Post: #1

Interesting, might be something to consider for those of you planning trips.

Link

Who loves ya, baby? If you’re the United States of America, the answer is fewer and fewer people around the world.
In Britain, France, Germany and nearly a dozen other prominent nations, the percentage of people with a favorable view of the United States has declined over the last decade, according to a new global survey by the Pew Research Center. That trend has been apparent since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, which was highly unpopular in many countries. The 2008 financial meltdown marked another slip in America’s reputation, as many people blamed Wall Street for a global recession that still weighs on the world economy. Controversial drone strikes aimed at terrorists and childish political antics in Washington continue to mar America’s image abroad.
Some nations still have a soft spot for the U.S., however. Of 39 nations where Pew conducted surveys, here are the 10 where people have the most favorable impression of the U.S.:
1. Philippines (percentage with a favorable view of the United States: 85%)
2. Israel (83%)
3. Ghana (83%)
4. Senegal (81%)
5. Kenya (81%)
6. El Salvador (79%)
7. South Korea (78%)
8. Italy (76%)
9. Uganda (73%)
10. Brazil (73%)
Why are these particular countries so fond of us? For many of the African nations, it's largely because of the aid we send them, which is a strong starting point for better relations with this increasingly important continent. Most Americans don’t think much about Africa, but other nations -- like China do -- because economic conditions in several African nations are improving rapidly, and some of them are rich in rare-earth minerals, oil and other valuable resources. Africa is also important because it can serve as a staging area for counterterrorism operations in Somalia, Libya, and wherever the bad guys try to hide out next.
The strong U.S. showing in South Korea shows the two nations remain unified in their approach to the cranks in North Korea, perhaps the most nettlesome nation on earth. Brazil is one of the world’s biggest and most important developing nations, so good relations there are important. Israel’s spot near the top of the list shows a strong alliance on Middle East interests, despite some sharp differences on how to manage some of the more divisive issues, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
America’s popularity in the Philippines, meanwhile, suggests Uncle Sam isn’t the exploitative quasicolonial power some critics claim it is. There's been a strong history of military and economic cooperation between the two nations since the Philippines became independent in 1946, including substantial U.S. aid to the archipelago. The Philippines also has territorial disputes with China, which could bind it even more closely to the United States.
It goes without saying that we remain unpopular in a few places. Here are the 10 nations with the least favorable impression of the U.S., according to Pew:
1. Pakistan (percentage with a favorable view of the United States: 11%)
2. Jordan (14%)
3. Palestinian territories (16%)
4. Egypt (16%)
5. Turkey (21%)
6. Greece (39%)
7. China (40%)
8. Argentina (41%)
9. Tunisia (42%)
10. Lebanon (47%)
It’s not surprising that America is most unpopular in Pakistan -- there are deep divisions over U.S. drone strikes on Pakistani territory and other unilateral efforts to hunt down terrorists without that country's approval or cooperation. Strong U.S. support of Israel has long been generating enmity in Muslim nations, including Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, plus the Palestinian territories.
The negative view of America in China — where we're the biggest consumer of Chinese exports -- may come from government efforts to paint the U.S. as a hypocritical nation that badgers others about environmental issues and human rights, even though its own record is spotty. Argentina has developed strong ties with China in recent years, which might explain its modest antipathy toward America.
There’s some consolation in those week approval numbers. In several countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Australia and even Russia, American citizens are more popular than the nation they hail from. That suggests the U.S. government and its policies are the biggest threat to our standing in the world. A lot of Americans probably agree.

Post: #2

I had a feeling brazil would be on the list. Brazilians love traveling to the US.

Post: #3

I wonder how the American people would feel about Pakistan, if Pakistan were sending drones in every so often which killed a whole bunch of women and children?

Post: #4

at least Israel is no 2 of that list. Gotta love em Israelis chicks!

Post: #5

(07-18-2013 07:10 PM)luggage Wrote:  at least Israel is no 2 of that list. Gotta love em Israelis chicks!

100% agree with that.

Post: #6

this makes me want to visit El Salvador

Post: #7

I'm surprised France wasn't on the list. Most French people I know (including my friends) don't have a very favorable opinion of Americans in general... though they all seem to love southern california for some reason...

Post: #8

(07-18-2013 08:03 PM)pegador Wrote:  I'm surprised France wasn't on the list. Most French people I know (including my friends) don't have a very favorable opinion of Americans in general... though they all seem to love southern california for some reason...

Who exactly do the French like though? It seems to be a culture of complaining, similar to the Brits.

Post: #9

(07-18-2013 07:01 PM)tiggaling Wrote:  I wonder how the American people would feel about Pakistan, if Pakistan were sending drones in every so often which killed a whole bunch of women and children?

If we were harboring a terrorist responsible for the death of several thousand Pakistani citizens, I would say we brought it on ourselves.

Post: #10

So what if all these Pakistani terrorists got into American borders?

And they like to hang out at Wallmart and Chucky E. Cheese. And so the Pakistani's send in all these drone strikes which kill dozens of civilians each time one of these guys is killed.

I'd suggest the American people would find that to be completely unacceptable.

Post: #11

Like a moth to a flame.

Post: #12

(07-18-2013 03:09 PM)EasyMoney Wrote:  Here are the 10 nations with the least favorable impression of the U.S., according to Pew:
1. Pakistan (percentage with a favorable view of the United States: 11%)
2. Jordan (14%)
3. Palestinian territories (16%)
4. Egypt (16%)
5. Turkey (21%)
6. Greece (39%)
7. China (40%)
8. Argentina (41%)
9. Tunisia (42%)
10. Lebanon (47%)

The second half of this list is not too bad - at least 40% of people like the USA. So, out of 39 surveyed countries only 5 actually dislike the US.

Post: #13

(07-18-2013 03:09 PM)EasyMoney Wrote:  Argentina has developed strong ties with China in recent years, which might explain its modest antipathy toward America

I guess that this has more to do with the Falkands War. The UK received a strong political support from the USA, and furthermore, it's the U.S that provided the United Kingdom with military equipment ranging from submarine detectors to the latest missiles. As a side note, contrarily, France provided direct material support to the Argentines.

Post: #14

(07-18-2013 08:25 PM)Moma Wrote:  

(07-18-2013 08:03 PM)pegador Wrote:  I'm surprised France wasn't on the list. Most French people I know (including my friends) don't have a very favorable opinion of Americans in general... though they all seem to love southern california for some reason...

Who exactly do the French like though? It seems to be a culture of complaining, similar to the Brits.

The french don't have prejudicial views on whosoever, even if admittedly, americans are sometimes a subject of mockery here.

Talking about prejudice:

   

http://alphadesigner.com/mapping-stereotypes/

Post: #15

Guarantee Kenya wouldn't have made the list until oboma got elected. They love him there. Anyways, he was born in Kenya, duh!

And come on prosal, not even the most ignorant, prejudice Americans believe that map.

The Israelis better love us. We keep them from getting wiped off the map.

Post: #16

(07-19-2013 03:46 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Guarantee Kenya wouldn't have made the list until oboma got elected. They love him there. Anyways, he was born in Kenya, duh!

And come on prosal, not even the most ignorant, prejudice Americans believe that map.

The Israelis better love us. We keep them from getting wiped off the map.

Map is funny, but frankly I don't think many Americans can even find Canada on a map, much less all the other countries!

Israel simply would not exist without massive US military & economic support, plain & simple.

Suprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

Interesting topic, but I think what's not mentioned is how much clout America has lost simply due to the passing of time. American right after the war got a massive amount of good will due to our role helping free parts of Europe during WWII and from the the Marshall Plan too. It's hard for 2nd and 3rd generation Europeans and others to look at the US the same way now given what we have become. In the post-WWII aftermath we were an energetic & expanding manufacturing country with a huge military presence globally that most of the countries at the time wanted. As that need dimished and many countries began to question our bases/nuclear weapons on their soil. And as we became more of a nation of obese, self-absorbed narcissistic consumers who could care less about most of the rest of the world that didn't help. Sure there are plenty of exceptions and there is still a lot of greatness in the US, but it's not like we're still on the whole the entrepreneurial down-to-earth country we once were where our grandfathers went to war and then spent their lives working to raise a family with mom at home taking care of the kids.

Post: #17

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 03:46 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Guarantee Kenya wouldn't have made the list until oboma got elected. They love him there. Anyways, he was born in Kenya, duh!

And come on prosal, not even the most ignorant, prejudice Americans believe that map.

The Israelis better love us. We keep them from getting wiped off the map.

Map is funny, but frankly I don't think many Americans can even find Canada on a map, much less all the other countries!

Israel simply would not exist without massive US military & economic support, plain & simple.

Suprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

Interesting topic, but I think what's not mentioned is how much clout America has lost simply due to the passing of time. American right after the war got a massive amount of good will due to our role helping free parts of Europe during WWII and from the the Marshall Plan too. It's hard for 2nd and 3rd generation Europeans and others to look at the US the same way now given what we have become. In the post-WWII aftermath we were an energetic & expanding manufacturing country with a huge military presence globally that most of the countries at the time wanted. As that need dimished and many countries began to question our bases/nuclear weapons on their soil. And as we became more of a nation of obese, self-absorbed narcissistic consumers who could care less about most of the rest of the world that didn't help. Sure there are plenty of exceptions and there is still a lot of greatness in the US, but it's not like we're still on the whole the entrepreneurial down-to-earth country we once were where our grandfathers went to war and then spent their lives working to raise a family with mom at home taking care of the kids.

No clout?

America just had multiple nations bring down Bolivia's Presidential plane because they thought Snowden was on there.

Hell, America has international banks spying on American citizens.

America is a bully, plane and simple. I hope there comes a time when it bites them in the ass. It would be much better for it's citizens.

Post: #18

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  Surprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

We nuked them. Twice.

But, if it weren't for the Japanese, Filipinos would not like the USA so much.

60 years ago, the Japanese made the Filipinos forget all of the raping, pillaging and torturing U.S. forces did 100 years ago. By being worse.

Post: #19

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  Map is funny, but frankly I don't think many Americans can even find Canada on a map, much less all the other countries!

Israel simply would not exist without massive US military & economic support, plain & simple.

Suprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

Interesting topic, but I think what's not mentioned is how much clout America has lost simply due to the passing of time. American right after the war got a massive amount of good will due to our role helping free parts of Europe during WWII and from the the Marshall Plan too. It's hard for 2nd and 3rd generation Europeans and others to look at the US the same way now given what we have become. In the post-WWII aftermath we were an energetic & expanding manufacturing country with a huge military presence globally that most of the countries at the time wanted. As that need dimished and many countries began to question our bases/nuclear weapons on their soil. And as we became more of a nation of obese, self-absorbed narcissistic consumers who could care less about most of the rest of the world that didn't help. Sure there are plenty of exceptions and there is still a lot of greatness in the US, but it's not like we're still on the whole the entrepreneurial down-to-earth country we once were where our grandfathers went to war and then spent their lives working to raise a family with mom at home taking care of the kids.

It really says something about the state of other countries when America, filled with fat fucking retards who can't find Canada on the map, is the worlds most dominate super power.

How stupid do they have to be so that we are able to hold so much power and influence?


On a serious note, let's be real. Many Americans have a bad sense of geography, but they can still find Canada on the map.

The reason everyone can find America on the map, but we can't find so many of their countries, is that we are a very large country land mass wise, we are in the world news every day of the year, what we do affects the lives of people worldwide, and we hold much more world influence and power than other countries.

A lack of travel and a disinterest in world politics is also a large part of this, but let's not be so ignorant to think that Americans are so stupid and uneducated that they don't know where Canada is.

If you ask some random man from Lisbon to point out Uzbekistan on a map, I bet he has trouble. Ask a woman from Berlin to point out Cambodia, and I bet she has trouble. Ask these same people to point out the US, and of course they can find it. They hear about us in the news on a daily basis. We are also a huge country by land mass. I am sure most Americans can pick out China and Russia as well, just because they are such prominent features on a map.

It's laughable that so many people actually believe that a large percentage of Americans are so ignorant that they don't know where Mexico or Canada are. You have to be really fucking stupid to even begin to believe that.

Someone was on here bitching about the Zimmerman case being all over the news, but not much of the riots in Turkey. Well no shit. The Zimmerman case will have a much larger impact on our country, and our citizens, than the riots in Turkey will. We really don't need to know about the riots in Turkey at all. It won't affect our daily lives in the slightest. However, the Zimmerman case will affect many peoples lives, so it is definitely more important for the average American to be informed about it.


Anyways, that's my rant. Americans can definitely find Canada and Mexico on the map.

Post: #20

^ I've met Americans in Thailand who thought Canada was in Europe. I wish I was joking.

Post: #21

You know, I've met Europeans who think San Fransisco and LA are like right next to each other. Or some who don't know wtf is in the middle of California, New York and Florida.

Additionally...

Post: #22

(07-19-2013 07:37 AM)Soma Wrote:  ^ I've met Americans in Thailand who thought Canada was in Europe. I wish I was joking.

How many Americans did you meet that thought this? What is the context behind the story? I don't believe that anyone who has gone through the US education system, as shitty as it is, could actually think Canada was in Europe.

Post: #23

(07-19-2013 07:03 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  Surprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

We nuked them. Twice.

But, if it weren't for the Japanese, Filipinos would not like the USA so much.

60 years ago, the Japanese made the Filipinos forget all of the raping, pillaging and torturing U.S. forces did 100 years ago. By being worse.

Yeah, I know, but we've been huge allies since then, the Japanese need us as their anti-China buddy and I think the US has generally gotten positive press domestically for many years. I guess the Okinawans don't like our military base there but other than that from my experience I think the Japanese generally have a positive view of Americans (hence the English teacher thing).

I couldn't believe how nice and hospitable the Japanese were to me as an American when I was in Tokyo and Kyoto. Had an old man in Kyoto buy me a beer when he saw me and found out. But maybe that was just my experience.

Post: #24

(07-19-2013 07:01 AM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 03:46 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Guarantee Kenya wouldn't have made the list until oboma got elected. They love him there. Anyways, he was born in Kenya, duh!

And come on prosal, not even the most ignorant, prejudice Americans believe that map.

The Israelis better love us. We keep them from getting wiped off the map.

Map is funny, but frankly I don't think many Americans can even find Canada on a map, much less all the other countries!

Israel simply would not exist without massive US military & economic support, plain & simple.

Suprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

Interesting topic, but I think what's not mentioned is how much clout America has lost simply due to the passing of time. American right after the war got a massive amount of good will due to our role helping free parts of Europe during WWII and from the the Marshall Plan too. It's hard for 2nd and 3rd generation Europeans and others to look at the US the same way now given what we have become. In the post-WWII aftermath we were an energetic & expanding manufacturing country with a huge military presence globally that most of the countries at the time wanted. As that need dimished and many countries began to question our bases/nuclear weapons on their soil. And as we became more of a nation of obese, self-absorbed narcissistic consumers who could care less about most of the rest of the world that didn't help. Sure there are plenty of exceptions and there is still a lot of greatness in the US, but it's not like we're still on the whole the entrepreneurial down-to-earth country we once were where our grandfathers went to war and then spent their lives working to raise a family with mom at home taking care of the kids.

No clout?

America just had multiple nations bring down Bolivia's Presidential plane because they thought Snowden was on there.

Hell, America has international banks spying on American citizens.

America is a bully, plane and simple. I hope there comes a time when it bites them in the ass. It would be much better for it's citizens.

when I was referring to 'clout' I meant goodwill from good deeds done, political capital if you will. I would argue that most Europeans felt a bit of a debt to the US in general after WWI given how we pushed the Germans back on the Western front and then implemented programs to rebuild Europe.

The US def does push people around now. It's our stupid "freedom' BS that they spin....meanwhile it's turning into a police state...so's most of the Anglosphere as well. I fear it won't just be the US but the entire world at some point. China is even worse than the US internally and externally in terms of cyberwarfare and monitoring...

Post: #25

(07-19-2013 07:07 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  

(07-19-2013 06:29 AM)Akula Wrote:  Map is funny, but frankly I don't think many Americans can even find Canada on a map, much less all the other countries!

Israel simply would not exist without massive US military & economic support, plain & simple.

Suprised Japan isn't in the top 10 given the close relations.

Interesting topic, but I think what's not mentioned is how much clout America has lost simply due to the passing of time. American right after the war got a massive amount of good will due to our role helping free parts of Europe during WWII and from the the Marshall Plan too. It's hard for 2nd and 3rd generation Europeans and others to look at the US the same way now given what we have become. In the post-WWII aftermath we were an energetic & expanding manufacturing country with a huge military presence globally that most of the countries at the time wanted. As that need dimished and many countries began to question our bases/nuclear weapons on their soil. And as we became more of a nation of obese, self-absorbed narcissistic consumers who could care less about most of the rest of the world that didn't help. Sure there are plenty of exceptions and there is still a lot of greatness in the US, but it's not like we're still on the whole the entrepreneurial down-to-earth country we once were where our grandfathers went to war and then spent their lives working to raise a family with mom at home taking care of the kids.

It really says something about the state of other countries when America, filled with fat fucking retards who can't find Canada on the map, is the worlds most dominate super power.

How stupid do they have to be so that we are able to hold so much power and influence?


On a serious note, let's be real. Many Americans have a bad sense of geography, but they can still find Canada on the map.

The reason everyone can find America on the map, but we can't find so many of their countries, is that we are a very large country land mass wise, we are in the world news every day of the year, what we do affects the lives of people worldwide, and we hold much more world influence and power than other countries.

A lack of travel and a disinterest in world politics is also a large part of this, but let's not be so ignorant to think that Americans are so stupid and uneducated that they don't know where Canada is.

If you ask some random man from Lisbon to point out Uzbekistan on a map, I bet he has trouble. Ask a woman from Berlin to point out Cambodia, and I bet she has trouble. Ask these same people to point out the US, and of course they can find it. They hear about us in the news on a daily basis. We are also a huge country by land mass. I am sure most Americans can pick out China and Russia as well, just because they are such prominent features on a map.

It's laughable that so many people actually believe that a large percentage of Americans are so ignorant that they don't know where Mexico or Canada are. You have to be really fucking stupid to even begin to believe that.

Someone was on here bitching about the Zimmerman case being all over the news, but not much of the riots in Turkey. Well no shit. The Zimmerman case will have a much larger impact on our country, and our citizens, than the riots in Turkey will. We really don't need to know about the riots in Turkey at all. It won't affect our daily lives in the slightest. However, the Zimmerman case will affect many peoples lives, so it is definitely more important for the average American to be informed about it.


Anyways, that's my rant. Americans can definitely find Canada and Mexico on the map.

I hear you but honestly I've been with some admittedly geography-deficient Americans who literally could not point out Canada on the map!

The problem is probably as evident in Canada/Europe and wherever so maybe its more of a geography thing as opposed to specifically American. Also, if you grow up in a smaller country with less world influence then you're going to tend to want to be more in the know about the other more powerful countries.

Lookee here Canadians can't find the continents on a map either!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...y-115.html

Meanwhile I think I can probably name every country on the map - the 'stans and smaller African countries might get me though....they are tricky..