] "It seems that the only English a lot of people there
] know are the words, 'We hate Bush.' "

Several times recently, my thoughts have drifted to this car ride Tom and I got from the airport outside Kuala Lumpur to the hotel we were staying at in the city. It was from this guy who was clearly not an actual limo or taxi driver, just someone good at pretending to be one who had a car. He liked car racing. Alot. Formula one. Talked about it the whole time.. Real pumped up about a big race a few weeks off. It really showed in his driving, which increased in intensity as he went on about it. 100% fun ride, aside from his taste in music. Britney Spears type stuff and bad pop dance. At one point when he was going through his CDs, while banking around turns at high speed, we stopped him from putting in Backstreet Boys.. He seems to think that all americans loved the stuff, we corrected him.. (Or was it Britney Spears? I can't remember exactly.. Something that _really_ sucked.)

At one point he asked what we though of Bush. I clearly remember that the inital reaction was a long groan in unison. He continued with asking what we though of the election.. Another long groan.. I pretty sure I said something roughly along the lines of "I think Bush sucks." Upon review, I'm really happy that was my reaction.

Between saying I thought Bush sucks and the correction about all americans loving the Backstreet Boys, I feel at that particular molment, something important happened as far as international relations via travel goes.. Something good for the local economy too, because we got ripped off bad.. It was an expensive ride.

I'm sure if I was the target of a "We hate Bush" yelp, my response would likey be to gesture to myself and say "I hate Bush".. I think that would get across just about any language barrier. At least it would ensure I wouldn't be beaten. I wouldn't be lying..

Similar to the approach that works best with the psyco bum.. When you get one of the yelps that signals impending problems, such as "Are you fucking with me?!" coming with no provocation.. You simply act equally crazy and go "No!! I'm fucking with myself!" Works every time..

Thats the overseas travel info that you aren't going to get thru any offical channels.. "If you get accosted, just remember, you hate Bush.."

USATODAY.com - Ugly sentiments sting American tourists