[Vigilanteman]

Yep. The problem with tourists is where they go. Too many go to liberal sewers like San Fransicko, New York, DC and LA. They find only a slightly Americanized version of what they went on vacation to escape from in the first place. Thus it is not surprising they do not have a good experience.

On the other hand, those who visit the real America and less traveled tourist destinations like Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Salt Lake City or even Pittsburgh, PA, come away with a positive feeling because people in flyover country don't have to be told to be nice. They are that way naturally.

And the San Fransicko Chronicle will never figure it out.

[Mr. Jeeves]

On the other hand, those who visit the real America and less traveled tourist destinations like Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Salt Lake City or even Pittsburgh, PA...

Well, foreign visitors aren't especially interested in those types of places. They want to go to New York, Miami, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, just like Americans want to go to London, Paris, and Rome. Besides, they learned from watching Hollywood films that those places are full of fat, redneck racists. ;)

I think the big problem is the post-9/11 security changes rather than the rudeness of Americans. With all the red tape that's been added, I wouldn't be anxious to come here either.