10 Signs You Might Be an Ugly American Tourist - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
George
This is good advice. I disagree with the judgement about what Americans wear. LAY-LOO LAY-LOO fashion police! I'm not saying what Americans stereotypically wear is for me, I'm just taking issue with the judgement of their fashion/customs while others are quietly accepted and spared the scrutiny. I think the judgement comes from an eye looking for flaws, which speaks volumes. It's a shame that Americans who go to the expense and adventure of travelling overseas (more than can be said for most) might expect the people around them to be judging (harshly) their clothing as if they're supposed to conform. That's not tolerant or accepting of different cultures, is it? Maybe being casual is American culture. Wouldn't we defend a tourist in America if an American pos gave the tourist a hard time about their foreign clothing? We/I would, so I think same rule applies. Sure, American fashion may leave a lot to be desired depending on what you like (fashion is subjective, but there's no right and wrong and I don't agree we're meant to be fashion ambassadors. All that said, I dress up like you, but I feel bad when I hear about yanks being made fun of, especially if they're there with a genuine intention to explore and learn. They went to the effort to get over there, cut them some slack, cultural sensitivity, etc. If they're obnoxious, different story.
Lastly, paying for ketchup is a crime and I think worthy of an over-the-counter fight every damn time. j/k
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This is good advice. I disagree with the judgement about what Americans wear. LAY-LOO LAY-LOO fashion police! I'm not saying what Americans stereotypically wear is for me, I'm just taking issue with the judgement of their fashion/customs while others are quietly accepted and spared the scrutiny. I think the judgement comes from an eye looking for flaws, which speaks volumes. It's a shame that Americans who go to the expense and adventure of travelling overseas (more than can be said for most) might expect the people around them to be judging (harshly) their clothing as if they're supposed to conform. That's not tolerant or accepting of different cultures, is it? Maybe being casual is American culture. Wouldn't we defend a tourist in America if an American pos gave the tourist a hard time about their foreign clothing? We/I would, so I think same rule applies. Sure, American fashion may leave a lot to be desired depending on what you like (fashion is subjective, but there's no right and wrong and I don't agree we're meant to be fashion ambassadors. All that said, I dress up like you, but I feel bad when I hear about yanks being made fun of, especially if they're there with a genuine intention to explore and learn. They went to the effort to get over there, cut them some slack, cultural sensitivity, etc. If they're obnoxious, different story.
Lastly, paying for ketchup is a crime and I think worthy of an over-the-counter fight every damn time. j/k
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Iain
You may a joke about Canadians displaying their flag on backpacks. Well as someone who used to work in the tourist industry, I can tell you now that I liked to see the Canadian flag because the people from Canada tended to be respectful, polite and sensible than those from the USA. They typically were not loud-mouthed and didn't compare everything to back home, unlike a good many of the Americans. Sorry, I know that Americans might not like to hear that; but it's the way it is. Canadians generally get a lot more respect than Americans especially in the UK. It's a similar thing for Scots who go to mainland Europe. They often have stickers on their cars or bags, because they often get treated better than the English and again it is generally for good reason. There are of course exceptions, not all Americans are loud or appear disrespectful, but believe me. many do.
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You may a joke about Canadians displaying their flag on backpacks. Well as someone who used to work in the tourist industry, I can tell you now that I liked to see the Canadian flag because the people from Canada tended to be respectful, polite and sensible than those from the USA. They typically were not loud-mouthed and didn't compare everything to back home, unlike a good many of the Americans. Sorry, I know that Americans might not like to hear that; but it's the way it is. Canadians generally get a lot more respect than Americans especially in the UK. It's a similar thing for Scots who go to mainland Europe. They often have stickers on their cars or bags, because they often get treated better than the English and again it is generally for good reason. There are of course exceptions, not all Americans are loud or appear disrespectful, but believe me. many do.
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Maurizio
I think one of the most important things is to be helpful when you communicate.
I mean, here in Italy nobody pretends foreign people to learn Italian and everybody will be glad to talk to you in English. Somebody at a high level, somebody not. But never forget that NOBODY here is English mother-language.
So, when you're talking in English in a foreign country please SLOW DOWN, speak standard English, try to neutralize your accent, avoid SLANG, don't shorten words.
I can speak English at a decent to good level, many foreign people also congratulate me, but sometimes it's kind of irritating when my counterpart is not even trying to make thing easier. I'm not English mother-language: if I talk to you in English it's because I'm trying to HELP YOU. So don't abuse my kindness by relaxing too much and talking to me as if I was your neighbor at home.
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I think one of the most important things is to be helpful when you communicate.
I mean, here in Italy nobody pretends foreign people to learn Italian and everybody will be glad to talk to you in English. Somebody at a high level, somebody not. But never forget that NOBODY here is English mother-language.
So, when you're talking in English in a foreign country please SLOW DOWN, speak standard English, try to neutralize your accent, avoid SLANG, don't shorten words.
I can speak English at a decent to good level, many foreign people also congratulate me, but sometimes it's kind of irritating when my counterpart is not even trying to make thing easier. I'm not English mother-language: if I talk to you in English it's because I'm trying to HELP YOU. So don't abuse my kindness by relaxing too much and talking to me as if I was your neighbor at home.
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Dan
People need to remember the United States is in a whole another hemisphere we are not even part of the same Continent. So if we were going to fairly compare tourists and generalize keep in mind Moldova, Sicily, etc. are Europe to and not just Berlin. I had a Dane once come up to me and tell me a joke about the President and I thought how rude, this person has no manners. It made me very careful about comments about local celebrities/politicians when I travel. So no matter how silly you think grown adults calling other regular humans like themselves royal or Noble over their own families do not laugh at them, its rude. Besides most European Royals started out in some other country too, so really they are fellow foreigners!
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People need to remember the United States is in a whole another hemisphere we are not even part of the same Continent. So if we were going to fairly compare tourists and generalize keep in mind Moldova, Sicily, etc. are Europe to and not just Berlin. I had a Dane once come up to me and tell me a joke about the President and I thought how rude, this person has no manners. It made me very careful about comments about local celebrities/politicians when I travel. So no matter how silly you think grown adults calling other regular humans like themselves royal or Noble over their own families do not laugh at them, its rude. Besides most European Royals started out in some other country too, so really they are fellow foreigners!
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CarlAlex2
I have heard about people who live in old buildings in certain areas of Denmark having issues with US tourists entering their private homes uninvited in the belief they were museums or shops. We have plenty buildings 300-500 years old - or even older (my local parish chuch, which IS open to the public is from the 12th century. So just because a building is very old and displays old and/or nice stuff in the windows it doenst mean its a shop or a museum.
Given that entering someones home uninvited in the US is something the residents can legaly kill you for this is obviously an honest mistake. I guess in the US any 500+ year old building will be a museum.
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I have heard about people who live in old buildings in certain areas of Denmark having issues with US tourists entering their private homes uninvited in the belief they were museums or shops. We have plenty buildings 300-500 years old - or even older (my local parish chuch, which IS open to the public is from the 12th century. So just because a building is very old and displays old and/or nice stuff in the windows it doenst mean its a shop or a museum.
Given that entering someones home uninvited in the US is something the residents can legaly kill you for this is obviously an honest mistake. I guess in the US any 500+ year old building will be a museum.
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Owain
Most American's are awesome, but yes, the complaining. It's rude and obnoxious. I think the #1 thing is, the way they treat service people. It comes from the tipping culture in the US, where the customer expects to be given special service. In non tipping countries, you're not paying for that, and it's considered unbelievably rude and disrespectful to get aggressive and/or speak rudely to customer service people / wait staff. It's very noticeable when an American tourist is around, because they speak in a very loud and demanding way towards others. That being said, it's kind of a cultural thing, and most American's are awesome, warm people.
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Most American's are awesome, but yes, the complaining. It's rude and obnoxious. I think the #1 thing is, the way they treat service people. It comes from the tipping culture in the US, where the customer expects to be given special service. In non tipping countries, you're not paying for that, and it's considered unbelievably rude and disrespectful to get aggressive and/or speak rudely to customer service people / wait staff. It's very noticeable when an American tourist is around, because they speak in a very loud and demanding way towards others. That being said, it's kind of a cultural thing, and most American's are awesome, warm people.
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karen
never been to Europe, yet willing to see any part. I had friends go. Here I sit. I am thinking Portugal and Spain next year. They shared the same things
never announce you're American. they know and its annoying.
don't talk too loud.
dress casual and understated.
don't expect American service. Bartenders wont smile at you cause you're special or ask you how your day is or what you do to kill time.
restaurants are an event. slow process, don't be in any hurry.
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never been to Europe, yet willing to see any part. I had friends go. Here I sit. I am thinking Portugal and Spain next year. They shared the same things
never announce you're American. they know and its annoying.
don't talk too loud.
dress casual and understated.
don't expect American service. Bartenders wont smile at you cause you're special or ask you how your day is or what you do to kill time.
restaurants are an event. slow process, don't be in any hurry.
reply
Pedro
I remember once seeing a middle age lady visiting my country. I had a break from work and went for a Subway, and there she was trying to order. I can speak and understand english, so I tried til she gave the lady at the counter one of those looks, like 'how dare you not speak my lenguage', and then left pissed. I mean come on
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I remember once seeing a middle age lady visiting my country. I had a break from work and went for a Subway, and there she was trying to order. I can speak and understand english, so I tried til she gave the lady at the counter one of those looks, like 'how dare you not speak my lenguage', and then left pissed. I mean come on
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Your
So basically expect people to be stuck up.
Personally I love recognizing and experiencing the contrasts of the culture Im visiting vs home.
Also the girl thrilled with enjoying champagne in France- why not share her joy?
Ill continue to travel but not for the people.
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So basically expect people to be stuck up.
Personally I love recognizing and experiencing the contrasts of the culture Im visiting vs home.
Also the girl thrilled with enjoying champagne in France- why not share her joy?
Ill continue to travel but not for the people.
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Anna
Israelis aren't exactly acquainted with the whole idea of indoor voices either. But they can spot an American at 20 paces - even now that I have lived here for 19 months, have Israeli citizenship, and speak some Hebrew they switch to English after hearing me speak a few words.
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Israelis aren't exactly acquainted with the whole idea of indoor voices either. But they can spot an American at 20 paces - even now that I have lived here for 19 months, have Israeli citizenship, and speak some Hebrew they switch to English after hearing me speak a few words.
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