Americans Abroad in Dallas Morning News

[cbd2cai 0]

I read this in the Sunday Travel Section and thought the book they mentioned is timely. Just thought I'd pass it along to anyone who might possibly be interested.

Just the Link . . . not the whole article:

AmericansAbroad

And remember . . . no LOUD talking!!!

Edited December 4, 2006 by cbd2cai

[Heracles 417]

Her tips offer a crash course in how not to be an ugly American.

Lower your voice.

"Less is more," says the World Citizens Guide. "In conversation, match your voice level to the environment and other speakers. A loud voice is often perceived as a bragging voice. Casual profanity is almost always considered unacceptable."

Think about what you're wearing.

"Americans are fundamentally a casual people. Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers work for many of us much of the time, but there are people in other countries that believe such casualness is a sign of disrespect to them and their beliefs. Check out what is expected and bring scarves, headwear or whatever might be required."

Be patient.

"We talk fast. Eat fast. Move fast. Live fast," the guide notes. "Many cultures do not. In fact, time is understood very differently around the world. In the short term, speed and instant satisfaction are less important than enjoying a new culture."

Smile. Genuinely.

"It's a universal equalizer."

Keep your religion and politics to yourself if you can.

"Globally speaking, religion is not something you wear on your sleeve. Often, it is considered deeply personal – not public."

As for politics, make yourself aware of regional issues, but don't offer a view unless pressed.

Avoid lectures.

"Nobody likes a know-it-all, and nobody likes a whole nation of them. Rightly or wrongly, the U.S. is seen as appointing itself as policeman, judge and jury to the world. Be aware of this perception and try to understand other viewpoints."

Interesting points. I have to say I know of quite a few people who have stories of negative experience on tours etc when seeing / hearing Americans.. Funnily enough it's always about someone from NY or LA..

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I've lived abroad long enough and travelled enough places to believe americans are no worse than anyone else -- one of the most obnoxious things I ever say was a group of English guys tormenting a waitress in Shenzhen shouting things like "me love you long time" and "I'm keeping my eye on you with that credit card" when they went to pay. Also, the ubiquitous Aussie backpapers who do things like start "aussie aussie aussie, oi, oi , oi" on trains around the world need a swift beating with a cricket bat.

[Heracles 417]

I've lived abroad long enough and travelled enough places to believe americans are no worse than anyone else -- one of the most obnoxious things I ever say was a group of English guys tormenting a waitress in Shenzhen shouting things like "me love you long time" and "I'm keeping my eye on you with that credit card" when they went to pay. Also, the ubiquitous Aussie backpapers who do things like start "aussie aussie aussie, oi, oi , oi" on trains around the world need a swift beating with a cricket bat.

It really depends on which part of America one is from. My own experience has shown that travelers from LA or NY usually have a chip on their shoulder.

I would agree Aussies, Brits and Americans can be loud mouthed and disruptive to others while overseas..

Maybe our governments should hand us brochures with the above tips at the airport to read prior to departure..

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Do they where a little name tag that tells you what city they are from? Also, most current residents of LA and NYC come from some place else.

Methinks you are the person with the chip on your shoulder, I doubt you've even been to these cities you despise so much.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Do they where a little name tag that tells you what city they are from? Also, most current residents of LA and NYC come from some place else.

Methinks you are the person with the chip on your shoulder, I doubt you've even been to these cities you despise so much.

Thanks for proving the point. Have a nice day.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

He keeps mentioning it -- I'd just like to know what his evidence is.

[pucklechurch 0]

I think the loudness thing could be due to the Americans getting easily excited. "Wow, there's the London bridge, gee! that castle must have been built at the time of Christ, etc". Not an unusual trait but one that could cause friction. Often if a Yank is talking loudly in a restaurant it's usually about something that has excited him or her, be it sport or sightseeing. Calm down we don't all want to hear it, nor do people in the next building or across the road.

[Heracles 417]

He keeps mentioning it -- I'd just like to know what his evidence is.

I could sit here all day and list my experiences along with the experience of others.. Usually the person themselves brags they are from LA or NY..

I have never ever heard someone overseas say they had a bad experience while on a contiki tour or in general with someone from, from example, Alabama or North Carolina or Kansas.

The funniest incident involved a friend of mine who was on a Lufthansa flight, which was delayed about 2 hours. He said he had overheard a guy earlier on in the flight mention he was from Santa Monica to someone else. Towards the end of the flight the same passenger shouts he was American and demand they land the plane. To the point where the pilot had to come out and calm him down.. My friend said he couldn't stop laughing in the guys face..

Do they where a little name tag that tells you what city they are from? Also, most current residents of LA and NYC come from some place else.

Methinks you are the person with the chip on your shoulder, I doubt you've even been to these cities you despise so much.

PS Where have you lived?

Edited December 4, 2006 by Infidel

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

PS Where have you lived?

I have live in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Boston, Glasgow, Nottingham, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Beijing (only a few months), and Amsterdam (again only a few months)

Longest times spent in Detroit, London and Hong Kong

[Alex+R 0]

I would agree that Brit travelers are (as a rule) a bit worse than your average American, and often just as fat.

But include Israelis as the rudest travelers on the planet. My god.

They're obviously generalizations, but they hold too a little too often.

Re: keeping your politics to yourself: in my experience, people ask, and as soon as they learn you're not a fan of Bush, they relax a bit around you and don't treat you like an arsehole for being American anymore.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I was gonna say Israelis - also South Africans.

And having lived in tourist central (London), the swathes of Italian and French teenagers who don't observe tube station ettiquette

Obviously, very BROAD generalizations but I firmly believe Americans are really no worse than anyone else

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Americans tip the best.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Americans tip the best.

I remember having this conversation with my friend who was a hotel manager in Dublin -- he said his staff loved Americans for this very reason.

There was some study done by a British travel company on service workers around Europe who dispelled the myth of the ugly American. It also noted that these same people were kind of hating the British for the recent trend of buying cheap flights on Ryanair to rampage through their nice cities on a stag (bachelor) party