Quote:
Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
This is not a "Bush thing". Like RACooper said, this has been happening for quite some time. Not just since Bush took office.
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Ah yes... but while in the past there was some hostility towards American tourists ("the ugly/loud/arrogant/crass American" stereotype), it has I would argue reached new levels because of the interest and attention focused on the US and it's policies under Bush...
For example politics and policies were rarely the main topic of discussion at bars or pubs with Americans... mostly you talked sports, entertainment, whatever... but now that US policies are having such a large effect on the world at large people are now much more interested (and opinionated). Further I would argue that the "confrontational" nature of some people towards Americans and politics stems from the fact that world-opinion is marginized (or mocked) by the administration and most of the American media (that makes it out of the US) - people are seeing this as a chance to make their opinions known for better or worse; being the world's only super-power makes you the centre of attention and discussion...