http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2001866003_visas29.html

The recent dispute between the United States and Brazil over stricter entry rules has generated rhetorical heat and hassles for U.S. tourists, some of whom have waited for hours to be fingerprinted and photographed at the Rio de Janeiro airport.

But so far, Brazil's retaliation is the exception, not the rule, in world reaction to new U.S. security strictures affecting foreign visitors, experts say.

Although Americans going abroad face higher visa fees and more inconveniences in some countries than they did two years ago, most changes are modest.

"It's getting a little tougher to travel around the world," said Dale Patterson, chief executive and chairman of Zierer Visa Service, in San Ramon, Calif. "But I thought there would be a harder response."

Stuart Patt, spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, went further.

"We haven't seen any pattern of retaliation or response," he said, although he added: "Naturally we've heard some grumbling."