Bill SprichtJust another WordPress weblog

This article at the USA Today website is about the recent experiences of some Americans overseas. To put it plainly, it’s about the mindless anti-American sentiment that they experienced first-hand.

The general advice offered in the article is not good. It’s too soft. I would recommend the following to an American in Europe who experiences this kind of abuse: if you agree that you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, you should stick up for yourself without fail unless you would create or exacerbate the discomfort of a friendly European host. For example, if you are staying at a European friend’s home and other guests come over and start drilling you. You know what I mean. But when the feelings of those whom you care about are not at risk, defend yourself. There is no reason people — be they Americans or Europeans — should get away with pretending they are superior when they act like schoolchildren.

If they insult you, stay calm but be openly critical. Tell them to their face that you feel no shame whatsoever and that you are surprised they would act so childishly. Of course if it starts threatening to get physical, I can’t advise you to stick with it! Your physical safety is more important than proving this point. So I’m saying: try for the happy medium. Stay calm but don’t let them just get away with this nonsense.

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