International view explained

Journalist: Europeans see Americans as 'monsters'

By JENNIFER OCHSTEIN
Tribune Staff Writer

CULVER -- For starters, Americans are too religious. Americans work too hard. On top of that, we're entirely too patriotic.

Oh yeah. And Americans are looked at like they're ogres or monsters, all according to Martin Turner, bureau chief of the British Broadcasting Corp. Americas.

"Ordinary Europeans don't understand Americans at all," Turner told a group of Culver Academy students Tuesday.

Turner, who explained the European media and the general population's view of Americans, was at the academy Tuesday as part of the school's Global Studies Institute, a non-partisan studies and research center at the school.

Turner, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, educated in the United Kingdom and lives in Bethesda, Md., seemed a bit more sympathetic toward Americans than the average European.

As an example of the cultural gap between Americans and Europeans, Turner spotlighted the Fox television show "Joe Millionaire," in which European women are duped into believing the Texas man introduced to them is a millionaire who will pick one to be his everlasting love.

At one point, "Texas cowboy," as Turner called him, sits down to eat with the women and wants to "say grace" before the meal. The women were apparently shocked by praying before the meal, as the Texas cowboy is also surprised by the women's enthusiasm with which they drink alcohol as well as the quantity they drink.

He said there continues to be a gap in understanding between the two cultures, also explaining that a recent poll in Europe showed Europeans think the greatest threat to world peace is America.

"America really is different," Turner also explained.

He listed those ways in which Americans are so very different from their European counterparts.

Religion is a large difference. While religion may play a large part in the everyday life of the American, it does not for the average European.

He said many Europeans would be considered "heathen compared to Americans."   The fact that Americans are "deeply patriotic" is also an oddity.

"Some English people regard this as shocking," Turner said in reference to the large amount of American flags that appear around July 4. Many view their own British flag with negative connotations.

And the Pledge of Allegiance? Forget about it. Turner said Europeans want to know why anyone would raise their right hand and pledge their allegiance.

"It means something here. It's alive and well and important," Martin said of American patriotism.

Another difference he cited was the vast difference in the military strength of the United States as opposed to the rest of the world.

Great Britain, he said, is the next most powerful militarily, but even the second most powerful military is far behind technologically. He said Britain is so far behind that it's difficult for the two countries to work together.

He explained the U.S. spends 12 times more on military strength than the next 12 countries in line put together.

"The extent of American superiority is breathtaking," Turner said.

He further said invention and technological breakthroughs are more advanced from the United States, and that Americans work harder. On average, he said, Americans work an average of one more day per week, take five weeks less of vacation and work more overtime than European workers.

"I don't understand," Turner said. "I value my holiday -- my vacation."

Health care is also a dividing point, in that universal health care is the norm in Europe, he said.

Another great divide for Europeans is the George W. Bush administration in the U.S.

"He leaves them feeling cold, confused, angry. They feel more strongly about him than their own politicians," Turner said.

And even more Europeans can't understand why Americans voted for Bush, noting Europeans "detest" what he stands for.

"Their deep seated dislike for someone they don't know fascinates me," Turner remarked.

He also said Europeans don't understand where the United States is heading under Bush, noting that during the Cold War, people felt the U.S. and Europe were heading in the same general direction.

Turner admits that from these ideas, his colleagues believe America is misguided.

"But the reality is much more complex," Turner said, noting later that Europeans "have no real understanding" of Americans.