are you the ugly American when you travel abroad?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/10/31/cultural.etiquette/index.html

Answer 1

I agree with many of the sentiments already mentioned. It IS possible, to be a rude/ugly American when you travel. However, this article goes a bit too far. As mentioned by others, you can certainly be on your "best behavior" in some countries and you are still not respected. In other countries you are most appreciated when you are "real" and being yourself.

To be honest, I have gone to some countries w/o doing research (when I should have). I was in a rather "formal" country very recently and wore my Hawaiin board shorts quite often. I was definitely a tourist and I was definitely noticed! (Most locals were wearing long sleeves, etc). BUT, was I rude? No... I really don't think so. I also wasn't disrespecting anyone now was I "crossing the line." (I wasn't going to church dressed like this, etc). I was just wearing my shorts on warm days, walking down sidewalks and visiting tourist sites. Just because I visited another country that is more formal doesn't mean I have to pretend I'm not a tourist, from another country, etc. I saw nothing wrong with wearing modest summer clothes, although I DO think my lack of research COULD have led me to do something inconsiderate without even being aware of it. Because of that (my lack of prior research) I did have regrets. If you have common sense you'll probably be just fine.

If someone from Europe comes to me (in the USA) and tries to kiss me on the lips I would NOT consider them an "ugly" European because they didn't do their research. If someone from China wore a Chinese dress I would not be offended. I would not think they were "ugly."

Americans are potentially considered somewhat arrogant not because of our behavior is rude, etc... but rather because of our country's wealth and influence. Unfortunately, we can do all the "right things" and still be criticized. So, again, we should just use common sense. If we do that we'll likely be fine in most situations.

By the way, I tend to think that learning the language of the country your visiting IS a sign of respect. To expect everyone to speak MY language is a bit much in my opinion.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

As an American raised in a multi-national family (Lebanese and Hungarian) and I live half time in Central America (Panama) and have spent the last two years in Prague, I find that article to be full of generalities and expected behaviors that in reality simply do not work.

Czech people, particularly in Prague are offended when you try to speak their language and many Czech people will refuse to speak with a foreigner, ANY foreigner, in Czech, even if they do not speak a word of English.

Czech people usually do not tip at all. When they do, they just round the bill up, which is almost nothing. Yet, they expect foreigners to tip. But if the foreigner leaves a 10% tip, they are flaunting their wealth. If the foreigner leaves anything less, they are stingy and a jerk.

Prague's general attitude toward tourists is an arrogantly rude one, often bordering on abusive. It is not unusual to be called a b***h by your waitress (in Czech) for no reason other than your existence.

As for how to dress in Prague- if you do not look like a homeless, unwashed urchin, you are dressed better than most. If you want to fit in like a local, dye your hair a badly done orange color, cut it mannishly short, don't bathe for a week and put on the most out of date clothing you have. Bam! You're a local. Oh and smoke 24 hours a day.

The point is, where I currently live, it is fairly common knowledge that being polite doesn't get you anywhere. If you are polite, people suspect you of being "fake." If you are horribly rude, you fit in and it is the norm.

Now, I spend half of my time in Panama, which is the opposite of Prague. The people are very, very polite, and very tolerant, even accepting of people's cultural differences in their natural form. Making mistakes in Panama is considered a natural progression of learning. What the guide books tell you about how to behave in Panama is not true to how you really should behave when you actually make friends there. In Panama, the people expect you to be yourself and to keep your own culture, because yours is yours and theirs is theirs.

I have a lot of friends from different countries in Panama and when one of us makes a mistake in behavior and another says "that might be offensive to Panamanians" it is my Pana friends who say,

"But she is Australian, and he is Chinese, and she is American, and he is German... and that's the way it is."

It is pretty hard to upset a Panamanian. Very laid back people.

Answer 4

I am originally from Florida and have lived in several places in Europe including England, Luxembourg, and currently Germany (not anywhere around a U.S. military base...this is not real Europe)!! I have never had issues with this.

Definitely had more people saying that Americans have "perfect white teeth" and have had lots of surgeries to make themselves the most "fake"beautiful people on the earth. I have had people tell me that they do not like Bush, and they do not like the way we don't recycle, and they hate our international politics....but everyone loves the American people and the US as a country!!

I have honestly never had any negative issues with being American!! But I do not like to associate myself with ignorant judgmental people...so this may be the reason why!!

Answer 5

What a load of crap written by Erin Richards. Listen, I don't know how much you've traveled, but I'm a seasoned world traveler, and believe me, I've seen more Ugly Frenchmen, Spaniards, Italians, Poles, Germans, Argentinians, Brazilians, etc. than I have Ugly Americans.

The crap Ms. Richards is peddling is common sense, although I disagree with most of it. Remember, always be yourself... don't put in aires, and be polite. Believe me, the natives don't care if you can speak your language, (the French spit at you if you try to speak French), all they want is your money!!

Answer 6

I've traveled the world, and found that most countries just tolerate us because of our all out spending of good ole US dollars...there are a few exceptions, but not many....Money is the name of the game.....

Answer 7

no, i'm not even american. i could be the ugly saudi arabian, hahahahahaha. just kidding.

Answer 8

no I'm the hot import that every one wants to spend the bling on yo