Thank you for an interesting debate.
As an Australian myself, its fair to say that public sensibilities here are more attuned to that of Britain and of Europe generally as that is where our culture and the people originated from.
As such, like in Europe, there is widespread anti american feeling here amongst the public (which has increased in recent years and is nowadays quite open and de rigeur, however there is a clear gap between the public and the politicians, of whom the latter are servile toward the U.S but are increasingly concerned that the public is simply not with them or their masters in Washington. (Its amusing to see them flaying about).
The recently defeated Howard government here paid the price in part because of this Americanism but the new Rudd government is still seen as far to pro American but the lesser of two evils.
Thus across the country, we lampoon the americans, and in answer to a point on interviewing americans, we do air responses that confirm our views of americans as stupid, aggressive and unworldly.
There is some debate here though as to whether 'vox pop' interviews with americans are 'fixed'as to show the silliest twits we can find, or whether these are typical americans.
The debate is ongoing......
The truth is that in Australia, there has always been anti american feeling here but recent years have seen it finally emerge as an open sentiment and really politicians and their
lackeys on both sides of the Pacific have been living in a fools paradise on how much "The Aussies love the Yanks and vice versa".
Really most americans have no idea about Australia or even where we are or like and Australians don't care for americans at all as we're not alike and the further away they are the better as people resent the grip they have on our country.
Its bound to get worse as the U.S has gravely damaged its reputation in recent years and now Howard has been voted out, all politicians are aware just how careful they have to be on this issue. Howard paid the price of hubris and suffered for it.
Thank you for an interesting debate.

Dear SC,

As you point out, yes I'm Australian and know the place and the people well enough over time about the place.

Simply, over the years, one hears and sees the wide gap between the public and the 'leaders' .
You must understand here we have a culture of anti authority and politicians are about as popular as used car salesmen or similar types of dubious distinction, so naturally when politicans waffle on about their support for the U.S, its bound to get rejected .
Secondly, there is a long history of the U.S leading Australia
up the garden path in foreign wars, and generally pushing us around.
As I tried to explain, its been low level disgruntlement by ordinary people but I've always been aware of it growing up and now as an adult, from school in the country to my life today. Our culture is to criticise 'big headedness' which we call the tall poppy syndrome, which basically means cut down those who get above themselves.
From what I understand, the U.S celebrates high achievers, where we cut them down which likely stems from our British heritage of quiet self effacing sensibility.
Recent years have seen something new, with the anti american feeling becoming open as the contradictions of the U.S become more pronounced and the Howard Govt.siding with that
attribute.
At one stage if anyone dared criticise the U.S, Howard or his mnisters would label them as "anti american", as if it were some sin.
This made people wonder whom Howard was supposed to be standing for, Australia or a foreign country, few had any affection for.

So yes Dear SC, I'm afraid people in the U.S and the 'leadership' in Australia have been quite wrong for decades about the affection Australians have for the U.S, the (at best) scepticsm has always been there and politicians are the last to notice anything let alone address the matter, but recent U.S behaviour has been so bad, its made people here open wonder "and these are supposed to be our allies!".

As for the U.S people, again its common knowledge here that most 'yanks' know practically nothing about Australia,
where we are, what we're like, confusing us with Austria in Europe etc.
There have been just too many examples where Australians visit the U.S and the Americans know nothing about us, thinking that; we live in mud huts, do we have giraffes here, do we speak English etc.
The list is endless.
Amusingly, the press here has always had a special and ironic "only in America " story where people tell of their experiences with Americans and how little they know about Australia and how 'odd' the yanks are!.
Always good for a few laughs.

So to cut a long explanation short my friend, yes I suggest there is a certain 'fools paradise' in Australia- U.S relations and perceptions.
Scepticism always been extant here toward the U.S, politicians are the last to know anything and they live in a world of delusion here.
Howard was just more overt about his Americanistic views and
it came at a time when the U.S seems as mad as a demented Dalek throughout the world.
The U.S sees also only what it wants to see and it never seems to occur to them that sycophantic politicians don't necessarily represent the public mood.

Hence Mr Bush etc is reviled here and yet the man and those like him still persist in thinking Howard and others speak for most Australians, when the reality is most people here are 'off side'. This is all common knowledge here my friend, so I'm sorry if its a surprise to you, but its best that truth will out!.

Thank you for your questions and I hope I've answered them adequetely.
Good health to you
DR WHO

My Dear SC,

Back from my weekend and to answer your questions I first correct your suggestion in the use of the world 'prejudice' and the linkage toward Americans.
I'm sure you had no intent of verballing me, but I must correct you by saying it was you and not me that used the word prejudice.
In that regard, I again suggest you're incorrect as scepticism, disagreement and dislike toward America and Americans doesn't translate into prejudice when one has examples that cause that scepticism, disagreement and dislike.

Evidence my dear chap, evidence.
Example: I dislike cabbage, having tried it, the taste is unpalatable to me, similarly people here and elsewhere can dislike, disagree and be sceptical of Americans for valid and not be prejudiced.
Its important to be clear methinks.

As for evidence, well firstly we have polls done here in Australia over the years that point for sinking regard and support for the U.S amongst Australians.
Instances include; Australians regard the U.S as an equal threat to world peace as radical islamism, Australia pays too much attention to the U.S in foreign policy, people here
dislike U.S culture and its undermining of our own, few trust the U.S to solve problems in the world and a growing number of people here have had bad experiences at the hands of Americans etc.
Mr Bush is seen in a poor light too.
Poll after poll here and from overseas sources.

Its worrisome for politicians and their lackeys here as the public simply isn't on side with Americanism.
We look to the U.N for legitimate solutions to problems, and the U.S generally is seen in the same league as certain middle east nations and other despotic regimes.
Popularity much less than 50% favourability.
By contrast, NZ rates very high, then Great Britain and then China. The U.S is well down the list.
Australians take a pragmatic view that the 'yanks' should keep their distance and support for alliances is only extant
in a pragmatic sense. Certainly there is support, but its tempered by Australians views of the U.S and its people.

American bullying of Australia, interference in our internall affairs and wrongful chararacterisations of Australians by Americans don't help your case.
Nonsense that both our nations are similar in terms of values (we're not) and both are "pioneer nations" (whatever that means), may work with sycophantic politicians, but leave the public cold and off side.
Australians are anti authority, increasingly irreligious and don't like big headed bullies, so thats hardly likely to engender affinity as these charactristics define America.
Along with erroneous depictions of Australia by Americans, every incident simply widens the gap between us.
So yes I suggest there is a real societal absess betwen us and unfortunately Americans either lack the ability to desire to look too hard at the reality of the situation, looking beyond sycophantic politicisns here selling out to America, and not seeing the real public feeling here manifest in numerous studies here especially in recent years.
As I say, living here all my life, one hears things no matter where one goes, demonstrating real antipathy toward the U.S, especially in recent years.
From school, work, shops, sporting fixtures etc. Right
across the spectrum of society, its hard to find anyone with a kind word to say about America here, especially in the past 7 years or so where its more open than ever.
Unfortunately Americans off all persuasions and especially the politicians there have been living in a fools paradise and seeing only what they want to see.
The truth is, Australians are not with you .
I'm sorry if you find this notion distressing and American is even more friendless then you think, but truth will out!.

As for my own experiences, well both professionally and personally I've had my fair share of abuse and unpleasantness from Americans over the years.

I can only think of perhaps 4 Americans I've gotten along with in short durations and thats not in much detail either.
The rest of the Americans I've spoken to have been truely awful types across society.
Rude, intolerant, highly aggressive, abusive, and just plain stupid and ignorant.
Oddly when I meet others from other nations, I never have any problems and I'm the same with everyone, only the Americans have been trouble.
I'm an affable sort too, quiet, self effacing and friendly.
Quick with a joke and a sporting person in many area's, but I'm sad to say that far from being "warm and friendly" which American's self romantically claim they are, I've found the opposite.
Its very off putting and so in that regard, no I've certainly not been to the U.S, as to coin a phrase, Once bitten, twice shy, although in my case, its more like 95% of the time,bitten, twice shy.
So I avoid America and take my skills, ideas elsewhere- anywhere but America, as my experiences are more telling than the self romantic propaganda Americans fool themselves with.

Its a mystery to me why it is so, but I have codified it in 4 main stages.
At the risk of sounding like Sir Humphrey Appleby...
Stage 1, Over active greeting from American and invitations
Stage 2, I express my view, findings, opinion which seems to
run counter to 'the American view' this is rejected almost automatically.
Stage 3, Puzzlement and then criticisms from Americans toward me for having a different view, finding etc
Stage 4, One knows one is in this stage when the said Americans can't get a recantation from me and then either ignore or virulently abuse me with a choice of colourful words that only apply in their country, such as "liberal",
Communist, terrorism supporter and a whole plethora of robust epithets I can recall over the years.....

Its hard at times to remain calm, but one does my best to brush it off and then move on.

Human being are always squabbling over something eh!.

So dear SC, I almost always find this expericence both professionally and personally.
Thus for me, I've enough evidence to base a firm conclusion that America and its people are to be avoided as the place is intolerant, ignorant and just too dangerous to go to.
As one intimates, I have no trouble elsewhere and these days
I'm visiting Europe a lot where my work, skills and ideas are well received which is nice and I make friends easily.

So this is a summary of my experiences, so any contact I now have with Americans is at arms length and even here perhaps this forum will for once be an exception- one lives in hope.

Awfully sorry to take so long, but one likes to to be thorough.
As for your experience in Britain, I'm not surprised, are you sure they weren't pulling your leg?.
I know I like to have some fun with people a lot....

thanks for your time and good health,
Dr who

My Dear SC.

Thanks for your reply today.
I'm the first to admit I do enjoy a somewhat elongated discursive interlocution, but thats just my way, thank you for
your time.
In reply today, you raise a number of novel issues, but perhaps one can dispel a number of them.

I make no judgement on your Taiwan.Thailand comparison, I proffered the suggestion of 'pulling your leg' just as one sundry possibility. Is that a negative reflection of your interpretation?. Not my intent, I was just proffering a simple idea.

As for all my comment being one big leg pull as you suggest,
I can only assure you, one is being serious, but not with a profundity one hastens to add, as one is actually a light hearted sort overall, merely tempered.

As for my professional and personal experiences, well you did ask about them and one responded in a matter of fact way.
Little emotion really, merely resigned recollection of a summary of one's experiences.
One really hasn't associated with Americans and like all new situations one has an open mind, but from an initial encounter, things went pear shaped very quickly.

Oh well thats their problem not mine, but one has not real explanation and really one can only take people as they choose to present themselves.
It has a deleterious effect on people though including me, but really if Americnas or anyone else chooses to behave like they do then they reap the consequences, such as people avoiding and bypassing them, as one does.

Thus ones predisposition as you argue, is I suggest incorrect as one's current position is a consequence of past experiences with Americans, mostly negative.
Logical conclusion, if 95% of all Americans encounted are like that from a wide base, then what does that say about the rest of them one hasn't encountered.

Moreover I haven't the time or inclination to seek out 'better Americans', as one thinks how they choose to present themselves is really their issue.
Important to not confuse on your part predisposition with resultant after the fact, which I base my assessment and views on. Sorry to correct you again, but your 'a priori ' basis is incorrect.

I'm sorry you perceive one's persona as "smarmy condescention" but perhaps what we're seeing here is the limits of cultural difference.
Clearly we're different sorts of people dear SC, but I assure you my 'tone' is one of quiet reflection and little emotion.
Histrionics isn't ones way, so one thinks your depiction of one is more a reflection of your own 'prejudice' if you'll forgive the reversal of comparison .
You seem pleasant enough and there is no invective in one's voice here, I'm sorry if one's words are interpretated in the way you perceive.
Finally dear SC on the nature of prejudice.
One finds your argument logically inconsistant in that you quote a concise dictionary summation for the word, but then dismiss the argument put forward by one where Australian's views on America and Americans are based on expericences and observations.
Let me more precise as one fears you have missed argument.

American pushing Australia around over the decades with areas such as threatening us to join U.S wars, threats to end the alliance if we don't comply, unfair trade agreements.
Threatening Australia with boycotts if we try to increase our own local cultural content in film and television etc.

Quite a few instances there to put any nations people off side don't you think and its all true.
Hence the ongoing anti American feeling here.

Not a prejudice 'a priori' but a reasonable conclusion based on experience.
One the related issue of 'speaking for Australia', one hesitates to do so, but you did ask about instances and one
merely relayed the flavour of the mood in keeping ones eyes and ears open in a wide variety of locales in the wider Australian community.

As for the American negativity for Australia, well its stands to reason that any people that throws its weight around against anothe nation, has scant regard or respect for that said nation.
The systemic threats, forced compliance and general bullying
indicate a patttern of behaviour.
Indeed juxtaposed from the macro to the micro, one's own personal experiences with Americans are telling in itself.
One has found Americans are only really interesting in hearing what they wish to hear, new, different views contrary from theirs are rejected as I've found in my own work for instance.
Methinks what is upsetting Americans nowadays is that they are discovering they are not liked by more and more people and this is their own fault after decades of throwing their weight around.
They can't accept it and their natural instinct is to reject what they themsleves have caused.
Hence they are upset to discover that even in Australia, whem they've considered "under the thumb" and nicely compliant is actually no different to the rest of the world in not liking them based on Americans own shoddy behaviour.
Unwilling to accept reality, they try to ignore, pretent or dismiss through dishonest means that truth that they simply don't wish to hear.
Perhaps if Americans and their country treated others with respect and dignity, and looked beyond the platitiudes of their puppets in governent like Australia and listened to the public, they may not be so upset these days at how they are disliked caused ironically by their own foolishness.
That my friend is the key issue and one that Americans seem unable to confront head on.

Although one finds short answers unsatisfatory dear SC, the concise answer to your questions are in fact not prejudice but conclusions based on factual experience and thus non prejudicial.

One sees it a lot when one visits Britain, Europe and other nations in ones work.
Indeed Australians compared to some even more fed up with the U.S are quite measured in their dislike and criticisms of the U.S and its people.
One trusts thats clear and again thank you for your time and an illuminating discussion.
a' la bonne heure
Doctor Who

Well SC it seems we've reached the natural differential dissonance in our respective outlooks.

One simply can't understand your 'reasoning' in this regard.
You cite a basic methodology that is sound enough of regarding
evidence based resultants, but for some reason that eluses one, when evidence is provided that support the anti american specifics of Australians, such as pushing Australia around, bad 'free trade agreements' etc, which would be enough to annoy anyone, for some reason you seem unable to make the conceptual next step.
Personally one prefers the Oxford English dictionary reference, for novel argument you introduced in the concept of 'prejudice', which basically means forming negative views in the absence of reasonable evidence.
Australians have high levels of anti american sentiment for a long time and now openly expressed. Some reasons are given for the purposes of explanation in this dialogue, yet for some reason that one cannot fathom, you still can't grasp the conceptual flow of logic.
One would have thought it was perfectly straightforward.

Leaving aside your ad hominem asides toward one which are of no consequence, one doubts that one would fit into any aspect of U.S society, in the pre '60's south of your country or elsewhere as the dissonance between actuality and your 'perceptions' of actuality leave one with the conclusion that your own inward projections would be a more apt circumstance you stated proscriptions.

One thinks its time to desist with this dialogue as one doubts we're going to agree on anything as fundamentally we're poles apart. (see what I mean about Americans living in a fools paradise vis a vis other cultures, indeed if Australians and Americans are distant and moving still apart , then what hope is there for U.S foreign relations where the cultures are even more distant?. Not good methinks).

One suspects here in this dialogue,its the real limits of cultural difference exerting themsleves, perhaps its question of class too.
One doesn't know how many Australians, New Zealanders or British you know , but its clear that you and people like me in 'our' countries see things very differently and one doubts we're ever going to agree.Therefore its the appropriate juncture to discontinue this exchange methinks and go our own separate ways.
In that regard its good that this forced, un-natural and uncomfortable propinquity between our nations and peoples is
unwinding at long last.

It seems once again, we're in 'stage 4' of the dialogue.
Hmmmm, it seems once again one's observations have been confirmed.
Thanks anyway for an illuminating discussion, its been informative and rather amusing too (at least we can share a laugh in our own respective ways).
I wish you well SC and good health .
Dr who