What this is, and what it isn't

I am American living in Europe, specifically Germany. I have lived in many different countries and parts of the continent, off and on, since 1974. I speak three of the major European languages fluently. I have a pretty good "feel" for European cultures.

It is always amusing to me, when I am back in the U.S., to hear and read and see what Americans say and write and think about Europe and Europeans. What I find is that most of the perceptions of Americans about Europe and the Europeans is similar to the perceptions of Europeans about the U.S. and Americans in general: in other words, fairly clueless. (For example: many Europeans believe that Americans live in NYC or LA, own guns, and are all violent. Many Americans believe that all Europeans are suave, sophisticated, live in Paris and spend all their time drinking expensive coffees at sidewalk cafes.)

This blog will discuss aspects of the cultures, history, and attitudes of the Europeans, as seen from the perspective of a long-time American expatriate. I am often asked by American and European friends to answer questions like "why do they do that?" My aim here is to answer some of those questions publicly.

I do not expect people to agree with me, since people on both sides of the Atlantic prefer to cherish their misconceptions. But I would love to have anyone reading this try to rebut what I say.

For some of you that have lived here yourselves, this blog may irritate or anger you. It might also make you laugh out loud, and say, "that is so true!"

I welcome your comments. Leave your comments on the blog, or email me @yahoo. You know the address.