How does the US brand get a reputation for being open, friendly and have high tolerance?

17 comments

1. Probably personal experiences and Hollywood.

2. Because culturally what we consider standard politeness is considered overly friendly by many European countries.

3. Probably by being open and friendly when meeting people from other cultures. I think that we are just generally curious about what it’s like coming from somewhere else.

4. I mean, as a whole, I think we’re all those things. We are probably one the countries that places the most emphasis on individuality. I guess maybe we give each other more room to be different, fail, and to be our own little brands.

5. Would you rather be a sexual minority in the US, China, Russia, the Middle East, or Africa?

   Apply that to pretty much anything else outside the majority. Fini!

6. Possibly partly to do with visitors spending more time in cities than insular rural communities.

7. Compared to who? Do you believe that we aren’t those things?

8. In my opinion, there are two main reasons. First, a multicultural society requires a degree of diplomacy and consideration in day-to-day life to remain cohesive. It’s probably why Americans seem very vague or cautious during conversation or seem really focused on particular topics of universal experience (weather, family, work, etc.). Even when a family is pretty established in the US, some of the old cultural quirks remain. You are probably not going to serve someone of Indian descent beef or a person of Middle Eastern descent pork (the common question is “do you have any dietary restrictions?”). You have to consider these differences to form a good relationship. It’s a necessity.

   Second, because the US is multicultural, we most likely have every possible type of person imaginable. It gives foreigners a means of identifying with the nation, even if they themselves are not citizens (which they can become if they want to make the attempt). People like them have come here and have probably done well for themselves. Having visible success stories assists in this perception, as they would not be that successful if it was not tolerant, accepting, or friendly to a certain degree.

9. We’re open, friendly, and highly tolerant.

10. Because we are relative to other countries.

11. There is no US ‘brand’.

    Do not apply a concept from commercial advertising to international politics.

12. Because being nice to people is common sense and the other countries that don’t do it are backwards commies obviously

13. The history of the US is all about welcoming people from other places either as visitors or citizens, and not just tolerating but celebrating different cultures that make up our “melting pot.” This is a key part of many Americans’ self image.

    This has absolutely not been everyone’s experience, and some people especially in minority communities will argue that these ideals are not valued as much as they should be, everywhere they should be. It’s very much an up and down thing – for example it’s harder to immigrate to the US now than it has been in the past.

    Nonetheless these are still values that are part of the national “brand.” A lot of political disagreement in this country comes down to how exactly we should interpret this value when it comes to actual public policy etc. So even if we don’t always achieve it, we are always talking about it.

14. If I meet you and you have a different color skin than I do, an accent, and a different style of clothing then while I don’t know you from Adam I’ve got no idea if you’re American or not.

    We are a country of many cultures. The only reason that works is the idea of live and let live, and that’s easier if we all try to understand each other.

    E Pluribus Unum is an ideal to aspire to, not just words.

15. Because that’s our culture?

16. Because…we are?

    It ain’t just a brand, buddy.

17. By being generally open, friendly, and having high tolerance.