Sunday Shivonne

My beef: this article - How to Spot an American Tourist Abroad. Sounded interesting…until I started reading it. Here in America you can sure spot people from other countries. If author Lisa Wells is so embarrassed about being from America, perhaps she should move. Just the condescending way it is written, as if she would never be guilty of indulging in typical American behavior. My response to most of these is – “So?” Or “who cares?” Is this really a big deal? 

1. You demand cold drinks.

2. You wear a baseball cap. Hey, baseball is even more popular in Japan. Nothing wrong with wearing a cap.

3. You wear white socks. Sneakers are also American (aka uncool).

4. You have perfectly aligned teeth.

5. You clap/shout/whistle/make noise. “Tourists will clap for a server.”

6. Slang, like “bro” and Sup!”

7. You’re sporting a fanny pack. But”they’re practical” and “Americans do not actually wear fanny packs any more”. Just something to add to her list.

8. You don’t know the first thing about FIFA. Not really true any more.

9. You’re eating on the run.

10. You need a metric conversion calculator to know the speed limit.

11. You’re obsessed with McDonalds.

12. You enjoy a glass, or two.

13. You are shocked by nudity.         

14. You are overly friendly with strangers.

15. You share TMI with others. “We think we’re special.”

16. You’re a man wearing shorts.

17. You’re a generous tipper.

18. You talk with an American accent.  

19. You try to disguise your accent.

20. You only speak English. Yet it’s okay for immigrants to the US to not learn English.

21. You are kinda loud. “It’s obnoxious.”

22. You don’t know the customers. Visitors (and immigrants) to our country have no interest in our customs, like crossing at crosswalks, etc etc etc.

23. You go wild when you meet another American abroad.

24. You order coffee to go. Offends the European barista. And don’t go to Starbucks – they’ll KNOW you’re an American then. We don’t want that.

25. You pack plenty of Purell. Except the trend is catching on now.

The article goes on. And on. Repeats some things. I gave up, so I’ll never know all the horrible things I do.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.daily-stuff.com/how-to-spot-an-american-tourist-abroad/__;!!AE29DT8V!A006iLDnPGC8CUehtJk2TO3oljTrGrw2yEnDWCuLFbI-TAQk5eyx_vYnjiChdOySWzU$

BOB GIBSON  [SABR Bio] was once offered to sign with basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters. The Creighton Bluejays’ basketball star played with the Globetrotters when they visited Omaha. He made quite an impression. Tim McCarver credits him with helping him to overcome racial prejudice. McCarver still credits Gibson with many life insights. He is honored in at least four Halls of Fame: Creighton University, Missouri Valley Conference & the Omaha Sports in addition to Cooperstown. 

Below: censorship much? I hear Brave is a good search engine that doesn't track your life - despite it's racist name.

Me in my New York Giants Charlie Conerly jersey.

Fun fact: after retiring, Conerly appeared in commercials as the Marlboro Man.