I’m an American. Not a Stereotype
by I have found in travel and on line that people make a lot of assumptions about me based on the fact that I am from the U.S.. Usually, they’re wrong.
Hi, I’m an American. I’m from the United States, from Kansas to be specific. I’d like to dispel a few myths, if you could spare a moment.
First: I’m not fat. My husband isn’t fat. My kids-not fat. Most of, but not all of my friends aren’t fat. We don’t eat to excess more than anyone else does in the world. We walk places and exercise regularly. We don’t eat fast food except on the very rare occasion. We don’t drink a lot of soda and don’t typically have it in the house. Nor do we consume a lot of sweets. Quite a lot of my friends are the same.
Second: I’m not lazy. I work very hard, over forty hours a week. I’ve held a job since I was eleven years old. I put myself through college, on scholarship and by working between classes and nights. And I still got good grades.
Third: I’m not stupid. I know how to do math without a calculator. I went to a good college on an academic scholarship. I read a variety of things, and I read to my children. We do not spend all day watching television, though I don’t see anything wrong with an occasional program. If I speak with any sort of Southern accent or say ‘ya-all’ it is an idiosyncrasy of speech, not a mark of stupidity.
Fourth: I’m not xenophobic. I don’t hate or fear people of other countries. I don’t hate or fear people of other religions. I work on a college campus and there are people there who are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Atheist, Humanist, Wicca, etc, and I get along just as well with them as I do with anybody else. I do not think every Hispanic or Latino person I meet is an illegal immigrant, and even if they are, I don’t really care. I don’t think anyone is out to ’steal my job’. If I can’t hold on to it, that would be my own fault.
Fifth: I’m not rude. I’m outspoken, which is not the same thing. I’m not afraid to speak my mind and I don’t see that as rude. It’s confident. I’m not loud and I listen more than I speak. I say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and I expect the same out of my children.
Sixth: I’m not rich. I have to work to pay my bills and money is often tight. Neither am I poor. I do have the money to pay my bills. My children do not go hungry, we have a roof over our heads and heat in the cold. I am thankful for all that I have. But I am not rich.
Seventh: I love my extended family. I put my family and friends above money and career. There is nothing more important to me than my children.
So, if you could, the next time you meet someone from the United States please do not assume that this person is fat, lazy, stupid, xenophobic, rude, rich, and only loves money and possessions. In actual fact, most of us aren’t like that.
Liked it
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Post CommentFarzeela Fee Faisal
On January 23, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Great Annie, so that means you are an optimistic person with a good sense of intelligence and intelligence is what never comes by chance, so a wise person you are!
Calare
On January 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Stereotypes are often hurtful generalizations and frequently untrue. There is a distinction between characterizing a culture or a people and applying that to any one person from such a culture or of that ethnicity.
khalida
On January 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm
lol! i like the 3rd one the best. There is an assumption about that quite a lot here
great writing 
Betty Carew
On January 23, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Well said Annie but I seriously don’t see how anybody that’s ever read your articles could accuse you of being stupid. As for stereotyping a few people may think that way but not all. Love your article and the frankness in which you write.
tonywriter
On January 23, 2011 at 6:12 pm
lol I like it
overwings
On January 23, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Ms Hintsala, I bow to you
Some of the Americans I met were like you are not, others were like you. There is a bit of everything in this world.
Wizard Brown
On January 23, 2011 at 8:19 pm
I guess American’s don’t really help themselves when it comes to how they are seen by others across the world. Nevertheless, everyone is individual and sterotyping groups of people like this can have very negative effects.
Thanks for such a well written article.
Cuissade Mission
On January 24, 2011 at 12:42 am
Hahahaha! Bravo! Good for you! Sadly even within the U.S. there are stereotypes about Southerners, Northerner, Americans of differing ethnicity etc.
This was really awesome and enjoyable to read.
Grunewald Productions and Enterprises
On January 24, 2011 at 4:13 am
As a proud American patriot who can identify with pretty much every point you made, I honestly don’t think I could have said it any better myself. I am quite sick of people thinking they have everything all figured out about my country, its values, and its people when they’ve actually spent little to no time here and obviously gathered all of their information from biased haters, and I am just as sick of my fellow Americans becoming so influenced by these thoughts that they develop the belief that “a victorious America is a sinful America” (as well as other beliefs along those lines). Well said!
Take heart,
EEG
Teri Dreshner
On January 24, 2011 at 4:32 am
well said! =)
PaulB
On January 24, 2011 at 6:17 am
As a Brit I always assume Americans are very competitive, open and ambitious, which I admire. Might be wrong there of course! As a Yorkshireman I am supposed to be tight with money, uneducated, uncouth, a male chauvinist pig and rude…. My impression of Ams on Triond is that they are a VERY mixed bag indeed.
Freethinking
On January 24, 2011 at 7:05 am
I really enjoyed reading this. As Americans we are a potpourri of ethnicity and cultures and of course, with that comes diversity. First and foremost though, we are a country that strives to be the best and complacency is not in the equation. One more thing – as an American fly your Stars and Stripes and always be proud of the country we call the “United” States of America!
Elle64
On January 24, 2011 at 8:06 am
You sound like a good American to know, LOL
Sourav
On January 24, 2011 at 9:47 am
I liked the way you’ve conveyed the message. Well said.
Mr Arrogant
On January 24, 2011 at 10:52 am
Really true.
people are so blind and into these myths and take these things seriously!
great say!
News Today
On January 24, 2011 at 11:16 am
You are an exception to an ever expanding rule. The majority of Americans are in fact obese. The laziness thing also stems from that obesity (if your over 300 pounds your not going to be as productive as a healthy person, this has exceptions but not really.)
Life is an odds game. You apply at 50 jobs instead of ten your odds of success go up. You work out 3 times a week instead of 1 your odds of health go up.
If your country is made up of a majority of self centered narrow minded uneducated diabetic morons well yeah the odds that you will personally be persevered that way go up.
Acknowledging statistics isn’t a form of racism, bigotry, intolerance, elitism or any other nasty words.
I know a very small percentage of Muslims would like to blow me up and go to Alah. O.k sure that percentage is small, so am buying into a stereotype not wanting to fly with Muslims? Or am I just acknowledging that the odds of them blowing us all to bits may be small, but any percentage is too high for me, I don\’t like to gamble with my existence.
You look at Leno\’s show when he asks people on the street basic questions and they cant answer.
Hawaii five O is the number one show in the US.
We are involved in 2 wars and are stirring up a possible 3rd and 4th in Iran and Korea..
The most popular article on here is about facebook..
Justin Bieber is the most popular person here, a 15 year old that says “baby, baby , baby oh.”
Shows like \”Jersey shore, keeping up with the Kardashians, the bachelor and about 50 other mindless braincell reducing shows are how most of our country spends its time now.
If I went outside and asked random people one book that Hemingway, Dickinson, Thoreau (which ironically Stewy Griffin called the U.S viewers on not knowing in one of his shows stating: “This is why the other countries are winning.”)
They would not be able to name a single one, but if I was to ask the vampires name in Twilight? or What the great American “Snooki” wants in a man? Oh I would get a full lecture on the subject.
SO I\’m grateful your one of the few who strives to reach a higher level instead of the vast goobers that infest our lands. The problem is, parents let there kids do whatever they want, spoil the life out of them, and let them embrace the dumbed down culture we are all being force fed.
So instead of buying your 10 year old call of duty black ops this week so he can ignore all progressive thought for long periods of time sniping off other kids with a shotgun, maybe get him an art desk or something. So he can become something other than a typical, uninteresting lump of a human being.
Stereotypes usually exist because they have proven over time to be true, a mountain lion may be stereotyped as an animal that will attack you, and a few might not attack you if bothered, but you can go pet one if you don\’t believe in stereotypes.
apu
On January 24, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Nice Article!
Enjoyed it!
And yeah, though neither of the Americans I have known are any of the above, we do love to latch on to the stereotype you have tried to dispel. Perhaps all us love to be a part of conspiracy theories, and love an ‘external evil’ we can blame for every problem!
Thanks for the post!
Mark Gordon Brown
On January 24, 2011 at 1:09 pm
The one that always get to me is “American’s are arrogant” which is an arrogant statement at best and an ignorant one in actuality. I am an American who lives in Alberta Canada because I fell in love with a Canadian. Alberta is full of self proclaimed oil proud rednecks…. My wife is not one of them, she came from an Academic family, father a University Professor, so nothing like the average Albertan. However some of these folks give me heck for being an American and when they find out say all types of rude things to me without provocation when they are the ones who are acting like what they claim Americans act like. I beg them to stop and say it makes me upset and they continue on. So much for the polite Canadian sterotype, it’s non-existant in my experience. As far as education goes check out the numbers in regards to grading systems. US has higher standards in that regard. A B-C stupid in the US goes to other places and they are an A-B student.
Mark Gordon Brown
On January 24, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Randolph the problem with Sterotypes like you is that your crap eventually hurts individuals that have nothing to do with the sterotype, like me for instance. I have to deal with the crap of people’s ignorant attitudes about Americans on a daily basis.
Americans aren’t involved in 2 wars, most don’t want either one. Those were forced on Americans. Yeah if you look at the paper trail one those wars and why they are happening it will lead you to some very powerful people in companies that are based in Europe. Give you a hint Ketchup rules the world.
As for Jersey Shore I can tell you that is pretty damn popular in Canada as well………. among teenagers…… that imaginary state of being that the western world has chosen to create as a whole because they can’t deal with their babies growing up.
That brings us to the Twilight thing again…….. a teenager thing. Your issue is with teenagers not Americans…. btw name me, without googling, a book by Gogol? One by Camus? Rilke? Breton? Hemingway to me was a pathetic drunk and I never liked his work.
Deal with people as individuals and this world is a better place because when it comes down to it as individuals we are all a bunch of eccentric weirdos.
serowa
On January 24, 2011 at 1:51 pm
LOL, No comments!!
observer1
On January 24, 2011 at 2:09 pm
MGB
Wrong about Hemingway
Penn Pensill
On January 24, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Hey observer, he said “Hemingway to me was a pathetic drunk” as in his own opinion. Is that all you had to say about his comment? Because that was a pretty valid argument against Randolpf Pepperwinkle. And Randolpfh Peppwink and MGB, I loved to hear both sides of that but ultimately have to side with MGB. He’s right, you’re issue is with teens and YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT TEENS. I hate them for everything you stated and I’m only 25.
Sherloc
On January 24, 2011 at 3:46 pm
I love finding the non-typical stereotyped American. He/she can also have high standards and excellent work habits.
Annie Hintsala
On January 24, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Wow guys. Okay, Randolph. You buy into what the media feeds you. I have 21 kids in my class. One is overweight, probably from genetics. I live in rural America, and maybe thats the difference. I have read Hemmingway, but I never really liked him (Cheers, Mark) and if you watch Family Guy, I guess thats your choice, but really…that’s your argument for intelligence? Honestly? And Leno? I would just like to vacation in another country, with the money I have worked hard for myself and not have to worry about trying to hide where I’m from so I don’t get accosted and harrassed. And I AM the typical American. We do work hard and have high standards.
seiva7
On January 24, 2011 at 5:36 pm
biggest problem with Americans is this;
Of how many comments on this article and article itself almost nobody who is American mentioned even one thing why someone would possibly have reason do dislike Americans.
Come one.
Do you really think that you are the best in the world in everything and the rest of the world is just jealous about that?
There is a reason for everything and you are crying here like there is no reason at all why people like American people less and less.
Too proud is not good.
thestickman
On January 24, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Well done!
Shesho
On January 24, 2011 at 8:48 pm
As a college student, I often find myself growing more and more world-conscious. Growing up in rural Tennessee, diversity isn’t exactly common. Typical ratio for African Americans to caucasians, but that’s standard these days. And race means nothing next to culture.
Culture is the heart of the problem – not race. Culture scares many into believing that all Muslims are die-hard Jihad, or that all Mexicans are jumping the border. Yet, it’s not the culture that reflects poorly, but the lack of understanding of that culture. Which is just as true for the rest of the world when it comes to America.
The United States of America is too big and diverse to be compartmentalized into a single iota – a single conception of how every individual acts, looks, or responds. Perhaps we all need to move on to the next level of civilization – a global unity.
Annie Hintsala
On January 24, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Seiva, I am not speaking for all Americans. I am speaking for myself. I, like most people, don\’t like to be judged by someone else\’s actions simply because we share a commonality. Get to know me before you make the assumption that I am \’too proud\’. How many people go around saying, \”and oh, by the way you shouldn\’t like me because 67% of the world thinks that 80% of my fellow countryman are lazy, though they have never met me or anyone I know, you should probably think I\’m lazy too.\” Are you going to list all the things you feel the world thinks are wrong with your countryman? That would be weird…Honestly though, I didn\’t want a fight. It was more a statement of exasperation with the state of the world.
mitchey179
On January 25, 2011 at 12:28 am
Loved this piece, Annie. I agree 100% with every statement you made in this article. It is a shame when people prejudge someone else on the basis of anything besides what you should look at and that is how the person treats you and other people. I agree with your feelings about family too, there is nothing more important to me than my family and friends. Nothing else even comes close. Great article and excellent read.
James DeVere
On January 25, 2011 at 12:40 am
I laughed my lazy, fat, stupid arse off over this one! Thank`you…and I`m Aussie!
Loved this. Jus` want to let you know that you`re always, “WELCOME,” Downunder. We just had Oprah here which caused a riot.
So, ‘We Love You,” despite what those stupid, fat, xenophobics think . j
http://www.jamesdevere.
cheezepye
On January 25, 2011 at 1:07 am
even though i’m american, america’s obesitly level is VERY HIGH, and americans are typically more lazy than others.
Val Mills
On January 25, 2011 at 2:18 am
Wonderful piece of writing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We are often quick to stereotype people because of their nationality instead of taking time to get to know them personally. Hullo Annie, nice to get to know you better.
seiva7
On January 25, 2011 at 10:13 am
Annie Hintsala, I am just offering you more understanding of what and why is “our” feeling toward USA in general becoming more negative.
But the problem is that in the last year or so, corporate mass media around the world depict even more negative picture of America than before.
Like they want everybody to hate Americans now, like before they were trying so hard with Muslims or Chinese or Russians.
I didn’t take their bate before with that nations and groups and I will not take their bate now.
I think America is great but the problem is that many Americans think it is the GREATEST and best in everything and you cannot say it is not general current in USA.
I wrote yesterday article titled; “Why everyone seems to hates Americans” and I’m offering some insight.
God bless America. (not corporate America)
Farewell.
AegriSomnia
On January 25, 2011 at 11:14 am
Wonderfully written and eloquently articulated work. Thank you for addressing this issue directly and proving not only your intelligence, but also your wisdom.
lucasaug
On January 25, 2011 at 4:59 pm
You think only U.S. people have problems with stereotypes? I am brazilian. Some facts about Brazil:
Here is not a forest. We have buildings, cars, roads.
We are not dumb too. We can do anything people from other countries can do.
I share your revolt and hope everyone sees our appeal.
Thanks for sharing. We have to let our voice be heard!
lucasaug
On January 25, 2011 at 5:03 pm
By the way one thing I don`t like is that U.S. people call themselves “Americans”.
I am from Brazil. So I AM AMERICAN! When U.S. people say they are American looks like they are all America. So Canada, South America and Central America are nothing?
Sorry if I were rude, I just want you to know about my opinion.
martinrojas
On January 25, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Wow, what a great article; I just feel sorry for those who gave angry and hateful comments. I am American and blessed and happy to be; I also love my freedom and freedom to help others. As that is one of our many American Duties to help and protect others from all harm, evil, and danger. Thanks for writing this wonderful article. And not to mention, a certain person with the name who starts with “R” seems pretty angry. Well, thats what we Americans do, we protect each other from that kind of non-sense.
Robert
On January 26, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I think the thing that pisses off the world the most is that americans see other countries as inferior. I just want to let non-americans know we do not really mean to insult you, it is taught in schools and is ingrained in our subconsious. If we get over our ego, we will be liked better. I find that america is great, but that doesn’t mean other places are just as great or even better in some respects.
AskSan
On January 26, 2011 at 1:09 pm
LOVE this Annie
Thank you! Sincerely, a proud American (though I am fat and it IS genetic. I’m fighting that!)
EricPinola
On January 26, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Great article; it has been lot’s of fun to reading through the comments section too.
How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country (USA) where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy. ~Paul Sweeney
I have been all over the world and any time I am treated in bad taste because I am an American (a TEXAN on top of everything else!), I just smile because we are still the ONLY SUPER POWER on this planet.
America is a nation with many flaws, but hopes so vast that only the cowardly would refuse to acknowledge them. ~James Michener
Since we are at the top in 99% of every category as a nation and we continuously bailout or have to defend almost EVERY other nation on this planet, but we are fat, stupid, lazy…??…….WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE POOR SLOB THAT IS ACCUSING ME OF BEING THESE THINGS??
If you take advantage of everything America has to offer, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. ~Geraldine Ferraro
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. ~Abraham Lincoln
Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea. ~John Gunther
Eric Pinola
Proud to be an American
lucasaug
On January 26, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Quote from the comment up here:
“I just smile because we are still the ONLY SUPER POWER on this planet.”
Wait. So you say you are superior? I livein Brazil, so that means you can do anything with us. Dear God, you are American, so you can step on us? Does not sound fair for me.
If you are proud of being American, that`s good, I think everyone shoud be proud of his/her country. But saying your country is superior is a complete lack of education.
I`m just showing you what the rest of the world thinks.
A proud Brazilian,
Lucas.
lucasaug
On January 26, 2011 at 4:22 pm
By the way, the poor slob here wants some respect, ok?
teesbydesign
On January 26, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Well written. Well said. I love the article!
lucasaug
On January 26, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Will someone answer my 2 last comments? Or shoud the poor slob be ignored?
Nicole Prasch
On January 27, 2011 at 12:08 am
Now if only we could mark American on all those forms asking our race! Go Girl! Love this article especially #4!
rubielee
On January 27, 2011 at 12:18 am
mostly of american [people are fat but ofcourse not all glad you are not like them nioce share
Raziwafa Che Wan
On January 27, 2011 at 1:28 am
Until we can get to know each other better, personally, we will always see each other in general. If its not because of Oprah or Martha, Americans are what has been portrayed by Bush!
Hemmingway? I prefer Harper Lee “To Kill a Mockingbird” (out of topic)
Ukrainian
On January 27, 2011 at 1:51 am
I don’t like generalizations and stereotypes: each nation has fat, rude, stupid, etc. people.
Kathy Morelli LPC
On January 27, 2011 at 8:12 am
well done!
Nadim Tuhin
On January 27, 2011 at 3:34 pm
SO SWEET OF YOU LOVE THE WAY SPEAK
casey1191
On January 27, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Very GOOD work!
Erin Miller
On January 27, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Excellent article. I am from the U.S. I am heavy set but I work out everyday and have a good diet. I work every day. I absolutely hate the show Jersey Shore. I love to read. Some of my favorite authors are Hemingway, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Dickens, Mary Shelley, and more. I am twenty three. So not everyone from the U.S. is unintelligent. I have more to learn. I also can’t stand Justin Bieber. Math I admit I am not great at but I am improving. Twilight makes me sick. I would rather read a true classic Bram Stoker’s Dracula. My sixteen year old brother on here is the same way. He doesn’t read as much as I do but he excels in math. He can’t stand Twilight, Justin Bieber, or Jersey Shore. Both of us admit we like living in our country but we aren’t the best out there. We can be improved. I like my country though. I don’t like the corruption and greed going on but I do like living here.
As for people around the world you are welcome to your opinions and I will stick to mine. I have fans and friends on here from all over the world who I know on a personal level almost. No stereotypes have ever entered until I came across this article and the comments gathered herein. Everyone seems mad at everyone. The author was trying to break a stereotype and the comments, or at least a majority of them speak of stereotypes and I am guessing that is not the original intention of the author.
Uma Shankari
On January 27, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I always thought Americans were open-minded who do not mind taking a hard look at themselves. This article proves me right. Great article that made me laugh all the way through. EXCELLENT.
We Indians for a great part of time felt the same way. Elephants, jaded royalty, cows on the street, naked fakirs, contorting naked yogis, hungry millions…. Now I do feel there is greater acceptance, thanks to the globalization/ IT.
V rank
On January 28, 2011 at 2:31 am
i think this has won the attention of brilliant minds…
katarina giselle
On January 28, 2011 at 3:54 pm
thankyou for the share!
Annie Hintsala
On January 28, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for all the comments guys.
To answer a few of the other things, like the apparently repeated ‘why don’t Americans hate America.’
There is no shame in loving your country. There is no shame in wanting your own country to do better in the areas that they need work, but there is no shame in loving your country. I would hope that most people feel some sort of patriotism towards their country of origin, even if they don’t live there anymore.
I would also say that most people want their nations to be the best at something, if not everything. Look at the World Cup, for instance. For footy fans, that is important, and I am sure they want their nation to take it home. Who would go to the game and say. ‘Too bad we suck. Oh, well, I guess I’ll root for the other guy.’ Of course not.
However, that was not what the article was about. It was about the stereotypes, negative ones only, that seem to be applyed in masse to every United States citizen on the planet. I don’t think I’m going to change it. I’m not whining about it. Just saying that they don’t apply to all of us. They don’t apply to most of us, or most of the people I know. I know obesity is a problem in the US, but not where I live. Any-hoo, get to know us before you judge us, even if its a case of ‘know thy enemy’.
zentao01
On January 28, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Thank you very much for this great post.
I really like the fact that you took a stand. I think many Americans do not fall under the unfortunate stereotypes that many people have of us. When I close minded or any of the other stereotypes. Unfortunately people do sometimes he was that way from other cultures thanks for taking the time to point out that everyone does not fall under these stereotypes.
Larry Fish
On January 30, 2011 at 12:13 am
Annie you have written an excellent article. I’m an American, originally from Pennsylvania, now living in North Carolina. The US is still the greatest country in the world and I’m proud to be an American. I served in the military and now have a son who is a career Marine. I’m now retired but worked hard all my life, many years two jobs to make ends meet. I’m not lazy and do exercise everyday.
Xandine
On January 30, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Nice article. We all know there are stereotypes out there, but thats all they are. My heritage is so mixed you could only call me pan-european. It’s good you stuck up for yourself!
Gilberta Z.
On January 31, 2011 at 7:37 pm
I really enjoyed this article and it looks like a lot of other people did, too! thank you for this