>>>You're right. We Americans hate people, especially foreigners. That's why they keep coming here. <s>
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>>You're so right, you have no idea.
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>Ok. I'm probbaly not nearly the grobe-trotter as you, but I have been to a few European countries when my brother was stationed in Giebelstadt Germany. I had a great time, but I came away feeling that many Europeans want nothing to do with you. Ask for help, they treat you like... well.... an outsider. Many usually don't smile at you or even respond to you when you smile at them.
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>Am I painting with a too broad of a brush?

I had the same feeling in Germany - nobody talks to you unless you're walking a dog. Then all of a sudden you have something to talk about :).

But then I had great friends in Germany and Netherlands - they're quite regular guys when they are relaxed, on a vacation. At home, though, they are a bit tense, nervous, downbeat, at least compared to what they are in the summer. Keep in mind that these are my impressions from 30 years ago - the current generation may be very different.

I've noticed that it's much easier to get into a conversation with Americans, and they smile a lot more, but then they quit the conversation much faster and without explanation, and the smile is often a result of practice.