Hello! You are very brave! Well, I mean, you have no idea what people will say about your countrymen.

My thoughts on Americans:

1. I think Americans have a love/hate relationship with Europe, and they - in general - are a bit annoyed with people around the world who criticise their country, popular culture, history and policies. I think some Americans feel a bit hurt, like their friends are turning their backs on them. Others don't care, and would like to focus on domestic issues.

2. I think Americans seem to be very suspicious of each other (hence all the guns in major cities), and everything that could remotely be called socialist. I think there is still some residue left from the McCarthy era.

3. I think Americans are very proud of their country, but many also accept immigrants, because they think your merits and your willingness to adapt, should be more important than where you're from.

4. Americans seem to believe in the Protestant work ethic, and you believe (as mentioned in no.3) that merits are important.

5. Most Americans seem very religious, and it's interesting that instead of a State Church (Church attached to State), you have many religious communties in clusters all across the country.

6. Americans seem to be rather polarised, both politically, socially and economically. This could partially be due to religious beliefs, but also because of the American emphasis on individuality. There is a great deal of difference between the successful and the not so successful.

7. Americans seem infatuated with their celebrities, almost in the same way many people in European contries look up to their royal families. There seems to be a need in the USA for something that is "larger than life", hence the Hollywood glamour and soap series. People like to dream of a different life. Some haven't made it big in the rat race.

I'd like to use a few adjectives for Americans (how I see it):

paranoid, optimistic, powerful, glamourous, plastic, religious, inclusive, capitalist, exhausted

Americans are paranoid? It's impossible to discuss that with you. If I dare to diagree, you will say I am paranoid!

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Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety.

[I]Macbeth[/I] 3:1

I think watching "Jerry Springer" may help any of the Europeans to formulate a response that will not soil the "special relationship"

Very clever.

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I just had to point out that the person writing this has a celebrity for his/her handle, avatar, and signature. Not making fun, just thought it was funny.

The real funny thing is that recently I think I've been gaining more of a foreign perspective of Americans. I don't mean to insult any of the American posters here because generally they're the ones who give me hope we are not all a bunch of zombies, but for the most part, looking at the folks I see everyday, on the streets and on tv, I feel as though I dislike American culture more and more every day. Except for the history channel, discovery channel, and the like, and adult swim TV has become a waste. It is nearly impossible to listen to people, young people at least, try to have a conversation. Where are the girls who are able to verbalize their thoughts without inserting "like" every five GD seconds? I'll stop here before I get on a rant, but it gets pretty frustrating sometimes.

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Neither am I the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds. I am not a sacrifice on their altars. ... I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them. I ask no one to live for me, nor do I live for others. I covet no mans soul, nor is my soul theirs to covet.

Ayn Rand, Anthem.

lol. that is actually also a part of the stereotype of americans here: they tend to say 'like' or 'its like' in every sentence
also americans tend to talk quite loud in comparisement with europeans, when they are on the phone or in a group.

do americans also think europeans talk with soft voices? (except spanish..)

Never heard that stereotype before. Sterotypes I think of:

Italians are lovers not fighters. English love to fight it pubs over soccer. French men are all straight gay men. Spanish are lazy. Scandinavian women are hot (Ok, so no stereotype, it's true ).

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I know what you mean. Celebrity worship, hip hop/rap, "like" every other word, etc. all really pisses me off. Underground American culture is much better than "mainstream" culture.

Obama worship is up there with celebrity worship these days.

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i guess its no stereotype because you dont hear us

the english one is a valid stereotype in my country as well.
didnt know the one of spanish being lazy, thats new to me.

oh and hottest girls are from romania

Point taken, but I don't follow every whim of American celebrities. I have watched a few celebrity gossip shows, and it's mostly uninteresting and very empty. And no offence taken.

I've never understood what American culture really is. I guess it's mostly popular culture, since the USA is such a new country.

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