My Fellow Americans,
It’s always a pleasure to see a few of you when I’m abroad. It’s a small reminder of home.
While I appreciate your identifying yourselves by speaking at the decibel level of a Harley Davidson while chomping on sour cream and onion chips with your maw wide open as we ride a nice quiet train, that wasn’t quite the snapshot of home I was hoping for.
I think of home as the quiet moments of finding a greenspace in the city. Or a sunset by a river. Or enjoying the differences of culture we see around us.
May I suggest a different means of identifying each other when in a foreign land? Perhaps a secret handshake. Or a wink and a wave. Even better, a nod and hello. Quietly.
Whichever works best for you, works for me.
Warmest wishes and safe travels.
– the person next to you who pretended he didn’t notice you
