities. There are two English couples, Maria and Tom, and Leanne and Bill; an Irish couple, Eva and Tom; a Swiss girl, Martina; two Spaniards, Pablo and Francisco; the French-Algerian, Mohamed; and myself. It’s only a few hours into our weekend together and we’ve already established certain roles. The English couples are traveling together and have assumed leadership, organizing the purchase of our food, water, and booze. The Irish couple provide romantic entertainment, as they’re constantly kissing and holding hands. The Swiss girl isn’t saying much, but adds a bit of mystery with her chain-smoking and dark glasses. The Spaniards, together with Mohamed, have taken on the responsibility of comic relief, and are playing off each other like The Three Stooges. And myself? Well, I’m the all important deejay, keeping command of the iPod tuner we rented and being sure to provide a healthy mixture of classic eighties and nineties pop tunes. Read More... |
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Just stumbled across this excellent article and wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading it.
I was particularly interested in your post-article comments about young New Zealanders. As a native kiwi living abroad, I'd agree that the majority of young New Zealanders were ardently opposed to Bush's regime. I know American politics are certainly a favourite topic among kiwi friends of mine.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to spend a month travelling the States and must confess I was a tad wary about it. What more could I learn from a country that was already taking over the world?
Well you'll be pleased to know, I was made to eat humble pie. I loved America, was overwhelmed by the hospitality and genorosity of locals and happily admitted that the country exceeded my expectations in every way possible. This being said, I could still see where the stereotypes come from but this only added to my affection for the place :D
Returning to your point about New Zealanders, straight after my America trip I flew to NZ to spend a few weeks with friends and family. Many were surpised that I'd gone to the States as Europe is still very much the destination of choice.
Everyone who asked about my trip was dying to know if America really was the stereotypes it's made out to be and whether people actually believed in Bush and his politics. When I told them what an amazing time I'd had and that out of all the Americans I met, only one supported Bush, I could practically see the relief wash over them. The amount of family and friends I have in both NZ and Australia (where I went after NZ) who are now suddenly talking about visiting the States, is amazing.
I can see it would have been incredibly frustrating to be expected to answer for all of America. I just wanted to say that, in my experience, people don't actually want to believe that stereotypes of America are true. They are desperate to know that beneath all the hype lives a nation of people that they can actually relate to.
Obviously if people are that curious, they should get off their butts and experience America for themselves but it's easier said than done. For now, I think Americans will be faced with questions wherever they go. Yes its unfair that individuals should be asked to answer for a nation but I hope my American friends will take heart in the fact that the interrogation largely comes from a desire to relate not segregate :)
I must admit that I completely disagree with much of what you said in your follow up comment. I think that your article was great, and it does show the unfair judgments that are put forth to Americans for the simple fact that you are Americans. I have met many clever souls that live in the lower 48 and are extremely great people, but I have also has the displeasure of working within an arms reach of New York and experiencing what you could say is the typical American and, sadly, more often than not the stereotypes are right.
Throughout the article, you were open to criticism, but admitted to feeling defensive and mis-understood. In your follow up comments, you stated that you should not comment on a particular subject until you are a well versed expert on the matter and prepared to do something about your conclusions. So, is it not somewhat hypocritical to feel unjustly judged and not want to help change that? Sharing opinions and open discussion, no matter at what level your knowledge, is the first step to motivating people to create change and that is what you have done with this article. I wouldn't say that interviewing such a small number of people makes you an expert on teh subject, but you felt it adequate to share your opinion, as did the people you interviewed.
I am by no means an expert on any subject but have no problem speaking my mind, because it is simply my mind and my opinion. I would love to advocate change, and plan on pursuing a life dedicated to nothing less, but it irks me to think that I need to limit myself to a small number of subjects, like cheese and painting my nails just because I have not had time to fully research a topic in every way available to man.
Imagine, you say that opinionated people that are willing to speak their minds and opinions lack social skills, while you admit to only openly offering opinions on such social matters of brush technique and operating a search program. I will seek my conversation elsewhere if we should ever end up at the same cocktail party...
And I am not trying to pick a fight or piss you off. I am merely stating my response to this article and your subsequent comments. Your lifestyle and blug U is for Ultimate life was pretty idea opening, I just disagree strongly here...
Hello friend.
I appreciate the comment you made on my comment on the commentary that was "Heroes or Hellions." First and foremost, I respect anyone that will speak their mind, and I was hoping to spark some debate with that comment I made. I'm surprised you were the first one to say anything in response. I'm not trying to write off my opinion here or agree with you to win friends, but c'mon- I equated my interests to web browsing, grooming, and dairy. I was trying to make a point. And thank you for taking "the bait" so to speak (no disrespect meant).
I will admit I wrote that comment in a moment of intense frustration. I'm now back in America and feeling less attacked on a daily basis, but my sentiment that one should not express an opinion unless they know much of the facts remains. I'm not saying they shouldn't DEBATE and DISCUSS, because how else are we going to learn from each other?, I mean when people state their unresearched opinion as fact in an arrogant attempt to sound sophisticated. What can I say, I was a journalism major, I have to get all sides of the story.
So anyways, thanks for debating, I'm glad we're able to do so. And I agree that we won't speak should we ever run into each other at a cocktail party. I'm usually too busy speaking only to my Jack and ginger.
Erin,
I've been around a bit and have met my fair share of haters. I've noticed that they all suffer from what I call the "Red Headed Step-Child Syndrome". They hate us for a bunch of plausible reasons, but it all boils down to their feeling second rate because of us. For example: You never hear Americans sitting around and bitching about those damn - insert nationality of choice here. And the reason for that is clear. We don't feel second rate to anyone. It's also been my observation that the most vocal of that bunch of haters are from countries that are or once were members of the British Common Wealth. Go figure?
Yes, that Journalistic major is supposed to make you a source of unbiased, well researched opinions/prose/information.
Just look at the excellent examples of US Journalists at work in the unbiased world:
CNN News and USA Today and Fox News and NYTimes and Time Magazine
As for when people "state their unresearched opinion as fact in an arrogant attempt to sound sophisticated" how is that relevant to the current discussion? Is a life time of mass media, chance meetings with Americans at home or abroad not enough to form some well rounded ideas?
I guess all that news about the US causing unjustified wars, global hunger, tampering in foreign elections, rigging their own elections and refusing to unify and impeach the person(s) responsible for these worldly events would not suffice to complete a justified argument. Not only have people not united in an attempt to impeach those responsible, they are currently spit, about 50/50, to re-elect the same fascist dictator in waiting, Senator McBush.
Not many foreigners I have ever met were unable to instantly warm to the friendly American type that you meet every day, all over this slightly less green than before planet. Were they really attacks or just original stereotypes easily broken down? Were the attacks, or were you provoking it by over advertising your Americanism by asking questions about why nobody like your nation?
In my experience, the only thing worse than the American's image abroad is their own perception of how they are viewed to others. Why not be more like the French, and just not care?
End of rant - wow I sound like I really hate you guys, where in reality I hope that you can pick yourselves up from the bootstraps, change the regime in Washington and reclaim that once great reputation.
At least we share some things in common - large social gathers often find myself hiding behind a rapidly refilled rye and ginger in an attempt to avoid awkward social situations like talking to strangers or members of the opposite sex!
Enjoyed it Erin. I especially liked the bit about the mini-UN -- hilarious. I've done the Fraser Island thing myself. It is definitely a unique social experiment, if not a winning-idea for a reality television series.
Kelsey
I've run across the same issues in my travels. Most think us Americans are self-involved and trying to rub off our beliefs onto everyone else, or they want to argue politics. My conflict here is that I didn't grow up in the US either, and when I returned home I found many of the same thoughts too. I was shunned by the neighborhood, even though I was born there and family had been there for five generations, because I wasn't like them. I talked differently and had different ways. Others embraced me just because of my grandparents, and constantly being told not to think that way cause it isn't done here, learn our ways of doing it.
Some were amazed at how other countries lived and most just didn't care. They thought Australia was a third world country and I am a cruel mother for moving my son to those conditions. They even tried to take him away from me because I was coming here. I had to educate them that the Sydney area does not have Crocodile Dundee men and there are toilets with running water.
I am proud to be American because my father spent 26 years in the military to give me that right. Every one of my generations served in the military for it. But I would not rather live there to be judged because of it. I just couldn't find my spot in that world.
My son is redneck American and finds difficulties here with it. He worked in a garage with men from Pakistan, China, South America, and Australia. He had to win them over that he wasn't typical American. On his train trips he is confronted because of being American. Some are facinated and want information or just to hear his accent, others are violent.
My husband is Australian and hates that kids here today are Americanized into the music, behavior, etc. The ghetto tagging is apparant on every wall here. With the thousands of nationalities in this country, American problems filter through it all.
I am a conflict in motion of being an American, but not fitting into their mold.
Hey everyone, I'm stoked by all your comments, you've brought up new angles I hadn't thought of before. I'm definitely going to have to write a post-analysis on the subject that includes your ideas. And here's another one I'm chewing on: I'm currently living in New Zealand, one of the most neutral and conflict-free countries on earth. Yet, just like everywhere else I've been, the main topic among young people is how terrible American policies are. While of course I support an individual's right to express their opinion, what gets on my goat is how UNRESEARCHED these opinions are. I quite frequently find myself listening to my Kiwi frieds having a raging discussion on evil American policies, then they'll ask what I think. More often than not, I reply that I don't know enough about the issue, haven't heard about it from enough different viewpoints, to have an opinion. They're always surprised that I don't jump to the defense of my country. But it isn't a lack of patriotism, I just don't like to open my mouth unless I'm SURE I've heard the story from more than one source. Furthermore, I don't really feel justified complaining about a political situation unless I'm actively going to do something to change it. There are a very few things in life I consider myself an expert on: using Google, painting my nails, and cheese. Other than that, if I haven't researched an issue from every possible point of view and then spent time writing letters, protesting, and doing everything in my limited power to make a difference- then I don't feel comfortable adding my "opinion." Because let's face it: running your mouth about the current state of Pakistan at a party because you lack more clever social skills and/or writing an acoustic song about the subject just ain't going to make those refugees' life any better, now is it? So I'm advocating doing one of two things: 1. Accept that right now in your life you're too overwhelmed/poor/selfish to put your energy towards anything but your career and beer and save the political commentary until you've got the focus to learn all the facts, or 2. Stop chatting about how much this issue or that politician is so wrong and instead DO something about it, start a letter writing campaign, help out a youth voters project, get thee to the Middle East firsthand to be sure you've got the facts straight. And in the meantime, let's not judge each other because some of us are 1's and some of us are 2's. I am currently a number 1, but as soon as I can get my shit together, I'm hoping to be a number 2.
What do you think?
-Erin
i think the people/politics distinction is a convenient scapegoat. after all, people practice politics. our leadership still reflects the majority of our population, stubborn and selfish. that is slowly changing and we are not all the same, but until we citizens INSIST that healthy, honest people operate our government and our politics mature, the rest of the world will understandably judge us as "hellions".
Fascinating project! I agree with the other comments that travel offers an opportunity to show that not all Americans are the same and to put forth a "positive image" that is not political or MTV. One thing we've been impressed about, especially in former communist and suppressive regime countries, is how people are able to differentiate between a country's politics and its people. One money changer in Tajikistan summed it up well: "American politics bad. American people good. Tajik politics bad. Tajik people good."
Thanks for the article and I hope to read the final project when it's finished!
Somehow I think you can achieve a greater understanding of this impression when you come into contact with people who can't speak English at all. In Japan, as I'm walking around, occasionally people will recognize me as an American and assume I must listen to their qualms with the nation as a whole: "HELLO! BUSH! IRAQ! NO WAR!"
Intercultural relations fascinate me immensely and I would also love to read more of your enjoyable article. I often find there are sweeping generalizations and opinions about America by other country's citizens (and certainly, unwittingly by us towards their nations). But, what I love about travel is the opportunity to convey a counter perspective to their accidentally narrow perception. I like to agree about the weaknesses in my country, and the strengths. I wait for the moment to contradict an assumption and insert a new possibility in their thinking. I figure even if only a handful of people at a time learn there is indeed more than one kind of American, it's a start.
Heidi
Excellent article and what a diverse group to question in one place! I have encountered much of the same "Iraq/Bush and MTV=U.S.A" in my travels, Yet we are still the closed minded americans? I think we should all open our minds to new experiences before passing judgement. Thank you for a great article that was fun to read. I would love to read more.
Slinky
Great article Erin, I'd love to read the entire thing when you finish. I have been asking questions like this for the last couple of years and unfortunately you are right on key. I hope we can each help change this view.
Thanks
-Rob