Replies

I have given the following advice to Americans traveling abroad for business: BE the ugly American! We don't want to disappoint our international friends!

When in Belgium on business, greet the natives with 'buon giorno, boys!' Call all the Swiss people you encounter 'Frenchy.' Hum tunes like 'Viva Las Vegas' as you go about your day.

I am convinced that many folks overseas, to a large extent, want to (and indeed may need to) feel superior to and be dismissive of americano visitors. The best defense is to just be dismissive of their dismissiveness.

It's fun!

I have given the following advice to Americans traveling abroad for business: BE the ugly American! We don't want to disappoint our international friends!

LOL, good point! We have a liberal reporter masquerading as a pro-Bush American asking questions (no doubt with a lisp) to the average liberal slob on the street. Notice the real American wasn't having the slightest problem......things that make you go Hmmmmmmm......