Is it just me, or do you ever wonder whether righties ever leave home?
Americans tourists have pretty much always been regarded as “ugly†in the sense that we have the temerity to be wealthy enough to afford vacations to foreign countries, then show up over there and instead of just handing over our traveler’s checks, we actually talk, dress and act in an American fashion.
Does this guy think all foreigners live in dirt hovels and dress in lederhosen? Good grief. In Europe these days, about the only way you can pick an American tourist out of the crowd is by the big red maple leaf on his T-shirt.
And given the currency exchange rates, I ‘spect your average foreign tourist finds it more affordable to come here than average Americans can afford to go there.
The rightie had linked to an article in the Telegraph (UK) that says the US State Department is issuing guides on how to behave abroad. The advice may be more aimed at businessmen than tourists.
Under a programme starting next month, several leading US companies will give employees heading abroad a “World Citizens Guide” featuring 16 etiquette tips on how they can help improve America’s battered international image.
Get this:
Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA), a non-profit group funded by big American companies, has also met Karen Hughes, the head of public diplomacy at the State Department, to discuss issuing the guide with every new US passport. The goal is to create an army of civilian ambassadors.
Let’s be sure Karen Hughes gets some copies before she takes another Middle East goodwill tour and embarrasses us all again.
The guidelines boil down to don’t brag, don’t lecture, don’t proselytize, and don’t argue about politics. Especially US politics.
Hmm, maybe it’s better if the righties continue to stay home.
Other than “whenever possible, let them think you’re Canadian,” what other guidelines might we suggest for American innocents abroad?