March 8, 2003	Saturday	Muharram 4, 1424

WASHINGTON, March 7: The US State Department said on Friday that it had urged Americans travelling abroad “not to act like Americans” or show behaviour typical of Americans.

The travel advisory “cautions US citizens to avoid behaviour that could cause them to be singled out as obviously American. These include: the wearing of white socks and tennis shoes; complaining if asked to share a bathroom; threatening to sue over bad service, television reception, or weather.” It also urges them to:

* Keep vital documents such as passports, birth and marriage records, medical, school, insurance and bank records in one readily accessible location. Keep copies of documents in a different secure place.

* Ensure that passports and visas are valid and that they are registered with the US embassy/consulate. Immediate family members who are not US citizens or resident aliens (green card holders) should keep US visas current, and apply for visas as far in advance of travel as possible.

* Make or update a complete inventory of your household effects.

* If you reside in a region where political unrest, street demonstrations or other temporary disruptions are common, maintain an adequate supply of food, water, and necessary medications in your home. Keep your car in good working order with a full tank of gas.