Hollywood actor Richard Gere, left, hugs and kisses Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty during an event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India, in this March 15 AP file photo.

During my years of international travel with my husband, we were constantly reminded of the reason the term "Ugly American" came into the world's vocabulary. We were rude, poorly dressed and generally obnoxious. Then the sentiment moved on to arrogant Germans and pushy Japanese. It would seem it has come full circle. Actor Richard Gere, another actor who I guess expects a pass for bad behavior, nearly got himself jail time and also put a popular young Bollywood actress at risk. "The Kiss", at a public AIDS awareness event in India, has been all over the news. His attitude, when asked about the episode on the Daily Show, was no big deal. No one ever goes to jail for these things here -- Mari/Dogwalk Musings.

Question: Do you still think Americans have a bad image when they travel overseas?

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