quote:

Originally posted by cjun:
In my travels although somewhat limited, I have that the people mostly concerned with speaking about and spreading the "Ugly American" stereotype are European. Attacking America seems to be the current fashionable thing to do. When I have been Europe just like other countries I have by and large found very friendly people but I have also found very rude small minded people as well. People like to attack America because we are a big visible target.

True... I've read on other travel boards that Israeli backpackers out of college aren't held in the highest regards either, or some Australians or Brits, etc.

One thing that I have seen is that there are many cultural misconceptions spread by people who think that they are doing a good thing. After having travelled in so many different places I can see how that will happen. Just look right here in America. If you were from another country and speen your time over in America only in one geographic region you would assume that all Americans are that way. The same happens when Americans travel to other countries. There are several books out there on incultruation and most of them are jokes. I agree with Tortuga_traveller be polite.

A relatively small proportion of Americans travel abroad as it is. Maybe some of these benefit from the brochure. Probably no harm done.

A recent post of Nick's on what he calls Responsible Tourism in Bali reminded me of this post from awhile ago... He's not talking about "responsible tourism" in ecological terms, although that's what I thought he meant from the title. He's talking about being a responsible traveler, which I think is much more general and could apply to more things. At any rate, I thought it was an interesting post and worth sharing!

After years of working in the tourism industry I found out how to spot the "ugly American". I am here to say that this phenomenon is unjust. There are very few "ugly" individuals that travel - it is the groups of travellers that magnifies "ugly" behaviour.

When travellers are in groups they have no reason to behave according to their new surroundings because on a level, they actually have not left their own country. I have experienced it with groups of Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Germans, Kiwis, they all do it!!

And YES, I have seen it with Australians!! That is very embarrassing for me and one of the reasons I have stayed away from Bali - I just don't want the stigma of being an Australian tourist in Bali. It is also this reason that Boots 'n' All (headquartered in the USA) appealed to me in the first place. The emphasis on individual travel means meeting locals, rather than meeting my country-people in a different place.

Having had the experience of the quote"Ugly American" unqoute,
it does colour ones idea somewhat. The first was a young whipper-snapper just out of college who, whilst he didn't like
George Bush's guts, most certainly took umbrage at any other nationality who dared say a word against him!!! Ahem...Yes, Well.

The second was a chap from I forget where, but who had an expression of distaste on his face-- except for when he communicated with fellow Americans. My Gawd he was an annoying little twerp!!

HOwever.. I met many other Americans and am pleased to say they were great people to travel with. I met a bloke from New York who was courtesy itself, lots of Californians, they were fantastic. Two young cousins/friends from Illinois- VERY polite boys from a farming community. Then there was the chap who ran an organic beer company, alas I forget the name.

I must say my opinion of Americans rose after meeting all these wonderful travellers. There was an English lady I met at Waitangi who said about a very rude woman, "She must be an American". So unfortunately Americans do tend to have this "thing" for want of a better word i.e. people DO tend to have pre-formed views of them.

However I know better, because I had the great good fortune
to not only travel with them, but read and exchange views/opinions/travel tips etc with all these amazing members of BnA.

Still, I cann't resist sometimes taking the mickey.



Have a nice day, Whistler.


If you can keep a sense of humour nad see the funny side of life, you will never be old. SMC.

quote:

Originally posted by Mim:
After years of working in the tourism industry I found out how to spot the "ugly American". I am here to say that this phenomenon is unjust. There are very few "ugly" individuals that travel - it is the groups of travellers that magnifies "ugly" behaviour.

When travellers are in groups they have no reason to behave according to their new surroundings because on a level, they actually have not left their own country. I have experienced it with groups of Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Germans, Kiwis, they all do it!!

Mim - excellent post. I think you raise a great point, and I totally agree.

I've always thought the 'ugly american' concept was dumb. As far as I'm concerned, the same applies to people of all nationalities. I think when most people leave their country, they get into 'vacation mode,' and for some reason think that they're free to behave/act however they want to.

Just as an example, as an American who visits national parks within America, I have to say I've observed many Europeans and asians exhibit rather shameful, completely disrespectful, disruptive behavior within the national parks, not really caring about rules/signs, etc, and seemingly oblivious to delicate ecosystems. Yes, this is a generality, of course not everyone is like this!! (and yes, you have your American personalities that do the same thing) I led hikes within one of the parks several years ago, and those hikes were almost half french/german/italion tourists, with the remainder being american. Let's just say I didn't see much difference between them and americans abroad, generally speaking of course. I think we're all basically the same.

But yeah, going back to Mim's main point -- it's the large groups, no matter which nationality, that are obnoxious. I think individuals, or couples, tend to be much more respectful.