The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the U.S. State Department is teaming up with private business to improve the boorish behavior of American tourists abroad. Izzy—who thinks it obvious that if you are a guest in a foreign country, you should act a diplomat-in-training—was especially delighted to see that an etiquette guide will be distributed that, among other things, warns against dressing too casually.
Not only does the American mania for casual dress come across as rude in countries where people still care about propriety, but dressing better can actually prevent loutishness. It is all to easy to be obnoxious, to litter, or to brush off someone needing assistance while clad in a loud shirt, jean shorts, and flip-flops. But try doing that in a jacket and tie. Just as smiling can make you happy, dressing like a gentleman can turn you into one. Could this be why women love a man in uniform?
