You know those little lists magazines do, often made-up stuff purporting to show how on top of things they are? Green is the new orange, beer is the new wine, Hallandale is the new Aventura.

I've never put much stock in them. But the New York Times special Travel magazine the other Sunday had a list that I not only enjoyed, I agreed with. It was not about places, but the people who visit them.

The Chinese, it said, are the new Japanese. And anyone who's traveled abroad lately - or even in some parts of the U.S. - has noticed camera-happy people from the People's Republic.

The Brits are the new Americans, loud and flush, seeing the world as their personal playground - and shopping mall. And again, if you've been in Riga on a summer weekend you know what they mean.

And the Americans? We're the new Germans, traveling far and wide, keeping a low profile (for political reasons), showing sensitivity to the culture, volunteering, adopting, wanting to do good.

This, too, has generally been my impression of compatriots met on the road of late. The conscientious American tourist won't undo a failed foreign policy, but at least she's one positive offshoot of it.