Steve I couldn't agree more with you analysis of Europe. I spent almost 10 years in Germany and found that the vast majority of European with whom I dealt were warm and welcoming. Most folks are indeed open when you're open with them. Many, many Germans were quite curious about the US and often I had trouble practicing my Deutsch because they wanted to practice English.

A favorite spot of mine was an English pub in Heidelberg. The clientele was about 25% German, 25% British Isles, 25% American, and 25% random other countries. I remember one evening having a remarkable conversation about bilingual education in America with a German national. His knowledge of the situation with all its problems was staggering. A Brit car salesman would grab me whenever I came in because he wanted to discuss American history. I know my history, but this guy always brought up interesting topics. Three women biochemists (PHDs) working at Max Planck Institute, a Brit, an American, and a German, just wanted to drink pils, throw darts, and have fun in the mixed crowd. While most people in this place were expats, they all loved their native lands. And most non-Americans expressed interest in the US and many had a great desire to at least visit if not emigrate.

Ever wonder why, if Americans are hated around the world, does so much of that world want to become Americans? Not all, of course, but a lot. And many who do no desire citizenship want to come to the US to reap some of the benefits of this society.

Earlier someone mentioned a friend being spit upon in Europe. I'm happy to say that no one spit on me in Europe. Unfortunately, someone did in Albuquerque in 1971, because I was wearing a USAF uniform.