The Ugly Americans

Americans have a reputation for rudeness. The 'Ugly American' is a familiar caricature throughout the civilized world. Tourist hordes that yearly flood the European continent rarely disappoint. Third world countries that do not enjoy the English language often view the loud, large, inflated American visitors as comic relief. We are ridiculous in our self importance.

How did we get this way? I think a lot of it comes from being a slave owning nation. We mistake servitude for service. No one from either side of the old culture wants to ever again be seen as master or slave. Our legendary independent nature convinces us that it is easier to move or find open space than it is to be polite in company. Unionism was a hard fought victory for the American worker but it has left us with a history of mistrust and malingering on the shop floor. President Reagan and the free wheeling bubble and burst economy decimated union power and has left us a nation of malcontents. Modern day advertising and media bombards the populace with half truths, political spin and outright lies. No wonder we are cynical.

A reality show like 'Big Brother House' would not work in Japan. Being closely populated on a few small islands has taught the Japanese to always 'be polite'. Put a handful of Americans in a closed house for a few months and watch the sparks fly.

Bullying has been allowed in American schools, pro forma aggressiveness is encouraged in moderated play (sports) and success is still popularly viewed as an pilgrims progress. We are still a bunch a gun toting, angry cowboys looking to pin the blame on an outsider. Why else would we have elected the likes of G.W. Bush? We usher in the new millennium with a spoiled, frat boy, arrogant loner as our leader. We wonder why all the customer service jobs are migrating to India? They grew up crowded and poor with a colonial model of British manners and law. A nation such as India or China cannot function without decorum.

America must be polite. Kids should be taught simple manners before the ABC's. Sports play should be an exercise in effort and grace rather that domination. Kids walk around worrying about being picked on or disrespected but have they ever learned golden rules or the arts of acceptance and empathy? It all starts with common courtesy and the recognition of those around you.