Let's Make the Honeymoon Last
A selection of Britain's national papers covering Barack Obama's victory.
Photo: Martin Cleaver/AP Photo
by Wendy Perrin
In my travels overseas over the past few years, I've noticed a downward slide in how other countries view ours; an image problem confirmed by scientific studies. Fortunately, the people I've met abroad have always drawn a clear distinction between the U.S. government and individual American travelers. And, they've told me, they never stopped liking U.S. visitors (mainly because, they say, Americans buy a lot of stuff, tip well, and have more intellectual curiosity about the local culture than the sun and fun holidaymakers from countries closer by). Still, it's been my experience that Americans have been getting a less enthusiastic welcome in general. And when I've been asked to explain the U.S. government's actions abroad, or why Americans voted the way they did in 2004, I haven't known how to respond.
Now, with the election of Obama, I feel I've got a response. I think this moment has the potential to do for the U.S. what the Olympics did for China: show the world we've changed. I think it'll improve how Americans are perceived, and received, around the globe. Or, as world traveling blogger Tim Leffel puts it, "You can stop pretending you're Canadian now." World Hum is even anticipating "a steep drop in sales of Canadian flag pins destined for American backpacks."
Of course, many of us never pretended to be Canadian. Personally, I feel that every U.S. citizen who travels abroad is an ambassador for the United States, whether they like it or not. And right now we travelers get to enjoy a honeymoon period with the rest of the world. Let's all do our best to make it last!
I'd love to hear from any readers who are overseas right now. Where are you, and what response to the election have you noticed there?
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As an American living in London, the difference a day makes is amazing; at the Japanese restaurant tonight the waitress was excited to be serving an American (not the usual reaction we get). On the Tube today two different people heard my accent and congratulated me.
I think American travelers abroad are definitely in for fewer nasty comments about our government. As Obama said, "To all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."
The vibe hear in London certain confirms that people once again respect America for what it can be at its best.
Posted by: egrossman | November 05, 2008 at 03:05 PM
So interesting! One thing I forgot to mention: On Twitter last night, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer wrote, "In Phoenix, the foreign media burst into applause when it was called for Obama."
http://twitter.com/NewsHour/status/990950187
Very interesting to hear of such a response at McCain HQ.
Posted by: WendyPerrin | November 05, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I am an Australian living in London (both countries that were, if you recall, members of the 'coalition of the willing'. The general feeling among my British and Australian friends seems to be that Americans have redeemed themselves. The Bush years really did a lot of damage to the reputation of the US abroad and Obama, with his international upbringing and less aggressive foreign policy, seems to be the right person to fix that. The election might have been fought on domestic issues (though the economy is now a global problem) but Obama's rhetoric has inspired the world, not just the US. Let's hope his actions live up to his words.
One last thought from a Brit friend of mine: http://twitter.com/jemimakiss/status/991549091
Posted by: cfitz | November 05, 2008 at 03:54 PM
PS Have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADUQWKoVek
(Link via @nicholebernier on Twitter).
Posted by: cfitz | November 05, 2008 at 04:15 PM
I am a Canadian living in Paris and I do not know anyone that is not overjoyed with the results of the election.
I have friends who are out celebrating at the moment. I would have joined them but I had a friend over for dinner (who is half English and half French) so she and I celebrated with a bottle of champagne this evening!
I will be out tomorrow night celebrating with an American friend (dinner, drinks and great American Jazz music!).
Posted by: gailboisclair | November 05, 2008 at 04:22 PM
While, sadly, I'm not overseas at the moment, below is a note from an email we received from one of our overseas partners today:
From Budapest
I stayed up until 1:00am as there was a live broadcast but no results communicated, so I heard it this morning first time.
Without getting too political but I think it was important that this change happened.
Posted by: travelergwen | November 05, 2008 at 04:26 PM
As you know, we have been traveling the world as a family for going on 3 years now. We are on our way back to Europe, but are thrilled we got to share this historic moment with family on U.S soil. Wonderful to see the world with greater hope again!
Obama is America's hope, and ours too! (UK, The Guardian)
A great lesson for the whole world! (France, Le Figaro)
Change has arrived! (Italy, Corriere della Sera)
Historic Victory! (Germany, Deutsche Welle)
Barack Obama swept to victory! (Japan, JapanToday)
Obama has won a historic US presidential election (India, Asia Times)
Obama proclaims new dawn of leadership (Australia, The Australian)
Ugandans welcome Obama's victory (Africa, Panafrican News Agency)
Luckily, we have not often run into prejudice against us as Americans, but I think that is partly because people often do not know we are Americans. We travel in an RV often with plates from Netherlands, so many guess that is where we are from.
We have heard lots of jokes and negative comments about Bush though and it's no secret that his policies have been very unpopular within our country and around the world. Many have told us that they could not understand how Americans voted him in twice and that disillusioned them about all of us.
We have already talked to many of our friends from around the world and they are very excited about this news! We here all the time about how what happens in America affects the world.
This will definitely be good for travelers and help give a united and empowering look to the new face of real America, today!
Posted by: Soultravelers3 | November 05, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Congratulations America! We are SO PROUD OF YOU!
Almost everyone here in Spain was truly happy yesterday. Some were saying that voting for the US President should be compulsory for each and every citizen of the world. It is such an important decision and affects all countries and most citizens so much that we all should have the right and obligation to vote.
We have a new President in the US, and the new President that you choose is a young energetic person, which likes dialog, which is the son of immigrants, which was nobody and had no money a few years ago. We have a new president that won the election with 21st century communication tools, which is neither a millionaire nor part of the establishment. We have a new President that is tall, good looking, truly elegant and full of charm.
Thank you for giving us such a fantastic lesson. Change is here -- and all because of you Americans. We are truly proud of you. Gracias!
Posted by: virginiairurita | November 06, 2008 at 03:59 AM
As a dual resident of the EU and the US, over the last four - no ARGH, it's eight - I've had to repeatedly explain why I choose to live in the US when I could be in the Eurozone. It has not been easy, but I always mention our diversity, our sense of possibility, our willingness to face forward. And don't get me wrong, I'm deeply, painfully aware of our flaws, but that American philosophy of optimism is something that living abroad really made me appreciate.
And now, with great glowing pride, I can say, THIS IS WHY! And now, I'm actually looking forward to being an American abroad again. It has been painful and now, instead of trying to explain what happened, and I can just say, "LOOK AT WHAT WE DID!"
Sheepishly, patriotically, shutting up now.
Posted by: nerdseyeview | November 06, 2008 at 10:21 AM
The author compares this opportunity to China and the Olympics.
Gosh I hope it's not like the Olympics -- a giant facade masking the real China.
Posted by: rrgg | November 06, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I'm not into politics, yes I vote in local and general elections, but this is as far as it goes for me. The appointment of Obama has interested me because for some bizarre reason American's think that everyone across the world is going to now embrace them on their travels.
Whilst travelling I have come into contact with rude and arrogant American travellers, but I have also witnessed French, Russian, and German travellers who act in the same manner. The fact the United States has a new, African American president is not going to make me think of my American friends any different (or treat them different
too)
I am proud to be British, no matter how many bad decisions or idiotic our recent prime ministers have been. So I am unsure why American's have felt embarrassed announcing that they are American on their travels.
Posted by: DarrenC | November 06, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Wendy - thanks for the shout-out to the Cheapest Destinations blog. I was half joking: even the last 8 years I thought it was silly for anyone to pretend they were Canadian. But now I can put away the T-shirt I wore in Latin America that had a line through Bush and Cheney's head and the text "Lo Siento." It has been a big hit, but now it gets retired.
Posted by: globetrots | November 07, 2008 at 08:15 AM
I am in Istanbul and watched the election last Tuesday night. I tried to stay up all night but only made it to 200am. At 530am I suddenly woke and turned on CNN just in time to hear them declare Obama the winner! It was a very emotional moment for me.
Last time I was here I was walking down the street and bought a simit, a bagle like bread covered with sesame seeds (a favorite snack food for Turks) from a street vendor. Hearing my accent he asked me where I was from. I said I was American and he said something I didn't understand. I walked away puzzling over this Turkish word that I didn't understand. It took me a while to figure out that what he had said was BOOSH! Turkey has always loved Americans and I have never experienced anything but hospitality and kindness here, but everyone is so excited and I feel so proud of our country with the selection we have made. Everyone has not only been congratulating me but blessing me as well. It is also interesting that Mr. Obama's middle name (which the opposition tried to use against him) really pleases the Turks and makes them feel more connected to him.
Posted by: earlstarkey | November 11, 2008 at 05:11 AM