I'm a proud tourist!
Sep 10th, 2008, 12:57 PM
#41
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" I just take the best of my normal wardrobe appropriate to the season."
That's exactly the opposite of what I do. I try to bring clothes that I don't like so I can throw them away after I wear them and not carry much dirty laundry when I get home. It's the best time to do so since it's less likely that you'd run into people you know when you're travelling out of the country.
That's exactly the opposite of what I do. I try to bring clothes that I don't like so I can throw them away after I wear them and not carry much dirty laundry when I get home. It's the best time to do so since it's less likely that you'd run into people you know when you're travelling out of the country.
Sep 10th, 2008, 03:00 PM
#42
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This is a problem that seems to plague Americans (of whom I am one) more than people of other nationalities. It's not that we don't want to appear to be tourists, per se, it's that many of us are afraid of being confused with those other tourists that we refer to as the Ugly Americans.
The term was the title of a 1958 novel, in which one character says, "A mysterious change seems to come over Americans when they go to a foreign land. They isolate themselves socially. They live pretentiously. They're loud and ostentatious. Perhaps they're frightened and defensive, or maybe they're not properly trained and make mistakes out of ignorance."
The UA designation is now used to describe those rude, arrogant, noisy Americans who behave in foreign countries in ways that embarrass the rest of us. It has nothing to do with fashion. It has everything to do with not wanting to be confused with "them."
The term was the title of a 1958 novel, in which one character says, "A mysterious change seems to come over Americans when they go to a foreign land. They isolate themselves socially. They live pretentiously. They're loud and ostentatious. Perhaps they're frightened and defensive, or maybe they're not properly trained and make mistakes out of ignorance."
The UA designation is now used to describe those rude, arrogant, noisy Americans who behave in foreign countries in ways that embarrass the rest of us. It has nothing to do with fashion. It has everything to do with not wanting to be confused with "them."
Sep 10th, 2008, 03:22 PM
#43
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I am a Californian and every time I travel to the south, I hear "Y'all aren't from around here, are you." Can't even blend in my own country - even if the south sometimes feels like a foreign land 
Forget blending in other places.
Forget blending in other places.
Sep 10th, 2008, 03:29 PM
#44
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weindell wrote: "... many of us are afraid of being confused with those other tourists that we refer to as the Ugly Americans..."
Given how obnoxious some of them are, I fully sympathise.
But be reassured: most Europeans know the difference between a normal American and an ugly American. It generally has little to do with how people dress, whether they carry guidebooks and cameras openly, or show other signs of "being a tourist". It has a great deal to do with how people behave, and the mindset that seems to underpin their behaviour. I'll probably spot an ugly American at 50 paces; the rest can probably come within 5 paces before I even notice that they are American.
Given how obnoxious some of them are, I fully sympathise.
But be reassured: most Europeans know the difference between a normal American and an ugly American. It generally has little to do with how people dress, whether they carry guidebooks and cameras openly, or show other signs of "being a tourist". It has a great deal to do with how people behave, and the mindset that seems to underpin their behaviour. I'll probably spot an ugly American at 50 paces; the rest can probably come within 5 paces before I even notice that they are American.
Sep 10th, 2008, 09:01 PM
#50
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<i>But be reassured: most Europeans know the difference between a normal American and an ugly American.</i>
And, rest assured, most Americans can tell the difference between a normal European and the types that seem to plague many parts of the world. You know who you are - topless women in Thailand, obnoxious stag and hen parties in Eastern Europe, short shorts and tank tops in the Middle East, the buses that drop off Brits in Amsterdam every weekend, basically everyone on vacation in the south of Spain, etc.
The problem with the "ugly American" stereotype is that there isn't much evidence that Americans are, on average, any uglier than any other tourist group.
And, rest assured, most Americans can tell the difference between a normal European and the types that seem to plague many parts of the world. You know who you are - topless women in Thailand, obnoxious stag and hen parties in Eastern Europe, short shorts and tank tops in the Middle East, the buses that drop off Brits in Amsterdam every weekend, basically everyone on vacation in the south of Spain, etc.
The problem with the "ugly American" stereotype is that there isn't much evidence that Americans are, on average, any uglier than any other tourist group.
Sep 11th, 2008, 03:46 AM
#51
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Weindell,
I know I could look it up. But that book you mention sounds interesting. Can you remember the author and is it worth reading?
And are you sure that the use of the term on this forum is borrowed from the book title?
As an aside, on my various travels I've come across Americans rarely. When I have they have been brilliant company.
But few Americans (compared to other OECD nationalities) travel independently. So you are more likely to come across them in herds - on tours. And it is quite funny to watch such a tour group going by. They are all wearing super-clean gear. The day packs without a mark; the shoes without a scuff. The t-shirts freshly out of their wrapping.
All bought for the trip one assumes.
I'm not saying that I don't sometimes have to go out any buy something new, but I am 100% with whoever it was who said you take stuff with you that you don't mind losing. And you'll be happy to bin when you get home.
Once again, it's how you travel. Two week all-organised trip - new clothes. Trip of whatever duration doing your own thing (probably not for the first time) then you aren't so fixated on what you are going to wear. You just need enough to keep you warm and enough to cater for times when you won't be able to get them clean again.
Nuff said.
I know I could look it up. But that book you mention sounds interesting. Can you remember the author and is it worth reading?
And are you sure that the use of the term on this forum is borrowed from the book title?
As an aside, on my various travels I've come across Americans rarely. When I have they have been brilliant company.
But few Americans (compared to other OECD nationalities) travel independently. So you are more likely to come across them in herds - on tours. And it is quite funny to watch such a tour group going by. They are all wearing super-clean gear. The day packs without a mark; the shoes without a scuff. The t-shirts freshly out of their wrapping.
All bought for the trip one assumes.
I'm not saying that I don't sometimes have to go out any buy something new, but I am 100% with whoever it was who said you take stuff with you that you don't mind losing. And you'll be happy to bin when you get home.
Once again, it's how you travel. Two week all-organised trip - new clothes. Trip of whatever duration doing your own thing (probably not for the first time) then you aren't so fixated on what you are going to wear. You just need enough to keep you warm and enough to cater for times when you won't be able to get them clean again.
Nuff said.
Sep 11th, 2008, 05:35 AM
#53
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The authors of the book "The Ugly American" are William Lederer and Eugene Burdick. It wasn't about UA tourists so much as misguided, blundering American diplomacy efforts in Asia.
afterall, I'm glad that your encounters with American tourists have been positive. I must have met you somewhere in my travels then?
And I know that it's not only Americans that can be ugly tourists. I've seen a lot of British and German visitors to my home state of Florida that were pretty obnoxious, and no, I haven't formed an opinion about Brits and Germans in general based on that sunburned, beer-swilling, loud-talking lot at Disney World.
I know of several Americans who travel frequently to Europe, who, when asked by Europeans if they are Americans, claim falsely to be Canadian. No one appears to hate the Canadians the way so many appear to hate Americans. Not all Americans are so defensive, of course, but quite a few are, and thus try very hard not to appear to be tourists and call attention to themselves.
afterall, I'm glad that your encounters with American tourists have been positive. I must have met you somewhere in my travels then?
And I know that it's not only Americans that can be ugly tourists. I've seen a lot of British and German visitors to my home state of Florida that were pretty obnoxious, and no, I haven't formed an opinion about Brits and Germans in general based on that sunburned, beer-swilling, loud-talking lot at Disney World.
I know of several Americans who travel frequently to Europe, who, when asked by Europeans if they are Americans, claim falsely to be Canadian. No one appears to hate the Canadians the way so many appear to hate Americans. Not all Americans are so defensive, of course, but quite a few are, and thus try very hard not to appear to be tourists and call attention to themselves.
Sep 11th, 2008, 05:40 AM
#54
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Sadly, there are people who prey on tourists with various pick-pocket schemes, thievery, and the like. Tourists are often easily distracted and do carry money or other valuables with them. If you blend with the population, you are less likely to be picked out as a victim. Note "blend" does not mean "dress identically."
Sep 11th, 2008, 06:03 AM
#55
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<i>But few Americans (compared to other OECD nationalities) travel independently.</i>
Do you actually have any evidence of this? I would be interested to hear if this is actually the case. If one bundled cruises in with the non-independent travel numbers, then it might make sense. But, would this be enough to outweigh the much greater prevalence of the package holiday in Europe?
And the scene on the ground doesn't really match up with this claim, either. The Costa del Sol wasn't built for Americans. Neither were the more downmarket Greek resorts. And certainly not the Egyptian, Israeli, or Emirati (word??) resorts. And, while the SE Asian beaches may have been popularized by the independent traveler, most are now just gaudy cliches of beach resorts, frequented much more by Europeans and Australians than Americans. They may not be the tours that you find funny, but it sure ain't "independent" travel.
Do you actually have any evidence of this? I would be interested to hear if this is actually the case. If one bundled cruises in with the non-independent travel numbers, then it might make sense. But, would this be enough to outweigh the much greater prevalence of the package holiday in Europe?
And the scene on the ground doesn't really match up with this claim, either. The Costa del Sol wasn't built for Americans. Neither were the more downmarket Greek resorts. And certainly not the Egyptian, Israeli, or Emirati (word??) resorts. And, while the SE Asian beaches may have been popularized by the independent traveler, most are now just gaudy cliches of beach resorts, frequented much more by Europeans and Australians than Americans. They may not be the tours that you find funny, but it sure ain't "independent" travel.
Sep 11th, 2008, 12:57 PM
#57
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Maybe because they need to use the bathroom?
<<suze wrote: "Call me crazy but I want to look nice even if no one knows me."
The world is full of potential friends. It's a good idea to be prepared. Padraig>>
I'm with Suze on that one, I like to look nice for myself and wouldn't wear clothes ready for the trashheap for anything but garden work, washing the car, painting, etc.
There is that French saying for women, which reflects the attitude about dressing nicely whenever you go out --- "on est toujours prête"
which says it all... that refers to the fact that you never know whom you will meet, romance is always a possibility.
<<suze wrote: "Call me crazy but I want to look nice even if no one knows me."
The world is full of potential friends. It's a good idea to be prepared. Padraig>>
I'm with Suze on that one, I like to look nice for myself and wouldn't wear clothes ready for the trashheap for anything but garden work, washing the car, painting, etc.
There is that French saying for women, which reflects the attitude about dressing nicely whenever you go out --- "on est toujours prête"
which says it all... that refers to the fact that you never know whom you will meet, romance is always a possibility.
Sep 11th, 2008, 03:20 PM
#58
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Christina wrote: "There is that French saying for women, which reflects the attitude about dressing nicely whenever you go out --- "on est toujours prête" "
Unless that advice is intended for only some women, then it is indicative of a very biased perception of how people relate to one another. We men should also be prêt, just in case we get lucky.
[Herself might not like the idea.]
Unless that advice is intended for only some women, then it is indicative of a very biased perception of how people relate to one another. We men should also be prêt, just in case we get lucky.
[Herself might not like the idea.]
Sep 14th, 2008, 01:57 PM
#59
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We wear comfortable German shoes, dress nicely but conservatively, and keep our mouths shut. Capris for ladies when it's warm.
Have been mistaken for Dutch/German/French (I am Finn/German, hubby Irish/Italian).
Lets hope Obama wins the election and people will love us again. I am ashamed of what the current regime has done.
Europeans are great and so are the countries!
Have been mistaken for Dutch/German/French (I am Finn/German, hubby Irish/Italian).
Lets hope Obama wins the election and people will love us again. I am ashamed of what the current regime has done.
Europeans are great and so are the countries!
Sep 14th, 2008, 03:10 PM
#60
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"There is that French saying for women, which reflects the attitude about dressing nicely whenever you go out --- "on est toujours prête"
Unless that advice is intended for only some women, then it is indicative of a very biased perception of how people relate to one another. We men should also be prêt, just in case we get lucky".
It might come as a disappointment but the saying does not refer to possible enjoyable encounters of the first and second kinds but to a boy-scout mantra "Toujours prêts".
Unless that advice is intended for only some women, then it is indicative of a very biased perception of how people relate to one another. We men should also be prêt, just in case we get lucky".
It might come as a disappointment but the saying does not refer to possible enjoyable encounters of the first and second kinds
but to a boy-scout mantra "Toujours prêts".
