Our American cousins

Why is it that whenever I meet Americans, I always feel hugely inadequate as a human being? Most of the Yanks I have met have been loud, opinionated, brash and - annoyingly - positive about life.

This is what I both admire and loathe about our friends from across the pond - their infectious enthusiasm about everything. Don't get me wrong, they whine and moan just as much as the rest of us, but somehow they flick an upbeat spin on it ... similar to the British "mustn't grumble" Blitz Spirit (which you see less and less these days) except they drench their complaints in glorious North American sunshine.

No wonder they've conquered the world with their cultural imperialism. It's hard not to get drawn in.