Ambassador Scott Brown Says He Must Be More 'Culturally Aware' After Complaints: Report

RYE, NH — U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown, of Rye, New Hampshire, said he must be "culturally aware of different cultures, and different sensitivities" following complaints into his conduct at a Peace Corps event in Samoa. Brown, who attended the July event with his wife, said he complimented the well-dressed guests as they walked in and said the complaints were a surprise.

The Stuff, a New Zealand website, said Brown acknowledged complaints were lodged about his comments to a female food server and to arriving guests. Brown told the server she could make hundreds of dollars as a waitress in America and told some guests they looked beautiful, the website said.

Brown told the website Wednesday that he accepted advice that he should be more culturally aware after a federal inquiry into his conduct.

"I was told that, 'You know, listen, you're not Scott Brown from Rye, New Hampshire, anymore, you're an ambassador and you have to be culturally aware of different cultures, and different sensitivities.' And I'm always welcoming that kind of advice," Brown said.

He said there had been some cultural misunderstandings, but also that many people at the event didn't like Trump and he suspected there might be some political motivation behind the complaints.

"Sadly, it's politics, and it is what is," he said.

Brown, a former U.S. senator from Massachusetts, has served as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa since June. He was one of the first ambassadors tapped by President Donald Trump.

He said rumors about the incident had prompted him to speak out. The U.S. Embassy in New Zealand said Brown would not comment beyond the interview he gave to the news website.

Photo credit: Steven Senne/Associated Press