{"id":15,"date":"2023-02-14T01:24:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T01:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justmyrambelings.com\/?p=15"},"modified":"2023-02-14T23:36:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T23:36:21","slug":"the-ugly-american","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmyrambelings.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/14\/the-ugly-american\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ugly American"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ugly American<\/h1>\n

Regrettably, this is a title well deserved. Before you click that mouse and make this distasteful truth, go away\u2026 There are real examples and reasons for this, so bear with me and read this to the end. Tourists must know and fully realize that first and foremost, they are Ambassadors of their homelands and represent America to those they come in contact with abroad.<\/p>\n

For the past 40+ years, in the course of both my personal and business lives, I know and or have come into contact with foreigners on a fairly regular basis. These are people who range from upper class, leaders to the middle class person just working to provide for his family.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve talked to them and have asked them about their opinions and the “Ugly American”.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve found that the term is well d<\/strong><\/em>eserved and earned by some – but imposed on all Americans<\/em><\/strong>. Our reputation precedes us. There are real factors at work here.<\/p>\n

When traveling YOU are America’s representative to the world!!! Act like it. Here are my thoughts and observations:<\/p>\n

Familiarity: <\/strong><\/p>\n

American\u2019s generally aren\u2019t used to dealing with other countries directly. The country is somewhat isolated and large enough that most of our population’s experience is with other Americans. The only exceptions being Canada, Mexico and the occasional foreign traveler, which generally sticks to the major metropolitan areas and vacation hot spots.<\/p>\n

On the other hand Europeans have more access to their neighboring countries and people cross those boarders much more frequently, almost comparable to American\u2019s going from one state to another. So European\u2019s are generally speaking, more used to dealing with other cultures, peoples and languages.<\/p>\n

I know Americans that have never or rarely been out of their own state, I am sure there are Europeans who have rarely or never been out of their own country but the borders are closer for most of them than they are for most Americans.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Finances: <\/strong><\/p>\n

The level of living in the U.S. is still, even in these times much higher that other countries. It cost less for Americans to travel abroad to new and different places<\/p>\n

The reason the foreigners I have met are upper class, leaders and middle class are because travel, generally is not as available to their lower classes.<\/p>\n

Our lower class has much more access to international travel. While Lower class does not immediately indicate crass, inappropriate behavior or trash, it can be said that educational levels are generally lower.<\/p>\n

However, having said all that, our lower class, the lowest rung on societies latter has the benefit of increased access to international travel.<\/p>\n

When confronted by foreigners who assert that Americans are the ugliest of all international travelers that they have encountered; I often remind them that our lower class, bottom rung of society have greater access to international travel due to an greater level of living. I follow this with the question, if your countries lowest rung was able to travel as extensively, what picture would they present to the world? In every case the person I was talking to, backed down and had to admit that it was true, they would be in a similar situation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Attitude: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Many American\u2019s, particularly those who have limited travel experience or education, travel to other countries and expect several things and are appalled and incorrectly outspoken when they don\u2019t (or do) get what\u2019s coming to them.<\/p>\n

As noted in the 1958 novel: “For some reason, the [American] people I meet in my country are not the same as the ones I knew in the United States. 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.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To be treated and abide by the same rules, laws and customs as they have here in the U.S. Well, hello\u2026 you\u2019re in another country. Before traveling, learn their customs and basics of their law.<\/li>\n
  2. If you\u2019re planning to stay in their country for an extended period of time, learn their language.
    \nI know several people who continually complain about foreigners who come here and don\u2019t learn our language. Then they go to other countries and expect the people there to speak English and act like Americans! As the saying goes: When in Rome\u2026<\/li>\n
  3. They think money or buying power equates to \u201chaving class\u201d and should be treated like royalty. This is probably one of the biggest complaints.
    \nClass, as in having \u201cclass\u201d is not determined by economic means no more so than possessing common sense is.<\/li>\n
  4. Preference in the eyes of the law. \u201cI didn\u2019t know that was illegal\u201d (ignorance of the law) is never an acceptable defense, not here in America and it isn\u2019t acceptable abroad either. You do the crime, expect to do the time and most prisons overseas are not as well regulated as ours so keep your nose out of trouble. Learn the rules.<\/li>\n
  5. Nothing pisses me off more than some American who goes to another country, breaks their laws the then the U.S. State Department has to get them out of it. It becomes a media event and the country that had its laws broken is made to look like they are evil tyrants because they are trying to pass the same sentence that they would on one of their own. I believe several things my father taught me will get you through just about any situation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Act as you would if your grand parents are with you and you\u2019ll stay out of trouble,<\/li>\n
    • be aware of your surroundings,<\/li>\n
    • Treat people the way you want to be treated,<\/li>\n
    • Above all, don\u2019t piss off the person that pays you or cooks your food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Here are a few specific do\u2019s and don\u2019ts that I\u2019ve heard:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      Get dressed! <\/strong><\/p>\n

      If only Americans were identifiable by merely their baseball caps and sneakers. Sadly, inappropriate dress grows more common worldwide, and the U.S. often leads in that department.<\/p>\n

      Strapless this and mini that, flip flops and halter tops, it seems that many Americans are confused about whether they are going to church or to the beach. Girls think they can let it all hang out, act like whores and then when trouble starts \u201cthey become daddy\u2019s little angle who was pounced on by unethical boys and men\u201d.<\/p>\n

      Dress appropriately. The trend of dressing down started in the 70\u2019s when people who were paranoid about being robbed, started to dress down, this was expanded and everyone started doing it so they could \u201crelax\u201d on their plane ride and vacation. Personally, I am just as comfortable in slacks or Dockers as I am in jeans, sometimes more comfortable in fact and I prefer a buttoned shirt with a collar and a pocket. The ball cap can stay at the field in most cases.<\/p>\n

      How you present your self is as important as how you act. You don\u2019t have to don a tuxedo or evening gown, but you certainly don\u2019t have to look like a bum. My favorite example of this is Willie Nelson\u2019s inability to get a taxicab to pick him up on the street in London because… he looked like a bum.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Don’t disrespect your hosts. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      Can you imagine inviting a large group of friends or coworkers to your house; after having polished everything to perfection, chosen all the best wines and foods you can afford and opened your home to welcome your guests, you overheard your company speculating about how many people you exploited to arrange the meal or dredging up scandalous stories about your family? Most likely, we would not renew the invitation.<\/p>\n

      How do you feel when foreigners come here and complain about the U.S.? Personally, it pisses me off and I feel like giving them a ride to the airport.\u00a0 You should expect the same.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Be prepared. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      Showing up at the Museum at 10 am in June and being surprised and outspoken to find them crowded is just embarrassing.<\/p>\n

      Americans are information junkies. Before going shopping, we have checked prices, researched products and charted the route via Internet. It’s not hard to discover when the busy season or hours are at any venue. If all else fails: ask the concierge, tour guide, or a local\u2026<\/p>\n

      Do your homework: There is an entire tour industry that targets Americans who simply didn’t do their homework. It is fair to assume that any American would be taken aback to be asked who the president of the United States is.\u00a0 Learn a little about the people and places you\u2019re visiting before going there.\u00a0 While you\u2019re there learn some more.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Rules are rules. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      The world considers that Americans are one of the most law-abiding people under the sun, and yet, when they cross the threshold of the Vatican Museums, they often act as though they have ridden into the Wild West.<\/p>\n

      The rules are usually readily available. When American\u2019s don\u2019t follow the rules they often treat their hosts with absurd responses, featuring the “everyone else is doing it” line or they try to sneak and \u201cbend the rules\u201d.\u00a0 The locals watch this and learn that Americans are deceitful and think Americans are foolish.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Cut out the cutting. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      Perhaps following the “when in Rome” philosophy, many Americans, who would verge on lynching anyone who cut in line at the US Post Office, succumb to the line-cutting urge the minute they pass the customs gate.<\/p>\n

      Unfortunately, they are not as good at it as the natives are, and end up irritating many with the “pushiness” of Americans.\u00a0 When called on the action, the embarrassed American will cower and retreat in shame or become outraged as if they deserve special treatment simply for being an American tourist making a scene that endears Americans to neither the vendors nor local population.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Their country is not your trash can. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      For a nation that prides itself on recycling, and gasps in horror at the graffiti, it is amazing to see how many Americans treat the other countries like a garbage dump. Example: The custodians of the Sistine Chapel end each day picking up bottles, wrappers, chewing gum and even used diapers from the seats and floor of the chapel, which are largely attributed to American tourists.<\/p>\n

      Would we be as quick to leave cans of soda or used diapers in the Lincoln memorial, or our local Church? Hum… After thinking about it maybe so\u2026 Stop it!<\/p>\n

      Find a trashcan or pack it out with you until you can get rid of your trash.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Open your eyes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      Nothing identifies the American more immediately than the compulsive need to photograph everything.\u00a0 Once, a camera hanging from the neck at all times defined the stereotypical Japanese, now the omnipresent iPhone and iPad seems to define the American tourist.<\/p>\n

      The iPhone\/Smartphone addiction is such that when one is not frantically checking mail, it becomes a shield between the sites and the eyes of the visitor.<\/p>\n

      Walking through the Vatican Museums with an iPad screen before one’s face seems like a funny way to visit another country.<\/p>\n

      Yes, it is ill mannered to take a phone call, check your email or play a game while talking to someone, taking a tour, eating a meal, etc. Get over it. You really can live without it in your hand for an hour; that email or text message will wait for you, it won\u2019t disappear.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      We do enjoy many conveniences at a lower social strata than other countries so, when traveling, be respectful of others and be cordial.<\/p>\n

      Being respectful also means, speak politely, we all know what that means, please, thank you, may I, excuse me, etc. Use their language and customs when possible. If traveling for the first time or if you are traveling to a place for only a short period and don\u2019t know the customs, do some research before going, check a book out of the library or surf the web. If you\u2019re already there and uncertain of something, ask. Most people will respond and help when asked questions of protocol or language if you make it obvious that you are trying to learn. However, don\u2019t be a pest; buy a book if you\u2019re constantly asking. Also, take advice when given, don\u2019t chastise the host or local custom, \u201cWell, that\u2019s not the way we do it back home\u201d or some other flippant remark, and delivering a bash with a giggle doesn\u2019t make it ok…<\/p>\n

       <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

       <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The Ugly American Regrettably, this is a title well deserved. Before you click that mouse and make this distasteful truth, go away\u2026 There are real examples and reasons for this, so bear with me and read this to the end. 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