'Speak softly, don't argue and slow down' (guide to travelling abroad)

[DeepModem Mom]

UK Telegraph: 'Speak softly, don't argue and slow down'
By Philip Sherwell
(Filed: 16/04/2006)


'Ugly American' abroad: Worryingly accurate

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.

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"....

(NOTE: Suggestions, and more information, follow in the article.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/16/wtour16.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/04/16/ixworld.html

[Oversea Visitor]

1. What the guide say about bush?

:rofl:

[SpiralHawk]

3. "Deny him three times before the cock crows."

(and slip the Official 12 talents of silver) and your tourist visa shall be stamped

[Oversea Visitor]

5. Deny him 3 times

You end up with plenty to drink :rofl:

[madeline_con]

8. At least three drinks, anyway..... n/t

[unhappycamper]

2. my favorite line from the Telegraph article:

~snip~

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.)

:rofl:

[Oversea Visitor]

4. Ok

at least they know what they talking about
Cause lots of people going to insult bush.
Nothing against Americans
But no love for bush loving Americans

[madeline_con]

7. "(... even if someone is attacking US politicians ...

or policies. Agree to disagree.)"

It doesn't occur to these yahoos you might just join in! :think:

[Retired AF Dem]

6. Slow down?

On the German Autobahn? That will get you killed.

[CTyankee]

14. and on some of the streets in Palermo

an American would take his life in his hands! Between their zippy little cars and Vespa's the Sicilians drive like wild men and women.

[CrispyQ]

9. Much of this is common courtesy,

which I believe is sadly lacking in our country. Americans are simply taking our bad behavior abroad. Maybe we should apply these etiquette suggestions here at home, too.

Also, I have serious issues with the slogan "Help your country while you travel for your company." Who is the biggest offender of bad behavior in this country? Our government.

[MuseRider]

11. I was just getting ready

to post that. It sounds just like something we ought to do here as well.

[mfeher71]

10. Speaking of...

When I was in Dublin two years ago, every single night I was out, I had the misfortune of either being around or having to suffer in close proximity to my asinine countrypeople. Most of them were just dumb high school or college kids whose only goal while in Ireland was to drink until they puked, but the adults were just as idiotic, espousing some armchair political nonsense while abroad, which, when heard by myself, I thought, "No wonder we are rightly considered idiots". My Irish cabdriver from the airport knew more about our *local* politics than Americans know at the national level.

[lutefisk]

12. Leave your flag lapel pins and Bush/Cheney stickers home...

I wonder if anyone is selling "Bush/Cheney" patches that can be sewn on back packs? I think that would be a great way for true Bush supporters to open up a dialog in other countries while traveling.

[CrispyQ]

13. I would love to travel abroad

with my collection of anti-boosh shirts!

[CTyankee]

15. I don't take American T shirts abroad

I want to just blend in as much as possible. Many Americans, I think, just don't know about local mores and customs; they're not intentionally rude. My tour guide in Sicily last December had to remind a few tour members that they should not just use the coffee bars as places to use the bathrooms. They should say "Buon giorno!" and have a capuccino or fresh orange juice. But no, in went these Americans, not saying a word to the bar owner and just trooped into the bathroom and then out again. Agh!