Posted on 04/15/2006 9:26:23 PM PDT by Family Guy
Loud and brash, in gawdy garb and baseball caps, more than three million of them flock to our shores every year. Shuffling between tourist sites or preparing to negotiate a business deal, they bemoan the failings of the world outside the United States.
The reputation of the "Ugly American" abroad is not, however, just some cruel stereotype, but - according to the American government itself - worryingly accurate. Now, the State Department in Washington has joined forces with American industry to plan an image make-over by issuing guides for Americans travelling overseas on how to behave.
'Ugly American' abroad: Worryingly accurate 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.
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.
The guide offers a series of "simple suggestions" under the slogan, "Help your country while you travel for your company". The advice targets a series of common American traits and includes:
• Think as big as you like but talk and act smaller. (In many countries, any form of boasting is considered very rude. Talking about wealth, power or status - corporate or personal - can create resentment.)
• Listen at least as much as you talk. (By all means, talk about America and your life in our country. But also ask people you're visiting about themselves and their way of life.)
• Save the lectures for your kids. (Whatever your subject of discussion, let it be a discussion not a lecture. Justified or not, the US is seen as imposing its will on the world.)
• Think a little locally. (Try to find a few topics that are important in the local popular culture. Remember, most people in the world have little or no interest in the World Series or the Super Bowl. What we call "soccer" is football everywhere else. And it's the most popular sport on the planet.)
• Slow down. (We talk fast, eat fast, move fast, live fast. Many cultures do not.)
• Speak lower and slower. (A loud voice is often perceived as bragging. A fast talker can be seen as aggressive and threatening.)
• Your religion is your religion and not necessarily theirs. (Religion is usually considered deeply personal, not a subject for public discussions.)
• If you talk politics, talk - don't argue. (Steer clear of arguments about American politics, even if someone is attacking US politicians or policies. Agree to disagree.)
Keith Reinhard, one of New York's top advertising executives, who heads BDA, said: "Surveys consistently show that Americans are viewed as arrogant, insensitive, over-materialistic and ignorant about local values. That, in short, is the image of the Ugly American abroad and we want to change it."
The guide also offers tips on the dangers of dressing too casually, the pluses of learning a few words of the local language, use of hand gestures and even map-reading.
Of course, US foreign policy - and perceptions of it - currently has the biggest impact on the image of Americans abroad. President George W Bush recognised this when he appointed Ms Hughes, a close confidante, to head the country's public diplomacy push. But Mr Reinhard and his colleagues are convinced that individual Americans can also make a difference.
They also want to highlight the positives in foreigners' impression of the US as a land of opportunity, freedom, diversity and "can-do spirit" by boosting business and domestic travel to America.
"In many parts of the world, America is not getting the benefit of the doubt right now. People prefer to dump on us instead. But for many people, corporate America is their main point of contact, and that's where we come in."
Business for Diplomatic Action, which was formed in 2004, has already distributed 200,000 -passport-sized guides tailored to college students going abroad.
The group's next target is to raise funding for a colourful pictorial World Citizen's Guide For Kids for children on school or youth group trips. However, a spokesman for the National Tourism Agency for Britain said last night: "Americans have a certain reputation which, for the majority, is undeserved. These guidelines sound like good common sense but they're not something the majority of our American visitors need. As tourists, they're out to enjoy themselves and have a good time. We continue to welcome them."
The list of "simple suggestions" in the article could just be summed up as, "don't be a strong American because everyone else is weak and will cry because they feel inferior".
???? So, in other words they mistake us for being French?
You mean I shouldn't go to a foreign country and demand that others learn to speak English to accomodate me? Or I shouldn't march in their streets with a U.S. flag and signs in english, demanding 'rights'? I shouldn't expect their hospitals to give me free health care or their schools to educate my children in english for free? Or for them to give me food stamps and welfare?
Looks like other countries aren't nearly as stupid as we are.
"So, in other words they mistake us for being French?"
Naw!! We're just bein' us.
But most important, can I put a towel on the lounge by the pool in the morning so that it's reserved it all day?
I think we have prevent John Kerry from traveling abroad anymore.
Unless you're in an islamic country. Then it will be pounded into your head 5 times a day that you're an infidel who is only 'worth' half of what a muslim is. Unless you're a Jew. Then you're only worth a quarter. Or a Hindu. Then you're only worth a sixteenth.
Of course if you're a Jew in an islamic country you may not make it out alive. Remember Daniel Pearl?
L
Sorry, if I have a question about religion, I'll ask it. There are ways to discuss these things and sound curious about them. That's a part of me that I don't hide or go out of my way to be vocal about, and it's not something I'm going to suppress in a foreing country. Just common sense and respect.
As for slowing down, that really depends on where you are. There are places in London where the Brits will mow you down if you're going too slow. Well, they're like that all over the place.
It's just a matter of trying to fit in and being respectful. Common sense.
Perhaps we should start doing our best to fit in in Europe. You know, act like Soccer hooligans or Paris students.
"World Citizens Guide"
Well, alrighty then. State's dispensing with the subterfuge. Thank heaven for small favors, I guess.
I would respectfully disagree with you. Though it's true that there are many Parisians who are rude, they aren't just rude to you--they're rude to everyone, including their own countrymen from different parts of France. Parisians can be so appalling that they're just about out of this discussion anyway.
I've seen my American countrymen behaving in ghastly ways. American girls trying to enter a cathedral wearing a bikini top and shorts with half their butts hanging out, chewing gum and laughing--this is an insult in any country. Americans in Spain yelling that a courteous and erudite Spanish gentleman is a "goddamn spic." An American family in Vienna, contemplating the art of the Schonbrunn palace, saying loudly in the middle of an international tour group, "Jesus Christ, what a bunch of shit, let's get out of here." This is barbaric behavior and makes us all look like fools.
Are there ignorant, crude Englishmen, Germans, Italians? Yes, of course, but they rarely come over here to act like slobs. Anyway, we can't fix their behavior, only ours.
Overseas maybe. But here in the USA, your religion is considered a criminal offense by liberals, leftists, communists, homosexuals of the socialist democrat party and MSM.
So I guess "Nice city - I'd nuke that" is out of the question?
"The list of "simple suggestions" in the article could just be summed up as, "don't be a strong American because everyone else is weak and will cry because they feel inferior".
For more than 50 years blue state liberals have been the face of Americans on European vacation.
Maybe it is time for Europe to meet normal Americans.
Fairview, you are definitely right. I wasn't saying that Americans don't need to behave ourselves. We definitely do need to. I was commenting that I don't believe the list of "simple suggestions" would solve the problem. I think whoever came up with them is way off base. Becoming wimpy and weak as well as rude isn't going to make us any more loved in the world. We should remain strong and at the same time be courteous and respectful.
In France, carry a white flag at all times....and, if you happen to speak loudly in German, don't be surprised if Frenchmen bend over and grab their ankles in front of you.
A couple of years ago the wife and I spent some very nice time in Malaga, Spain. We are both very quiet, easy going people. Malaga was wonderful and the people very friendly, but there were a few who were very obnoxious when they found out we were American.
I know that some Americans can be very obnoxious, they are here in this country all the time. But I also think that many Europeans have a fixed impression of American's in their minds and an individual's personal conduct means nothing.
The wife and I also used to make several trips a year to Victoria, BC (right next door). Our last one was shortly following 9/11 when one local scratched some nice comments about American's in the paint of our car. One police officer went so far as to suggest that we should understand that some of their citizens were upset with our nation.
Respect is a two way street.
In much of the rest of France the treatment of American's is far different and has been for many years.
I loved the French, but I've never been to Paris.
My experiences were in places like Valdeone, Bourg-lastic , and Dieuze.
The French Special Forces were reserved, humble (even shy) guys that loved the Texan openness.
They wanted to cross the room to speak with the American but were hesitant to do so, they loved it when the distance was covered by the "Texan".
A truly warm, caring, person will always be accepted, and if your vacation drags on remember this, " hard physical work is universally respected".
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