Little Differences
Images of American and European Culture
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For the average American, Europe seems a continent that is grown weary under its own weight. The Americans, for the average European, are simple and impetuous. Both sides are fascinated by the other. The Europeans admire America’s unity. The Americans marvel at Europe’s diversity. The cultural fascination of Europeans and Americans rests on reciprocity. There is nothing objectionable or unusual in this: it is the same culture – with a considerable amount of small differences.
(Osteuropa 1/2011, pp. 161–166)