Americans Abroad

Almost all Americans I've met abroad have been friendly, worldly and well-informed people (and mainly anti-Bush). Admittedly, most of these Americans I met in countires like Vietnam and Guatemala - places which are off the beaten track compared to your regular Ameican tourist haunts such as Rome, Paris, London or Cancun. However, I am perfectly aware that there are American tourists that some people may take offence to. Well, America is tired of its poor repuation:

The reputation of the ugly American abroad is not just some cruel stereotype. Rather, says the United States Government, it is worryingly accurate.

Now the State Department in Washington has joined forces with US industry to plan an image makeover by issuing guides on how to behave for Americans travelling overseas.

Under a program starting next month, several big US companies will give employees going abroad a "world citizen's guide" featuring 16 etiquette tips on how they can help improve their country's battered international image.

This is great. No more loud annoying American tourists. Similarly, the Australian government should educate Aussie yobs in etiquette before they are allowed to travel overseas to drink cheap beer in Bangkok or work in a London pub. It's truly saddening when your fellow country men act like complete wankers abroad. In Argentina I considered, ever-so-briefly, telling foreigners I was a New Zealander so I wouldn't be associated with the Aussie drunken fools in our hostel. When an Aussie considers pretending to be a Kiwi, you know there's a problem.