QUESTION:
I am growing increasingly concerned over the reception for Americans around the world. I really don't see venturing farther than the Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico, but am still concerned. What is your opinion of where we should and shouldn't go? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

ANSWER:
I think that US news reports are so skewed to "theater" that you aren't getting a good idea of how the average American is viewed by the rest of the world. I get a bit annoyed with hearing people who have never left the US state with great authority how hated Americans are everywhere. I have not seen that, anywhere. So?

Here's my take on it.

Places where American tourists visit in droves (a few places in the Caribbean such as St. Martin and the US Virgin Islands; Nassau, The Bahamas; and other places such as this where you get the package deal tourists in herds - the locals here look at Americans as rich fools who are there to be fleeced. A bit of disdain and greed but not really
dislike.

Places where the US has historically sent a lot of Peace Corps workers, or places of battle and occupation during WW II - the locals see few
Americans and love them.

The rest of the world: in general you are not judged by your country's politics, but just as a person visiting their country. Your behavior will determine how you are received and treated. There are very, very few places that we've been where we were not treated better than we deserved. A few courtesies - "Please" "thank you" "good morning", etc., in the local language goes a long way to demonstrating that you are a "good person" (in the words of a village school teacher in Papua New Guinea). It's not that hard to find out local customs that can smooth your way.

There are a few bad spots of the world, but they are so notorious that you will have no trouble avoiding them.

Pursue your dream, and fair winds,
Jeanne