[450knotOffice]

However...

A little bit of balance is in order here. It's true that Americans tend to be ignorant of the world outside their borders, however, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that the rest of the world knows much more about the other societies on this planet outside of their general area. Some people in every society are, in fact very knowledgeable of the outside world, however, most are not, beyond a general sense.

Don't believe me? Go to Europe. Ask those who've never been outside of their region (Europe) a few questions about the US, or about the nations of Africa, or South America, Central America, etc. Ask them the same types of questions that we ask our own people and you'll get the same kinds of answers.

It's so easy assume we are stupid, ignorant Americans who know nothing of the world while everyone else on this planet knows all. This is simply not true. Yes, there are some very knowledgeable people in this world who are very aware of the rest of the world in a very real sense, but just as in the US, these people are really the exception , rather than the norm.

Lest you think I'm making assumptions here with no basis, I have spent many, many years living all over Europe (as a kid) and traveling over most of this planet (as an adult). My mother's side of the family is still in Europe. I've lived among and mingled with people from around the world and can honestly tell you that most people have no real idea about what is going on in the world outside of what they see and hear on their local news networks. Most people I have met abroad who have never left their area have a very unrealistic idea of the US and Americans, for example - very different from reality.