UGLY AMERICAN

A question circulating throughout the news media today is: "Why do so many foreigners hate Americans?" The simple answer to that question from one who knows is, they don't.

I spent around fourteen years overseas with the US military in more countries than you can shake a stick at. During this entire time I encountered very few instances of down right hatred. Things may have changed somewhat since I retired but I do not believe they could have changed that much.

Attitude has a lot to do with being accepted in any society, foreign or otherwise, and far too many Americans travel abroad with an improper attitude.

I have personally witnessed American tourists being obnoxious and arrogant with local nationals. I have heard them shout such obscenities as, "You stupid Kraut!" or you ignorant Frog!" "Why can't you speak English you dumb Wop!" I have also heard and witnessed - much worse.

Too many Americans fail to understand that when they are in a foreign country it is their responsibility to adapt to the language, culture and customs of that country, not the other way around.

For example, why should a Frenchman be required to speak English in order to help you when you've made no visible effort to learn the slightest bit of French?

Fortunately for we Americans, more foreign nationals speak English than there are Americans who do.
My first encounter with foreign nationals was many years ago in the small town of Orleans France. I could not speak French and knew almost nothing about French customs and culture, except for what I had read in historical novels.

One of the first locals I met was a Catholic priest who spoke very little English. We got to know each other through Latin. I had studied Latin in school and the priest knew Ecclesiastical Latin and we managed to get along quite well in this supposedly dead language. My American buddies and the French nationals passing by didn't understand a word we said but the priest and I, as the euphemism goes, really connected.

The priest, who also taught college at a private school and was highly respected throughout the city, took me under his wing and introduced me to many local people, many who spoke English and several families with very attractive young daughters my age.

Had I not gone out of my way to learn their customs and language, I am certain I would have been seen as just another American GI on the prowl for easy fun and mischief – and more.

As it was, I was blessed to learn the wonders of French culture, history, language and society. A culture I love even to this day.

Consequently, I carried that positive and adaptable attitude over to the other countries in which I was later stationed and always managed to make friends wherever I went. The world is unique and a writer can learn so much if he or she thinks of other countries and cultures as new neighbors.

There will always be a small percentage of foreign nationals who do not like Americans because of envy, jealousy, misunderstandings, or due to a difference in political ideology or religious beliefs, but we must never add to that hatred by being the proverbial ugly American that some have dubbed us.

We must do unto others, as we would have them do unto us even if there is a communications barrier. Good deeds and courtesy will overcome any barrier.

We must never forget that anytime we are outside our own country we are, in effect, American Ambassadors.

It takes little effort to be courteous and friendly, but it takes tremendous effort to overcome prejudices left by "Ugly Americans."