It’s the universal symbol of Americana abroad: the camera-slinging, fanny-pack-sporting tourist, clad in shorts, sneakers, unrolled socks and complaining loudly in English. Ever since the Pilgrims crashed the Wampanoag tribe’s Thanksgiving dinner, Americans have been earning a reputation as boorish international travelers.

Even stars and diplomats occasionally drive home the stereotype with egregious behavior. Actor Richard Gere was issued an arrest warrant by an Indian court after laying a wet one on actress Shilpa Shetty at a charity event last year. And President Bush caught flack for giving German Chancellor Angela Merkel an impromptu shoulder rub during a G8 Summit Meeting.  Read more…

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