<BR>I saw an American tourist being really rude to a hairdresser in Brussels. She insisted on giving the hairdresser a "tip", the hairdresser kept insisting she did not want it. She eventually had to take it just to get rid of the woman but she threw it in the trash when the American left. The hairdresser was very upset. The American woman seemed to consider herself to be a nice person. <BR> <BR>Is this what Europeans mean when they talk about ugly Americans ?

Where are you from? My guess is Trollsville.

This isn't even a GOOD one.

Hey, some Americans are rude, sure, but so are some people from other nations. I was on a cruise once, enjoying my meal when an English couple in their fifties sat across from us and ranted the whole time about how rotten American food is, how there is so much, and what pigs Americans are to each so much rotten food. Then she ripped into how lousy our hotel are, in her opinion. <BR>Not finished yet, she decided to give us a lecture on how stupid the American (?) expression "Have a nice day" sounds to all her English friends when they visit the U.S. <BR> <BR>So, I think the term should be "ugly traveller" from now on.

Oh, groan, Chris and his alter ego, Let's B, are really bad at trolling. Perfect example of what happens when you skip school to play on the computer.

I had a number or rude incidents with what seemed like French Farm people last summer in England. Whenever I confronted them on their behavior they just grunted back at me. And I suppose you have only met friendly, selfless Germans in your life? <BR>I am a New Yorker you cross me in any country and you should start saying your prayers. Sorry a force of habit. Rude people are every where Einstein.

<BR>Whether it's a troll or not: <BR> <BR>Rudeness has no nationality, i'ts international!

Europeans throwing away money? <BR>English complaining about another country's food? <BR>Rude French? <BR>Germans that think everyone is their equal? <BR>Oh my... I've been trolled

Lou I think you mean Germans that think everyone is not their equal, yes? Because if you meant exactly what you wrote than I have been meeting people from some fantasy Germany. Note to self, reschedule trip to Germany, the real Germans think everyone is their equal. For me it has not really been the superiority issue, that is apparent in a bunch of European countries. This is how you have the British Empire, WWII the holocaust. I kind of expect these attitudes from Europeans who have not done a fair bit of travel, read literature and history of countries outside their own borders i.e… the middle east always comes to mind. <BR> <BR> My problem with the Germans has been more a sense of entitlement. But I am well aware that I need an attitude adjustment hard for me to be open considering their past. This even though I have very recent ancestry in Germany. <BR> <BR>Yes as you can plainly see we are rude in every country.

<BR>How do you know she was American?.

I knew she was American because she was a huge fat thing, wearing a pink jogging suit, white running shoes, and a fanny/bum/belly pack. I believe she said her name was Clara and she was celebrating her recent divorce from a fellow she called Herb. Sounded like it was a pretty nasty divorce and appears that Herb is now living in Provence with some young French chippie. <BR> <BR>I felt sorry for her really, but her rude actions were uncalled for, even if it was all Herb's fault for being such an arrogant ass.....

NOW do you believe this was a troll?

Oh yeah you can never catch tacky working class women in pink jogging suites suits in industrial areas of England? They must have been ghosts I saw on my last trip ..."chippie" gee things are great for women in England aren't they??? Let's all move right now. Wait they don't make a competative wage for women when males are doing the same job, they are passed over for promotions if they are even let in the door. Why because they are thought of as things like "chippie" and "bird" terms used here more in the dark 70's. <BR> <BR>Get some perspective Chippie, you can't drawl sweeping conclusions on one single encounter.

I thought it was draw....southerners like me DRAWL when we talk but we DRAW conclusions.

On the contrary, absolutely EVERY American woman I have EVER seen in a European beauty salon has INSISTED on tipping the hairdressers, no matter how strenuously the Italian or Spanish or Greek stylist protested. And they all INSIST on tipping chambermaids and concierges, tour guides, etc. It's really obnoxious. But without exception, it happens every single time. <BR> <BR>Disgraceful, all that gratuitous throwing of money at people. American women are the scourge of the earth.

Did I miss something? I mean, I know this is a troll post, but to have a conversation degenerate to lunacy in such a short time must be a record. <BR> <BR>For anyone who is seriously participating in this thread, tipping workers in service industries is ubiquitous in America. In the US, it is widely known and accepted that most people in the trades mentioned make the bulk of their earnings from tips. Exceptional service is rewarded even more than the standard 15%. <BR> <BR>If tipping is frowned upon in your culture, is it kindly explained to the tipping American? <BR> <BR>Although I think one should familiarize himself with local customs, personally I would rather inappropriately tip a hairdresser than assume that no tip is required and be viewed as a pompous ugly American than a cheap ugly American. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Every American you have seen come on. We are glad to get out of tipping when in a country that does practise this. As for people not wanting our tips. Give me a break I always get better service than British friends and services workers trip over each other trying to get to me first. Noone walks away in tears because I have tipped. But hey that does not stack up against every single american women you have seen in a beauty salon. Call the newspapers hear say is making social research history. Look at your thinking here.

chris, I remember that clara/herb thread. Wasn't that funny? Come on people, lighten up!!

Yes, Ursula, <BR>But fortunately, kindness & consideration also know no single nationality. <BR> <BR> <BR>@--&gt;---&gt;---&gt;-----

BC. How comforting to know there are still some intelligent people out there. The ones who prefer dark chocolate, obviously! ;-)