Gamins

Europeans have a complicated relationship to Americans, riddled with jealousy - and contempt. And often what they reproach them is to be "des grands gamins" - big kids.

I think the analogy has a few parts:
- only living for the here and now - with no regard nor interest for past or future - no knowledge of history, no sense of historical perspective wrt American hegemony. But also, living for instant reward, and instant gratification (poor impulse control - consumeritis?); having no desire or will or ability to delay gratification for perhaps more interesting reward or outcome.
- no sense of humour. or at least no dark, no caustic, no second degree sense of humour. no appreciation for irony. In general of course with large caveats. Also, crass humor a la Beavis and Butthead, and below the belt or physical humor, doesn't count. (how different is that from thinking Americans are a little dumb?)
- no appreciation for nuances or moderation or balance. all is black and white.fabulous or awful. prozac or clinically depressed. overweight or eating disorder. evil or great. for or against us.

Thoughts?