How often to you encounter people making fun of the USA in your travels?

To begin with, please allow me to say that I am an American. I am from the US and have been to 3 continents: North America, Central America and Africa. In my travels, I am often asked by people from other countries what the hell is happening with the USA. These people range from college-educated and well off to poor and undereducated. I have often been asked if we all acted as the people in reality TV do. Most of my interactions with people in other countries have been positive and they are not angry with the USA. Most are curious as to if the US is really like what is depicted in TV and the media. Many people have expressed that they hope that the US will return to its greatness. I have encountered a few people who were angry with the USA. I have traveled in places that were very poor and very dangerous and still I have received more positive interactions than negative ones. I do not announce that I am from the USA until people ask. I am not a comfortably and have never tried to have a conversation with people from other countries. I do not announce that I am from the US and begin to lecture and tell them about the great USA. I don’t have any evidence of how often people are met with contempt and disdain but know that my experiences have been mostly positive. Many people from other countries are just curious about the USA. <br><br>Edit:<br><br>Thank you for the replies. I did not expect this to get so big. So many great stories and just overall positive vibes. Yes, on my first trip to Africa the vast majority of people thought that I was a comedian and an actor like Eddie Murphy. They did watch a ton of White Chicks and The Nutty Professor. I think that I was brought to tears by some of the questions. I was often asked if I was a gangsta because I was from the US. These were college students from various countries. I had no idea that I looked like a gangster. I was asked constantly if I was gangster. The questions were innocent as the people had never left their country before and had no idea of what the vast vast vast majority of the US population acted like. Many people were amazed that I was not stupid. I was asked if I was having sex with underage girls and if I was using drugs. I was brought to tears because it seemed like some of the questions were so ridiculous and just so funny. I was asked if I knew of the NBA and if I knew who Michael Jordan was. I think that I was the first American that vast majority of people had ever met. But I had a great time. I still have contact with some of them and I am still invited to visit. But I often ask myself, what if I was some shithead from the US? How would these poor people view us if I was a stereotypical ugly American?