Have you ever been traveling in another country and found yourself ashamed to be American because of the behavior of some fellow countryman (or woman).
I have.
I was on a ferry from Cozumel back to Cancun while in Mexico for my friend's wedding in April. Around me were mostly Mexicans. They were quiet, stayed in their seats and minded their own buisness.
Then, two men dressed in cut-off jean shorts, T-shirts with beer advertisements and bright white sneakers climbed to the upper deck, swaying back and forth for reasons other than a lack of firm ground beneath them. They were loud, used four-letter words with abandon and wondered to each other where their b*****s were -- if they didn't show up soon, the ferry would leave without them.
Sure enough, the wives/girlfriends/whatever climbed aboard just as the motor was starting. They carried a neon tubes of alcohol in their hands and played with the beads around their necks as if they had just returned from Mardi Gras. They cavorted rambunctiously the whole trip back, much to the visible amazement and curiousity of the Mexicans seated around me.
I wanted to shrink into my seat and do whatever I could to disassociate myself from these people. I didn't want the Mexicans to think that just because I have pale skin, red hair and carry an American passport that I'm like them.
Check out this story from USA Today about how a lack of cultural awareness and proper etiquette has cost some celebrities, businesses, and even our president, their global credibility.
Leave a comment and tell us, have you ever found yourself in a situation like this?
What about illegals (from Mexico and other places) come to our country and commit felonies? Just playing devil's advocate.
I was born in the U.S. and live here (for a little while longer, until I am able to escape) and I'm embarrassed by Americans. I can't stand them. They make me sick. Hopefully getting humiliated in Iraq by not being able to put down a rebellion by a bunch of guys in track suits using old-ass rifles and homemade bombs might just deflate some of that ubiquitous obnoxious American arrogance. But I doubt it. If forced to retreat Americans will then loudly brag about how fast they were able to get out of there. ("See that dust cloud Bubba? Not just ANY country's military could make THAT big a dust cloud when they haul ass".) God I hate this country. I am counting the days until I can move someplace where the people have sense and where I can watch the news for more than 5 minutes without boiling with anger.
The quicker you leave, the better. May I suggest you might try Iran, Zimbabwe, Sudan or Libya? Please renounce your U. S. citizenship as soon as you get there so you won't be tempted to try to slither back in once you've learned how this country stacks up with those.
Oh, and don't let the door hit you in the ass!
Wow, the idiot above me must really be stuffing those "freedom fries" up his ass.
"AMERICA is the greatest, the rest of the world is inferior...blah blah blah...freedom...blah blah...white power!!!"