Concernant les réponses sur l'Europe c'est assez clair, du coté Américain le coté historique se détache, c'est leurs origines et la base de leur culture, coté Francais c'est surtout l'aspect politique qui se détache. Nous voyons l'Europe comme une Union de grands pays mais je pense que nous avons du mal à nous envisager comme Européen.

Based on the responses from the American side, it does seem that there's a detachment from concrete associations in favor of more abstract ideas. For instance, many people think of Europe as a beautiful vacation destination, or a diverse seat of culture. However, on the French side, Europe was more closely associated with its current state. People mentioned its currency, its power, the countries that it comprises. I wonder if the American abstraction has to do with a sense of separation (both in time and distance) from Europe.

I agree, Pierre-Antoine, that we tend to think of our nationality first, and our continent second (if at all). I find it difficult to imagine a circumstance where I'd ever describe or think of myself as North American.

Aujourd'hui, en France quand on parle d'Europe on parle surtout de l'aspect politique avec l'Union Européenne. Les pays de l'Europe sont très différent culturellement et nous n'avons pas vraiment d'histoire commune comme au Etats Unis d'Amérique, je pense que c'est avant tous pour cela que l'on ce dit avant tout français et non européen.   

Pensez vous qu'il y a un "Europe way of life" ?

Pauline, I think that there is an "European way of life" as much as there is an "American way of life". By comparing with my perception of Americans and Asians, I'd say that humanism is stronger in Europe, that Europeans tend to care more about social and environmental issues, they like to balance family life and professional life, they have a view of the world based on dialogue and tolerance (at least lately), they are skeptical and cynical, and they strongly value literature and arts. Given said that, I know that there are big differences between a Finnish and an Italian, or between a Russian and a Spaniard. But so there are between a Texan, a Californian, an Alaskan, and a Bostonian.