TDudette

I've been jostled by French youths, Japanese tourists, and any number of Italians whilst fighting to get on a bus. DH was knocked out of the way by a very pretty 20-something American when we were getting on a plane home. I was also amused by a lovely Irish woman who loudly told her hub and 2 friends that they'd be fine sitting in reserved (but not by them) seats.

NOBODY has a corner on the market of rudeness--we just hear and see them and the stereotypes begin.

How about acting like mature intelligent adults on these posts.

laverendrye

<<I have never heard of Johny Canuck.. perhaps before my time?? I live on westcoast( for those who don't know, Canucks are a Vancouver based team ) and everyone here knows what the Canucks means here..>>

I hope you've learned a bit of history, justine.

As for the Vancouver Canucks, you are probably too young to remember that before the team joined the NHL, it had Johnny Canuck for its logo. And if you are a real Canuck fan, you will know that Bobby Lu wore Johnny Canuck on his mask.

PalenQ

A Canuck to us north of Canada (where I live, in Northern Michigan, it is to the north of most of Canada's population_ is kind of a pejorative terms for country bumpkin - at least in my mind it is.

IMDonehere

The best thing about the Vancouver Canucks was the loss to the NY Rangers in the Stanley Cup final.

PalenQ

The Random House Dictionary notes that "The term Canuck is first recorded about 1835 as an Americanism (American term), originally referring specifically to a French Canadian. This was probably the original meaning, though in Canada and other countries, "Canuck" refers to any Canadian." [1] For example, someone residing in Toronto might be considered a "Canuck". In fact, the 1835 source cited refers to a foreign-speaker: "Jonathan distinguishes a Dutch or a French Canadian, by the term Kanuk".[2] Although its etymology is unclear, possible origins include:

It is not considered derogatory in Canada, although other nationalities may use the word as an affectionate or derogatory term. An abbreviated version of the word, "Nucks", is sometimes heard, usually as a colloquial reference to the hockey team.

PalenQ

Oh - above post from Wiki. Not my words.

bvlenci

Believe me, Americans don't have this terrible reputation in Italy, where I've lived for 16 years. There are many nations whose tourists have a much worse reputation than Americans, including Chinese, French, and Germans. However, I consider those reputations undeserved as well.

Americans also didn't have this bad reputation in the Netherlands, where I used to live. Nor in Ireland, where my family originates. Nor in China, where I worked some years ago.

The legend is propagated by sanctimonious Canadians (viz. Laverendrye) and self-flagellating Americans.

And it's beyond naive to think that little Canadian flag patch is going to get you any better treatment in Europe.

PalenQ

Indeed the Canuck flag is a laughing stock to some of my French friends and in-laws - they mock it and supposedly why they are wearing it - to make sure no one things they are damn Yankees.

Has anyone ever heard of any American wearing a Canuck flag in Europe or anywhere else. Yes I agree with bvienci - this is an urban myth that Americans are despised by Europeans - our government may be but in knowing many French for years that is the differentiation they make - well they sometimes see Americans talking loud and being rather demanding and they find that amusing. Indeed the French I know think Germans are the most demanding and sure of themselves folk.

Pegontheroad

Oops! On a visit to Nelson, B.C., I bought a red shopping bag with a big ole maple leaf on one side and the word Canada right below it. I bought it because I liked it, and I've never used it anywhere except in Safeway in Spokane.

I wouldn't dream of pretending to be anything but an American when I travel.

Maybe I'm just out of it, but I've been traveling abroad since 1960, and I've never felt that Americans I've seen are any different from any other nationality. Maybe I'm just not paying attention.

There are individual loud, rude Americans, but they are not the general rule.

colduphere

Yes the Chinese are becoming known as difficult tourists. In fact many Chinese are now wearing Canadian flags on their backpacks.

NewbE

<Has anyone ever heard of any American wearing a Canuck flag in Europe or anywhere else.>
My point as well. I have a feeling this was an idea propounded in the US by people who don't travel and don't know much about Europe, or anyplace else.

justineparis

ImDonehere.. last Stanley Cup game Canucks were in ( and lost finals) was to BOSTON BRUINS .

Colduphere.. that's likely because many of the Chinese ARE new Canadians.. at least out here.. tons of new citizens from mainland China.

Cranachin

Oh Rick Steves
You're so fine
You're so fine
You blow my mind
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!


<i>Half the people on this thread:</i>

Oh Rick Steves, what a pity
You don't understand
You take me by the heart
When your guidebook's in my hand
Oh Rick Steves, you're so pretty
Can't you understand
It's guys like you Rick Steves
Oh what you do Rick Steves, do Rick Steves
Don't break my heart Rick Steves!

Oh Rick Steves
You're so fine
You're so fine
You blow my mind
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!
Hey Rick Steves!

<i>The other half of the people on this thread:</i>

Hey, Rick Steves!
You've been around since '79
And that's a little long
You think you've got it right
And I think you got it wrong
But can't you say goodnight
So you can go home Rick Steves

Oh Rick Steves
You're so fine
You're so fine
You blow my mind
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!

Oh Rick Steves
You're so fine
You're so fine
You blow my mind
Hey Rick Steves! Hey! Hey!
Hey Rick Steves!

IMDonehere

Cranachin
Keep your day job and get part time job

Cranachin

IMDonehere,

Are you hiring?

laverendrye

<<The best thing about the Vancouver Canucks was the loss to the NY Rangers in the Stanley Cup final.>>

<<ImDonehere.. last Stanley Cup game Canucks were in ( and lost finals) was to BOSTON BRUINS .>>

It may have escaped your notice, justine, that the 1994 Stanley Cup final was between the Rangers and Canucks. Same result as 2011--Canucks lose in 7, Vancouverites riot in the streets.

LR220

If you just google worst behaved tourists that should tell you enough - there's even a wikipedia article for "Ugly American". And this: http://www.businessinsider.com/worst...ts-2013-5?op=1 Whether the Chinese, Germans or French have worse reputations or whether the places you've lived or worked at don't seem to agree, etc doesn't change that I've heard, and many others have heard, that Americans have a negative tourist reputation and that has little to do with the government but more to do with their sense of entitlement (and some to do with how they chant "U-S-A" for everything, apparently). I didn't pay attention to those stereotypes, but had them confirmed many times when I was surrounded by such American tourists in Venice and Cinque Terre (holding Rick Steves guides). Especially after being shoved by some beer-bellied man who was about twice my age and three times my size when I was carrying a heavy bag.

As for the Canadian flag patch - I've never used one, though I have told locals I'm Canadian on my travels when I let them know I don't speak the language whenever they come speak to me in Italian, German, etc. And apparently more Americans than Canadians actually use the Canadian flag patch. And Americans also vote themselves as the worst tourists so this is no myth spread by Canadians.

Americans are also incredibly ethnocentric and ignorant.

justineparis

Well as a Canadian I have never worn any form of the Canadian flag anywhere on my body( which btw is normal.. most Canadians do not wear the flag as clothes.. but.. it is rather common to see Americans with various forms of the stars and stripes as clothing.. tshirts, bathsuits etc.. its on a lot of things.. maybe you don't notice it if you are American.. but as a non American I do find it odd that Americans like to use their flag motif for clothing decoration and fabric patterns..

I am often asked if I am American.. I am blonde,, wear basically the exact same brands and styles that many Americans wear.. and have what is likely considered a Pacific Northwest type accent. When I say no.. I am Canadian.. I tend to get very positive responses.. certainly never gotten a cold shoulder or any whiff of disapproval.. I imagine it is similar for most Americans because I think most people are polite and would not show any overt dislike of any nationality. That's just my experience anyways.. anyone ever felt they got a bad vibe for telling their nationality?

AS For the RS issue.. I don't think anyone here has posted that they love him and wish to follow him faithfully.. but there have been a few that seem to hate him and resent the fact he has been able to build a hugely successful career( I WISH I WAS him.. only not as square and funny looking,, oh and female,.. lol )

IMDonehere

Canadians suffer from a systemic and existential facelessness which manifests itself in the condemnation of those whom they only recognize through their restricted
intellectual capacity and solipsistic experience. This is also common in teenagers. This does not apply to Cold whose maladies include wit and perspective.

The Canucks will be mired in the lower reaches of the NHL due to the enigmatic trades involving one of the best goalie tandems and are now reduced to putting cardboard figures in front of he net.

thursdaysd

I think reactions vary depending on where you are. Not surprising. But they can indeed be related to foreign policy. I traveled through Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in 2009, and gave my standard answer to "where are you from?" - born in England, live in America, with a slight pause in between. Saying I was English got me big smiles and remarks about how much the person liked the English. The smile disappeared when I added that I lived in America. There were a lot of European tourists around, but not Americans, so I don't think the reaction was related to tourist behavior! When I was in Serbia a couple of years back, it seemed better to omit the American part altogether, at least at first meeting, because the 1999 bombing had not been forgotten.

In Vietnam, on the other hand, with a predominantly young population, Americans seem popular. Although there was the elderly woman on one night train who wanted to be sure that I knew that she had been an anti-aircraft gunner during the war.