for all those who think that the East india Company was a forerunner of Thomas Cook's:

http://www.britannica.com/topic/East-India-Company...

for all those who think that the East india Company was a forerunner of Thomas Cook's:

Nobody thinks that. Some of us just don't think that mercantilist expansion was the result of some great wanderlust among the masses.

No actually the colonization of many areas of the world was not the result of military expansionism - but of trade opportunities. The armies then followed/protected the merchants to those places where the greatest profits could be made.

Agree that the East India Company was the prime example.

And the tourists followed much later than even the armies.

No actually the colonization of many areas of the world was not the result of military expansionism - but of trade opportunities.

Google mercantilism. The East India Company was, from the beginning, part and parcel of British strategies in forging an empire.

The armies of East India were the first to tip incorrectly and wear socks with sandals.

I guess very few have read Terry Pratchett or seen the film with the first tourist "Two Flower" on Disk World.

Was he British, like Carl Pilkington or countless similar others or American, again like countless similar ones?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwmLgjw3lGs

Since East India was taken by the British and West India by Americans, those of us, the voracious readers and imaginary imperialists had to manage with the likes of Disk World.

Another interesting point :

- According to statistics, huge numbers of books are made available every year in print and on the internet in America implying that a large proportion of Americans read. However, some polls and statistics also show that many americans do not make much use of what they have read or can remember even when and what they have last read.

Last week, there was an indication that e-book sales are down and traditional paper books are on the rise.

for all those who think that the East india Company was a forerunner of Thomas Cook's:

Nobody thinks that. Some of us just don't think that mercantilist expansion was the result of some great wanderlust among the masses.>>

oh, for a joke flag.

Caveat: off topic

but the idea that Europeans, in general, "have enjoyed travelling <internationally> for centuries" is not really true.

Not true.

Though firstly limited to the (very) affluent upper classes of the UK, the "Grand Tour" had been part of a (mostly young) gentleman's (not woman's) education from the Renaissance until the late 19th century.
It was more a coming of age issue than the beginning of continous international journeys, though.
One may understand that as it took months to years to complete such a journey with horse-drawn carriages.

Among German nobility, Goethe's Italian Journey and his travel diary had many (again, rich and noble) followers - probably the first Rick Steves moment when people started to visit places just because they got mentioned by a famous person in a book.

Later we had Interrail.

I find otherchelebi's assessment of Americans to be full of stereotypes, mostly incorrect ones. Especially these:

2. Americans have the best social scientists as a group in the world, . . . but they are also the ones who make the least use of these studies and the information gathered in terms of their "Pursuit of Happiness."

3. Americans like to be considered to be individuals but treat their employees as menial robots.

4. . . . What you earn is to show to others how much more successful(?) you are than they are even if your success is only measured in money, power and property.

5. Real friendship is not easy between Americans and is possible only if there is no monetary, hierarchical or business relationship. . .

7. Americans do not know what to pay someone for small chores when they have asked help. They will usually overpay or overtip and sometimes behave very miserly and act as if that person was required to assist them.


My answer to the OP's question is that Americans enjoy many different cultures and traditions.
It's impossible to lump Americans into categories as OC has done.
Every state in the union it's own unique personality.

Yes, verily.

Very perceptive.

Thanks, otherchelebi.

Real friendship not easy? And here I am, back in the US having dinner with friends I've had since I was 10 years old.

I am sorry that I am perceived as eating in some inferior way and that I somehow don't understand how to tip others for services rendered.

What should a foreigner know about the US?

It is impossible to keep US citizens on topic.

HTtY

I hope the person who may or may not insulted Dukey gets back to him in the next few months, so we may continue this conversation.

Why should an individual take umbrage on a very broad generalization based on personal experience is beyond my intellectual perception.

I would never consider any custom or tradition of eating inferior, since they are all based on religious beliefs, having access to implements, the types of food consumed or even better digestion.

And, I have to point out that I do not find Americans "touchy" or "paranoid" at all and a few cases of having come across such people will not change my view.

Dukey1: No one's perfect.

lol, OC.

OC, I did not even realize you were the culprit. I hope Dukey confirms this, because I never though Turks were paranoid (besides Erdogan.)