That is a big problem I think with many US citizens, they are inexperienced with the world outside of it's borders. Take for example the UK, a third of it's population leave the UK every year, to go to another country. I have lost count of the number of countries I have visited and lived in in my life, as a rough guess I would put it at (thinking)....40, and lived in 5 other countries. That gives you a huge perspective and empathy with other peoples and nations.

To be frank I have never been to the States, never wanted to in the past, and certainly do not want to go there now, I go East, I feel safer in Moscow than I know I would in, Alabama for example. I lived in India for a whole year, travelling the country extensively, and never felt unsafe anywhere I went. I have travelled the around the middle east, north Africa, the whole of Eurasia practically, but this is not uncommon for Europeans, but most uncommon for Americans.

Americans have a PR problem, they are perceived wrongly I know as all being Budweiser swigging, Big Mac eaters, all with a mentality of GW Bush jnr with a 'shock and awe' military mindset. To some extent this is true for many Americans, especially those of low academic ability, of which I know there are many.

This needs to change if America really wants to participate meaningfully with our global family of humankind. I thank you for reading this, please do not take it personally, as stated not all Americans are like this, I know many myself personally, many are friends, they too have made statements such as yours above. Best wishes to you there.