I’m lazy today and besides I’ve found something much more interesting than what I was planning to write anyway! So, for your reading pleasure, may I present a truly top class rant from my very own Ibis 
This is crossposted from her Perfect Human blog, so my apologies if you’ve already read it
“Yankee Spirit” posted by Ibis
It’s not that I hate (or even dislike) Americans. I don’t. I hate their arrogance and superficial ignorant attitude.
Before I go any further, I’d just like to apologise to any Americans who do not conform to the standard Yankee charicature which has caused the rest of the world to form a negative impression of America in general. I mean no offence to you. To the rest of you, however, it’s about time you caught a wake-up. This post may offend you, but hey, Americans are all for Freedom of Speech, aren’t they? And i can assure you, I am not a terrorist out to get you, merely a civilian who has had enough and feels the need to voice their opinion.
Note: the following will contain the word “Americans” as a generalisation, intended to incorporate 90% of the population of the USA. For the other 10%, refer to the above paragraph.
How the rest of the world view Americans:
Americans are arrogant. They think the entire planet, looks up to America, strives to be like America, worships America. We don’t.
Americans live in a fantasy world where celebrity == god or goddess. Celebrities are people. Celebrities are not to be worshiped. Looping from the above paragraph: We do not worship your celebrities either.
Americans are blissfully ignorant. There is a world outside of the American Continent. There are no tigers or bears roaming the streets of South Africa. Nor, for that matter, are there lions or buffalo roaming the streets of South Africa. South Africa may be classified as a third world country, but trust me, we’re very civilised. So are many of the other African countries. Africa (specifically SOUTH AFRICA) does not equal dangerous jungle filled with uncivilised canibal tribes.
Americans, (and this applies to Germans too) please. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look visiting South Africa in your safari clothes?
Americans are afraid of everything. Not every rustle of leaves, or suspicious-looking person, is a terrorist. The people in power have purposefully made you tremble in your boots, for no reason whatsoever. Do some researh and find out how many of the scares are for real.
Americans believe they are untouchable. This attitude is just FAR too arrogant. It may sound shocking and utterly horrible, but while the rest of the world grieved for those lives lost in 9/11, they were also relieved that someone had the guts to show the American nation that they are indeed, not untouchable.
What exactly is the “American Dream”, and how do you “live it”? Every time I hear that expression, it illustrates a completely different meaning. Is it starting out selling lemonade on the streets and then ending up with a multi-million dollar corporation? Is it being able to be who you want to be and having the freedom to express yourself? Is it all about being rich and famous and having a body filled with silicon and plastic?
And what is it, exactly, that makes it the American Dream? If someone in, let’s say Britain, lives that dream, is it also considered the American Dream? Or does that make it the British Dream? What if people from all over the world live that dream - is it still the American Dream? Shouldn’t it be called the Intenational Dream?
I just wish that Americans would wake up and realise that the world does not revolve around America. America is not the be all and end all. And you are not respected as much as you would like to think you are.
Now, I’ll just wait for the comments to stream in shall I?
Cheers
