As Americans see us
 

We've been asked how Europeans see us (Americans). Now it's your turn. Go ahead. We're ready. In the immortal words of Pat Benatar, hit me with your best shot. Fire away!

We have all at some time tried to explain that Yerp is not one country.

Living here in "Yerp" over twenty years, I feel as if Europe has become a group of individual nations huddling under one big umbrella, becoming cozier and cozier.

Is that a good or a bad thing, schuler?

As long as we all get along and Switzerland doesn't become a full-fledged EU nation, I think it's a good thing. There are many hard-core patriots in Switzerland who think the Swiss have already gone too far in cozing up to the EU burocrats.

I would expect a travel board opinion is much different than the general perception which has been hoisted on Americans by the media and politicians (differing opinions from different sides of the aisle as expected). The right state view would be that Europe is overtaxed, lazy, socialist, and everything a real American should dislike. The left state view is that Europe should be admired for its wonderful policies and is a home of peaceful, politically correct, enlighted people.

Polls show that if the French had to live in another European country, most of them would choose Italy or Spain. The same polls show that the country to which the French feel the closest is Germany. How things have changed in 60 years!