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

[Anonymous]

It would only bother me if it was constant complaining (as opposed to occasional complaining).

If a person is very unhappy in the USA, and if he/she has the option to move back to their country of origin, then it seems like moving would make sense as it would make the person happier (rather than living in a country like the USA where they are not happy). (The same applies for anything in life -- if you do not like it, then make a change so that you can be happier, rather than complaining. Or if you are "stuck" in the USA, then perhaps try to find little ways in which to make it a better place.)

The same applies (for me) to someone who does not like our neighborhood or our city. If you do not like it, you could try to find small ways to improve it. But if a personal really does not like our neighborhood or city, then I recommend moving (rather than constant complaining).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it bothers me that maga morons have no clue.

Their whitey white boys are not to put a roof on a house, mow a law, work at McDonalds etc, pick fruit or other foods.

Idiots all of them.

Seventy million people voted for Trump, and we're all idiots? Hmmm...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why Americans are so uptight. We really cannot take ANY criticism or we lose our minds. Contrarily, other nationalities (Brits, Irish, etc) are famous for their self-deprecating humor and seem not to be so offended. We need to learn to relax. Pointing out a flaw does not diminish your standing as a Proud American.

I disagree. Americans are known to have a pretty healthy sense of humor and most of us can take a ribbing, as well as be honest about our shortcomings as a nation. The problem comes in when others cross that invisible line of good-natured joking and it becomes insulting.

Example: You can jokingly tell someone your teen kid sometimes doesn't know his left from his right, and is frequently absent-minded.

If that same person said to YOU, "Your kid seems dim-witted and forgetful." you would no doubt take umbrage, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an immigrant. Here are things I complain about -

Poor quality of education in K-12 (both public and private), lack of exams, textbooks, standards. The horror of "no child left behind" that is graduating functional illiterates from high school.

I also complain about the litter on the sides of the road, ugly newer buildings, poor public service. I complain about illegal immigrants. I complain about politics in America. I complain about how ill-informed Americans are.

I also complain about guns, and I complain about ineffective policing and justice system.

Other than that?

Funny, because I think most of the people throwing litter on the side of the road are immigrants. Those of us who grew up here remember the crying Indian and we would never...

[Anonymous]

I’ll start by saying that I’m a Trevor Noah fan. He’s a pretty inteligent and funny guy. However, its gets old hearing him talk about how racist the US is - especially as someone who came from South Africa. It’s like he’s been received with open arms here, has made millions and just wants to stir up crap. In reading his book, his own people in South Africa were even prejudiced against him because of his light skin color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll start by saying that I’m a Trevor Noah fan. He’s a pretty inteligent and funny guy. However, its gets old hearing him talk about how racist the US is - especially as someone who came from South Africa. It’s like he’s been received with open arms here, has made millions and just wants to stir up crap. In reading his book, his own people in South Africa were even prejudiced against him because of his light skin color.

So racism doesn’t exist in the US? Let me guess. You’re a white dude?

[Anonymous]

If you do not like where you live in the USA, you might try moving within the USA.

You can have very different experiences in different parts of the USA, and even within different cities. (Forgive me if this sounds obvious.) It's a huge country with tons of variation in quality of life.

I really value living around very educated people in a nice neighborhood, where people take pride in their homes, are courteous to their neighbors, and are civic-minded. (It's also super safe.) So we bought a small house in that type of neighborhood.

If I had to live in certain other parts of the USA (or in a neighborhood where people are rude and don't care about the community)(or any unsafe place), then I am sure I would be very unhappy (despite being 6th gen American).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many of the comments people make here are valid. However, there is an extreme American fragility held by a small number of people on this site. Just look at the thread about how British people cuss so colourfully. See the responses about them being obscene, elitist, emotionally repressed or white racists. A few people just can’t handle Americans being the best at everything.

White racist is redundant. Only white people can be racist.

[Anonymous]

There is a difference in criticizing U. S.domestic and foreign policies (even if you don't understand these policies because we allow free speech in born and bred idiots so why not naturalized idiots) and in criticizing in a generalization about all Americans as OP does.

[Anonymous]

Muslims in Michigan shouting "Death to America!" Iranian students studying in US calling USA "the Great Satan."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Muslims in Michigan shouting "Death to America!" Iranian students studying in US calling USA "the Great Satan."

Yeah, this p!sees me off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it can come across as rude and ungrateful--depending on what it is and how often you're complaining. Generally speaking, complaining doesn't change anything and only serves to make those around you wish they weren't.

+1
Especially if you are comparing it to your home country when you say it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is stupid. Immigrants are allowed to complain just like anyone else. It's our god-given human right.

I was born and raised in the US, and I complain about the US. Endlessly. I've also lived in 5 other countries. I've complained about those places, too, while I was there. All countries have pros and cons. We're allowed to discuss both aspects freely.

I never understand why Americans are so uptight. We really cannot take ANY criticism or we lose our minds. Contrarily, other nationalities (Brits, Irish, etc) are famous for their self-deprecating humor and seem not to be so offended. We need to learn to relax. Pointing out a flaw does not diminish your standing as a Proud American.

I don't think it's a matter of being uptight. I think it speaks to the certain feeling of superiority over immigrants. I think certain Americans always view us as not American so we can never complain about "their country." We will never be equal and therefore have no right to complain and should always be grateful to the Americans for letting us be here. This is certainly not a sentiment of all Americans.

I'll give you an example of when someone tried to pay me a compliment but was super rude instead. I speak English without an accent. Not because I'm smarter, harder working, or more talented than any other immigrant. I guess I'm just lucky to have picked it up easily. I was talking to an American guy who said to me"Geez, why can't more immigrants be like you? You speak English so good and I don't have to strain to understand you." Nevermind that someone who might be a little harder to understand is possibly ten times more educated, smarter, or talented than me. He wants more people who SOUND like him.

I don’t find this rude. Yes some people speak English but can have an accent so hard that it is very very hard to understand them. That makes the listener uncomfortable because they have to focus very hard to understand the speaker. And still may not. I work with people from around the world so are used to accents but some countries tend to have VERY strong accents making it quite difficult to understand them. For me generally I have the most trouble with many Indians and also a fair amount of Koreans. Other origins not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the comments people make here are valid. However, there is an extreme American fragility held by a small number of people on this site. Just look at the thread about how British people cuss so colourfully. See the responses about them being obscene, elitist, emotionally repressed or white racists. A few people just can’t handle Americans being the best at everything.

White racist is redundant. Only white people can be racist.

Not everyone agrees with you, and since it is an opinion, that's OK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is a white American man. I am an Asian immigrant who received her citizenship upon marriage to him.

Lately, he gets angry and defensive and calls me "anti-American" when I complain about various things. U.S. Foreign policy, the junk food, the lack of style of fellow Americans.

He says if I live here, I should be happy and not anti-patriotic.

Wondering if other Americans feel this way?

Anyone invested in the country would've some complaints and ideas for improvement. Why is it so difficult to understand or accept? Once they are tax paying, vote casting citizens, they aren't random passerbys making critical comments.