"Ugly American" Tourists?

[TravelerBen_ll]

I just stumbled upon this Yahoo! Travel piece with advice on how to avoid standing out as an "Ugly American" tourist: Are you an 'ugly American?' - Yahoo! Travel

While articles such as this usually speak in broad, sweeping generalizations, there are some valid points.

Do you feel that Americans are in fact more boorish when traveling abroad than other nationalities? Do you do anything in particular to "blend in" when on vacation? Personally, I think a number of Americans are guilty of speaking quite loudly in public. I always try to be mindful of my volume when traveling...

[Mountie]

Honestly, Ben, I think 'Ugly American' is a time worn cliché.

I read the Yahoo article early this morning and found most of the observations and characteristics easily associatde with potentially any tourists in a foreign environment.

I would take just the opposite position regarding tipping. Many travelers from outside the US don't get or observe the concept of gratuities since service included is frequently the standard in their home countries. If I am rendered good service, I gladly leave a tip and generally range between 15 - 20%

No self deprecation here.

I'm comfortable being who I am whenever I travel to foreign soils. I don't usually pack my NFL tee shirts or wear my USA logo baseball cap around in public. I also general wear long pants (unless as a casual beach resort) when in public, rather than shorts. Actually, my legs still look pretty good for my age, so I may start packing more shorts for trips.

I don't wear a speedo when I go to the beach, not even the private beach behind my Key Largo condo.

Another thing I don't do is wear black ankle length black socks with my sandals; whether at home or away!

[kyshel]

I take umbrage with several points in the article.
IMHO:
Worst-behaved in Domincan Republic? Italians. Slobs, heavy smokers (butts on the beach--both meanings), loud and rude (and those banana hammocks! UGH)
Rudest and loudest tourists in Bali and Thailand?/ Australians--aka bogans in singlets, swilling beers, filthy language in every sentence.
Worst in Prague and Budapest? Russians, Turks and Germans.
The bath/shower thing in EU?? Don't get that at all--Brits love baths and most Eu tubs are actually deeper than our standard ones. I still don't understand the half door on the showers, tho. Some have only hand held shower and NO door. Go figger!
The point about fluffy comforters and king beds is idiotic--since the majority of the world knows California is not a country and many countries do have all those wonderful things. The article is about "ugly Americans" not stupid ones, like the author.
Desk clerks (on check in) have always pointed out to us that the key has to be put in place to work lights/power in the room. If they don't tell foreigners and they get to many calls--it's their fault.
Most of the article is drivel.
I didn't even see a mention of Americans being loud?
Tipping--varies by service, country, customs.

[omegaet]

Ben, the article by Mr. Limpsky is little more than 'filler' for Yahoo. No real insights. We neither attempt to blend in nor stand out when we travel.....we just travel and enjoy it.

[LL_Travelfan]

Ben, the article by Mr. Limpsky is little more than 'filler' for Yahoo. No real insights. We neither attempt to blend in nor stand out when we travel.....we just travel and enjoy it.

We agree with O and do the same. Speaking the language of the locals helps. We rarely let on that we are Americans. Being American is nothing to be proud of in the current political climate. It's a shame, but Americans are not very loved at the moment. The world wants our money, our help, our know-how but the world does not love us. More often than not, the world hates us. Too often have we see graffiti of "Yankee go home", US flag burnings and embassy threats and attacks, even in relatively peaceful Europe.

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I have to say that I found some things in the article to be true (I read it this morning). I have gone many places and it was always easy to spot the Americans - loud, wearing shorts in cities, etc. (I only wear shorts if I am in a beach resort), acting superior and treating the locals like they are stupid, thinking that if they talk very loud to a local that will make the local all of a sudden understand English (one of my personal favorite idiotic behaviors), flashing money around and over tipping - I have had many European/British travelers (once they find out we are American) mention to me that Americans ruined the whole concept of tipping for everyone else since we tend to tip everyone and tip way too much - many places/people never expected tips until Americans starting showing up and waving tips around like candy - now everyone expects to be tipped.

We try to speak as much of the local language as possible, dress conservatively, take hats off while visiting churches, etc.

[kyshel]

I still stand by the "loudest and rudest" in most EU cities are not Americans, but other EU citizens. They are the largest population of tourists in most cities we visit.
I have NEVER seen any Americans waving money ANYWHERE in the world. You must go to totally different places than we do.

[omegaet]

Maybe we are traveling to different locations, staying in different hotels, eating at different restaurants and having casual conversations with different local residents or observing different American travelers.

Guilty on leaving extra gratuities at restaurants at times - we tend to linger and we tend to or at least attempt to converse with our server in our ongoing 'learn from locals' quest.

btw - good post, Ben, at least you have touched on a subject evoking differing travel experiences here in the lounge/community.

[jmbklj]

Somewhat similar, here is another recent article on "Seven Signs You're an Annoying American Tourist".....

Seven Signs You're an Annoying American Tourist - SmarterTravel.com

This must be a popular topic lately!

[danielboldea]

Just a few observations...
First of all, the title just doesn't reflect the content. Just because someone isn't a savvy traveler, it doesn't mean they are "ugly".

I think that many of the observations in this article are appropriate for those who only make it across the "pond" once in a lifetime and it does not refer to the select few that are commenting in this forum.

I have spent ample time in both Europe and the USA and understand why the two ways of life collide when they meet. In Europe, women dress up and put make-up on just to go to the market or to take out the trash. Americans are just more casual.

My wife is of the European sort and often wears high heels while on vacation. I on the other hand wear shorts and the most comfortable shoes I have. Quite the blend... I do agree with other comments that you must be respectful and aware of your surroundings. Places of worship, dining out and an evening walk on the Champs Elysees all require slacks in my book.

I do find my fellow Americans to be louder than anyone else during their travels. This stands out most in Europe because Europeans are guarded in expressing emotion. To a certain degree being a tad loud is acceptable but if it's putting a damper on someone's experience, its probably gone too far.

Regarding tips, it is absurd to think that over-tipping is offensive.

I will continue to be grateful and mindful towards other cultures as they have given me a much broader view of the world and a better understanding of my own.