Greetings, Michael.
Interesting post. As an American Studies major you have a responsibility to travel and live in America to “test” the opinions of Europeans (particularly the Dutch) regarding Americans.
I spent several years in the Air Force in Germany in the late 60s and my favorite place to visit was always Amsterdam. I have travelled in most of the Western European countries as a young man.
The Dutch I met were lovely people and had an affection for Americans. Perhaps they still remembered WWII. I don’t know.
What you have to understand however is that most Americans do not have a BAD opinion of Europeans. We just are not that interested in what they think about us. Americans are the most generous, fair people on this planet. We are hardly perfect.
While many Americans strive to build their own personal wealth (that is a good thing) most Americans are interested in their neighbors well-being also.
Europeans dislike of Americans is not a positive attribute but rather a mob mentality. We just don’t have the time or the inclination to generate negative emotions regarding the Dutch or French or Germans. Europeans are, well Europeans.
America broke away from Europe a long time ago. We are indeed different. We have more in common with Australia than Europe today.
Europeans will just have to adjust their expectations of America. We shall continue being Americans.
