Quote:
Originally Posted by Slims
The Ugly American stereotype is prevalent abroad and unfortunately well earned. It is poor form to travel to a foreign country and then stand out for dressing and acting like fools.
You don't act in a loud and boisterous manner and all reasonable attempts should be made to conform to local customs and courtesy's so as not to offend and to not attract attention.
I am skeptical however that they are actual soldiers and not contractors. Typically the soldiers who have the freedom to run around a foreign country won't act that way and the younger guys who would are not allowed out.
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i agree with these paragraphs and i'm not trying to defend or justify obnoxious behavior. i am also military and i can see how the only memorable Americans are the Ugly Americans, but is it too much to ask for cultural toleration of one another? i dont bash on muslims because they dress or worship or talk or behave differently than i do. there really shouldn't be a reason why a host country can't understand, but not necessarily condone, American soldiers acting in an American fashion towards one another as long as they dont offend any of the indigenous population.
However, if it was contractors that wore the stars and stripes jumpsuit while sucking down a double gulp of lardo-cola and not being at the very least, cautious, about cultural differences, then i can understand why people would get upset.