Ugly Americans?

So -- I recently returned from a great  vacation in Vietnam (Hanoi & Hoi An) and Siem Reap, Cambodia.  If any of you saw my entry "Delayed"  -- my trip began on a sour note with my family having to delay our departure 1 day -- due to not having a Visa to enter Vietnam.

Well, the next morning everything went smoothly -- that is until we got on the plane.  About 20 minutes into the flight I was ready to try and catch some zzzz's so I attempted to push my seat back.  Each time it felt like the seat was stuck -- I'd push and it would pop right back up.  I looked over at my brother who was on the other end of our row -- he could see the guy in the seat behind me.  I gave another unsuccessful try and my bro turned around and said, "You can't keep her from putting her seat back."  "Wow, that was a little harsh," I thought to myself.  Unaware that my brother had seen the guy pushing my seat back up everythime I'd try and recline.  

"Why don't you compromise" the man says, just push it back halfway."  "Compromise," my brother replied, "how is it a compromise when you've got your seat all the way back.   "Oh are you American?" he asks.  "Yeah, so what," my brother retorted.  

"Oh, I forgot, American's don't compromise." he sarcastically replies.  Well, suffice to say, they continued arguing and it got a little heated -- with the man continuing to tallk abou how "American's are -- Bush -- the war -- you name it.

What I was left with is this sick and irritated feeling.   That just by virtue of my saying I'm American -- this man made all of these assumptions about me -- that I don't compromise that I'm a certain kind of person -- based on what -- the actions of my government?  Crazy -- when he was the one who wasn't willing to compromise.  Why didn't he just ask me to go back halfway instead of pushing up my seat without saying anything.

It has been an interesting experience living in Korea.  It is the first time that I have been seen 1st  -- as simply an "American" -- not a Black American.  And the first time that I have been judged by the actions of my country as a kind of representative overseas.  When two Korean girls were accidentally killed in late 2002 by a military tank there was a fierce backlash against Americans -- candleight vigils -- angry slogans and signs --the works.  There was a residual anger against Amercians for a couple of years.

It reminds me how strong and dangers our "perceptions" can be.  And the baggage that a nationality can bring.  "Scary!"