For the second time tonight (first time was on another thread) I have to apologize for the fact that, coming in to this thread late, I've skimmed the previous responses. So I'm sorry if I missed something and am repeating something that's already been said.

But I think you bring up a very interesting point, Patrick. I suspect it has to do, at least in part, with the old "ugly American" thing. We don't want to be seen as either provincial (unwilling to try anything unfamiliar) or as thinking that all things American are superior. So we bend over backward to avoid American things when we're in another country.

Personally, whether I'm traveling within the US or abroad, I try to avoid eating at the same places or types of places that are available to me at home. But I realize that doesn't really have anything to do with what you're asking.

Bianca,

I do respect your opinion that while in Europe, that one should embrace the local cuisine. Trust me, I do when traveling.

As a Chef, I am always open to trying something new, and have not yet been disappointed.

But, does that mean when, on my next trip this October/November, that since I am renting apartments in both Rome and Paris and plan on cooking many of my own dinners based on what I find at the local markets,

Oh, don't you just hate computers some times?

As I was saying, since I plan on cooking a majority of my dinners based on what I find daily at the local open markets, do you think I am being closed minded and 'American'?

If anyone is being closed minded, and in my opinion, snobish, it is you.

Tom

www.pbase.com/trsw

Patrick, I chastised a British friend when he hesitated to try a bar-b-que beef dinner. Then he chastised me when he was up all night with indigestion. Seems like the spices made his tummy do weird things.

I know immigrants to the USA who have lived here since childhood and have never tried certain American foods, such as turkey and all the trimmings at Thanksgiving. I think I mildly chastised them too but they didn't budge.

It seems some people here don't travel that much to Europe!!

Most of the hotels in Europe serve an extensive breakfast with eggs, bacon, pancakes , a variety of breads, pastries, fruits, juices, cold cuts, cheeses, etc.

So, to say that the hotels breakfasts in Europe are just a " stale croissant, watery orange juice, and coffee " means ignorance or not a very travelled person!!

To Bianca, If I were you I wouldn't waste my time here trying to justify my preferences.
I haven't been here for a while but it seems that the OP still loves to bring up a fight and he will always have an argument for you "until he proves" he is right. Believe me, I have been here before, so don't you feed that.

And to the OP, don't come running after me like you did before because I am not going to feed your discussion!

I think Patrick usually rents apartments in Europe, not hotel rooms.

I am from Europe and I certainly am a "gourmet" person, eating regularly in Michelin-star awarded restaurants all over Europe.

And I must say: US-American cuisine can be absolutely competitive. I had some of my most memorable dining experiences in the USA, notably

- Patina in Los Angeles,
- The Water Grill in Los Angeles,
- George's at the Cove in La Jolla (San Diego),
- Quinones (Bacchanalia) in Atlanta,
- The Blue Pointe in Atlanta.

I had some more excellent dining experiences in other U.S. towns, but some years ago, so I do not write it down.

I liked that the above mentioned restaurants featured a distinctive "American" cuisine with lots of local ingredients.

I also like to cook on my own when I rent an apartment in the USA, and I find wonderful ingredients in supermarkets.

However, you must not compare apples and oranges. "Stale croissant and watery orange juice" is typical for low-standard hotels both in the USA and in Europe. There are some differences in style and taste. Crisp bacon is typical American, and you hardly find it well-made in Europe. On the other hand, Europeans will be disappointed by quality of breads and coffees in USA. Such is traveling!

My observation is that many Americans are often disappointed by European food because they tend to eat in "tourist traps" and often do not know how to order properly. E.g. a restaurant on the Ramblas is Barcelona is almost a guarantee to get overpriced, mediocre food. The locals go elsewhere. Same with most restaurants with multilingual menus or photographic displays of their dishes.

Well, I may as well join in...

In response to the OP's question (and as mentioned by some of the other posters) the double standard is, in my view, due to American posters not wanting to be tarred with the same brush as other Americans that they believe are 'less sophisticated' (rightly or wrongly) than they themselves are.

What many people see as seeking out some home comforts whilst abroad, others see as the insular, blinkered behaviour for which Americans are renowned (or at least perceived to be renowned for) in many parts of Europe.

By the way, the prevalence of posts such as 'American beef is the best food in the world, bar none' and 'we're the world's policeman, banker etc.' don't really help dispel this generalisation.

Personally, as an Englishman, whenever I read posts like this (or see 'ugly americans' piling into a McDonalds) I normally just shrug my shoulders and move on. As do the majority of English people.

The vast majority of Europeans couldn't give a monkey's what Americans eat on their holidays, and neither should anyone else.

You've paid for your holiday, do whatever you damn well please.

>People answered and no one scolded him about spending time in the US watching European soccer.<

There's a difference between the soccer championships and the NFL. The US was also involved in the World Cup whereas there are no European teams in the NFL.

Restaurants: Here in Switzerland, we'd rather see you (the tourist) in one of our Swiss/ Indonesian /French / pizzerias, etc. than in our McDonald's only because we think you'll be getting better food. We don't expect our tourists to eat Swiss food only. How boring! However, we understand visiting McDonald's is like visiting a piece of home abroad and that can be very reassuring. Same goes for Europeans going to the States and eating their country's dishes.

I've got a bigger problem with all those Germans going down to Spain and Greece and eating German food only. Really ruins the feel of the place.

I've got a bigger problem with all those Germans going down to Spain and Greece and eating German food only. Really ruins the feel of the place. >>>>>

We Brits are probably the worst offenders for this.

Kudos to NeoPatrick. It's like the OP woke up and just decided to support posters who ask where he can get American breakfast in Paris. I remember this post. And the poster was chastised and even belittled. Thanks to ekscrunchy for chiming in. If nobody will support posters like the one who asks for a good American breakfast in Paris, these people will be discouraged to use the Europe site. Who wants to be belittled?

What is an American breakfast?

I've been served more pancakes than ten people could feasibly eat, and Gypsy Toast (Eggy Bread if you like) with sugar on it....and a totally wierd pork burger with syrup experience, as well as my first experience with wheat grass (which left me smelling like a lawnmower for days)

And what is that vanilla stuff that goes in the coffee?

Everything in America smells of cinammon as well, and I mean everything, from the moment you get on the plane.

Ah, the weird pork burger with syrup. They make the syrup spill over that way on purpose, because that's the way 'those people' like it.

Waring and Kerouac, don't forget the 4 egg omelet covered with melted cheese and avocado served with brown potatoes!!!

forgot to add the ketchup!!

By the way, I'm well aware that some travelers (very few, though, I think) really do want ONLY their own type food. I have an acquaintance -- an older woman -- who did a big church tour to Mexico. They split into groups and she came home bragging that she got in the group with the BEST tour guide who knew all the right places to eat and they were able to get "real" American food all the time and not have to ever eat any of that "horrible spicey Mexican food".

To repeat my question: What is an American breakfast?

I know what a Full English is.....

Mmmm.

A full English breakfast, with lots of fried red tomatoes.

Why don't the Americans eat cooked tomatoes?

Hey, what is wrong with wheat grass! yummy

NeoPatrick:

You are so right! Never mind whose food is "better"...that has nothing to do with it. It really comes down to an elitist scorn for anything American (both here and abroad!).

I've asked this question a different way for a long time. For decades gliteratti writers at the New Yorker, etc. have depicted American tourists as bufoons. They look down their patrician noses at American tourists abroad---the proverbial "Ugly American" who wouldn't learn the launguage or adapt to local customs/foods.

But now we have the opposite phenomenon: foreigners moving to America in great numbers. And what to those same elitists tell these newcomers? Preserve your OWN culture, speak your OWN language, don't assimilate!

One can only conclude that it has nothing to do with "respecting local customs". It's more about scorn for anything (or anyone) American. Sorry, but it's that simple.