Fungieren wie der "world's polizist"

JK blogged about German attitudes toward America a few days ago. Concidentally, my wife and I had a house guest from Heidelburg Germany two nights ago. While driving to her next destination yesterday we had a chance to discuss politics. She had previously told us that "we don't think much of President Bush" in Germany, so I asked her why. After considerable thought she listed qualities like insensitivity to the attitudes and ways of other peoples, and the attitude that everyone should do things the way Americans do. The only action she cited as objectionable was "acting like the world's policeman." When I politely asked her how europeans viewed American military action in Bosnia and Kosovo she paused and said those actions weren't considered improper. She did seem to recognize the inconsistency of this view so I didn't quip that honest people are usually relieved when the police arrive to round up criminals.

I also asked if she was familiar with the term "Amerikanische Verhaltnisse" and she was not. It seems to be an academic, rather than a popular term. I explained that it meant "American conditions" and referred to our "long hours" and "unhealthy lifestyles." She did admit to such an attitude about America among Germans, but she'd also told me previously that the German work day is about 8 to 4. After 4pm almost everyone's left the office. Hey, sounds good to me!