An Ambassador of your Country

It's been five years since I last left North American soil, and my how the times have changed. But much like the duality expressed in a Charles Dickens novel, at the same time times haven't changed. Thus I wish to share with you some thoughts on traveling.

Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally remember that you are representing your country, region, city, etc. to those that you meet. I don't mean to sound like a parent there, but if you think about it, it's true. The further you travel from home the more true it is. Why? Well that's simple really, the further you are from your home the greater the odds that those you meet will only have you to go by as a representation of people from your country, region, city, etc.

It has often been said that first impressions are lasting. Like most quotes of old folk wisdom, it was said because it is true. Think about the people you've met from countries and regions other than your own. Who lived the furthest from you? How many people from that local have you met since or prior? See it's all starting to make sense now isn't it.

Now I'm not suggesting that you not be yourself. That really doesn't do anyone any good. If you're not yourself then you won't be convincing at it, and you'll then seem insincere and everyone will think that people from where you live are insincere. What you should try and do is to be the best model you that you can be. Be on your best behavior, mind your manners as your parents taught you (or as you learned from school or television if your parents didn't teach you manners).

Americans are constantly berated by Europeans, and others, for being very rude, arrogant, selfish, brash and outspoken. While this may be an appalling characiture to many Americans it stems from years of people exactly like that traipsing all over Europe. In defense of Americans I will say that every country has people who are rude, arrogant, etc. and teenagers are teenagers the world over.

While I was in the Tate Modern a few weeks ago there were two groups of school children there as well. One group German, the other French. Both groups were equally loud, rude, and inconsiderate of the other patrons of the museum. Had I not previously been to either Germany or France I would now only have that impression of their teenagers, and if I were a small minded person, would be thoroughly convinced that all French and Germans were loud and inconsiderate. I offer that little tale up as an example of why it pays to be on your best behavior when traveling. Because whether you want to be or not, you will be looked as representative of all your fellow countrymen.