Some of the major stereotypes that come to mind when I think of U.S Americans is that everyone owns a gun, we have an obesity problem, we are loud/obnoxious/arrogant/ignorant… (the list goes on). As for some of the less negative stereotypes, I’ve heard ones like all Americans are wealthy, hardworking, have good jobs etc. I couldn’t put a finger on the time or place I first heard each of these stereotypes, rather I’ve come to learn them somewhat unconsciously through different media platforms like the news, television/movies, through books, through friends and family, and simply through being around different people and places. These stereotypes could have many different influences (positive and negative) on communication between Americans and people from other countries. If someone from another country is coming the the U.S because of a certain stereotype, they might have more of an incentive to communicate with people living here because they’re interested finding out the truth behind it for themselves. For example, if someone comes to the U.S thinking/hoping to make more money, they will have to communicate and navigate in this new culture to learn what is possible. It is also the case that these stereotypes can stifle good communication between cultures, for example, a U.S American who travels to another country may be automatically putting up an invisible barrier to communication with people in the country they’re visiting because they are seen as obnoxious and ignorant.
I liked your point where you said, “If someone from another country is coming the the U.S because of a certain stereotype, they might have more of an incentive to communicate with people living here because they’re interested finding out the truth behind it for themselves.” I think it’s true that all of the conflicting stereotypes generates a curiosity in travelers. I definitely feel that way about travel. I’m anxious to go to other countries and communicate with locals to understand the origin of their stereotypes. Travelers need to engage with people in order to challenge these stereotypes, uncover the truth, and learn about the culture.
Like Maya, I also do not know with certainty where I learned of other country’s stereotypes of Americans. Certainly I learned a bit from friends and family who traveled internationally before I did; however, I also feel that these ideas were long ago ingrained in me. Caroline and Jennie both mention cultures in which Americans are considered “too friendly,” which contrasts with the stereotype I had grown up understanding. From which international relationships then do Americans come to the conclusion that we are understood as obnoxious/ignorant/entitled/etc.?