16 etiquette tips to improve America's battered international image.

[AGENDA21]

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

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

[Chomp]

1. Is one of the tips "Don't bomb the locals"?

[rodeodance]

2. omgawd--these tips are for US citizens on how to behave abroad! to

improve our image! The irony of this!


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.

[Olney Blue]

3. Tip: If you see a terrorist, fight him over there so we don't have to

fight them over here.

[rodeodance]

4. 'Speak softly, don't argue and slow down'

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

[rodeodance]

5. n.

[Catrina]

6. Does it say to keep Karen Hughes and Condy Rice home?

I laughed when I read that Karen Hughes is participating in this, she who insulted those women in Egypt, I believe it was, when she lectured them on THEIR role in their own society. I believe her 'diplomatic trip' abroad was a disaster.

I remember her being asked what she thought about the women and children being killed in Iraq She was shocked, as if it all had nothing to do with her and muttered the usual 'freedom, liberty nonsense. They simply block their beautiful minds when it comes to taking in the images of their crimes that the rest of the world sees.

Once we get rid of these psychopaths, then the US may be able to start to repair the damage they've done. Until then, there is simply no way, imo.

I was in Ireland in 2000, in November and Bill Clinton was there right before the end of his term in office. He was so welcomed everywhere he went. By contrast, when Bush went to Ireland, (I guess he finally learned where Belfast was) they had to bring out every law-enforcement agency at their disposal to keep the protestors away from him.

As usual, they are blaming someone else for the hatred that now exists all over the world for the US. Maybe they really don't get it. Why they are hated. Tourism is down, foreign students are finding other countries to go to. They've ruined this country ~ I can't persuade my friends from Europe to visit 'until you guys get rid of Bush et al' ~

[medeak]

7. "don't talk politics"

best friends I made overseas were over heated political debates

that's what Europeans do....pubs, cafes...smoking and talking talking talking. What idiots in state dept.

[MADem]

9. Totally--people who frequent this board would probably do fine overseas

It's just the Monkey apologists who have trouble. Of course, they have all the cash, so they can afford to travel and make asses of themselves.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. THIS just blows my mind! Why don't they practice what they preach???

• Your religion is your religion and not necessarily theirs. (Religion is usually considered deeply personal, not a subject for public discussions.)

[American Tragedy]

10. Half of this is insultingly obvious, the rest absolutely ridiculous

Of course, I'm envisioning it when applied to relatively intelligent, sensitive individuals. I can certainly think of some people out there who should simply avoid ever engaging in political/religious discussion, anywhere, much less abroad.

[JohnyCanuck]

11. Leave your depleted uranium at home.

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20060307010324data_trunc_sys.shtml

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4124449

[Divernan]

12. These "etiquette tips" are not necessary for most traveling Americans.

If you read between the lines of this article, you see hype for some outfit marketing themselves to American corporations and businesspeople.
Quote: •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."

My comment:
American foreign policy and corporate practices, and the people who implement them ARE seen as and actually for the most part ARE arrogant, insensitive, over-materialistic and ignorant about local values. This is NOT true of the Americans how visit foreign lands for pleasure and out of personal interest. And this is NOT how the local people I have spent time with in Europe, Asia, or Central America view American tourists.

This negative views alluded to by the BDA reflects the typical greedy, high level corporate executive - the kind of person whose job is his/her whole life, and who measures the value of his/her life by winning at the sick game of who can make the most money and accumulate the most possessions. These are people with such a narrow minded focus that they have no interest in and derive no pleasure from visiting foreign lands, learning about different cultures, etc. If they accumulate fine art it is as an investment and based upon what others tell them will appreciate the most. They dash back and forth on business trips to the most interesting and exotic cities in the world and are limousined from airport to hotel to business meeting and back to the airport. They do NOT bring spouse or children with them and stay for vacation time to really experience new places and people.

Next quote:
"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."
My comment: This just reinforces my belief that the negative views of Americans claimed by the BDA refer far more on corporate types than tourists. I travel a lot, sometimes with my S.O., sometimes on my own. One of the joys of traveling is meeting other tourits/Americans at hotels, on planes & in airports, and on mini-excursions I may sign up for once I am at some world renowned location. These are some of the nicest, most interesting, culturally educated, well-traveled people I've ever met. They have prepared to visit countries by learning the currency system, the rudiments of the language & local culture; they have language guides and maps with them. There is a tremendous market for travel guides for American tourists.In contrast, you can always tell a corporate traveler, because they are too busy working on their laptops or reading documents on the plane or in the airport to interact with other travelers. They are met at the airport with a limo and never have to interact with locals at all.
Final quote:
Of course, US foreign policy - and perceptions of it - currently has the biggest impact on the image of Americans abroad. 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."

My comment: In violation of one of BDA's "commandments", I invariably get into political discussions with locals wherever I travel. It's a simple matter of saying, I'd like to ask you a question, but you don't have to answer if you don't wish to. What do you think of Bush's foreign policy? or What do you think of Bush's War on Iraq. The locals I meet, whether doctors or waiters, sales people or taxi drivers are not shy about expressing their opinions. And I welcome the opportunity to let them know that the majority of Americans disapprove of Bush's policies, and that I worked for Kerry in the last campaign.

[sarcasmo]

13. Quit blowing other peoples stuff up and killing their families.

This country is the bully that no one stands up to.