Why do Americans over-estimate their abilities?

Question

They claimed the Vietnam war resolve the conflict within a year. Eight years later they started to withdraw without any result.

They claimed they would defeat the Taliban within 3 months. That was nearly five years ago.

When they entered WWII at the start of 1942 they claimed they would push the Germans back in the summer of 1942, which was the D-Day landing plan.

It wasn't until 1944 that they were ready to accept the challenge.

Federal Express came to UK claiming they were going to take over the UK and European parcels market and dominate it. They operated a parcels operation for 3-4 years and withdrew having made no impact at all.

About 4 years back, a company named Walmart said they were going to buy into the UK food retail market and lead it. They bought into position no 3 and they still remain at position No: 3

They always seem make a big noise when they first start and over-estimate their own abilities.

Answer 1

the people in charge of it have to make it seem that they are #1 but we all know they are just blowing off steam

Answer 2

You wrongfully applied something of human nature and applied it to one nation.  I bet if you looked hard enough you'd find this type of thing all around you in business and governments and never look at the US.  But you want to bash the US, never mind anything else and lump a lot of people into one group.  If I did that then I'd think all French were cowards, Spanish people are easily swayed to vote one way (all it takes is one terrorist attack), and everyone in Switzerland makes army knives and coo-coo clocks.  But I know better and don't generalize, like you like to do.  (I've seen Europeans make a lot of noise and do nothing as well)

Answer 3

Most Americans think they are god's gift to the world and therefore feel it is their responsibility to take charge.

Answer 4

You pick out 5 circumstances and use them to generalize 500 million people?  NIce.  And to answer your question, No they don't.  They didn't overestimate when they took out Hitler, when they defeated Britain, and many many more.

Answer 5

Well, i guess it does apply to some Americans. But what about the UK? Don't you think that Gordy McBrown over estimates his abilities? Or even politicians in the EU? A case can be made against almost any people or leadership of any nation.

Answer 6

LOL.

Beliving you can is the mark of the successful.

So what if we over estimate.   Beats the h**l out of walking around thinking you can't.

It's easy to underestimate the obsticles - but Jeez,  what a sad grey life to be beaten before you start by a lack of confidence.

Took longer that we thought to beat Hitler.   Yeah,  that's keeping me up nights.  

WAL MARTS ISN'T #1 IN THE UK!!!????

DEAR GOD, HOW WILL I ENDURE THIS SHAME!?!

Those who can, do.  Those who can't, whine.

Answer 7

I think maybe you have a look at our own history, it's not at all gleaming.  The Taliban was defeated and removed from power within 3 months, with out American help WW2 waould have lasted alot longer and arguablely would have had a different result, Fed Ex does still operate in the UK.  ASDA, may not even exist today without the billions pumped into a failing food chain by the Walton sisters.  

But your right Tesco is better, intimidating farmers and price fixing to get the cheapest prices forcing thousands of farmers into living on the edge or in poverty, supporting regimes like Mugabe, as does BP.  The British government forcing through Biofuel reforms without proper research, thus forcing millions into starvation and driving up commodity prices.  

Ah, the British must pi$$ and moan about everything and everybody, and yet can't even run their own country effeciently, rely heavily on the US to keep there economy alive and then whinge about it.  I think it has to do with all the rain, puts a "gloomy cap" and blinders on everyones head.

Answer 8

read Bill Brysons tales from a big country that sums the americans up.

Answer 9

your spot on

Answer 10

Head

On

Mommies

Onion

Answer 11

I wanted to answer this question, but I didn't think I could write it.

Answer 12

Great Britain isn't called that because it's great. It's called Great Britain because it is the larger of Two Britannia's.

Brittany in France used to be referred to as the 'lesser Britain' because it is smaller.

Answer 13

The US has an evil plan to take over the World and has been implementing it effectively since WWII. The government planners knew from that start that caring and providing for a population (even its own) is a hindrance to their ultimate evil goal of world dominance.

The US spends about the same on military spending as all the other countries combined. It's starting to militarize space and holds a stragegic lead in space. It has blurred the distinction between nuclear and conventional weapons and is paving the way for the use of nuclear arms against countries that do not have nuclear weapons. It has established fortifications in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the need for bases is less important because of a system that enables obliteration of targets on earth from space within 30 minutes of an order.

The US has totally fogged American thinking with a media that is fully complicit in generating propaganda. Undercover operations throughout the world have destabilized governments and allow US corporate control with the cooperation of the World Bank and the IMF. South America is largely under the control of US interests with the significant exception of Venesuala, Brazil, and Cuba. The US has been tried by the World Court in the Hague, and was found guilty for terrorism in Nicaragua.

Viet Nam had no significant resources. Viet Nam was attacked and the region was decimated and civilian populations were incarcerated in prison camps. The US was teaching a lesson to the rest of the countries in the area and had no need to stay once the damage was inflicted. In Iraq, the US will stay as long as the oil flows and the military - industrial - congressional complex is rewarded.

I believe that the evil doers represent an elite class of people who consider most other people to be unpeople. They have no concern for other. Economic sanctions against Iraq prior to the second attack cost the lives of 500,000 children. The US is relentless at attacking and at not supporting the people. Iraq right now has standing sewage, unsafe drinking water, and a very limited medical system. Thousands are dying.

I think that you underestimate the depravity of US leadership and the power of the military.

I'm not saying that the US leadership is doing the right thing. I'm saying that the US leadership is following a path that could lead to the extinction of human kind. It is abusing power and it is making a mockery of democracy.

Answer 14

Hi, I are one. It's over estimating but much more. Every four years our leaders, local, state, and then Presidential tell us each one of them how they WILL win, and what they will do when they win. It's now expected for leaders in all capacities here to tell us stuff like that. Now, one has to be lying if it's true only one can win the job all are vying for, but we ignore it. And with out being truly psychic how does any of our prospective Mayors, Governors, and President's know they will win anyway? But we get so used to it, it's part and parcel of leading here. It's lies, but we expect them as evidence of confidence. Delusion is more accurate, as you seem to have noticed very well.

Answer 15

Oh no you realize now that nobody is perfect. Why go into a situation with a defeated attitude?  Besides if you over-estimate your abilities don't you get more accomplished than if you were to under-estimate them. Actually I worked for Sam's club way back and I know they are a good company.  What if they said they were going to come in and be no 3 do you think they would be? I don't they would be much lower down on the list. Your mistaking enthusiam which is a positive for making a big noise.

Answer 16

America got owned by vietnam, so they got slaughtered by farmers with rifles :)