ADVICE FOR YOUNG PERSONS #1: Always blame your bad behavior on the cultural standards of a pre-selected foreign nation.
If people think that your obnoxious carryings-on are the result of having been raised by the standards of a foreign nation, they will be less likely to call you on them for fear of inspiring offense and/or a lawsuit. When selecting a foreign culture upon which to blame your unsuitability for decent society, I suggest one that is relatively unfamiliar to most people, and difficult upon which to check. My own choice is Malawi. So, for example:
"You know, in Malawian culture, it's customary to for hosts to wait three cycles of the moon -- or 'months' -- before asking a houseguest to get a job and stop stealing their newspaper."
"I'm sorry! But in Malawi, girls are considered sexually mature at 12, and are often asked to pose for photographs of this nature by local department stores and groceries."
"No, I'm not offended, but I have to say, my Malawian parents didn't raise me to make such a big deal about a little heroin abuse."
"Oh, come on. That's just a western concept. Back home in Blantyre, there is no such thing as so-called 'armed robbery'."
God bless us, every one.
