Having grown up in the same America as the author, roughly around the same time frame... I get the feeling that she was shilling for her own article, if that makes sense. As if she's somehow repentant by playing up just how naive, macchiato white girl she was. ...Is.

My public school curriculum covered what she claims her highschool already fazed out by middle school. I just asked my niece, and she's quite aware of the soviet union already. (Nice of her to respond with such a random question.)

Even locally the trope of Americans being arrogant, or perceived\treated as such abroad is known. Yet ultimately the evidence that we're just another country is all around. What sort of non-child is surprised by this?

I feel like her being so unabashedly apologetic in stance is somewhat offensive towards those she's sympathizing with. It seems patronizing, somehow. Like if she were really concerned, or felt too terribly bad about her ignorance, her first business would be to keep her mouth shut and educate herself, instead of deciding it would make a good book, which goes on sale August 15th, pre-order your copy today.

There's no denying there's a legitimate problem with overt American patriotism, ignorance and... Jesus, etc etc., but there's such a thing as hurting an argument by making it so poorly.

"Americans abroad now do not have the same swagger, the easy, enormous smiles."

Sounds like a personal problem. I traveled during the 2000's and would get scowls when people found out I was American. Never phased me.

Are you sure that it was only when they found out you were American?

-1 Troll. Don't be so rude.

Calling bullshit.

I travel abroad all the time, to cities and towns. The haters are few. Most people are curious and welcoming. The overwhelming thing I encounter is people wanting to practice their English. The arrogance is in thinking the rest of the world is obsessed with American politics.

Agreed.

Most recent trip was Croatia. Like most places I've been - if you're polite and not an asshole, the locals will be friendly. Doubly so if you at least make an attempt at the language.

We spent one day with a local woman as a sort of cooking adventure - hit local fishmonger, market, butcher, baker, etc. By the end of the day she was screaming at her teenager in front of us, she was so comfortable with us being with her. Told us the only people she's met and really hasn't liked was the British, and a handful of Americans who were bigwigs at tech companies -- people who took a fucking cooking course and didn't want to get their hands dirty.

Be nice, and people will usually be nice too. Making friends works the same nearly everywhere. So does making people hate you.

Be nice, and people will usually be nice too.

Except for that asshole subway booth attendant in Paris. Fuck him.

I come from a slightly older generation than the author. I've traveled quite a bit. I've rarely had any negative experiences for being American, but then, I've never had "that broad swagger, the easy, enormous smile." I never wanted to speak loudly.

Treat others with calm courtesy and try to avoid making assumptions about them. In my experience, that's all it takes. Everything tends to go quite well, regardless of the differences in history and culture or language.

(edit)
I should admit, however, that I grew up in fairly diverse communities in the outskirts of Washington DC and Baltimore, then went to a college with about a 1/3 international student body.

My personal experience traveling abroad is that there are assholes from every country; its not a unique American thing.

If you travel around Europe, you will meet people from all over (Australia, Germany, China, some eastern bloc country you're not exactly sure about), that are straight up rude. They will cut in front of you, disobey rules (e.g. don't touch the exhibit), let their kids run free to terrorize other people, hog the picture taking spots and give you the dirty eye if you try to get in a shot, etc. Basically they act exactly like the entitled ignorant trash that Americans are supposed to be. It's definitely not a uniquely American problem.