This is exactly the sense I get when I am overseas.

The general impression I got in Europe was that the USA is a confusing and bizarre place. From afar, the various debates in the USSA — there’s trillions of dollars for banks, but no re-regulation; the more aggressive battle is over nationalized Health Care — are both perplexing and somewhat laughable to the Europeans.

The US remains a source of great interest. Popular culture, from music to TV to films is enormously influenced by what is generated in America. Obama is wildly popular over here — much more so than in the US. They seem to appreciate a US President who engages in diplomacy and interacts with various leaders. In case you were unaware, George W. Bush was not particularly liked worldwide.

There is sort of an interesting perspective, kinda “Hmmm, let’s see what sort of whacky trouble those Americans will get into next” attitude.

Yep. In Europe, the US is seen sort of like the wacky uncle who occasionally has ‘Nam flashbacks, who is liable to take off his clothes at the family reunion and try to hump the bean dip. But no one blames him — he can’t help himself.

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