"Vulgar" Richard Gere -- India's Most Wanted

46. Americans need to respect the cultures of other countries when visiting. It is NOT okay to do what Mr. Gere did. It is considered rude and disrespectful to be overly familiar with people you don't know very well. I have lived in a few European countries and am always shocked to see visiting Americans trying to sightsee holy places such as churches and shrines wearing shorts and flip flops. Americans tend to gesture wildly with their hands when speaking to strangers, talking loudly and using vulgar language and lacking basic good manners and class. They also have the strange idea that when traveling abroad everyone else must speak English to them instead of the American trying to speak the language of the country they visit. If you want to behave the way you do at home in the USA (trailer park mentality!) then you should stay home and not visit foreign countries where you just make a fool of yourself. At least have the courtesy to read up on the countries you plan to visit, learn a few words in the language of the country you travel to so you are familiar with acceptable customs and behavior. Don't be the typical Ugly American!!

Posted at 1:00PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Ugly Americans Embarrass Us All!

47. Yes, it is a silly thing Richard did. He should have known better. However, I think the main point here is the way this poor women is being treated. She did nothing wrong. Richard broke their laws, all she did was be on the receiving end of his poor joke. My main problem is how can any American support a country that clearly always has the man in the right and the women in the wrong. I have a good friend who was born and raised in India. He tells us stories of how women who are raped get stoned to death cause it is "their fault" the men rapped them. How beating your wife is the only way to get her to obey you. Etc, etc.
People are saying our culture is not perfect. I agree 100% but there is no comparison between to the two with this type of behavior.
Unfortunately for them they will probably lose Gere as a supporter. He was in the wrong (the country's)and should issue an apology. Leave the poor girl alone.

Posted at 1:07PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Ohh please

48. I had originally written a comment about the poster who named themselves "Educate Yourselfs" (haha), but I have to say that I was shocked at some of the things people wrote here... Like the what #51 wrote. Do women really get stoned to death for something that is not their fault?? That's insane. Although, the whole "man is right woman is wrong" is present in nearly every country at some level (yes, even america.. how many times have you heard people comment on the length of a girl's skirt and that a guy couldn't control himself? Its "clear" who was at fault, whatever). I would have expected more from Richard when he visited another country, and he was wrong...

Posted at 1:21PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Valerie

49. well, acg according to you males and females should be happy when stars start kissing a person all over and be proud of it? well, I hope no one out on the street think they have the right cause they are a " known actor" can put his or her lips on me without my permission.

Posted at 1:24PM on Apr 26th 2007 by foolmenot

50. If he had done that here, we would "give the guy a break," not think a thing about it and take it for the joke it was meant to be, but he didn't do it HERE. He did it in a country he supposedly visits "frequently." If it were his first trip, maybe there would be an excuse for him not knowing, but that is not the case. The worst part is now this poor young woman is in trouble because he acted this way, and she wanted nothing to do with it. Actions have consequences, Richard, unfortunately not just for you.

Posted at 1:41PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Cat

51. Gere's gaffe is one of cultural chasm. In Indians view, they are very upset at such a transgression. I believe he's been charged to placate the masses, and I hope his 'sentence' will be a heartfelt apology...

Posted at 1:40PM on Apr 26th 2007 by OOOPS

52. INDIA IS OFFENDED BY A KISS IN PUBLIC, BUT NOT BY KILLING UNBORN/NEW BORN
FEMALES,COLOR BASED CASTE SYS.,HAVING 80% POOR PEOPLE,CHILD BRIDES, CHILD LABOR/ABUSE, BROTHELS (made up of women,teens,girls & children), WORSHIPING COWS,DOGS,MONKEYS,ETC. India is full of crap. They need to watch how far they go with this attitude-----many hold jobs here in america.

Posted at 1:46PM on Apr 26th 2007 by JC

53. Hey, "educate yourself" -------- I might be able to get those jobs back if I were willing to work for enough to barely feed a rat, which is about all the foreign companies pay those rat worshippers. The nasty country needs to fix its problems on its own, like by secretly adding birth control to the water supply. Same goes for Mexico, I could get 'er done if they elected me President there.

Posted at 2:02PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Son of California Dreamer rides again...

54. And another thing, if you eat in a submarine sandwich shop run by Indians, you take your life in your hands. They don't wash their hands and they don't use toilet paper.

Posted at 2:13PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Son of California Dreamer rides again...

55. Richard Gere should be ashamed of himself. It's all his fault! What an old, old monster. I think the only way he can redeem himself is by serving time in an Indian prison. He was "vulgar". Now the beautiful female actress was caught by surprise. The only way she can redeem herself is by servering ties with Richard Gere (blah), and the next time slap the man who crosses the line in public.

Posted at 2:31PM on Apr 26th 2007 by MICHELLE

56. C'mon guys this is not a regular judge that is issuing an order. This is a magistrate that has issued a show cause notice and that too from the boonies of india. This kind of stuff happens all the time in this country, no one goes to jail. If and ever this proceeds to the state supreme courts, federal court of appeals etc the magistrate will actually get reprimanded and even fired from his job. To summarize this is a political ploy designed to help certain political parties (rally support) in the on-going important regional elections in that country.
And for god's sake India is not in the Middle east. It never was and never will be.

Posted at 2:19PM on Apr 26th 2007 by bored_desi

57. Did anyone notice that it is ALL men protesting?? India seems like a yet another country who's men supress and control he women. Sad. Don't they still practice arranged marriges and what not? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as of right now I'm thinking India is a VERY SEXIST country!!

Posted at 2:19PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Nicole

58. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He helps charities and goes to social events there , he was having innocent fun and she has a smile on her face.If it was so bad and so illegal someone or she should of said stop and explained why.
Kids are starving and they are picking on him for having fun IDIOTS! OOps is that illegal too? AM I going to be arrested for speaking my mind????????????

Posted at 2:21PM on Apr 26th 2007 by meme

59. OH and #4 Ind chart GEt a life or a hobby geesh don't you have better things to do....you are way off!

Posted at 2:23PM on Apr 26th 2007 by meme

60. Their action MAY be unwelcomed or indecent in Indian perspective. But we need to also remember that those folks are from film industry. They already have apologized. To issue arrest warrent against a man who is foreigner and well wisher of the country is in itself vulgar act and sheer nonsense.

Posted at 3:08PM on Apr 26th 2007 by Concerned