Nein, nein, nein! Warum!!!Yup it’s true. Germany has indeed been dethroned as the “most liked” country in the world. No longer is the land of giant pretzels and beers the most beloved according to a new survey. So what country is “most liked” right now?
The United States of America.
Yeah I was shocked too. But the results from a summer 2009 survey of 20,000 people in 20 geographically and economically diverse countries revealed that the world is seeing the US of A in a whole new light.
According to Forbes, which released the results, “The survey asked respondents to rank 50 countries in six categories: governance, culture, products and services, people, tourism and immigration/investment.” Many are saying that the jump to 1st is solely based on the popularity that President Barack Obama has right now around the world. “The Obama Effect” has truly been phenomenal for the global image of the United States.
So just how much has the world changed its opinion on the USA? Well according to Simon Anholt, an independent policy advisor which conducted the survey, British approval jumped from 53% the previous year to 69% today. Love among the French rose to 75% over the last 12 months, up from 42% in 2008. Tres bien!
This was the first time that the United States came in first place since this survey started back in 2005. Last year USA was ranked seventh in the world. What’s not to love about us? We started two wars, currently suffer from the worst job market in nearly 100 years, lack affordable health care to millions of citizens, fail to provide a decent education to our youth, suffer from an obesity epidemic, refuse to use the metric system, and have “news” stations show balloon boy coverage 24/7 instead of actual world events.
Oh yeah Americans will sleep soundly tonight knowing that people around the world like us…they really, really like us. Take that the rest of the world! By the way the previous paragraph was not some “Anti-American” soap box speech. I love my country, but it does have a few flaws right now.
Here are the results of the survey’s top 10 “Most Liked Countries” around the world with their ranking from last year in parenthesis:
http://www.TravelMamas.com Colleen Lanin at Travel Mamas
This is shocking news! But not nearly as shocking as Michelle Obama’s dress in that photo you have posted. Just what is going on there? She looks like she’s pregnant…or like she has an alien in her belly…or that she is pregnant with an alien. Wait. Did I just say that about the first lady of the world’s newly most-beloved country? Never mind…she looks lovely. By the way…way to go America!
http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/ Stephanie
I’ve only traveled a abroad a little bit since Barack Obama became president but I could immediately sense a change in people’s perceptions of me as an American and of my country. Thanks Obama!
Phil
TravelMama is hilarious!
Dave
France is #2?
Really?
Alex
Wow why did Canada drop so much in one year? Could it be that when people hated the US they felt bad for their neighbor to the north? now that they love usa again, Canada gets the cold shoulder?
Actually, this is no surprise to me. Sure America has its faults, we all do. But we rarely focus on the positives in this country. So much is perception…
-started 2 wars – so did germany
-failed to provide decent education to our youth – 35 of the top 50 universities in the world are in the US
-worst job market in 100 years – ask Spain where unemployment rates are 20% and many people working are not receiving paychecks for months
Although, I am in agreement the world attitude towards American politics and America has changed. And certainly Obama’s election has a lot to do with that (although I am not sure it is nobel peace prize worthy just yet(. However, to me, most people I met and meet around the world (the locals-not other backpackers as much) like Americans and if they don’t I hope after my travels to their homes they might start.
stay adventurous,
Craig
Andrew Hickey
Great points Craig. I always try to be a good American ambassador when traveling to a foreign land. I also agree that Obama is not nobel peace prize worthy just yet. Maybe in 8 years.
wolf2012
I love Obama – but give me a break … voting the US No.1 is a complete joke, if you look at the realities, not the wanna be(s) … Hope that changes to the better with Obama. But this result is just DUMB!
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