The Good Global Traveler

and

Tourism, The People’s Business

We’ve, thankfully, had an easier time the last few years, but – during the Bush years – we encountered some brutal remarks on the road. We’d always say “WE are not our president!”

Regarding a “right” response, it’s hard to say. I’m not sure there is one. I think it depends on the situation. In most cases, people just hope to be listened to or to be heard. I suppose my approach is to view the conversation like a vehicle and ask myself, “Now where would I like this to go?” or “What would I like to avoid.” Then I attempt to help steer the conversation accordingly.

Your final thought above reminds of an email from another reader who suggested that this approach be used regardless of which country is being criticized.

Another piece that might be of interest is our Travelers as Citizen Diplomats:
https://uncorneredmarket.com/travelers-as-diplomats/

@Kathy: That is so true and believable. Especially in Latin America, English-language channels out of the U.S. portray the U.S. as a pit of violent despair.

Am glad you like our ambassadorship. I know we’re not alone. There are a lot of decent American travelers out there putting their best foot forward in all their interactions.

@Shey: Thank you!

@Sutapa: If we worked for the State Department, it probably wouldn’t (couldn’t) be the same. I hope you’re right about that young guy in Istanbul. I secretly hope that he remembers me forever.

Your story of the homestay drives home the idea of first impressions. So true.

Regarding the U.S. and world GDP, that is certainly evolving.

“Nuanced” — I love that word. I think we all could use a good dose of nuanced.

@Kiran: Thanks. I think we all have it in us to something a little different. If not right now, someday.

By the way, I’m not impervious to responding unproductively to aggressive behavior. Sometimes it just turns out right, as in this case.

@Ali: So true, most people we’ve met are able to separate us and our actions from the government, where we’re from. Refreshing indeed.

@Jeremy: The funny thing is that the conversation made the young guy talk about Turkey. That wasn’t my goal. I guess frustrations often find a way back inward.

There’s always common ground. It’s just a matter of finding it.

@Barbara: Thank you on all accounts. Let’s hope the next similar situation we’re faced with turns out as well.

I’m with you: alter the discourse, move ahead.

@BA: Surely the man I was speaking to was either holding or exhausting negative mental energy. Think of it as the intellectual equivalent of having a punch thrown at you. Many ways to react, including ones in which you use the assailant’s energy against him. My aim here wasn’t against the guy who was angry with America per se, but the principle is quite similar.

If stereotypes are expressed as negatively as this one was, they qualify as negative energy in my book. Seeing the young man’s expression may have helped.

@Claire: I’m not even certain it’s a matter of being seasoned or not. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of timing, circumstances, etc.

We’re confronted with this sort of thing fairly often. However, I never realized how refreshing it could be to deal with it in this sort of way.

As for whether or not the young guy will reflect on all this in the future, I’ll probably never know. But what I did only helped. Thats’ for certain.

@T: I can’t know for certain what it’s like to like in Turkey because I haven’t. But I have lived overseas (Czech Republic and short stints in Germany, China, Argentina, Guatemala, Thailand, Mexico) and have had enough experiences and conversations through my travels that my understanding is greater than that of a typical visitor just passing through.

I can imagine that the U.S. may feel like a different planet than Macedonia (I don’t know Macedonia first hand, but one of these days I hope to.) But realize that what you believe you see during your visits to the U.S. may not be the full picture either. There are 300+ million people in the U.S. and not all of them are making $4000/month. Some more, some less. Outside of that, I can tell you from experience that one’s salary means much less than one’s buying power. By the way, have you read the latest statistics that show 50%+ of Americans now live in poverty? You can argue with the number (after all, it comes from a media that exaggerates everything) and what it means, but I suspect many of those folks would take issue with the term “dreamland”.

I don’t intend to pick a fight, but I do intend to say that the story is often a lot more complicated that we passers-by often give credit.

Thank you for a thought-provoking comment.