Some Minor Pathologies in the American Presence in India

Abstract

Americans in India differ both cross-sectionally and longitudinally in their positive and negative sentiments about their host country. First-time-outers may experience a cycle of adjustment in part induced by their learning to live with their own national identity. Enclaving and a subculture hostile to the host country may result. Host attitudes toward individual Americans and items of Americana differ from those felt toward America and Americans as a whole. The distinc tion between attitudes toward individual Americans and toward Americans in general is discussed with reference to mission aries, businessmen, and scholars. To the extent that corporate evaluations become predominant, the climate of receptivity for individual Americans will become more ambivalent than at present.