Americans in Europe

What do Europeans Think of Americans?

I have a friend from Belgium (his name is V) who was telling me some statistics about Americans. I don't remember them, but I do remember the trends:  Only a small percentage of Americans travel abroad--maybe five to ten percent at the most.  Most of these Americans travel to Canada or Mexico, but not to Europe. 

Of those who travel to Europe, most travel for business.  So very few American, relatively, travel for leisure, vacation or study. But these were the Americans I was interested in.  Or rather, I was interested in what Europeans think of these Americans. 

So bring it on, I told V.  I promised I wouldn't be offended by anything he said.  After all, I had left America for several reasons and it wouldn't bother me what Europeans would say about us beautiful Americans.

Americans are a lot of fun, he said.  We think they're very friendly, outgoing and they laugh a lot.  They're very good at expressing themselves orally.

But (you knew there had to be a "but"), we don't think of Americans as very intellectual.  They don't know much about the rest of the world.  They hardly ever speak any other languages besides English. They seem very provincial.

Well, that was OK with me, I told him.  Actually, it wasn't much of a surprise.  I don't consider myself much of an intellectual. And I don't even think I like intellectuals.  I am glad that Europeans think we're fun.

So the European opinion of Americans sat OK with me.  I was hoping to hear the word sexy, but I think that's included in the word fun.

What do you think?

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mary, thanks to you and many others, this has become one of the most commented-on posts. I think you have some great points. But I don't think that Europeans are jealous of Americans--at least, not from what I can tell--Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

Hello,
I wasn't going to chime in on this one since I too am a proud American, but could resist no longer. I've traveled to many other countries of the world, not as many as I would like, but also feel a desire to see this great country. Until you've experienced the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and the Rocky Mountains in person, you can't even begin to appreciate the magnitude of this great nation. I speak 3 languages other than English. I taught foreign languages for many years and more than believe that learning another language is very important. I think many Europeans tend to forget that one could spend a lifetime traveling to and getting to know all of the 50 states of the USA. It's really large!! I have been to at least 30 or so, but still want more. Yes, we have some real jerks, but so does everyone else. I find wonderful, intelligent people the world over. I don't think any one group or nationality can lay claim to humor, intellectualism, worldliness or anthing else. We all have our pluses and minuses, but people are basically the same. Growing up and raising children I learned that jealousy is most often the root of interpersonal problems. Persons tend to put down those of whom they are jealous. Period. Often, on first blush, the problem appears to be something else, but as you dig deeper that little green man, envy, appears. Could it be that Europeans are jealous of people from the USA???

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Jul--Thanks for telling us about your experience. I, too, am proud to be an American abroad since Obama was elected--Ilene

[Jul]

When I (an American) first moved to Europe, I used to nod along in agreement with Europeans who went on and on about how provincial and un-well-traveled the Americans are. But then I started to realize that Europeans are not really that different - plenty of them also don't ever leave their own countries, don't speak other languages, and don't know much about the rest of the world. Every country has their share of embarrassingly backwoods population, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Luckily American-bashing has become slightly less popular of a sport here since Obama was elected. :)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Sherri--Yes, thanks for sharing your view in a very intellectual way. I couldn't say it better myself in any language--Ilene

[Sherri]

I guess we would prove V's point regarding not being very intellectual, if we accepted him as the spokesperson for "Europeans" on this topic.

As an American who has traveled extensively (almost entirely for pleasure) to 4 continents, including all over Europe, the statistical trends shared here surprised me.

And it's a tragedy, indeed, that Americans are not taught the importance of speaking other languages fluently. We are a bit self absorbed that way. (The practicality of it has never exisited for us, however, since neighboring communities across nearby borders aren't speaking several different languages --- like in Europe.)

So, we have not evolved as much in that way. Even when we study another language, the chances to use it regularly are scarce ... and conjugating verbs is no substitute for getting to speak conversationally to people nearby. Bummer!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi there, PP. Thanks for your comment. You said it all!---Ilene

[Passion Play in Oberammergau]

Does fun include sexy? I guess it depends on who you're with. Some Americans can be fun and sexy. Then there are people who are just fun and not sexy at all. If I had a choice, I would say I'm a very sexy American.