How to Cope With Anti-Americanism

Amy from London writes in to ask:

“I’m tired of hearing the constant wisecracks about Americans. It’s exhausting listening to people endlessly mimicking my accent, or telling me how bad our politicians are or making fun of some aspect of America that has little relevance to me. How do I cope with what seems like constant anti-Americanism?”

An American overseas has the job of deflecting jokes and slights (intended or otherwise) while maintaining a degree of good humor in order to be an appropriate representative of their country. This ‘turn the other cheek’ approach can be tiring. However, by employing a few strategies you may find anti-Americanism—or indeed xenophobia of any sort, less of a problem. Some suggestions to consider include:

1. It’s usually best to grin and bear it.

This might become frustrating after a while, but a good sense of humor is always in your favor (and helps all those future expats to come after you). The best defense against xenophobic behavior is to not give the others any ammunition to support their arguments against your country.

2. Walk away.

Some people just want a fight. Don’t get sucked into their issues, just walk away and know that the fight wasn’t about you (unless you did something to provoke them), but about their perceptions of where you come from.

3. Create a set of stock answers.

People who are especially odious sometimes deserve a comeback, but make sure the comeback is well thought out and never offensive.

For example: ‘I’ve never liked the American accent,’ they may announce. You can easily reply: which one? For some reason few people outside the United States realize there are more than the New York and Deep South accents. Allowing people to recognize their ignorance sometimes stops them.

The trick is to be subtle if possible. Most anti-American commentators will not expect an American to be subtle (another stereotype) so you will not only catch them off guard but teach them a thing or two.

4. Keep politics out of it.

Just don’t go there because you will not convince them to your way of thinking and you are simply opening yourself up as more of a target. As the token American standing in front of them, they view you as their chance to get their opinions heard, they don’t care what your personal views are, they don’t even care if you agree with them, they will still rant if that’s what they’ve decided to do. See strategy number 2.

5. Is it really anti-Americanism?

Or is it a generic way of discussing other cultures?

In the United Kingdom anti-Americanism seems to appear everywhere: newspapers, on the streets, at dinner parties and even in academic institutions.Take a step back and you’ll see there are also negative comments about the French, the Germans and the Aussies and if you’re in England there are negative comments about the Irish, Welsh and Scottish (and the reverse is also true).

Before you begin to get the idea that the British are all xenophobic, look again. They also make fun of themselves and make negative comments about the British culture. It is the self-depreciating sense of humor, extending to neighbor-depreciating humor that Americans misinterpret as anti-American. Its worth looking at the cultural norms regarding their view of other countries before deciding they’re targeting yours.

6. Go away and think about what they said.

Perhaps there is a grain (or more) truth in their comments. Living overseas is a great opportunity to see how the rest of the world lives and their view of the United States is worth understanding. You can remain passionate about your country while acknowledging its flaws.

7. Responding to Violence

If you’re facing the possibility of violent anti-American behavior then you’re probably in a place where you have already been briefed extensively about how to deal with this.

However, a threat might arise in an otherwise normally safe environment. In these circumstances:

• Avoid demonstrations where American politics aren’t welcomed, even if the demonstrations appear peaceful, and even if you agree with the demonstration.
• Contact authority figures—if the threat happens at school, the school needs to know immediately. If the threat is in the community, the police need to know.
• The embassy or consulate will have up to date information on threat levels in the host country and offer valuable advice for dealing with the threat.

8. Avoid putting down your home country in an attempt to be seen in a more favorable light.

Showing some agreement with their point of view is not the same as putting down your country.

Remember that you are a representative of your country. What you do shapes the opinions of people in your host country about your fellow countrymen and women. Demonstrate that you are open minded, polite and interested in watching and learning and you will find less opposition and people will begin to change their views about Americans.