Not quite, If I dislike Australia because of what their government has been doing (let's face it, all most all of the dislike for america is it's government not for it's individual people), that is justified (most likely wrong, but has reason behind it). But if I dislike someone, for no other reason that if they are Australian, that is bigotry.

The main arguement is saying that the other people aren't distinguishing between the american people and the american government, and that they dislike the people for the government's actions, and that calls as bigotry. But our government is a representative of the people on foriegn affairs, and if we don't like the image that they give us to the rest of the world, we need to elect new people.

Indeed. My generalized view on americans isn't necessarily backed up with scientific studies.

__________________
"The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it." - Mill.

Read the post that we are discussing carefully. The poster is saying that an entire generation of Australians is anti-American, and that the Bush administration simply made a previously existing situation worse.

It seems to me highly questionable that one person can speak for so many people - but that certainly is the message.

__________________
Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1

This makes absolutely no sense.

__________________
Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1

If you are going to refer to an entire nation as ignorant trash who want to control the world, it is a good idea to have some basis for your comments...

__________________
Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1

He may not be able to fully represent the entire generation, but he has more knowledge about what individuals within that country and generation feel and how they veiw us. What the US is doing now is too far from what we've been doing since the end of WW2. And many people and nations might not like our policies in other countries.

Alright then - he DOES speak for an entire generation. And that generation is anti-American.

I cannot imagine an entire generation of Americans disliking the population of another nation because of their nationality. Can you imagine millions of Americans saying "We have always had a low view of Australians"? It just wouldn't happen.

What a waste of time.

__________________
Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1

A generation can easily have very similiar views in a specific political issue (let's say forgien policy), and so that entire generation could be very upset at the US forgien policy over the last 60 years, leading to a dis like of America. Or, instead of forgien policy, it could be selfish attitudes. The USA people are more individual ("what do I want" and "I deserve..") than many other nations, and a lot of people think that is a bad trait for someone to have.

The point is that this thread was to see what foreigners think of Americans. Those views may be idiotic, bigoted, or based on good facts, but the point of the thread was just to see what foriegners think of Americans, not why.

Of course, if you want to know why so many foreigners dislike Americans, then it's fair enough to ask.
Most of us will admit that our views are probably based more on gut feeling, media presentation, and American foreign policy, than on actual statistics, as Neo said.
American views on other countries will be based on the same things.
Though that doesn't mean that all our views are based on poor judgement, or are wrong.

__________________
... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

You misunderstood my comments. But I do respect your moderator power and will not argue, and will leave this thread as well.

*bows out*

__________________
Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1