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I know this has been discussed ad nauseum on this board many times, but found this article on MSNBC.com and thought It to be relevant to the board. It's the first time I've read how other cultures see us, and think it may be usefull to repost it here.
the article reads as follows:
WASHINGTON - Alarmed by the relentless rise of anti-Americanism around the world, a business-backed group is trying to change the behavior that spawned an enduring stereotype of Americans abroad — loud, arrogant, ill-dressed, ill-mannered and lacking respect for other cultures.
For many years, much of the rest of the world distinguished between the United States and the American people. Americans tended to get better ratings than their country and its policies. But recent surveys show that favorable perceptions of Americans have been shrinking while views on the world’s only superpower grow increasingly hostile.
Enter Business for Diplomatic Action Inc. (BDA), a non-profit organization founded by advertising executive Keith Reinhard after a worldwide survey of attitudes towards Americans convinced him that “our collective personality is one of the root causes of anti-Americanism.â€
“We are seen as loud, arrogant and completely self-absorbed,†said Reinhard, chairman emeritus of the advertising agency DDB Worldwide. “People see in us the ultimate arrogance — assuming that everybody wants to be like us.â€
Tips of travelers
This month, San Francisco-based BDA — whose board includes executives from Exxon and McDonald’s — began distributing a “World Citizen’s Guide†to corporate travelers. Its 16 points are a mirror image of the behavioral patterns that earned Americans a boorish reputation in the first place. Here’s a sampler from the guide.
Think as big as you like but talk and act smaller. In many countries, any form of boasting is considered rude. Talking about wealth, power or status — corporate or personal — can create resentment.
Speak lower and slower. In conversation, match your voice level and tonality to the environment and other people. A loud voice is often perceived as bragging. A fast talker can be seen as aggressive and threatening
Dress up. You can always dress down. In some countries, casual dress is a sign of disrespect. Check out what is expected and when in doubt, err on the side of the more formal and less casual attire. You can remove a jacket and tie if you are overdressed. But you can’t make up for being too casual.
Listen at least as much as you talk. By all means, talk about America and your life in the country. But also ask people you’re visiting about themselves and their way of life. Listen, and show your interest in how they compare their experiences to yours.
Not good at listening
“We Americans just don’t listen,†said BDA’s executive director Cari Eggspuehler. “Listening is not an American trait.†Eggspuehler traveled the world when she worked for the U.S. Department of State before joining BDA.
More than 400 companies have expressed interest in the World Citizens Guide. Ten thousand copies have already been distributed and 30,000 more are now being printed under sponsorship from the National Business Travelers Association which works with BDA to push the initiative.
A proposal to the State Department to issue the guide along with every new or renewed U.S. passport is still under review, according to Eggspuehler.
The new guide for corporate executives follows similar but more detailed tips for U.S. students traveling abroad. Compiled by BDA and students at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, that guide was sponsored by PepsiCo and handed out to more than 200,000 students.
An estimated 60 million Americans travel abroad each year and BDA’s Reinhard sees all of them as potential ambassadors who might win the hearts and minds of their host countries, no matter how much people there might hate U.S. policies.
When word of the new guide first filtered onto Internet discussion groups, some participants were quick to point out that American travelers have no monopoly on boorish behavior.
Papa Nut
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The best revenge is living the good life!
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Sorry Jmac I've just heard so much about them.
FYI, Jerry Springer was a successful news commentator in Cincinnatti, who was elected mayor of the city. His political base became large enough that he made a serious run for Governor of the state. He was one of the youngest candidates and a contender for the office until he was outed by the media; seems he's one of us after all! Caught paying a prostitute with a personal check. Needless to say, his political career ended and the rest is history.
