It seems that nationalism isn't far below the surface in this argument, with a number of people seemingly regarding admiration of, and support for, Boeing as being their 'patriotic duty', and the rubbishing of anything else as being a similar obligation.
It must smart that the Europeans built (and still operate) the World's only practical SST, and that they built the first successful FBW airliners. The A380 must be a similar 'irritant'.
But a white elephant? The aircraft carries 500 passengers, yet can turn a profit with a 747-load, and the break-even load factors of the existing 747-400 and the small A380 are within a whisker of each other. And those decrying the A380 would doubtless maintain that the 747-400 is a good size for an airplane. So even if they can't fill a 380 every trip, it makes more sense than a 747, because they can give the passengers more comfort, a higher cruising speed and a fractionally cheaper ticket.
ZEKE
Perhaps you have some insight on the operating costs of A380?