Ugly Americans?

This is in response to SASHI THAROOR  article titled Return of the Ugly American.  The Khobragade affair has brought up difficulties between India and the US.  AS an American who lived/worked for the Indian government (National Trust) in the field of disability in Delhi for three years (March 2009-february 2012) I am most disheartened by this article.   Sri. Tharoor is correct in stating that “sustaining a strategic partnership requires, above all, mutual respect.    Until the US displays appropriate deference to the sensitivities, pride, and honor of other peoples and cultures, it will continue to be resented around the world.”  

As an individual, an American, I do my best to separate myself from the government’s actions and my hope is that Sri.  Throor is not referring to the American people regarding his statement of resentment of the US.    However, as an ex-pat living overseas I’m constantly  aware of hopefully representing a positive side of America.  Although I’ve made many cultural faux paux’s in my five years of living overseas,  I always do my best to be sensitive to my hosts and not be the so-called “Ugly American”.    I know that the US hasn’t always been held in high esteem by others, but it seems to be a bit much to lump all Americans into one group, which is never the case, given the sheer diversity of the country.   My feeling is that it’s important to consider all sides to a story, not that it is right as to how   Devyani Khobragade  has been treated, but what more is there?  What's more I hope that this case does not impact those of us who love traveling to India.

One of the great lessons that I’ve learned from living overseas is that there are so many perspectives and perceptions about a situation,   and when dealing with human beings, nothing is ever “black and white”.  The major point for me though is even if we cannot speak one another’s language can we treat each  other kindly and with respect?   I try to be conscious of this all of the time as I want others to have a positive perception of Americans, not one that they  necessarily read about or see on TV or in movies.   At times all that this takes is a friendly smile, a handshake or a simple “Namaste”.   Ultimately it comes down to a People 2 People connection, a building of a relationship, not a pointing of fingers or calling names.   If we all spent more time on understanding others, less time on satisfying our own egos and stopped laying blame, the world might be a better place.  

I appreciate Sri. Tharoor’s article but does it make sense to talk about “ugly Americans” and resentment?   Rather how do we find out the full facts and treat each other with mutual respect?