Not My People 2

Peaceful Co-existence

When in Rome do as the Romans do, was one of the earliest pieces of advice I can remember clearly. It had multiple versions and adaptations, from always treat the property of others better than your own to you are a guest here so behave as one and If you don't like the rules you do not have to play.

 Later in my rebellious youth I questioned the rules but quickly found I had the best success when I fit in with my audience or when in Rome once again. I have always behaved as a guest when travelling to new places. After all isn't travel about learning new cultures as well as taking 505 selfies before landmarks?

You definitely never litter, you are always polite, you engage the locals in conversations not lecture them on your opinions of how things should be run, you never bring a boom box to a high mountain meadow or keep your cell phone on during a concert.

Above all life works best if you follow the laws and rules of where you are at. And if you don't like the rules you can go home. You should go home. You are a guest so behave like one.

There was this custom in ancient Greece that if you had been a house guest and would like to be invited back you left something out of your luggage. If your host wanted you to visit again, if you had been a good guest, he you send a missive saying you had left the item and it would be kept safe until your next visit. If, however you were not welcome to visit again, the left item would be returned to you without a note. And also if you didn't enjoy your visit you didn't forget anything.

Americans have become very inconsiderate guests. Italy recently declared our citizens are not welcome. We are not only once again the ugly American but a dangerous one. This pandemic will be good or us in that we will come to treasure our guests and being a guest. And it may not be just foreign countries who do not welcome us but the state right next door. Tourists will come with costs we may well be unwilling to pay. Travel has to be carefully considered with every state having different stages of dealing with this pandemic the rules will vary. Our potential hosts may not want guests. And guests unwilling to follow rules of the state they are planning to visit should stay home.

Ask yourself would you be welcome to return? Or would your blow dryer be returned without a note.

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