The Ugly American

I haven't actually seen an UA,, but I sure saw a butt ugly Brit.. he was mad that the line was long and slow moving at St Chapelle in Paris and was loudly proclaiming the "f"ing Frogs can't do anything right" . He was so angry and his wife looked so cowed and embarrassed that no one could or would confront him. I found it especially embarrassing as there was French tourists in line too, and I am sure some of them knew exactly what he was saying . He was a pig.

If you yell across a busy street without regard for other people.

I saw a couple yelling to each other from across the street in Piccadilly Circus. I had the lovely gift of being next to the woman who was screaming "Frank Frank".....They werent trying to be deliberately rude but just really reinforcing the sterotypes. Thanks, guys.

Browbeaten Frank (across the street): "I misplaced my map, meet me at the Angus place"

Mrs Frank :"I've been looking for you. Do you want tickets for the Ripleys place or what!!?!?"

Browbeaten Frank(louder): "MEET ME AT THE ANGUS PLACE"

Mrs Frank: "Just get over here - I dont want you to get lost again"

Browbeaten Frank then walked away, then she finally crossed the street calling out to him the whole time.

I did chuckle though, apparently they had gotten separated and of course, HE is the one that was lost, not Her!

a Texan (sorry this was just a fact, Bostonians have just as distinct an accent we know) telling a waiter how to make a correct cup of coffee. Polite enough, but, what I don't get sometimes is why people don't relish and enjoy (or put up with) the different ways we do things. It is one thing to ask if a drink could be made a certain way...another altogether to tell them they do/are doing something wrong, when it is the normal way they do it in a place.
People need to realize that they're way is not the only correct way. I just abhor the way some countrymen behave...condescending or always in the right. Being clueless and admitting it is more acceptable, and everyone has felt that way and can relate to you.

I've seen "ugly tourists" of several nationalities during my travels, so it would be unfair to single out only Americans for this dubious honour. I try to remind myself not to stereotype people from a particular country, but rather to condemn bad behaviour (regardless of nationality).

Unfortunately, I'm ashamed to admit that a few of them have been my fellow Canadians. One that stands out is a young lady I encountered in the U.K. who spent considerable time "bitching" about just about everything - "why don't they drive on the proper side of the road", "why can't they do _____ like we do back home", etc. etc. It was an effort for me to keep quiet, as I was tempted to suggest that perhaps she'd be happier "back home" and don't bother travelling in future.

Of course, I've also seen several "ugly Americans" as well, similar to those that have been described in some of the replies here. Perhaps they're more noticeable due to the stereotype they have?

I've also encountered "pushy" people from Asia, inconsiderate boobs that don't respect the "No Photography" rules and arrogant Brits (I sometimes chuckle a bit with the Brits, as they make me think of the Vinnie Jones soccer hooligan in the movie EuroTrip. His tirade of profanity against the French when arriving in Paris on the double-decker Bus is always entertaining (esp. the outtakes, when he announces at the end, "I'm knackered" - it's on YouTube).

A somewhat "new" group in the "ugly club" appears to be wealthy tourists from Russia. I've spoken with shopkeepers in several parts of Europe over the last few years, and they've singled out that group as having a problem with being "rude, arrogant & pushy".

Too bad the "ugly" tourists aren't aware of Rick's philosophy to become a "cultural chameleon".

One parting thought - the majority of people that I've travelled with on RS tours (mostly American) have been wonderful tourists and very accepting of the local culture.

Cheers!

in the line to go through customs at Heathrow a lady in front of my was refusing to have her photo taken. When the security guard told her all foreigners have to go through this process, she yells (yes, yells) " I'm not a foreigner- I'm an American!"

Yea, there are a lot of "ugly" (as in rude/selfish/obnoxious/etc) people, it's not as if Americans have a monopoly in that regard.

@James: I think this "I want to blend in" syndrome has something to do with the strange idea that pickpockets, scammers, and dishonest merchants/cab drivers will only target either foreign tourists in general or Americans specifically.

I never understand why that would be the case (very "patriotic" criminals?), but you see this theory expressed quite frequently even in this forum.

Having worked with tourists from all over the world, I can honestly say that Americans do not hold the monopoly on "ugly."

Americans, British, German, French, Scottish, Australian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Canadian, Italian, etc...I can tell you stories.

When asked, here's what I suggest people do to not be labeled "ugly:" Act as if you are a guest in their home/county since you really are. Learn a little bit about the culture, be polite, respectful, be open to new experiences, and realize it's not like home.

I think people from any country can be "ugly" tourists. E.g. brits who go on stag weekends in Europe, get drunk and complain that nowhere serves British food. The American woman who walked around Dennis Severs house loudly screeching that everything was "quaint" despite the no talking rule. The Japanese tourist who kept pushing in front of everyone in order to get yet another photo.

I think we notice the nationality of "ugly" tourists, but not the, erm, "beautiful" tourists. When tourists blend in and know how to behave I often find that I recognise that they are not local, but don't know where they are from until I get near enough to hear them talk. I have often been taken for a local on my travels so no one would notice me and think, "aren't Brits lovely". Whereas the twit who is falling over and singing English football anthems does get noticed.

I do not know if they are Chinese or Japanese, but when in Paris I was plowed over by Asian women in the Notre Dame, so they could get in front of me to take a picture of some religious item. I looked over to my boyfriend who did not notice that this happened. He thought I was embellishing my story. Then at the Notre Dame gift shop, not only did they attempt to push my boyfriend out of the way to get to the counter, they pushed even harder when he just bore down and would not budge. He would not let them get to the counter where he was standing. He looked over at me in amazement and realized I was not exaggerating. We also noticed that in other places where there is a picture of a camera with a line thru it (no photos please), they would not only take pictures but would do so with flash. I do not want to be criticized for being a bigot here. I have nothing against any race or creed but have found Asians to be a bit aggressive and pushy and that they do not follow rules for photography, such as using flash when signs clearly state to not use flash. Am I alone here on this one?

...if you are a backpacker who loudly yells, "YOU SPEAK ENGLISH??" at the ticket agent behind the glass in the Munich Hauptbahnhof.

I wanted to say, "Of course she speaks English, you dimwit. How else could she do her job helping idiots like you?"

But it's true, I've been trampled by tour groups of Spaniards, Japanese and Russians too. Perhaps there should be a limit on the number of drunk Brits allowed into Amsterdam on a given day.

Personally, I'd rather read a thread about beautiful things you've seen American and other tourists do.

It's all in good fun Tom. Laugh a little, it's ok.

When I grow up, I want to be like Frank II (and by that, I mean wise.)

I recently returned from a trip to Spain, where we ate in a place recommended by a friend. The food was great and there was a flamenco guitar player adding to the ambiance.

A group of four Americans sat down next to us when we were about finished with our meals. One of the men said to the waiter(loudly, with a Southern accent) "We're glad you sat us over hear because we don't like cigarette smoke. And we also don't like guitars. Don't let that guitar player come any where near us."

The waiter brought the table a bottle of wine and after tasting the wine and declaring it good another LOUD man said "Yes, they have decent wine in Granada, which is fortunate because the only other thing they have going on for them --gestures in the direction of the Alhambra--is that thing up in the hill."

The only ugly/racist/ignorant/etc. folks I have met are ones with money. Poor folks can't afford to deal with petty things such as being ugly.

Edwin

I have to say that the Ugly American is less and less to be seen in this last decade compared with the 1970s and 1980s. Maybe I'm not at the right places. I remember one instance in Cracow in the Rynek in 2001 where these two Americans (males) wanting to buy a t-shirt kept on asking and insisting to the young Polish saleslady whether the t-shirt was 100% cotton and that what was what he wanted. Since I was almost next to them, I must have heard him repeat the question five times and felt sorry for that poor Polish girl, whose English was not all that good but good enough. Still, the girl was trying to be accomodating and polite, whereas I thought in Paris a French saleslady would have presented the attitude of "you take or leave it, Mac!"

Kelly--your assessment is not off. Unfortunately, you see that sort of behaviour in SF. Why? I can only think that it's a given in Hong Kong, but I haven't been there.

Some nationalities might have more "representatives" of the ugly ____, others fewer, but there is definitely the "ugly tourist,"
instead of having a behaviour displaying civility, courtesy, and rationality.

I've actually managed to avoid UAs, until three years ago when I visited Krakow; they seemed to be everywhere. In the city center, I was standing in the back of one of the many stunningly beautiful churches, admiring it's beauty and observing a service which was in progress. In walk two ladies from Kansas, I assumed they were from Kansas because every stitch of clothing they were wearing had the U of Kansas logo on it. Without any regard to the fact there was a service in progress, they wandered at will throughout the small church taking pictures of everything and yelling at each things like , "take a picture of the ceiling" from across the room. It was like watching a train wreck. In finally had to flee when they decided to stand directly in front of the podium while the priest was talking (making a sermon perhaps?).

The next day while I was visiting the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, a lady from Cincinnati (again I know this from the clothing she was wearing), apparently didn't see one of the many signs in English requesting "silence" while walking through the camp. At the top of her lungs she said to someone in her party: "I'm not going into another one of these buildings until I find a baaaathroom!".

On the flip side, on my first trip to Europe back in 1996, I was actually accused of being an Ugly American:) I was purchasing a ticket to visit the hidden church in Amsterdam. I requested a ticket, paid for it, said thank you to cashier, she said thank you back.....all a very standard routine transaction. I stepped aside to put my change in my wallet, and an elderly British couple in back of me in line, said to the cashier in a very loud voice, "Well that's the rudest American we have ever seen!" To this day I have no idea what I did to upset them:)

I was in a mountaintop restaurant in Austria when a group of American "bus people" (no offense) tourists were going through the busy cafeteria line. One of them paid for his food with $US and, while the cashier was busily trying to figure the exchange rate asked if he could have the change "in American."

"Kelly--your assessment is not off. Unfortunately, you see that sort of behaviour in SF. Why? I can only think that it's a given in Hong Kong, but I haven't been there."

I agree. One should be very cautious to avoid racial stereotyping, but it is true that, here in San Francisco, certain Chinese people from places like Hong Kong tend to be very aggressive. Like, when riding our local buses, they will often try to push ahead of you to get on.

On the other hand, I have met many Chinese people who are very nice. I'm a senior, and as I was taking the bus to work this morning, a Chinese man offered me his seat. This isn't the first time this has happened.

ferry ticket booths in Sorrento: group from cruise ships arrived and were buying tickets to Capri; man loudly demanded "Whaddaya mean, you don't take dollars?" (husband and I checking out ferry schedule)

Pushing ahead in line is an Asian thing, not just Chinese. I've traveled a good chunk of Asia and you don't see people queing up. If you don't learn to fend for yourself, you might never get on a Tokyo subway.

Asians, as a whole, are very polite people. For some cultural reason, waiting their turn in line just isn't covered in their definition of polite.

I'll submit this short yet very funny article: http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-avoid-being-an-ugly-american-tourist/

I especially enjoyed Lesson 3 at the end: "Be humble. Your country sucks, too."

You might be an ugly American if you are my mom.

I laugh at her often but she really does cover most of the classic American stereotypes.

Too much luggage (got shoulder surgery last year as a result of lugging excessively large/heavy suitcase). She is the only person I know who carries more every time she travels.

Too much jewelry.

Complains that the coffee cup isn't bottomless.

Complains that there isn't enough ice in her soda.

Complains about the food being too spicy, too foreign, too something (you name it) or else not enough something (you name it). Complains about the fat/salt/calories in the food, and then orders the cheesecake for dessert.

Complains that the bed is too soft, too hard or that she couldn't take a shower because there are too many knobs on the device to figure out.

Can't understand foreigners, even when they are speaking English to her.

Has no concept of exchange rates or foreign currencies.

My personal favorite is she carries only a Diners Club card and Traveler's Checks and complains when small businesses won't accept them (I'm convinced it's her technique to get others with her to pay).

She could entertain at comedy clubs portraying an American tourist just by being herself.

I can travel with her because I think it's funny, I'm not sure how anyone else can. Thank God I'm not the only one with a crazy family.

In the Paris subway, Franklin D. Roosevelt station: American couple yelling (literally--you know, when someone doesn't understand you, just talk louder) at the person in the ticket booth, "Which line do we take to get to the place where Joan of Arc died?"

Amsterdam, in a gift shop across from the Anne Frank house: Couple from Texas (wearing Texas longhorn shirts) commenting very loudly to each other about how expensive things were, how the quality was poor, etc. After they left, I apologized to the shop owner for their behavior, and he replied, "Don't worry--British tourists are worse." For the record, I was 30ish and the Texans were probably 60!

Sometimes loud has nothing to do with being ugly, but rather due to hearing impairment. This was in Marshall, Texas, not in Europe, but I was dining out alone and the table next to me was very loud--one of their party was deaf and the others were accommodating her. One can choose to either be annoyed or entertained. I found their conversation amusing and chose to be entertained. Then again, I was in town for a dog show and it was apparent from their conversation that they were there for a horse show. I wanted so badly to butt into their conversation because there is much that is similar between the world of dog shows and the world of horse shows (though dogs are MUCH cheaper, LOL!).

I have to say that fortunately have not observed many Ugly Americans. However, I did witness an obnoxious sight in the Sistine Chapel: two women were EATING Oreos!

Brad,, your mom does sound hilarious,, and somehow encompasses so many sterotypes its amazing!

I agree with the queing up part; in all the countries (in Europe) I've been in, the only nationality that ques up are the English, not the French, not the Germans, and I don't think we Americans "stand in line" unless we are directed to as in a bank, DMV, etc. in the same manner as do our British cousins.

Brits do tend to queue up well and patiently. Everywhere. And British children are better mannered as well. They probably dont over coddle as is the standard american way of not disciplining as much as they should.

Have you ever been to Greece?

I didnt mean physical discipline. I just mean, children in Europe seemed better mannered, less spoiled and more respectful than american children, who are usually let to run rampant. Then the american children grow up and go to London and loudly demand ice in their Pepsi.

"I just mean, children in Europe seemed better mannered, less spoiled and more respectful than american children..." Ever been someplace in Germany when a school field trip comes through??? Holy smoke - talk about running amuck!

My observations are similar to that of Steve. European children, at least when they are on school outings, are really out of control; and that includes British kids. It seems the fancier the school uniform, the more Ritalin they need. I've never seen that kind of behavior in the US. I was visiting some museums in DC a few weeks ago, and their US counterparts seemed to be more respectful to their surroundings.

An annoying thing for me was the thing that many Asians do where they want their photo taken in front/adjacent to a painting--noticed this in the Louvre and they expect other museum visitors to move aside so they may have their perfect pic taken. All this taking place when the Louvre(other museums as well) is absolutely packed with visitors.

Interesting that Asians and Brits have both taken pretty good hits in this thread.

I just got back from Munich. The only ugly people I saw were the groups of extremely drunk locals yelling at the top of their lungs in front of the Hauptbahnhof every night. I saw many tourists from many countries. All were well behaved.

Brad, If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were my wife's brother. My mother-in-law is pretty much the spitting image of your mother.

As was said before, Brits usually take the crown for most obnoxious tourists.

German tour groups seem to be the version originale of flash mobs. Their groups form suddenly out of nowhere and somehow they manage to block all ingress and egress out of whatever site you happen to be at.

There are always the Ugly American stereotypes but you have to make a pretty concerted effort to get to Europe from the US so it tends to weed out a lot of the potential UAs.

I must confess to some UA behavior. I will wear shorts in a European city if it is hot and my wife still does not grasp the concept that most European restaurants don't do menu substitutions.

Please! Can we stop the "Superiority Dance" this post implies?

Yes, you'll see behavior by tour groups you don't like. I have my own peeves about certain nationalities.

But I get so tired of people posting here about how "Ugly ____s" behave as if they themselves understand the local European culture perfectly and behave accordingly.

We're all imperfect travelers in other countries. Get over yourself.

I'm an imperfect traveler in my own country!!!

Obviously, there are certain unwritten social rules in every country we travel to, or in, as in the case of traveling in the USA. Dressing American, even appropriately and respectfully to the environment, does not make you an Ugly American. That's what I do when I'm over there; making an effort to blend in is not my style, but appropriate behaviour and mannerism are part of my style as a tourist. And I don't care if I blend in or not. But I know what is expected in terms of behaviour--the dos and don'ts--in Germany, linguistically, socially, and culturally. In France almost, but I can't claim the same level of knowledge as regards to the other societies, such Italy, Spain, Czech, Poland, Greece, or even England. Am I more perfect in Germany as regards to the unwritten rules of society and manners than I am in other European countries, yes. But, if you don't know, you can always ask.

I have to thank the ugly Asian who slapped me in the gift shop at Versailles. I have no idea what she was thinking but she stopped me from buying a ludicrous Versailles hand towel that for some reason I don't recall I was actually considering purchasing. Other than that we had bad experiences with Engish stag weekends in Prague. American tourists have been the most friendly we've come across although there was an unfortunate incident of anti-Semitism on a walking tour of Prague from a few Americans.

For Americans who wonder how they are perceived in Europe I'm guessing very positively because on many of our travels locals excitedly ask us "what part of the States are you from?" and we tell them we are Canadian -- most of the time they sadly slink away in disappointment with nothing much to say to us.

And we haven't even gotten to the aeroport yet!

I seem to recall that this same question came up sometime last summer, and someone had shared that the French were voted the worst tourists according to an Expedia poll because they don’t tip and don’t attempt to speak foreign languages. Anyway, Americans took the prize for being complete slobs. Brits were next. Asians received high marks, so I’m not sure why they’re taking a beating here.

Great post, Doug

Lived in Napoli for a year as a young man of 19. I was always ID as an American but tried hard to use more Italian each day. That was always a winner with folks.

Just make sure you read up and, as Rick says, try to be the best Italian, Irish, Spanish citizen you can be. It will be frustrating to get good at this just in time to go back. However, that's a great motivation to go back again!

This one is for all of you that love or hate the Hotel Champ du Mars in Paris. First, let me say that we have stayed with the Gourdals for over 20 years when we do not get an apartment. We know them very well, and they are very French. Mr . Gourdal does not like much chit-chat in the early morning.. not a morning person. Early one morning we were at breakfast in the tiny breakfast room in the lower level.Those of you who have been there know that it seats about 10-12 at the most. A guest whom I would say was about 60 came down to the breakfast room and he was most upset because the room was full. He pulled out the most enormous walkie-talkie I have ever seen and yelled into it.... Gladys, Gladys, you better get down here. The dam place is full. I will never forget her loud.. very loud reply which, by the way echoed through half the hotel...I'll be down when I finish taking a dump. You could have heard a pin drop.

Fourteen years ago I was at Disneyland with my infant son (I had a business conference there; otherwise no way would we have gone). I was sitting in a quiet, unobtrusive corner, in the shade, with the baby asleep in my arms. Unfortunately, a line for some ride went nearby. A whole load of Japanese tourists was in the line. They saw the baby, came over and began snapping their fingers and clapping, LOUDLY, six inches from his head...trying to get him to wake up, I guess. They then took photos of us. At least the baby slept through it all.

I just returned from my 14 day trip to Paris and London yesterday. For 6 months I had talked to my son and husband about the how we did not want to look or act like the sterotypical rude american tourist. I made sure my husband left his corvette sweatshirt and baseball hats home and bought him a jaunty little black hat and nice sweaters. My son replaced his basketball shoes with converse and wore a jazz hat. We spoke quietly and stayed out of everyones way. No one botherered us even the trinket sellers at the Eiffel tower left us alone. The bartender started speaking french to my husband right off the bat and left my husband standing with his mouth open. A Chiness tourist asked us for directions in London. My point is I felt it was important not to help the american sterotype keep its momentum. With that all said I spent way too much time analyzing it because there are some really rude tourist that do not come from the US. I mean loud, pushy, obnoxious. I am not going to say which country but a tour bus pulled up at the boat ride down the Seine started pushing everyone and then proceeded to yell and sceam at each other across the boat all the while letting their children cry the whole way down the river. I did not see any rude americans on our trip. I was really proud!

I am proud to be an American traveler. There are rude people everywhere -- not just Americans. I tend to ignore them as they are all beyond any hope of acting "right." If you tend to spend most if not all of your travel time in high tourist areas then do not be surprised when you encounter ugly people from all walks of life. When you plan your travels "off the beaten path" and take the time and effort to study your trip agenda, you will find that you meet and observe many wonderful TRAVELERS not tourists. My two cents ...

As others have mentioned, the "ugly American" stereotype has nothing to do with how one dresses.

For that matter, I can never understand the obsession some people have on this forum with not wanting to look like a "tourist" when they travel. Why would you think that anyone cares how you are dressed? Of course I'm not talking about an extreme like wearing shorts at the Vatican.

I lived in Chicago for 5-years. You see people from all over the world, many wearing clothes that obviously weren't from here. Locals are used to seeing tourists. They really don't care what they happen to be wearing.

You will find "ugly" people of all nationalities every place you go. Rude behaviour and obnoxiousness are character flaws, not part of your national heritage. That ugly American in Paris or Munich acts just as ugly back home in Houston or Winnetka or Albany.

You want to see ugly...take a look at this Youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwbPdF5dIgQ

In the US that would be a felony:) In Japan you get paid to do that, with fringe benefits!

I hate the generalization, Ugly American. Hate it.

But, I love this post!

I sat with a Swedish woman on the train. She was a lovely woman, but her generalizations about Americans were really hard to take after a while. Her ideas that we're all overeating, super sized SUV driving consumers was difficult for this crunchy granola type to hear.

So, that was one ugly experience, but I did learn from her as well.

Perhaps another case is the reverse, service people thinking I'd want a tourist menu or American type coffee. Nope, hit me with the local stuff please.

Hopefully, travel will broaden some of the view points of the people we've described. We can only hope!

Elizabeth...hopefully the Swedish woman learned from you as well....

I'll blame the media (because they are easy targets) on both sides of the Atlantic for helping reinforce these stereotypes.

I got a chuckle out of one of France 24's leading stories.

'Americans are so overweight that millions of dollars are being spent on medical transport equipment'

Then a shot of a 700 pound women being loaded into a special ambulance....

Without a bit more context you could assume that 700 lb patients are the norm in the US

Years ago, I stood behind behind a (fat) fellow Yank in a queue in Covent Garden. For inexplicable reasons, when he reached the front of the line and handed his money over, he went on a long and loud rant about all the skinny people in the UK, at least as he saw them.. What's wrong, he asked, can't the Queen feed her people?

"Brits do tend to queue up well and patiently. Everywhere. And British children are better mannered as well. They probably dont over coddle as is the standard american way of not disciplining as much as they should."

Not just the Brits, but all European kids are well (or better)mannered.
Your statement reminds me of a father and son in Venice(Americans). The son, about 8-10 yo was jumping all over the place on a small super crowded alley pushing people (including myself) left and right. I gave the father an "evil look" and I was getting ready to say something, but the father kind of pulled his son away, but he didn't say anything to him. I never understood why here parents don't tell their kids what is good or not. Kids grow wild, without any manners and who knows what else they will do in the future becaus eof that.

And British children are better mannered as well

And this is what they grow up to become:

Hooligans Expelled