Will the outpouring of international support for president-elect Barack Obama (well, on most counts at least) change the way that American travelers and expatriates are treated abroad? William J. Kole, the Vienna bureau chief for the Associate Press, thinks so, as he received a big, fat kiss from a complete stranger after the results came in. He writes:For longtime U.S. expatriates like me -- someone far more accustomed to being targeted over unpopular policies, for having my very Americanness publicly assailed -- it feels like an extraordinary turnabout.
...When you're an American abroad, you can quickly become a whipping post. Regardless of your political affiliation, if you happen to be living and working overseas at a time when the United States has antagonized much of the world, you get a lot of grief.In the past, Kole writes, he's told his children to speak more softly to avoid getting dirty looks in the subway, has feigned Canadian citizenship, and has avoided wearing his red, white, and blue running singlet in marathon races. But now, he says, things seem to have shifted, not solely for pro-Obama sentiment, but out of "friendship and admiration."
We'd love to hear from you about how you think the experiences of Americans abroad may change. If you are traveling or are living outside of the States, are you seeing a difference in how you're treated? If you're heading abroad, do you anticipate doing anything differently? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo: Destiny_Studios via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool
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I am an American living abroad. I have been in three different countries in the last eight years. I am and have always been proud to be an American. I find it very interesting that everyone thinks that a new president will overnight change others perception of us. This negative perception comes from them and not us. Because I do not like the policies of a country does not mean I dislike the people of that country. It is time that we stop acting like we are ashamed of who we are. It makes me sad, and angry when Americans act like we deserve to be the whipping boy of the world. Recently someone said to me that they thought Americans were arrogant but through meeting me and my friends had discovered how wrong they had been. It would be great if we did not play into the stereotype of an American and showed people really who we are and what is important to us, instead of apologizing for who we are.
I am saddened when I read of Americans abroad who are ashamed of who they are. I am an American who has lived in three different countries over the last eight years. It has always amazes me when I hear Americans being apologetic for who they are or bad-mouthing our country. I have not always liked the country policies of the places I have lived in but that does not mean I dislike or treat badly the people of that country. This just shows ignorance. Recently someone commented to me how they had thought that Americans were arrogant but upon meeting some was surprised at how they found us to be completely the opposite. I have also lived in places where I did not flaunt my nationality for security reasons. I will be surprised if there is a complete turn-around as we seem to be blamed for all the ills of the world. sort of a whipping boy. I think one of the things that is helpful is for Americans to behave appropriately and not act like we have something to be ashamed for.
I have lived outside the United States for the last seven years. I spent the first five years working in Prague, Czech Republic and have been exploring Asia for the last 18 months. I have spent a lot of time talking about America during this time and answering questions like, "What does it feel like to come from a country everyone dislikes?" How's that for a loaded question?!
Unfortunately, the message that much of the world sees about America comes from the news and Hollywood movies/TV shows. There are a lot of preconceived notions - that everyone is rich like Bill Gates and looks like Britney Spears. I answer many questions about America and try to explain my diverse and complicated homeland. Some people have told me that I am the first American they've met and their impression of America has changed because of the interaction.
What has amazed me is that in countries with governments relatively hostile towards the United States (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Burma, etc.), local people have been incredibly welcoming and able to differentiate between the actions of a government and the people from that country. That gives me hope.
I watched election night in Europe. Emails from European friends conveyed messages like: "America shocks the world again, in a good way this time." Random people I meet give me the thumbs up sign for Obama when they find out I'm American. So yes, I think there is a more positive and friendly towards America because of Obama. But, actions speak louder than words so it will be a long journey to keep that feeling going.
As we plan the next segment of our journey, we're wondering how the "Obama effect" might come into play in the Middle East and Africa. I don't expect any changes in my behavior - I've never shied away from my nationality nor attached a Canadian flag on my backpack.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://www.thetreadmillguide.com
There are two types of Americans abroad...those that live abroad in a bubble intended to replicate as closely as possible their ¨life as it was in the USA¨ including desperate searches for synthetic junk food and cable tv programs, and those that embrace living abroad and the culture(s) they come into contact with for the good and the bad and the perspective they give us on where we are and where we´re from.
I suspect that those Americans who live in their bubble will not understand or appreciate how powerful it really is to be ABLE to be openly embarrased by the hypocracy of a government that claims to ¨spread¨democracy whilst maintaining guantanamo bay, etc. This is a freedom not available in many cultures and it is VERY American (and dare I say patriotic?) to be honest about this reality.
The feeling of joy and pride that comes from Obama´s election is not to do with what he may or may not accomplish ' but it represents the incredulity of the fact that a bi-racial, son of an immigrant, raised by a single mom, who lived abroad, intelligent young man CAN be voted president....that´s something to be proud of and that´s the kind of stuff that Americans can hold up their head and say "yup - I´m one of them".
I've been abroad in countries like Germany and China in the past couple of years and I never experienced any problems from other people. Being Asian it was easier for me to conceal my nationality, but hostility did not appear after most people learned where I came from. Interestingly enough, I was talking to two Dutch fellows one time and they said there are good things about America as well as bad, but to them it was no different than any other country. If people are hostile to you for being an American, than they are ignorant. Same way over here. If it takes a new president to change some attitudes, than I wouldn't probable want to be their friends in the first place. I wouldn't be jerk to someone from another country and than kiss them the second a new leader is elected; that's just dumb no matter where you are from.
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