Interesting topic to say the least and one that is a big can of worms waiting to be opened... To throw my hat into it...

Each country has its own character and personality and a common conciousness etc. of who they percieve themselves to be. Who they think they are and in general who the world thinks they are. As a Canadian we tend to fit into a group of expectations when travelling as well. Why most of my friends from the States call themselves Canadians when travelling is a source of pride to me - depending on how you look at it. Are we meek? Are we complacent? etc. Depends on how you look at it. Either way Canadians are non threatening it seems and a good route to vent about the US it seems for the people I meet abroad. So-be-it. We here (HUBB) have all spent a lot of time travelling - me to more than 35 countries - and the perception of the US is universally the same wherever I go. (real or not - including my many friends in the US - who love their country but not so much some of its people) Americans (if I can use the term) are generally perceived as a people who really think that their way is the only way - or the best way. All of the rest comes from that. This has been born out many times in individual encounters backpacking across Europe (Where the majority of Americans put Canadian flags onto their packs) - to Africa - to travels in the US itself over the last 25 years - it hasn't changed much. Which doesn't mean that they are not nice and accomodating as I have always been warmly welcomed into the US and have many of my closest friends there. It is just a simple overwhelming perception that unfortunately the current administration is doing little to assuage right now. And, remember we all have our perceptions to overcome - a rude taxi driver in Paris does not make for a rude people. And, I am not sure that being an unassuming, non-threatening Canadian is such a good or bad thing - it just is. Which is what we all have to work with I think. One thing that has always stood out in my travels. One on one - sitting by a fire or over food... most every human being I have met (some more than others) have been kind to me, helpful, interested, engaging, and an individual - far apart from the general perception I had of the country they were from or we were in. Of that I am always pleasantly suprised.