How do Germans perceive Americans?

Question

How do Germans perceive Americans?

Answer 1

I don't think geier's opinion is a typical German one. Yes, we tend to think of Americans as a bit superficial because of their political correctness and everlasting friendlyness; but maybe you'll find us Germans, in turn, rather boring and mostly unfriendly (well, at least at first sight). There ARE cultural differences, and nobody can deny them; but there are also a lot of things our cultures have in common.

Sure most people here don't support the Bush administration, but most of us know how to differentiate between the people and their government. (Want to find someone to talk about politics, however, look out for a German.)

But your question is difficult, if not impossible, to answer: What are the Germans", and what are "the Americans"? That's millions of people, each with a different opinion and experience. But we share so much, especially in popular culture, that the general opinion probably is that Americans, besides of being a little crazy, are quite like us.

Answer 2

My supervisor at work is German. He migrated to America after the Berlin Wall fell.

He says Germans love American culture but that we tend to be lazy and inefficient.

Also there are too many "ethnics" and George W. Bush and d**k Cheney remind too many Germans of the old days in their own country.

But overall they love Americans!

Answer 3

they are very open peoples and very nice so there is no problem

Answer 4

America is a great country!

I have been there many times and I have a lot of friends in the USA.

Men like Geier55 are just relicts from the past (n**i) and some kind of stupid, which is significant for n***s in general.

One stubborn mind is not what we, the majority, think in germany!

Don't believe any Faschists, they only want to put hate into the world.

We general believe that america is a great country. Is it important to you what we germans think about america?

I think it also got to with the fact that a lot of you americans have a german background (family).

come and visit us!

RayBan

Answer 5

Many are very critical against US americans

For example at least where i live(hamburg) we want that US american exchange students tell us their opinion on certain things(abu ghraib=torturing innocent people,several bombings in middle east where suspected terror hiding places where bombed=killing innocent people)

the strong patriotism and blindness of the population reminds every educated german of the n**i time

and no, we generally dont love the USA

the typicall US american is regarded as loud, primitive and at least saying 100 times a day ´´god bless america´´

also we dont think that US americans are christians

christians are against war,forgive their enemy and are humility..this is far away from the average US american or government

i dont know any reason why god should bless america..maybe you can tell me some?

Maybe you can give me thumbs down but tell me where i was wrong?

giving thumbs down is easy for you.but defending yourself is hard...maybe you cant really defend from what i said?

plus i always talked about average US americans or government..i know many many are against the government too and want it better

i dnt think that most of us think the USA is land of the dreams

cause you would have to loose all sense of reality

Answer 6

I'm Germand and I'm pretty sure most of us really like Americans, but we don't like your president and his war...

So don't be afraid, you are really welcome here, as long as you don't want to tell us things about possible mass destruction weapons in the middle east ;)

We will never forget, how our friends from the US helped us after ww2 :)

Answer 7

I also live in Hamburg and have to make some things clear: geier55's strange attitude is not representative for the common German. Sure there are groups that strongly dislike the US and that's their right in a democracy, but it's wrong to act as they represent us.

Most of us still see the USA as the land of the dream, like to make holiday oversea and are very open minded to get to know with americans. So I am and I am one of the "educated German" ;)

Answer 8

Germans are our best and closest allies stop molesting them !!

@ Geier stop spreading your n**i s h i t  on here we are fed up with j e r k s  like you !!!

Answer 9

Dr was dead on, and Geier's is ONE personal opinion of Americans.

Most know that the American people and Nation are and do not represent GWB and we all make our mistakes.

I am American and lived in Germany and travel yearly for almost twenty years and I can tell you that I have more loyal and honest friends there than I do here!! Not as materialistic and vain as we can be.

So most Germans view Americans just fine, sure some may not like the Governments views on things but the people themselves usually never a problem. Geier is a n**i is seems as the others are stating and a war being prepared by them HA HA thats the most humorous thing I have heard since the sheep LOL. The only war they are preparing for is who gets to whack who off first to be the next fuerher lol.

Germans are good people and they like most of us and we like most of them.

@Geier (the typicall US american is regarded as loud, primitive and at least saying 100 times a day ´´god bless america´´ also we dont think that US americans are christians

christians are against war,forgive their enemy and are humility..this is far away from the average US american or government i dont know any reason why god should bless america..maybe you can tell me some?)  What a bunch of n**i BS c**p I have ever heard in my LIFE!!! I love Germany and all know it but its Neo's like yourself that give people in the US and abroad that Germans are cold and unfriendly.  I have traveled the world my friend and I will tell you this NO where in the world gives you the chances that the USA does only a few like Germany are as good or similar. All Governments have their problems, but it is SO unfair to label the people that way, that is like Americans still believing most of Germany is still n**i's!! Its so untrue. SO just goes to show me what little experience you really have about the US and the World as a whole. Think about what China, N Korea, Iran, and other Nations do to their prisoners ooh and *no offecense to my German friends, but lets not compare torture and brutality if your Concentration Camps like Buchenwald, Dachau!  You call that glorious and prideful?  We alll have things we wish our nations had never done and it is never fair to take out on today's generation for what a generation that was long ago did. Time to catch up to the 21st Century, WWII is over, the Cold War is Over and sure GWB may be a wanker but he does not represent the US people at all. Slam the US administration all you want, but leave the people and nation out of it as I do yours.

You wonder why so many thumbs down. You really need to learn more about Americans! We are not the land of apple pie and golden dreams, but we do have an easier life than most in the world!!

Answer 10

I'm currently on exchange in Hamburg, and I'm an American, so I've got a pretty good qualification to answer this based on my experiences. Now you can't lump all people into one group, but I would say that overall I get two "reactions." Either someone is interested in America, or they aren't, but don't judge me personally. I don't get any "hate" or "love", I get simply people reacting to me personally. This is one of the things I love about Germany. Is that sure, for the most (huge) part, they hate the war, Bush, all that...but they really don't seem to link it with an American they meet.  They're not judgemental : )