The American Flag

     This is a photo of the flag of the United States on the west coast of Ireland. (The Cliffs of Moher.) It is a symbol of our friendship and the many Irish who immigrated to the  U.S. You will find a similar flag flying on the west coast of France as they celebrate the courage of the U.S. forces that landed there to drive the Germans from France during World War Two.
      It is said that when Americans (read people of the United States because people from Mexico and Peru are also Americans) come to Europe it is easy to spot them. They look like tourists (which they are) and sometimes act like they know what is best for others. They  may wear a fanny pack and tennis shoes and a T-shirt emblazoned with their favorite American football team.
     There is nothing wrong with this. We live near Yosemite National Park and the Japanese visitors all wear baseball caps and carry huge cameras. But, the Japanese do not come to Yosemite to tell us how we could improve it. They do not expect us to speak Japanese. They come and when they are gone, they leave no trace.
      It is my hope that those of us from the United States can act that same way when in Europe or another continent. I have seen some Americans do something that made my skin crawl. Please do not pretend to be Canadian at a time like that. Be an American that is a humble visitor to another country. Do not demand ranch dressing in Zambia or shout English slowly to an innkeeper in Amsterdam expecting him to speak English. (They speak Dutch in The Netherlands and it is a perfectly good language.)
     Make the places you visit want to put out an American flag in honor of your visit.