Politeness is patriotic
April 18th, 2006 at 8:19 amThe “Ugly American” is a stereotype. But according to the US government it is an accurate picture of Americans abroad. Amazingly something is being done about it. Next month, industry and government join forces to give American employees abroad a “World Citizen Guide.” The guide is designed to help them behave appropriately. There is even talk of issuing the guide as with every new passport.
The typical Ugly American is loud, arrogant, and boastful. The guide helpfully suggests that Americans abroad should slow down. Here we talk, move, live, and eat fast. Of course, not everyone does: but slowing down is sound advice.
Talking loud is an invasion of other people’s privacy. Paying attention to how others are behaving will give clues. Religion is a matter of privacy, too. When we are secure, we don’t need to impress others with what we believe or what we have.
Our foreign policy has not enamored us to many countries that we recently had cordial relations with. If you talk politics, then do most of the listening. Listening with interest to different points of view or learning about different cultural practices is always a winning strategy.
It is so important that we act as ambassadors when we go abroad. America is full of generous, considerate, and well-mannered people. Slow down, listen, ask questions, be polite, and win friends. Politeness is patriotic.