Friends and I are getting into arguments over politics/lifestyle..?

Question

So, everyone knows I'm American, Living in Ireland. I'm 13 and everyone (now and again) makes fun of Americans. They say that they're all fat and stupid and that when a problem comes around, they just blow everyone up. What should I say back? Because I know d**n well we're not stupid and not everyone is fat and what we do, we do for a reason. It's not fair to stereo type. I'm starting to get a bit offended. They all go up to me and say "oh, that's AWESOME!!!" in a strong Californian accent.

So, I just need some ammunition. I'm 13. Every time I try to prove my point by saying "Why are you being so stereo typical?" "Or, When a war comes around, every country calls for America and when America do their job, everyone bad-mouths them" (along those lines)

Anyway, is there anything I could say to them? About the whole "fat" and "dumb" thing. I mean, I'm not fat and I'm a grade A, so it's not like they're saying it as a pun or anything.

Any Advise?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Well the only reason Americans are "fat" is because they can afford the food.  I believe the Irish once went into a famine because they ran out of potatoes?  And if anybody is going to talk about war- what about the whole "Ireland vs England" ordeal?

Lets see, if all Americans are so fat, why did America get the most Olympic medals? How many did Ireland get?

If Americans are so stupid, how come we have some of the richest people in the world and some of the top businesses to ever encompass the Earth?  How were we able to make the first atomic bomb?  How did we get a man on the moon?

I do believe a great deal of American immigrants were from..Ireland.

Tell your Irish friends that the only thing Ireland is famous for is for drunks and the color green.

Answer 2

If it wasn't for America all of Europe would be under nazy germany, how quickly they forget, and as far as the other stereotypes, that's jealousy, ask your friends, if you don't like americans how come you like american things and the Internet, coca cola, blue jeans, rock music(they have good british rock BUT WE INVENTED ITand the blues too, (the grandaddy of rock, by the way) and   Hollywood movies the telephone electricity and the list goes on.... Tell them if you don't like us then stop using everything Americans ever invented. How boring the stone age would be LOL

Answer 3

try telling those pale b******s the'd be speaking German this very day if not for the stupid, fat Americans saving thier asses in 1942-45.

Answer 4

I would just tell them that while Ireland is a small island and a nice one at that, it just doesn't have the diversity of people, cultures, and ideas that make America great.  As for when they say Americans are "dumb" and "fat".. you should just say " dude you have no idea what America's like...travel before you speak"l   As for you, embrace your "totally awesome" self and blow their ignorant comments off. P.S.  Didn't Ireland practically adopt President's Clinton and Reagan as their own?  

Answer 5

Isn't Ireland still fighting a religous/civil war amongst the north and south. Protestant against Catholic?

Answer 6

One cannot not deal with people that no matter how much true information you give them they see only what they want to see. The best advise is be a kid and have a fun time and ignore the ones that are the real dummies. The best way to stop an argument is to agree with them.They do not matter. Think of you and your future. Peace

Answer 7

I have an accent?!?!  I've lived my whole life in SoCal, I thought everyone else had accents... jk!

As far as the 'fat' comments, I think Americans tend to be fatter on average than those in other countries.  But those are mostly the poor people who choose to eat lots of fast food and junk food instead of cooking healthy meals for themselves.  Many Americans do take care of themsleves, though, like me.  :)

As for the 'dumb' part, just ask them where all the technological advances are coming from in electronics, medicine, etc.  America!  Yea capitalism!!!

Answer 8

Just remind them that a lot of those dumb American's ancestors are from Ireland.

Also America gives more money and charity then anyone.

Answer 9

Just say americans are good at what they do, and we can afford to get fat.Ask them why so many immigrated to america, me among them, or at least my ancestors.Ask them why they didn't succeed where the scots did.At 13 you will handle these kids because they don't know any better. Remind them it was the fat stupid war mongering americans that saved them from the germans.twice.

Answer 10

Gosh babe, I lived in England when I was 12 and 13 as well.....their attempt at a California or west coast accident was amusing. Remind them of the Irish Republican Army and the slaughters they have caused over the years. Do a little research on it. I recommend "In the Name of Our Fathers"....think that was the title of the film. I'm not against the IRA, you have to see both sides of everything, I can. When they get into the fat and dumb thing, well, yeah hun, it is stereotyping, but the Scottish aren't exactly known for their beauty...for their lager and whiskey, YES, and for their rugged handsomeness, something you would NEVER refer to as a compliment in California. Its a beautiful place you're living in, enjoy it. Be there to experience it and don't let them get to you. Just discuss it and point out their own flaws. The Americans and the English are the first to respond in any disaster or oppression in the world, and um, it was the English who invaded many a country, not the americans!

Answer 11

Well, in comparison to other First World countries (Ireland for example), the United States is a nation with poor public education systems and an obesity epidemic (1/3 of the country is obese.) It also has a pretty extensive record of military intervention in the past half-century, and a recently developed reputation for a combination of cultural ignorance & rabid nationalism that many find a sign of stupidity.

But just for fun:

98 - average IQ in the United States

93 - average IQ in Ireland

Answer 12

Tell your "friends" that they can't base their opinion of America on what they see on TV. Plus, there are different shapes and sizes of people, no matter where they're from. No one has any right to judge, and they should be accepting you as a person. Ask your friends if they just hang out w/ you so they can make cheap shot comments about America.

(You mean to tell me that all Irishmen are thin and smart? Hmm...)

Answer 13

You could ask them why they have to be so xenophobic?

Tell them that America only goes to war with other countries because America is asked to go in. You're right, everything we do we do for a reason.

As for being fat or stupid, it isn't fair for them to take a small percentage of one people and blow it completely out of proportion by ssying everyone is like that. Maybe you should talk to them about their xenophobia and ask them if it's possible that they're jealous of our lifestyle?

Also tell them that an extremely large number of Americans are descended from Irish immigrants. It makes you wonder why so many people left Europe, huh?

@purtycutie

Actually, Alexander Graham Bell (inventor of the telephone) was born in Scotland. Although the telephone was invented in the United States, it is still technically a Scottish invention.