Why is it so?

[Breine]

This is something I have been wondering about for some time now, and I have finally decided to ask you guys: Why do American people think of European people the way they do?

It seems that people from the US see us, on the other side of the ocean, as somewhat weird and strange... and maybe even crazy. What makes you think of European people like that? I'd really like to know

If you don't see us Europeans as any of the above, then how do you see us?

[Old Manus]

I think Americans are weird and crazy - fair trade

[eestlinc]

lots of people view foreigners with confusion or distrust, and it's not exclusive to the US.

[GunbladeMaster]

i veiwed the swiss as evil people and i turned out to be right
but as for the rest of Europe i dont have any thoughts
maybe cas im just a kid...

[Denmark]

dude europeans are awesome sup

[Alive-Cat]

By golly, old chap! Americans think we are strange??? 'tis news for me, old chap, 'tis news for me...
Jolly fine weather today, right old chap?
Righto, righto...

[GunbladeMaster]

hehe
most british do sound like that at my skool
and it gets really annoying

[Karl]

thats like asking why people think black people like fried chicken and watermelon and why people think white people like mayonaise and golf

all about stereotypes, often true, kinda racist, but true

[Yooniece]

Nah. We don't think of you guys as weird. I live in Los Angeles... near Venice Beach. Let me give you some perspective. The United States is the freakshow of the world, California is the freakshow of the United States, Los Angeles is the freakshow of California, and Venice Beach is the freakshow of Los Angeles. I've seen it all, and I love it. And to top that, I'm originally from San Francisco, the continual liberal capital of homosexuality and really smart/entertaining homeless people.

I think the perception I've always had of the UK was... er... conservative (Aside from the fact that kids in Britain seem to become sexually active sooner). It's an unfair assumption but I always thought that we Americans placed a lot more emphasis on having a good time doing whatever we're doing (some weird medium from being a country of lazy farts and overly ambitious people)

And I'm sure everyone thinks the accents are awesome. I'm sure you could have the ugliest, most slurred British accent possible and Americans would still coo over you.

[Rye]

I think Europeans are pretty cool, actually. I don't really see them as weird.

[Sasquatch]

It's a variety of things. As eest said, most people view foreigners as "strange" -- I'm sure Americans are viewed as many things, and all too often stereotyped, by people in other countries. It happens.

That being said, Americans and Europeans are quite different. Though America is becoming more socialist, etc. Different styles of comedy, for example. Most Americans wouldn't find most British comedy very...comedic. Whereas I'm sure most Europeans wouldn't find too much American comedy very funny. It does reflect in nearly everything, from media tastes to what's considered physically attractive in the opposite sex.

Except the French. We really do have reason not to like the French.

[Psychotic]

I'm British and I don't consider myself European, but this is mainly because every other European country besides Britain (exceptions: the Scandinavian 4, Czech. Republic, Croatia) are pretty crappy in one way or another, and are insanely jealous of us being generally better than them and so use that damned EU to try to control us.

I want Britain to leave Europe and join North America. Although I'd settle for Africa.

[Rye]

I want Britain to leave Europe and join North America. Although I'd settle for Africa.

Britain being part of N. America would be pretty cool, actually.

[Faris]

dude europeans are awesome sup

[Psychotic]

Britain being part of N. America would be pretty cool, actually.

Well, you sure as hell need SOMETHING to cool your continent up.

I think every continent needs Britain to cool it up to be honest.