Americans lazy? Greedy? Really?

Inspired by another thread.

Why are Americans often stereotyped as lazy bumpkins by many foreigners? I have read a couple of threads of Canada, Australia and other developed countries making government cuts. Reading what citizens in other countries get never ceases to floor me. Getting paid to SAHM until your child is six, paid maternity leave for a year, free bus passes, rent money, money for couches, dishes, etc...wtf? Seriously? And Americans are called lazy but....

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93604&page=1#.ULjSVazhogo

"Not only are Americans working longer hours than at any time since statistics have been kept, but now they are also working longer than anyone else in the industrialized world."

So what gives? Americans work more hours, have fewer vacation and sick days, and FAR less government assistance. Our average welfare recipient is getting as much as (if not, less than) the average non-American citizen NOT on "welfare" assistance in other countries.


So that said, why are Americans considered greedy? Sure, many of us like our big cars and houses, but we (those not on welfare) also don't get nowhere near the amount of help from our government as other nations, so of course we are going to want for more. If I got paid six years to SAH, I wouldn't want for much either.

That being said, this isn't a diss to those on welfare. Welfare is great if you need it, but it kind of annoys me that Americans have such a bad reputation as greedy and lazy, when most of us are working FAR more than the average non-American and gets very little assistance for the government.

So what gives?

Because they're on the outside looking in and they judge the masses by a few.

We agree on something!

Americans are also given the stereotype of being morbidly obese with a fairly low IQ.

I've always thought the "Americans are lazy" argument is more about how overweight a lot of the population is. Then again, I've never seen opinions on much else since I don't get involved in talk about politics.

I think it is because we made the fast food company. What is the one thing everyone hears about Americans? We're overweight.

Good point.

I think it has to do with our disgusting obesity rates, and the "food" we consume like a bunch of pigs-and the stereotypes that can go with that. We have a super lazy lifestyle, in part because most of us are pretty comfortable, and because we have so many conveniences. Most people will drive two blocks rather than walk, stuff like that.

Generally, we are pretty damn lazy.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" I think it has to do with our disgusting obesity rates, and the "food" we consume like a bunch of pigs-and ... [snip!] ... many conveniences. Most people will drive two blocks rather than walk, stuff like that. Generally, we are pretty damn lazy. "

Physically, as a whole, we are very lazy (I live in Ohio, one of the fattest states in the nation!). But our work ethic is brutal. I've heard stories of women giving birth on a Thursday and are back to work on a Monday b/c they can't afford to take the full six weeks off.

But I do agree, in some aspects, we are lazy. We like our sitting jobs, we look down on blue-collar/labor work, and yet we suffer from workaholism. But then you look at other countries complaining about not having this or having that benefit cut, things only Americans can dream about. Australia and Canada look like luxury suites next to our ghetto duplexes.

They make couches now that hold food trays, sodas, the remote, you name it. Not to mention the features we've gotten used to in our cars. I would agree that looking at our consumption practices makes Americans seem stupid, lazy, greedy, and self-entitled.

i agree with the fast food..

we might work more hours.. desk job hours, then go home and eat mcdonalds and eat pie...

and do it all over agian....

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" Physically, as a whole, we are very lazy (I live in Ohio, one of the fattest states in the nation!). ... [snip!] ... benefit cut, things only Americans can dream about. Australia and Canada look like luxury suites next to our ghetto duplexes. "

My SO had to go to work 2 hours after I gave birth and worked a double. :/

I would have to agree with the majority about being over weight. I know alot of pver weight people who are NOT lazy and work their butts off. Greedy, it depends. I am going to have so say more like "enititled" to many feel like they are entitled to stuff. Turning into a selfish country also.

Quoting Crystal Marie S.:" Because they're on the outside looking in and they judge the masses by a few."

Yes. It's mostly because of what they hear on tv and see in the news. They see people like the Kardashians, Toddlers & Tiaras, Honey Boo Boo, etc. They hear about the masses on welfare, and people like Sarah Palin being on the vice-presidential ticket. When Americans move to foreign countries, it's usually "Oh this is tiny!" "How will I fit my 55" tv in this?" "What? You have no dishwasher? That's ridiculous!" etc.

I'm Canadian and I don't think I've ever considered Americans lazy. We may have more gov't Assistance here but I believe we also pay for it in higher taxes. I work hard up here for my $$ lol and I know everyone else does. That's not to say I don't think the system here is flawed or fair. There are people getting gov't assistance that blows my mind, and upsets me as a taxpayer. They are the ones I consider lazy and greedy. Race, citizenship, ethnicity etc none of that make me think greedy or lazy.

I think everywhere in the world has people who will take advantage of the system if they can. I don't think it's very fair to list one country and label them all because of a small percentage I people.