I was reading one of the hubs and i found this hub and i liked for its style and way of writing and i am copy it here for you to read it and enjoy it.
Author : Isabella Snow
I live in one of the oldest and most architecturally fascinating cities in Europe, which results in loads of tourists. Now, to be sure, every country has their fair share of idiots who travel abroad. But, for some reason, the Americans seem particularly ignorant and obnoxious.
This wouldn’t be so bad, if they were capable of blending into the crowd – but they tend to lack these skills more often than not.
Due to my job, I encounter loads of them every weekend, and I’ve noticed a distinct similarity across the board. It doesn’t matter if they’re from the south, the west or the northeast – they always seem to act the fool in some respect.
It’s gotten so bad that the US government has actually started issuing etiquette pamphlets for Americans traveling abroad, to try to clue them in on their behavior and how it ticks most of the world off. Unfortunately, most Americans seem to have missed the memo.
So please, on behalf of Europe, let me ask the Americans to stop doing the following:
This wouldn’t be so bad, if they were capable of blending into the crowd – but they tend to lack these skills more often than not.
Due to my job, I encounter loads of them every weekend, and I’ve noticed a distinct similarity across the board. It doesn’t matter if they’re from the south, the west or the northeast – they always seem to act the fool in some respect.
It’s gotten so bad that the US government has actually started issuing etiquette pamphlets for Americans traveling abroad, to try to clue them in on their behavior and how it ticks most of the world off. Unfortunately, most Americans seem to have missed the memo.
So please, on behalf of Europe, let me ask the Americans to stop doing the following:
Stop talking about how “cheap” everything is.
For starters, things aren’t as cheap as you think they are, and most of you don’t really have a clue about currency conversion. I hear people debating costs all the time. Bring a calculator, cos most of you cannot do the math in your heads. Secondly, if it is cheap, it may not be cheap to the people who live there, and have to listen to you talk like you're King Midas. It’s rude, so keep your remarks to yourself until your back in your hotel room.
For starters, things aren’t as cheap as you think they are, and most of you don’t really have a clue about currency conversion. I hear people debating costs all the time. Bring a calculator, cos most of you cannot do the math in your heads. Secondly, if it is cheap, it may not be cheap to the people who live there, and have to listen to you talk like you're King Midas. It’s rude, so keep your remarks to yourself until your back in your hotel room.
Stop talking so damned loud.
This is one of the most obnoxious things American tourists do. If you’re in a bar where it’s loud and you have be loud to hear yourself, great, go for it. But if you’re in a nice restaurant, or club, or shop, etc – shut up! Believe me, your conversations are not that interesting to the locals. And I mean that sincerely; it’s ridiculous how petty the lot of you sound, which is the real reason Europeans look down on us. Hard not to, when the biggest crisis in someone’s life is running out of hairspray, and ohmigod, like, will I be able to find my brand in this 3rd world country?
This is one of the most obnoxious things American tourists do. If you’re in a bar where it’s loud and you have be loud to hear yourself, great, go for it. But if you’re in a nice restaurant, or club, or shop, etc – shut up! Believe me, your conversations are not that interesting to the locals. And I mean that sincerely; it’s ridiculous how petty the lot of you sound, which is the real reason Europeans look down on us. Hard not to, when the biggest crisis in someone’s life is running out of hairspray, and ohmigod, like, will I be able to find my brand in this 3rd world country?
Read something about the country you’re visiting before you get on the plane.
Did you know that most Americans think the Czech Republic is still Czechoslovakia? And did you know that most who realize it isn’t, think only the name changed? And that those who realize they separated into two different countries, still don’t realize they are two different peoples – the Czechs and the Slovaks? I’ve met “educated” people walking around while they call home on their cell phones and tell mom they’re having a swell time in Czechoslovakia. Duh.
Did you know that most Americans think the Czech Republic is still Czechoslovakia? And did you know that most who realize it isn’t, think only the name changed? And that those who realize they separated into two different countries, still don’t realize they are two different peoples – the Czechs and the Slovaks? I’ve met “educated” people walking around while they call home on their cell phones and tell mom they’re having a swell time in Czechoslovakia. Duh.
Do not assume people speak English.
Guess what – in all of Europe, the only place you’re guaranteed to hear English is in the UK. Do not waltz into Germany or France and expect the locals to speak English with you, and don’t give them a dirty look if they can’t. Most of the Europeans I know speak 3 languages, whether English is one of them or not. How many do you speak? Also, I see loads of Americans encounter non-English speakers.. and then start to speak more loudly. Or, they start to speak like they’re addressing someone who is mentally challenged. Slick, people. Really, really slick.
Guess what – in all of Europe, the only place you’re guaranteed to hear English is in the UK. Do not waltz into Germany or France and expect the locals to speak English with you, and don’t give them a dirty look if they can’t. Most of the Europeans I know speak 3 languages, whether English is one of them or not. How many do you speak? Also, I see loads of Americans encounter non-English speakers.. and then start to speak more loudly. Or, they start to speak like they’re addressing someone who is mentally challenged. Slick, people. Really, really slick.
Don’t assume people don’t speak English.
Even if they say they can’t speak English, most people do speak enough to understand whether or not you’re speaking rudely about them. Just because the waitress doesn’t know that fancy drink you’re asking for, doesn’t mean she won’t spit in your food as you snub her to your friends. Get some manners, or order room service.
Even if they say they can’t speak English, most people do speak enough to understand whether or not you’re speaking rudely about them. Just because the waitress doesn’t know that fancy drink you’re asking for, doesn’t mean she won’t spit in your food as you snub her to your friends. Get some manners, or order room service.
Don’t ask people what communism was like – and don’t pretend to understand it.
I’ve lived in a former soviet bloc country for 5 years. One which still has loads of red tape. I’ve been accepted into a few families and have learned many things about communism – but I would never presume to “understand” what it was like. Which means some fool who just stepped off a plane shouldn’t bring it up either, unless a native brings it up first.
I’ve lived in a former soviet bloc country for 5 years. One which still has loads of red tape. I’ve been accepted into a few families and have learned many things about communism – but I would never presume to “understand” what it was like. Which means some fool who just stepped off a plane shouldn’t bring it up either, unless a native brings it up first.
Don’t mention the Nazis when traveling through Germany.
Most Europeans still trash the Germans for the Nazis and they still toss words like Gestapo around – but not in Germany. Don’t be an idiot. If I need to explain this one in detail, you’re one of the Americans who ought to stay home.
Don’t get into political arguments.
Whether you agree or disagree with American politics, don’t get into it with the locals. Even if you agree with them, all this does is attract loads of attention, and it serves no purpose. And, to be frank, Europeans probably know more about American politics than the average American tourist – so you stand a good chance of being made a fool of, anyway.
Whether you agree or disagree with American politics, don’t get into it with the locals. Even if you agree with them, all this does is attract loads of attention, and it serves no purpose. And, to be frank, Europeans probably know more about American politics than the average American tourist – so you stand a good chance of being made a fool of, anyway.
Don’t "educate" people.
Really. Don’t try to explain life and other complexities to the locals. They’re usually pretty educated and take school pretty seriously, even at a young age. Odds are, they’re better read and better educated than most of you, so don’t talk to them like you’re addressing the deaf, dumb and blind kid, ok? Cos most of you just come off as condescending, whether you mean to, or not.
Really. Don’t try to explain life and other complexities to the locals. They’re usually pretty educated and take school pretty seriously, even at a young age. Odds are, they’re better read and better educated than most of you, so don’t talk to them like you’re addressing the deaf, dumb and blind kid, ok? Cos most of you just come off as condescending, whether you mean to, or not.
Don’t talk about how much better something is in America.
I hear this one constantly. It’s obnoxious. It’s rude. And it’s very, very American. Yes, some things are better in the USA, and, believe it or not, some things are better in Europe. If you prefer the US, go home – Europe will be ok without you.
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Obviously, this doesn’t apply to ALL Americans. It does, however, apply to most. And, of course, it’s not just Americans – the Brits do it too, but they're far more subtle about it. At any rate, this kind of behavior does not reflect well on Americans, and is particularly annoying for those who actually live overseas, cos we get stuck having to assure the locals that not all Americans are so incredibly inept.
Isabella
I hear this one constantly. It’s obnoxious. It’s rude. And it’s very, very American. Yes, some things are better in the USA, and, believe it or not, some things are better in Europe. If you prefer the US, go home – Europe will be ok without you.
--
Obviously, this doesn’t apply to ALL Americans. It does, however, apply to most. And, of course, it’s not just Americans – the Brits do it too, but they're far more subtle about it. At any rate, this kind of behavior does not reflect well on Americans, and is particularly annoying for those who actually live overseas, cos we get stuck having to assure the locals that not all Americans are so incredibly inept.
Isabella
