Yellow Brick Cafe – Twin Falls, Idaho
In the Air Force, when you’re stationed at a base overseas, service members receive an orientation on how to comport ourselves (behave) in that country. We’re cautioned about cultural do’s and don’ts. We’re introduced to American terminology and conduct our host country members might find offensive. Above all, it’s emphasized that we are ambassadors for the United States, that our behavior reflects on our country. We’re admonished not to perpetrate the “ugly American” stereotype that some countries have about the fruited plain. If you’re not familiar with the term, here’s how Wikipedia defines it: “Ugly American” is a stereotype depicting American citizens as exhibiting loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless, ignorant, and ethnocentric behavior mainly abroad, but also at home. When my Kim and I travel under spacious skies, we see ourselves as ambassadors for the great state of New Mexico. We’re kind to wait staff and other diners at every restaurant we frequent. We engage “local indigenous personnel” (a term from MASH) in friendly conversation and express genuine interest when we ask questions about them, their restaurants and their cities. Invariably not only do we get great service, but they reciprocate our interest. Lately, however, it’s become more difficult to act…
