Chai, I noticed that you always resent any comment from "some" Europeans.
It's human indeed that one take advantage of the best sides of his civilisation.
I for one, do not belittle the genie of the Americans and I must add that I like a lot of them.
In addition, as I spent much time in the United States, I can tell about many experiences that are not geographically limited.
As I travel around the world, I can compare with what happens in other places.
Telling that average Americans are afflicted by the "church lady's syndrom" is not, in my view, considering that they are worse than Europeans. It's only acknowledging a fact.
But I'm not expecting you accept my view. I do remember that even learned people like George, do have difficulties in accepting that saying "I love you" in Europe is not a commitment to life.
It goes the same way about many other topics. It's only the result of a different evolution.
I've been upset, sometimes, by the prejudices Americans have about the French. But I know from where it comes. The US soldiers that came to Europe to free us returned home with notions that were those of WWII.
Many Americans still think the same after all these years. But Europe is not the same anymore.
In order to give you an idea where the difference resides, take a look on this book I have at home for years :
112 gripes about the French