Mmm America in European eyes... difficult topic. Of course the policing of the world is a sore sight for us. "We Europeans" by now consider us an expert on global policing, war and scare-politics with our vast history. We also know, by now after WW2 that none of this works. England lost India because of their harsh actions there. The Netherlands lost Indonesia due to our bullying and refusal to decalre independance from our country. The US set that straight in the UN... and rightfully so. Colonies weren't feasible anymore.
Now, I dare to say we have learned. It took Europe 2 world wars and the loss of all of it's colonies but we learned. This meddling with foreign countries is now something we see happening in the US and though we can't make parallels because there are major differences, I see the actions and words coming from Europe to "condemn" the US rather as warnings that diplomacy and a " laissez-fair" style of politics where nations try to accomplish things together and keep eachother in check is much more fruitful. This is also why Obama is so popular here. He is a leader, something we still desire from the US but also one that seeks advice and tries to make friends among other nations, big and small. Europe believes that we can tackle anything as long as we handle things together.
The US' previous run under Bush was much more isolated and it showed. We condemned every action as stupid, far-fetch'd and when the US did ask for our help we reacted snooty indeed. We knew it would happen and it was very much a "told you so" situation. this of course was an overreaction from us but it examplifies my point that no country can do things alone. We know that now, and i'm glad the US is starting to realize it.
On a more personal level, on general I treat all Americans I run into with hospitability untill they proof to be jackasses, like anyone would. Most Americans I run into get annoying though, 3/4th of them turn out to be valley girls and as soon as I hear a sentence like: "Well, that coffeeshop was all like, brown and stuff" I cringe and have the urge to throw him/her in the canal. Especially with that horrible accent.
Oh, and what we also dislike to some extent is the overtly nationalistic tones. This is also a throw-back to WW2. If it is ever possible, take a walk around various towns... you will see that outside of football-championships and holidays there will not be a sinlge Dutch flag waving anywhere. Same goes for the other nations. Overtly nationalistic tones are a throw-back to a more black period in our history so we treat that with contempt, also with respect to the uprising to more nationalistic and fascistic groups.
The stereotypical American we sometimes get on TV-reports who considers the US to be the most hollistic country possible, the country everyone else should strive for... we fear that image and philosophy for understandable reasons I think. So whenever someone here starts to debate that point or get's too much into US-lovin' we fear that from our historic experience and will try to bring that person down a few pegs.
Hope that gave some insight ;0.
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