This morning, I found the following eMail in my inbox:
„First, let me apologize for not being able to write this in German. I hope that you understand English (or can translate it well enough).
My name is David, I live in Chicago and I came across your weblog (we call them ‚blogs‘ in the US, do you?) by serching Google. I am 29 years old and I have a strange question to ask you. I am planning to visit Germany, probably Berlin, for a few days next month and I am worried that the German people may be un-friendly to Americans. Should I expect people to treat me badly while I am there? I have only been to Poland and the Czech Republic before 2001 so I don’t know if European views of Americans has changed a lot since then. I read in the newspaper that 30% of Germans under 30 years old think that the US government may have been behind the September 11 attacks. I also know the views of most of Europe toward the Iraq war was very negative. And I agree a little with them. I am just looking for a nice vacation and I don’t want to be shocked to find that no one will like me in Germany. I know this is a strange question to be asked from a total stranger, but I liked your blog and thought you might be able to give me an honest answer.
Thank you for your time.
Dave“
Although I will reply to him privately, I wanted to share this eMail with you. What would your answer look like?