Americans, does it bother you when immigrants complain about America?

[Anonymous]

I am an immigrant (came as a child). And there are many things not great in the US. But it urks me when recent immigrants complain excessively or say "xyz is so much better elsewhere". Well then there is an option to go somewhere else and pay those taxes and contribute to that society snd receive those benefits. Usually those other places are not nearly as welcoming to immigrants and makenit much much harder to get permanent status. ,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, not at all. I do wonder if they knew what they were signing up for ahead of time, though.

They often dont as many of their immigrant friends only tell them the good stuff in a way to protect themselves and their disappointments.

[Anonymous]

One of the things I like about being American is the belief that you can do you....so go ahead and complain about the junk food, entitlement etc., and hopefully do your own thing you will find others like you - individualism for better or worse is kind of the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, not at all. I do wonder if they knew what they were signing up for ahead of time, though.

They often dont as many of their immigrant friends only tell them the good stuff in a way to protect themselves and their disappointments.

NP. I do wonder why so many immigrants come here. I feel sorry for them, especially the migrants who come from poor countries. America is a tough country to live in if you don’t speak English or have an education.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s legitimate to criticize US foreign policy, and the healthcare system, and the ridiculous amount of fast food we subject ourselves to.

What annoys me is when people complain about minor cultural differences like having a dog as a pet, or sugar in coffee. Like…that’s what we do here, get over it.

[Anonymous]

I complain about the food and quality of education with the only objective of helping to improve them. Fortunately, I encountered many Americans that are on the same page because they visited other countries around the globe. There are Americans who, unfortunately, only visited Alabama, Wyoming, and N. Carolina and think food and education quality is world class.

[Anonymous]

I am an immigrant. I think the important distinction is to not complain or belittle the culture vs. policies that we can change. Complaining about how there is too much sugar in American food that leads to obesity is fair game. Complaining how Americans like their personal space bubble is not. Complaning about how women should have access to health care (such as abortion) is fair game. Complaining about how Americans like to shower excessively is not ok.

Also, I think it's equally as fragile to tell naturalized Americans to "go somewhere else if we think it's better" any time we try to improve our community through policy changes. We have every right to object to certain things in our community the same way you do.

[Anonymous]

I'm American and I complain about the US all the time, but I will note that when I have lived in other countries, I've always tried to be thoughtful about not over-criticizing because of course people will take that personally or be defensive. The approach I've always taken is to try to be curious first. If there is something about the country I'm in that doesn't makes sense to me or seems obviously inferior to the US, I try to ask questions first and understand why they would do it that way, before just launching into a diatribe about how dumb it is.

It's fine to be critical, but I think most people would eventually tire of being told the country they've lived in their entire lives and were born in is inferior to another country, by someone who has *chosen* to live here instead of her country of origin.

I am guessing this dynamic is exacerbated in a marriage where he likely feels that your criticisms of the US are also criticisms of him or may express resentment towards him since he's the reason you live here.

It's just good to have some self-awareness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First gen here. I only talk to other first gen about how spoiled Americans are.

Isn’t that why yore here? So you can reap the benefits of what this country can offer and be spoiled too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course not. No country is perfect, and America has a lot of problems. Being patriotic means loving your country; it doesn't mean being blind to its' problems or weak spots.

I get annoyed when someone complains about the same thing over and over again.

Exactly.

Usually the problem is when there are a slew of complaints about one country, plus unremitting praise for another being comparatively perfect. That's not merely raising reasonable criticisms about where you live; it's being deliberately rude, and it's some weird thing about ego.

[Anonymous]

I am an immigrant and it makes me roll my eyes inward. It's always the same cliches about the junk food, overweight people, lack of culture...Tends to be snobby, rude and superficial.

[Anonymous]

As long as they pay taxes, they are just as entitled to complain as born and bred Americans!

I'm European here on a work visa. I pay state and federal taxes in the US.

And yes, I wish to register my dismay at the expensive healthcare and surprising lack of gun regulations in this country.

Aside from those two things, I love everything about the USA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legitimate to criticize US foreign policy, and the healthcare system, and the ridiculous amount of fast food we subject ourselves to.

What annoys me is when people complain about minor cultural differences like having a dog as a pet, or sugar in coffee. Like…that’s what we do here, get over it.

+1 I'd feel the same about someone who moved to my old LA suburb and then complained about the lack of good public transit. Or moved to the UK and complained that they don't get ice in their drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. I lived overseas for a while and definitely complained about the things I didn't like.

Of course, I also abided by the laws of the host country and didn't attempt to overthrow the government.

Did you tell your husband that the 1st Amendment also applies to immigrants? He needs to go re-read the Bill of Rights.

Not even close to the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an immigrant and it makes me roll my eyes inward. It's always the same cliches about the junk food, overweight people, lack of culture...Tends to be snobby, rude and superficial.

+1

Also an immigrant. It annoys me when immigrants (or even 1st/2nd gen) constantly say "back in my country" or "in my culture" and then negatively contrast the US. Even I sometimes want to tell them to feel free to go back to whereever.

Having a discussion about politics/policy is completely different than constantly complaining and contrasting the US negatively imo.