>>141 "Some people here honestly believe that nice and normally intelligent Americans are exceptions."

 in many respects that is true.juest seeing some of the younger Americans is enough to dout. although many will grow out of ignorance, the sheer stupidaty of some is amazing. I dont want to say that all Americans are stupid, but many dont know the basics in High School that have been mastered by kids in other countrys their age. 
  and as for a second language, most kids in high school here in America juest dont care enough to spend the time to learn it! and for this, the ones who do like to learn other languages ARE the exceptions!