<BR>I don't mind it when people in foreign countries figure out I'm American. They don't always do so either. It sometimes annoys me when people in places like Austria overhear me and my partner talking English and assume we are *British*. That happens a lot to us. Why do they always think we are Brits?

Ilisa, you make a good point. I, for one, am not ashamed of being an Amercian. After all, why do so many peoples from around the world try to emanate us and have emigrated to the US? <BR> <BR>I think there is a distinction between an American who is well-behaved and well-groomed and the "Ugly American". <BR> <BR>As Vincent points out, being "Ugly" is not just an American thing. Many other nationalities also have thier "Uglies" and they are scorned just as much. <BR> <BR>And to Bob Brown and Tony Hughes .... I've had similar discussions with friends in Italy concerning my italian heritage. Without question, they do consider me an American, not italian, but when asked about my nationality, I always answer, italian. We have had some lengthy discussions as to what italians born in the US have for customs and what food we eat. And my cousins in italy are surprised to learn that we are more similar than they thought or imagined. The reasons are many, but let's just say that the so-called "melting pot" referred to the US is more mythical than actuality. The truth is that many, if not all, natioanlities that emigrated to the US did not really blend, but, instead, tended to group together and retained the customs and characteristics of where they had come from. <BR> <BR>So Tony, you must realise that if you ask an American what his nationality is, you will, more times than not, get an answer that he or she is German, French, Italian, Irish, Scottish, Greek or whatever before you hear them say American. <BR> <BR>I think of my grandfather who was born in Italy as being "Italian-Italian"; my father who was born in the US as being "Italian-American"; my self as "American-Italian"; and my children as "American-American". Does it matter? Not really. <BR> <BR>Why do we want to blend in with the locals? Is it really important to do so if we are there for only a few days or weeks? If you are going to be living there for some time, i.e., a year or longer, then maybe there is a ratioanle for doing so. Not blending in makes you stand out which could mean you are treated differently (not always bad). <BR> <BR>There is much to see, learn and appreciate around the world. We should do it as unobtrusively as possible. Always obey the local laws. Always be polite. Do not criticize. Respect the local people and their customs. Enjoy what the world has to offer. <BR> <BR>Neal, I loved your "Dopo" story. It did make me chuckle and I think I will end by just saying .... Dopo! <BR> <BR>