Americans are....

Ever since I came here, I have come to realize something- there is no other country than America that attracts the most random comments, insults, and just plain idiotic statements. Anyone from any other country could say that (Fill in random country here) is the best country in the world, simply because they are from that country, and no one would find it contrary. But the second any American dares to do the same, all hell breaks loose! Out comes the torrent of how bad our country, economy, health care system, defense, music, you name it....I've heard it. Ok, some of it has merit, but some just take it to another level, and some comments are just plain random. Here's just a sample:

"You're American?!!....But you're not fat!" (why, thank you...I think)

"I hate your president,I hate your country, why should I like you?" (You don't have to....*run,hide*)

"Don't you guys all wear hoodies?" (Huh?)

"Where are you from?....Oh,New York - I know New York....where is it?" (No comment)

"Haha, you sound so funny speaking Hungarian....you sound like an American speaking Hungarian..hahaha..It sounds so stupid, it reminds me of how Americans sound speaking Norwegian!" (Wow, so unnecessarily rude. Not to mention at least I know enough Hungarian to try to speak it ----what I really want to say..."Maybe that's what you sound like speaking english to me?)

Some other misconceptions:

1. Americans are stupid - Ok , so Kellie Pickler didn't help, but we have some of the best academic institutions in the world and greatest scientists, inventors, and innovators. Edison alone gave us the light bulb, carbon microphone, phonograph (precursor to all our mp3 players), motion picture camera, and stock ticker.
Just we take our less than brightest and put them on reality tv for our entertainment, doesn't mean we all talk like Paris Hilton. Yes, I admit that we maybe weak in geography, and maybe not all of us are bilingual and just speak English everywhere we go. But surely, not everyone in Europe knows more than one language? And honestly, most every country in the world has English as a national language - thanks to the conquering Brits (who, btw, tell me I speak American, not English..who knew?)

2. We are sex-crazed - Apparently, tact and being friendly in Europe is simply translated into "Get in my pants!" Speaking of Paris.... To be frank, I think we are much less liberal and sexual compared to Europe - very much a tortoise in this hare game. Anyone remember the catastrophe that was Janet's Nipplegate? That would barely raise an eyebrow here, where naked breasts are on TV at 4pm, Hustler is on regular cable, and nudity widespread (almost literally) on newspapers. So we dance a little closer....its just our style - don't read so much into it. I've figured out that in Europe, I should stick to my history teacher's 'Book Of Mormon' rule - If you can't fit a Book of Mormon (or any other large fat book) b/w the two of you - you're just too close for words.

3. We're all rich - Sorry, hate to break it to you, but Bill Gates and Oprah have most of it, among a few others. Most of us are on loans, from the government or private companies, which unlike many europeans, we have to pay back in full, and then some. We might have bigger houses sometimes, but we have more land....basic principle of surface area, people - and not only that, but it depends on where you live in America. 160,000 may get you a fairly large house in Ohio, but it will get you diddly elsewhere.

4. Racism is at as rampant as it was in the Civil war - Yes, there are still many race issues out there, and everyone knows what was in the movie Crash. But I truly believe that we have made steps to a better place- look to our current elections. Maybe it seems like it took us a while to get there, but compared to other countries, America is a teenager - not even 250 old. I think we have taken tact and PC as our words and am proud of that. I've seen kids here throw racial epithets around like "N*****", "Ch***", and who knows what like they mean nothing and hurt no one, and I believe that to be despicable.

5. We are hypocritically religious - I was told the other day by someone Icelandic that even if our laws state a separation of church and state, we don't do it because we talk about religion, and Christianity all the time. "C'mon", he said, "you have 'In God We Trust' on your money." But, I said God is universal to all religions by definition and in any case, it has a historical base more so than religious. Even if it was, why is that related to church and state? Wasn't this country founded by people looking for a new life and to escape religious persecution, no matter who or what they worshiped or even if at all?

6. If someone doesn't have health insurance, and if something happens, then too bad, so sad - Not true, if someone is truly injured, and taken to the hospital - the hospital is, as far as I know, required by law to treat them, and will try to recover cost afterwards. If they cannot, they will simply eat the cost - which causes hospital fees to go up and insurance costs...but that is a whole other issue. Bottom Line...if you don't have insurance, it isn't the most ideal situation, but its not like we leave our poor, un-insured to die. Not to mention, the availability of free or low cost clinics, Medicare, charities, and so on. Yes , we need a better health care plan - but don't paint us so heartless.

What is the point in criticizing when no country is perfect? I know that we've made some mistakes lately in our foreign relations and have soured some of them, but America has made some great contributions to this world, along with many European countries - so why all the hate, people? Some of it is funny - most of the time, the misconceptions make me laugh - but sometimes it justs hits too close to home. I am thankful to the country that gave my parents, me and many others so many opportunities. And it also seems so hypocritical. The ones who criticize most seems to be the ones with the DKNY shirts, the Nike sneakers (translating from American to English - thats trainers to you Brits), listening to 50 cent on their ipod. If it bothers you all that much to be associated with something American, then stop wearing our fashion lines, stop drooling over our new technology, stop splashing your celeb mags and newspapers with our celebrities, and stop listening to our music artists.
There, I've said my piece....now, if ya don't mind...errr....I'mma gonna be sittin herr on mah big ol fat brown butt, hoping to God I don't fall off this here chair.