Not only Yanks
Throughout my travels I have found that all nationalities have about their fair share of saints and of ar53h01es, but I wonder how much perception is influenced by our experience even when we know we only see part of the picture?
When you're in a place that is full of quiet, unobtrusive Englishmen, of the sort once called gentlemen (and/or ladies), you don't notice them. When the place is full of drunken, loudmouthed chavs (an urban underclass, sometimes explained as "Council House And Violent" for the benefit of overseas readers) you can't miss them, but you try. Equally loudmouthed Yanks etc are easily noticed and you may not notice the gentlemen.
I can't remember who said it of whom (but I think it was Scottish enlightenment philosphers), but I accept that it sometimes applies to me:
"He hates all men as a group, but loves Tom, Dick and Harry as individuals"
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