Speaking of Americans ...

Americans are probably THE one nationality in the world that everyone else knows something about - and has an opinion about.

Opinions are based on stereotypes, often wrongly interpreted. I'll admit I've had plenty of opinions about Americans, based on my personal impressions in different situations, on media presentations and on other peoples experiences. For a large part of my life - I believe I've searched to confirm my established negative impressions about Americans, American culture and American politics. I guess I perceive a large part of the American exposure as threatening to my personal values. But then again, attributing this fear to Americans in general could be a bit of a mistake.

I live in the USA for the second time in my life, and my "American-schema" is about to change. Tags are changing label, meanings are being modified. I'd like to pick on these stereotypical tags and explore the substance of them a bit further. Let's start with a fairly well used stereotypical statement: - Americans are loud and obnoxious -

My impression is that individual Americans are generally louder than individuals from other countries, even Canada. Much louder. Why is that?

Here in America, it seems to be more important to be heard than to be listened to. It is a very individualistic society, and being heard means you're being noticed, which could be the first step on the ladder of being socially accepted. If you're the quiet type, nobody waits for you to speak. You're responsible for making and taking your own space. And when you do that, you will receive loud compliments and encouragements from fellow Americans.

There is a lot of background noice wherever you go, always a TV on, a radio, music, people talking, cars ... Even in the life drawing class I'm attending, they put on the radio while drawing. Normally the classical channel, but nevertheless, complete quietness is very hard to find. Where there are people - there is noice.

If you are in the elevator with an American, he or she is very likely to start talking to you. The Americans I've met so far seem to be pretty bad at handling quietness when around other people. It becomes "awkward". So they talk, to wear away the fear of the unfamiliar quiet.

Whenever an American steps out of the elevator, they say "Have a good day" or "good night" or whatever is suitable. When they enter, they greet you, saying "Hello, how are you" or, "Hello, wow, how tall are you?" ... Apart from the proposed fear of quietness and the addiction to some kind of noice, this socially oriented behavior makes people feel ... acknowledged. Perhaps being noticed and acknowledged is a primary factor in this individualistic society for feeling a certain belonging. Being noticed also requires someone to notice you. One comes with the other, loud self promotion is accompanied with loud and vivid external appreciation.

So yes, Americans are loud - and it seems to be part of survival in the American culture. Once used to it, it actually becomes kind of charming. But rude and obnoxious? I'd say they're closer to overdoing the polite and friendliness than being rude. Nobody makes you feel more noticed and appreciated than Americans. Nobody greets you clearer and louder when you meet than Americans. And where else in the world will people you don't even know wish you a wonderful day - every day? And who else but Americans splash out on compliments to you without even knowing you? (Well, except for cheesy italian guys or generally folks on a pick-up mission Saturday night - but they do not count in this setting) And what other country in the world contains so many different nationalities - and has a culture for incorporating them into one nation, as America ...? Americans, we hear you.