American tourist smashes two sculptures in the Vatican

[hlthe2b]

16. It has been decades since I joined any fellow Americans (knowingly) when overseas...

I tend to immerse into local culture, stay in more off-beat B&Bs, hotels, and hostels (usually when working in a country semi-long-term), and make a bee-line when I hear American accents for the most part. Of course, I'd help if someone needed it, but my confidence in traveling by myself or with a few others who feel similarly was honed a long time ago. So from that outside perspective, I've seen quite a lot--mostly unpleasant from American tourists. There are exceptions, of course--typically a kindly and curious person--often with little education--but one that just likes people and cultivates "friends" everywhere. I still remember an older Midwestern retired farmer and his wife. I'd bet those with whom he interacted remembered them fondly for years as well.

This kind of boorish behavior as in your example is not forgotten by the locals, unfortunately.