[Knitebane]

They feel paternalistic towards them.

I forget which general in the Middle East that said, "Why do the English love the Arabs? They see a dark man in a dress and go all wobbly."

I suspect it's doubly true for the Euros.

[Moonmad27]

I forget which general in the Middle East that said, "Why do the English love the Arabs? They see a dark man in a dress and go all wobbly."
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True - and that reminds me of the paternalistic phrase William Howard Taft used to use, calling third worlders our "little brown brothers" that the West had to assist. I think that feeling still dominates the Europeans' attitude - although they'd never admit it!