Airport security

[Xairbusdriver]

I'm assuming the agent let the 'animals' into the country without quarantine?! And, yes, humans have been known to be hired to positions like his! Actually, I think most of the Customs officials I've met are very friendly. I suspect they are reminded that they may be the first "American" with which a visitor may have had any real contact! First impressions do matter, unfortunately... Glad you had a good sense of humor about the 'disclosure!'

[Mrious_be]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ May 15 2009, 03:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And, yes, humans have been known to be hired to positions like his! Actually, I think most of the Customs officials I've met are very friendly. I suspect they are reminded that they may be the first "American" with which a visitor may have had any real contact! First impressions do matter, unfortunately... Glad you had a good sense of humor about the 'disclosure!'

Good point.
I can imagine that it wouldn't be fun if you have this grumpy security officer making your life miserable when you set foot on US soil for the first time (but than again, that goes for every country you visit).

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

it wouldn't be fun if you have this grumpy security officer making your life miserable when you set foot on...[insert nation/country]

I'm not as well traveled as many here, but I've always been happily surprised at the first meetings with people in the vast majority of countries I been to. Maybe it's the fact that they know I'm a foreigner, but it isn't always an 'official' greeter that displays this friendliness. My wife and I usually attempt to learn how the people in the areas we'll visit dress. While we can't always match many of the local cultural costumes, we absolutely never wear anything with an obvious connection to the States, and you know what I mean...

But we have been assisted in almost every country by the general "man-on-the-street" when they are asked for help. And often, they volunteer assistance, in the most tactful and helpful ways! My wife 'claims' (I wasn't actually with her at the time... ) that she was asked for directions to a local London location by an English lady who mistook her for a 'Brit!' One of the highest complements she has ever been given, BTW!

I pity those who can't and especially those who won't travel outside their own country. Most of them will simply never know how much alike all humans really are. And the same lack of knowledge applies to those who live in a very large country, also.