TJ

Having lived in Paris for the last 18 months, I've realized that the commonly-held notions of how to spot an American tourist are generally true: they're the ones with the brightly colored clothing, shorts, slightly (or more than slightly) overweight and speaking loudly. I've recently noticed another common trait that's actually quite quaint and charming, in my view. If you see a couple walking down the street holding hands, chances are they're Americans. Natives and non-American tourists don't seem to do this. Am I right about this, or way off-base?

TK

So?

Paige

I live in Germany and see the natives holding hands all the time.

Christine

I live in Switzerland and Swiss couples of all ages hold hands. And let's end the nonsense that Americans are the only fat people in Europe please-it's simply not true.

Dave

TJ, <BR> <BR>Sorry. You're so far off base that you'll need a telescope to tell when the pitcher is looking your way. Most American tourists are too busy juggling Big Mac and camcorder to hold hands with anyone. <BR> <BR>I might understand your theory if you were living in a romantic spot like Birmingham or Hamburg, but Paris? Who'd want to hold hands there? <BR> <BR>Dave <BR>

Peggy

TJ <BR>We are those Americans who hold hands, wear sneakers, and my husband wears his hat in September in Paris. I almost forgot to add that he is overweight. And you know what there are different reasons why people wear sneakers or hats or are overwheight. I will be holding his hand, wear sneakers, and feel sorry for you who do not understand that people are different. Seeing differences is what we most enjoy when travelling to many different countries. Embrace diversities. During last three months he gained 20 pounds but he is still alive and we are even able to travel. He was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago and we did not think that we will travel again. So he gained weight and for his comfort he wears sneakers and hat is necessary. So what? I am wearing sneakers to keep him company. We are staying in Paris with our friends and he is a fashion photographer who wears sneakers to work and we see many French people wearing them too. And not every one is slim, young, and wears black. Get sometimes on a metro #2 and travel all the way to Avon, then on metro #6 to Chevaleret and look around. Pay attention to diversities. I guess you see only what you chose to see. Life is so beautiful and so short, try to enjoy it and see beyond an exterior. So if you see in September and October an odd couple in 70s holding hands, wearing sneakers, a man who wears hat and is oveweight stop to say hello. You may be surprised to find out how much we love traveling and people and perhaps you can be our guest for dinner. By the way my husband was a successful lawyer and when we were young and slim we did not think everything will change. So TJ let me hold a hand of my husband as long as it is possible. Look deeper.

TJ

Thank you for your heartfelt post. I did not intend to offend; in fact, I was just making an observation. In fact, in my original post, I stated that I thought it was "quaint and charming" that Americans hold hands. Maybe I should clarify: I think that's a nice thing. A good thing. Keep on hand-holding. As to the other traits that I perhaps overgeneralized as typically American in my original post, you'll note that I didn't characterize these as "better" or "worse" than anybody else, just different. And, I agree, there's nothing wrong with differences.

kk

As a student/reader of three or four years of posts like this one about Americans traveling abroad, this is the first time I've had this thought, to wit--It just occurred to me that everyone notices loud, aggressive or peculiarly dressed or fat Americans BECAUSE they are noticeable. DUH. But what about the Americans who are in Europe and being quiet and polite? I bet there are five or so (or more) of those compared to the obvious ones. Perception is everything. <BR> <BR>In reverse, this is what I've found. For the last several years when I've been in Europe, I will see a bunch of people and ASSUME they are Americans because of the way they are dressed. And then when they get within ear range, I hear that they are some other nationality. I think the world we are now living in is shattering a lot of stereotypes...and they would be shattered a whole lot faster if we'd quit throwing verbal stones at each other. <BR>Case in point. I was amazed to see the men's gymnastics team from China high five-ing and carrying on as if they were members of a US pro basketball team. Four years ago they were very restrained. See, the world is changing. <BR> <BR>TJ, I hope you and your survivor husband have a fabulous time in Europe. I know you will be enjoying every precious minute, and in comfort, too.

Paige

You go, Peggy! What a great post! It really points out how stupid all this talk is about how Americans look abroad. I hope your hubby is doing well and you have many years of traveling ahead!

harzer

Hey, KK, that's really great news that the Chinese are FI-nally learning to highfive and carry on like oversexed monkeys. <BR>I would have thought that a more welcome change would have been to find an American team being restrained in line with Chinese practice. <BR>I can see your point: the more the rest of the world changes to resemble us Americans, the better. YUKKK!

Gore

Fact: "Brazil now has the same rate of obesity as France and Italy, about 10%. . . although the U.S. remains number one, where about one-quarter of adults are obese." (AAP release, 7/3/00). <BR> <BR>Fact: "55% of the U.S population is overweight." (Worldwatch Institute, <BR>2000 annual report). <BR> <BR>Isn't there some way to turn overeating into an Olympic sport?

Nancy

Hey Gore: <BR>I think you are missing a whole point here. Please read all the responses to TJ's statement. <BR>And Peggy good luck and hope you will take many trips together with your husband.

kk

Dear Harzer, my point was that people are changing. Never said one thing about whether that was good or bad...which you will see if you reread my post. You seem to have read into it that I thought it was great nonAmericans were acting more like Americans. Au contraire, mon frere.

Gore

The thread here seems to be about stereotypes. Is it wrong to stereotype American tourists? Maybe. But sometimes it comes in handy. Here's a hypothetical. You're walking past a cafe in Paris. At one table is a 40-ish gentleman, slender, wearing a black turtleneck, black pants, black shoes, and smoking. At the other table is a 40-ish gentleman, overweight, wearing a bright polo shirt, shorts and sneakers. You're curious to know the outcome of Monday night's Cowboys-Redskins game. Whom do you approach first?

Hillary

That's easy, Al. You assume the bright colored clothing guy is from Romania and the man dressed in black is a fodorite trying to fit into the Paris scene. So you go ask the guy smoking like a chimney trying to look tres cool about the game results. <BR>See, I am so much smarter than you are, Al. I've been telling you that for eight whole years.

xxx

Dear Peggy! You brought tears to my eyes as I read your posting! Thank you for putting life (back) into prospective! <BR> <BR>As I was reading, I thought to myself, "How lucky they are to be going to Paris with each other!" You're an inspiration! <BR> <BR>Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! You certainly shine! <BR> <BR>All the best to you -- continued good health and happiness. If I "see" you here in the States, walking hand-in-hand, I'll be certain to say HELLO!

MaureenGP

Dear Peggy: You also brought tears to my eyes, and I hope some of the cynics in this forum pause long enough to get the point of your letter. <BR>I must say, and this may sound morbid, that when we plan a big trip, it is always in the back of my mind that we should do this now because who knows what will happen in the future. I arrived at that philosophy after watching my father "X" off each day on the calendar as he eagerly awaited his retirement. He planned to go to Sanibel Island to pick seashells, among many other things. He planned to retire in January, but he never made it--he collapsed at work in May and died a few days later without regaining consciousness. Ever since, when I am tempted to put off a trip to Hawaii or Europe for another year, I remind myself that we are not guaranteed that extra time. Every trip has been wonderful, and has meant all that much more as I realize that each of us is stockpiling family memories that will be ever more precious as the years go by. <BR>As for clothing--I spent a great deal of time organizing the packing for our recent month-long trip to Spain, and it worked very well. But, when I got to Spain, I realized it didn't matter who looked like a native or a tourist. That was by far the least of my concerns--I was really way too busy admiring the cathedrals and castles and museums to care what anybody was wearing.

Monica

Hillary, you never, ever approach men to ask about football scores. I mean, duh! You flash them your thong and your best shore leave smile, and there will be plenty of sports action soon enough. 'Nuff said about that, doll.

Thyra

Maureen and Peggy THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Yesterday the VP of my company pulled me into her office and dressed me down for taking my two week vacation (we leave for Greece October 5th) apparently, though I got approval in June and have not taken any time off all year, it makes my boss very angry that I am taking two weeks TOGETHER. She warned me that she does not want to see this repeated in the future, though the employee manual clearly states that I am entitled to two weeks after the first year. I was devastated, but your letters reminded me that no one ever lays on their death bed wishing they'd spent more time at work. <BR>We get one life.Thanks for reminding me, ahh time to print up some resumes.

Alice The Magyar

Have any of you been to Hungary? They almost make love on the Metro and Buses. Just turn your head. I found that is what all the other folks do there. I go to other Counties to see the beauty and wonder of different parts of the world. Not to judge others. Judge not, be yea not judged. If we look around we could find fault with anything and everthing. Enjoy life it is too short. Thank you Peggy for your post. I am a home Health aide and I love my Job. But Nurses's look down at me. I don't care if they do. My patients LOVE me and I love them! <BR> Alice <BR>