State Dept. Doesn't Think You're a '10'

The State Department was accused of "negging its own citizens" Wednesday after telling Americans that they should beware of foreigners who find them attractive. "Not a '10' in the US? Then not a 10 overseas. Beware of being lured into buying expensive drinks or worse—being robbed," the Bureau of Consular Affairs tweeted as part of its #SpringBreakingBadly series of warnings. The department deleted the tweet after complaints that it was sexist and patronizing, the Hill reports.

The department tweeted that some "have been offended by our earlier tweet and we apologize that it came off negatively," adding that it sees "many Americans fall victim to scams each year & want all to be careful while traveling." The warning was widely mocked online, with parody account Travel Gov issuing warnings like "If you are a '3' in the United States you must carry a 'hand-written' letter of apology with you in order to travel," NBC News reports. (The State Department says that with delays looming, people should renew aging passports as soon as possible.)