I so relate to your writing; I live in France as an American and sometimes I get so frustrated at how impossible it is, here, for many people to ever admit that any American is thoughtful or intelligent or any part of, American culture is valuable. (and the converse, that every French idea and person is not brilliant and superior;)) I came here because I love teaching and I wanted to have the opportunity to live in Europe and I have lived in 4 other countries with the same enthusiasm but that curiosity is not always returned… I have some wonderful great french friends but what sticks is the intolerance that one gets..I could go on about the impolite unasked for rants I have encountered in bars, ski-rental shops ( where after asking me what my accent was in my spoken French, and I said “American” with a big friendly smile, the man replied with scorn “Why would anyone go there,,,all America is just McDonalds. I have no interest”.). Its really just so redneck sometimes this supposed “european enlightenment” and it is not better than some American intolerance it is the same…But what has been helpful for me is just to say to people like that”wow, its unfortunate you are so close-minded and angry and incurious, despite that, as a European you are supposed to be so open-minded, why is that?” It just stuns them. They just hate being called on their small-mindedness, it is the WORST;) Good luck and don’t listen to these ignorant people just hang out with the cool Europeans that actually have interest in the world. They are out there, just less vocal unfortunately.
