It's always been low. In general when in Europe, i get the general opinion that you automatically get about 50 points knocked off of your assumed IQ as soon as people figure out you are American. General opinion is that we are a bunch of barbaric John Wayne types.
And as pointed out in the article, try at all costs to avoid letting a taxi driver know that you are from here. Being ridiculed by the driver is actually getting off pretty easier. There are driver's that will deliberately drop you off at the wrong spot when they find out your from the US.
"The fewer the words, the greater the importance. I love you. Three words. Goodbye. One word. Tinier even than I am, but with such power, such importance.." ~ Trifle