Life — June 12, 1924 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains a "Rotarian Guide to Europe"—a satirical travel guide listing American bars in major European cities (London, Rome, Budapest, Berlin). The humor mocks American tourists who travel abroad but seek only American establishments and entertainment, avoiding authentic local culture. The cartoon below depicts two travelers at a European dock. The "Affable One" suggests boarding a ship to Europe, while the "Surly One" rejects the idea, sarcastically noting that everyone wants "t' git t' South America" instead. The final caption reveals the joke: tourists flee Europe because they can't find American-style passage (likely referring to liquor availability during Prohibition). The satire targets American provincialism and the absurdity of traveling internationally while seeking only familiar American comforts.