......save your holier-than-thou attitude.
Jayvin

Where did I state or imply that I think myself or any Americans better than anyone else? Clearly, you've missed the point all together. Try a reread and get back to me later.

I don't need my government or any other telling me how to behave while abroad. A little common sense goes a long way. However, I haven't denied that some Americans need more in the way of cultural sensitivity. I merely assert that it is unfair to single them out when it is obvious to me and others that we are not alone when it comes to inappropriate behavior.

As for your defensive attitude regarding your Southern roots, boo hoo, cry me a river. Fact is, I wasn't even taking that into consideration when using the expression, "a long way from Tipperary." But now that you mention it...............

Okay, you've been abroad a few times. I'm impressed. Perhaps, then, you'll be impressed if I tell you I've spent about twenty percent of my life living abroad. I seriously doubt it though. Maybe, like me, you realize that a person needn't have ever traveled or lived abroad to be possessed of an intuitive awareness of how one should conduct themselves when doing so.

Finally, it has been recently reported by certain media that the French are the worst travelers in terms of their attitudes. Does that mean I should paint all French people with the same brush? Let's get real and cease the sweeping generalities.