How not to be a tacky tourist

Sherrie: You sure came to the right place for advice about how to avoid being an Ugly American--this is one of our specialties here and that subject has been frequently discussed. In fact, there have been 217 topic threads or posts here that use the exact phrase ugly american. So we have many pearls of wisdom to dispense, and here's how you find these pearls:go to google advanced searchin search within a site box, enter ricksteves.comin all these words enter helplinein this exact wording enter ugly american.Click Advanced Searchyou should get about 217 hits, have fun!

Biggest bit of advice- speak in a low volume, especially in restaurants. If you keep this mind, you'll quickly notice how much the "ugly American" tourists stick out.

Second- if you strike up a conversation, be prepared to ask educated questions about contemporary Britain. Don't begin every sentence with "Well, in America..."

Third- Although you don't necessarily have to dress like a "local", don't dress like you're going to the beach or a college football game either.

To prepare yourself to talk a bit about local politics go online and read the local paper. Sometimes you can pick up a print version at Borders. That might be a good starting place and then just read up on things that interest you. You could try The Guardian or even check out the BBC site. I read the Scotsman to let me know what the Scots are caring about. Pam

Be courteous, be courteous, be courteous. I think sometimes we travelers are working so hard at traveling (all the details and new customs!) we let good manners slip.

To elude on what Tom has said, the worst thing you can do is suggest that things are better back where you're from.

People are always willing to forgive any mistake you make so long as you are polite and respectful - that goes at home as well as abroad.

Sherrie, London is very similar to New York or any big city. Being from Ft Worth, you'll see a big city attitude, and you'll find out that most people you bump into in London... aren't even from London!

Being said that, unfortunately no matter what we do, we'll be pegged as a tourist. Just act as you see others act, and be mindful of others.

On the same note, don't be "overly" polite, as you can be targeted for pickpockets.

Don't expect your hotel rooms to be large, don't expect to find A1 or BBQ sauce for your steaks, don't expect mugs of coffee, learn what bangers and mash are, know something about the monarchy (more than the late Princess Diana), speak quietly, go down stairs to the tube on left (just like they drive....on the opposite side), don't yell in museums, appreciate the public transportation, enjoy a pint,don't wear a sweatshirt or baseball cap embroidered with a college, NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB logo, no hawaiian shirts and flip flops, nor cowboy boots and hats, learn something about their football (soccer) rugby and even cricket, try to see as much theatre as you can, understand there are different dialects from the Queen's English to cockney, realize that Ireland is Ireland and NOT Northern Ireland, know who Gordon Brown is. MOST OF ALL remember the day after September 11th the Queen ordered the Royal Band to play OUR National Anthem in front of Buckingham Palace as hundreds of Brits stood by waving American flags and shedding tears. One of the most moving memories of solidarity during those terrible tragic days.

I agree with all of the excellent recommendations listed above. Speak softly, dress nicely, and enjoy the cultural differences - it's what you're spending all the time and money for!

Kent - I know there have been quite a few 'ugly American' threads, but have there really been 217 of them?! How many years does that span?

One way I've been an ugly American - speaking in a British accent, (which I'm sure was VERY believable, lol!) while in shops in London.

We (my mom and I) did make sure to dress nicely to blend in more. We did wear jeans, since the locals do too. However, we didn't wear tennis shoes (although we don't usually anyway), and we didn't wear sweatshirts. Wool coats and scarves are always good in winter, since most London women seem to own them.

Nicole: Answering your question, Ugly Americanism has long been one of the hot button topic here. 217 is the number of hits I got when I did the Google search described in my first post, search limited to RS Helpline and searching for the exact phrase "ugly american." Google searches of the Helpline appear to go back to 2004. What's not clear to me is whether this is 217 topic threads with one or more post using the phrase, 217 posts, or some combination of the above--I didn't have the intestinal fortitude to start reading them again to find out! :)

Rick has some very good comments in this area in his books. I think learning some British English words is a good start. I asked a police officer one day where the nearest WC was, not the bathroom. And I asked a museum employee where to find the Lift, not the elevator. Small things like that are good I think. Dress well, we didn't wear jeans in London though many do.

Ahhh, this is always an interesting subject. I'd like to (for reasons to be explained later) take this conversation off the boards for a bit and invite anyone interested to contact me via private message. I'd be interested is tossing around a few ideas and exchanging points of view.

Since I live in the United States, a European point of view would be appreciated but I welcome replies from anyone open to "civilized" discussion.

Generally just act like you're a guest in someone's home (unless you're a lousy guest).

"I think learning some British English words is a good start. I asked a police officer one day where the nearest WC was, not the bathroom." A good point. In certain European countries, the word "bathroom" has a COMPLETELY different meaning!

I agree with a lot of what everyone else says.

I think the worst crime of any tourist (and I think all nationalities are guilty of this) is constantly moaning about how everything at home is better. I think the most important part of travelling is getting yourself out of thinking that the American (or British/French/whatever) way of life is the "right" way of life and seeing any other way of living as being abnormal. I think as long as you are curious and interested in everything people will warm to you.

I just think you need to stick to the "when in Rome" principle. Just watch what other people are doing and try to fit in. I think the times when tourists draw negative attention to themselves is when they don't watch others to see how to behave in a situation (e.g. I was once in a cathedral and a couple kept talking at the top of their voices oblivious to the fact that everyone else was being respectfully quiet).