When in Rome, do as the Romans. When in South Korea, eat at Outback?

It sounds like a slice of Onion-style satire: according to the Washington Post, senior White House officials who accompanied President Bush on his recent trip to Asia passed up the chance to eat ethnic, dining instead at a South Korean Outback Steakhouse not once, but twice.

I know, I know, sometimes you just want to tuck into a nice, juicy steak. And when you’re far from home, the comfort of the familiar has a certain appeal. But still. Look at it from the public relations perspective. Aren’t we Americans perceived as ugly enough already these days? Do we have to dis the local culture?