Did you intend this comment on the other article, about how Americans see the Netherlands? I meant both articles to be rather light-hearted looks at some stereotypes I’ve come across – I don’t think I ever implied that everyone (in either country) believes these things! I certainly don’t, though there’s often some kernel of truth …

I intended this to be a list of the stereotypes that Dutch believe about Americans, with my guess at where each stereotype came from. I did NOT say that I agreed or believed them! I did not say they were all Southerners either; I said that the media likes to choose a person with a Southern accent to represent all Americans, which feeds these stereotypes. I didn’t say that was right!

Again, you are lumping all Americans into one group. There isn’t an “American Attitude” there are a variety of “American Attitude(s)” . . . I apologize that we have people in our country who can be unkind . . . but isn’t that just a human trait across the world – unkindness? All human beings have the capacity to be unkind. Sometimes it’s a lifelong trait; sometimes it’s an angry error and hopefully they apologize. . . Let’s cool the temperature in our conversations if we can . . . we know the planet is in danger of overheating so let’s make that worse with our tempers. There kind and unkind people all over the world. Most kind people have been unkind at least a few times in their lives. . . Turn the temperature now a bit. Yes, I’m raised in the South. No, we aren’t all hillbillies though I live in the hills!

I’m an American, and I don’t believe the things you say Americans as a group believe. Please us the word “some”. . . I don’t think all Europeans agree do they or even all British or whatever country, do they? We are very divided in our country right now. I hope it will change.

As a Southerner – a well-educated Southerner, I like to ask you not to reconsider suggesting all these folks are Southern. I’ve seen some yes, but I’ve seen just as many from different states and different countries. Stereotypes exist down South, up North, out West and in the East (and probably in all countries but defintely, in the U.S.). . . I choose to try to withhold my conclusions unless I know him/her very well. People are fragile sometimes and different stresses and situations can lead the person, as well as the person who is evaluating that guy or gal, to make mistakes in judgement. Sometimes a kind phrase or a kind gesture from another human being can change that and sometimes it doesn’t, but kindness can sometimes work if you will apply it. It also helps you even if the person doesn’t respond kindly to you. You will know you tried. Maybe you don’t know all their circumstances. So walk away calmly and without anger with a kind wave and a soft smile. . .

I’m surprised at how many people take this article seriously. It was meant to be a light take on things the Dutch think – whether they’re right or wrong – about Americans. I wrote a similar one, mentioned in the article, about what Americans think about the Dutch, and people took offense at that too. If we’re going to get serious, though, I would point out that people – in Europe at any rate – do not hate America or Americans. We are puzzled by you, but we don’t hate you. And saying that Americans don’t hate anyone simply isn’t true. Look at the US attitude toward Muslims, immigrants, etc. etc.

Glad you liked it!