In Britain, Don’t Mention “The War”
Article audio sponsored by The John Birch Society

In preparing for the 2012 Olympics in London, the British tourist office, VisitBritain, has issued a list of “obscure and demanding dos and don’ts” that it expect British workers, from cab drivers to hotel workers, to observe to avoid offending foreign visitors.

Reports the Daily Mail, “VisitBritain hopes workers, from cab drivers to hotel managers, will master the cultural tips in time for the 2012 Olympics to ensure overseas visitors receive the warmest possible welcome — and unfortunate misunderstandings that could cause offence are avoided.”Among the more hilarious entries in the list is an admonition for the British not to mention the Mexican-American War to Mexicans. Mexico lost that one, and apparently, such mentioning offends the descendants of Montezuma.

Unsurprisingly, the guide “was written by natives of the countries featured who work for VisitBritain.” The paper quotes the agency’s head honcho, Sandie Dawe: “Overseas visitors spend more than 16 billion a year in Britain, contributing massively to our economy and supporting jobs across the country. So giving our foreign visitors a friendly welcome is absolutely vital.”