I have met quite a few Americans, mostly students and academics, the odd diplomat, cook and musician, particularly over the last few years. I have found them friendly,open minded and very courteous. The students that I have met have been a credit to their country. Some of them are a little ill informed about the world outside the USA but no more than the average European is about the USA. As in Britain their government's foreign policies are not representative of the attitudes of American citizens.