Should Americans be "less American"

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I don't see being American as being a bad thing at all... we are very lucky to be who we are, and have all that we do.

But, see, it can be, if you're talking about safety issues. You can be the nicest, most respectful person in the world, but if you're wearing your Buffett tour shirt and carrying your LL Bean backpack, you can become a convenient target for anti-American behavior even if you did *nothing* to warrant it. You may need to melt into the background, and you can't do that if what you wear and how you act screams "AMERICAN!"....

[rednekkPH]

Bottom line: if you travel overseas, have a plan for if things go sour. Take the embassy numbers with you. KNOW how to use the local phone system. Make sure the phone in your hotel room works. If your cell doesn't work overseas, rent one when you get where you're going.

I'll add one peice of advice to this very good list. Unless absolutely necessary, stay the hell out of the places that don't like us! I fully understand that some of us must travel to such places for work, be it public or private sector, but for pete's sake, don't go there for pleasure. Even if you're not worried about being harmed, why give your money to a bunch of people who would like to see you dead?

[Sam]

I know exactly what SGH has posted. I have refrained from posting in this thread.

SAFETY and SECURITY arethe primary issue, especially these days. If you are traveling do A LOT of research on the place and it's customs, political situation and stability,among other things.

Take time to learn some of the culture and values they hold,Some of the language they speak, above all don't ever forget....YOU ARE NOT IN AMERICA. You are in another country and they have THEIR OWN WAY of doing things. I have seen rude people from more countries than I care to remember.

America DOES NOT HOLD the sole claim to fame for rudeness or arrogance. People are individuals, no matter where they are from.

[tikitatas]

but 9 times out of 10.....if you notice an ugly behaving foreigner...it's gonna be an American complaining why that place isn't more like America.

Yep, unfortunately true....

But what originally brought this subject up was state department guidance on being *safer* by being "less American." There is a huge groundswell of anti-American sentiment overseas, and depending where you are traveling that can be a dirty look, a snide remark, or as bad as being attacked or kidnapped. If we can tone down our "Americanisms" we will be much safer. Wearing an American flag on your shirt in some countries is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. An "I'll wear what I want and act like I want, dammit" attitude shows that ugly American thing again.....

There are two issues here: one is respect for another country's traditions, but the other is a very practical throttling back of American dress and attitudes in an effort to be SAFE. Yep, it takes a little swallowing of American pride sometimes. But I'd rather swallow my pride than get the sh*t beat out of me, or disappear......

How many of us Americans know enough about Canada to quickly "become" a Canadian in a tight spot? Not when dealing with officials, police, etc, but in a social setting where your gut tells you it's not a smart time to belt out God Bless America.... Not a bad idea to learn a little bit about Canada so you can "pass" if you have to, depending on what part of the world you're visiting.

I have a co-worker who is a Hispanic-American. He got caught in a mob in the middle east and started yammering away in Spanish. "No hablo" when asked if he spoke English. When asked where he was from, he said a small island in the Caribbean. If they thought he was an American, they would have beaten him to a pulp and quite probably killed him.

Bottom line: if you travel overseas, have a plan for if things go sour. Take the embassy numbers with you. KNOW how to use the local phone system. Make sure the phone in your hotel room works. If your cell doesn't work overseas, rent one when you get where you're going.

Don't be so naive as to think the world loves us. They don't.

You can be an honorary Canuckian ANYTIME, Jen!!

[SchoolGirlHeart]

You can be an honorary Canuckian ANYTIME, Jen!!

Thank you, my Canuckian friend. Eh?