After World War II the world’s socialist dictators did their best to ruin your prestige. Sooner or later the history textbooks shortened the parts describing America’s merits during the two world wars.

When I went to high school, on the one hand, I had to realize that the U.S. had hardly participated in World War II; the USSR basically won it alone against the rest of the world. On the other hand, the U.S. played the lead in the chapter of history on imperialist/monopolist capitalism, that period in which a large number of unemployed, homeless, and starving people were exploited by the capitalist developed world.

In the 1950s the official message about the U.S. spread by newspapers and radio in our part of the world (we didn't have TV yet) was emotionally charged. The most commonly used words included warmonger, liar, aggressor, colonialist, exploiter, imperialist and gendarme of the world. Let's put it this way: it was not a flattering image. It was now more like the United Sins of America…

In spite of the efficient propaganda and censorship, people succeeded in keeping alive the "old" image in secret. America was still the wonderland for those who knew something about it -- who dared to, because talk about the U.S. was dangerous. Having family over there was even worse; one could lose one’s job because of American relatives if someone reported them.

In the 1980s, the sine wave curved back into the positive zone. Now government sources and private statements compete to give sometimes impossibly possible credit to your country. It's the United Steaks of America again, and meatier than ever. Many people in Poland and in Hungary share the hope that we'll get a couple of slabs of those thick steaks.

One of the most common expectations sounds like this: The U.S. has spent zillions for the fight against communism. Why couldn't it spend a few billion to help Eastern countries who are ready to move back into the Western family of nations?

Other people (including myself) are doubtful. We cannot forget America's ambiguous behavior in 1956. Hungary was encouraged by the enthusiastic statements of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. The president said, "Budapest is no longer merely the name of a city. Henceforth, it is a new and shining symbol of man's yearning to be free." But in the following months when the Russian Red Army crushed the Hungarian Revolution, the president and U.S. government were quiet.

To my great surprise, this silence did not cause much damage to the U.S. image. Today America is one of the most fondly used words in Eastern Europe, synonymous with hope, and with good. An American car means a reliable, faultless vehicle. (I won't tell you the meaning of a Russian car.) An American film is something you must see. An American book can expect a high ranking on the bestseller list. Having an American business partner means almost guaranteed financial success. An American relative is as good as gold.

We certainly have our differences. When Europeans, especially Eastern Europeans, give each other a friendly greeting kiss, they always kiss both cheeks. Americans kiss only one. When a Hungarian comes to the U.S., it’s common to encounter some head collisions and awkward misinterpretations when he attempts to kiss new acquaintances on both cheeks. At the same time, Hungarians are willing to adopt American traditions. Sooner or later, the Hungarian will adjust to the single kiss. But by then it’s too late, his American friends have already accepted the habit of the double kiss, and more head collisions and misinterpretations will ensue. The embarrassment is still there.

Amar, please come to Hungary. Despite the inevitable misunderstandings, you are going to be loved here.