Americans: Are they all crazy?

So I'm going to be going to the big US of A in a couple of months time and I'm a little worried. The only experience I have of Americans is from TV shows and I'm worried that they're all going to be like they are on TV. Which is all well and good if it's like a Seinfeld episode, but not so good if it's a Simpsons episode or, even worse, American Idol!!!

So I know this is a broad question, but what are Americans actually like in person?

Hi Black Kettle,

These are just the stereotypes. I've found New Yorkers to be some of the friendliest people in the world! I was dragging my suitcase through the Bronx a couple of years ago (the Bronx is renowned for being a bad neighbourhood) and some lady came running out of her apartment to ask me if I was lost. She then went back into her apartment and called my friend to find out exactly where I had to go.

I've travelled quite a lot and never had this happen to me anywhere else in the world. Maybe it's the post 9/11 thing, I'm not sure.

The rest of the Americans I've met are fairly friendly too, but they can sometimes be unaware of events outside America. But I blame their awful TV for that!

David