Is It Time To Retire ‘Ugly American’ From the Travel Lexicon?
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 05.29.07 | 12:10 PM ET
Photo by Anthropologists, New York City cabbies, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, New York Times writer Paul Vitello and many others agree: We need to rethink the use of the term “ugly American.” “Let it be said that no group holds a monopoly on the title of ‘ugly,’” writes Vitello in Sunday’s paper. “Tip-stiffing, line-jumping, excessive price-haggling, sidewalk-blocking-when-stopping- suddenly-to-take-pictures- of-a-person-playing-the- steel-drums—none of these are unique to any national group.” As evidence, Vitello points to the recent Expedia survey of European hoteliers that ranked French, Indian, Chinese, Russian and British tourists as the worst tourist nations in the world.
Vitello’s story is one of many I’ve recently seen that pushes back against the stereotype of the ugly American. It’s a good trend, I think, but let’s not get too carried away pointing fingers at other cultures. As Vitello also points out, “people from different countries observe different customs—not only of speaking, but of eating, sleeping, gesturing, counting change, observing boundaries of personal space, tipping cab drivers, standing in lines, avoiding certain topics of conversation at dinnertime as unbearably disgusting—is a truism one probably can never be reminded of too often.”
That shouldn’t excuse, say, tossing around money in insulting ways or excessive, obnoxious drinking, but it should serve as a reminder that, before we throw around the “ugly” label, a little understanding of other cultures—when traveling and when hosting—can explain many perceived offenses.
Email to friend
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Ma.gnolia
Mixx
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Yahoo! Buzz
Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
ourman 05.29.07 | 3:07 PM ET
Sorry, I know this probably isn’t welcome but there is only one thing I ask of American tourists.
Please, please, stop talking so loud. I am so bored of your conversations. I am tired of sitting in cafes where the only thing any of us can hear is an American couple.
I have lost count of the times I have had to move on because it was driving me nuts.
Okay, I’ll move on quietly.
rachel 05.29.07 | 4:13 PM ET
I can’t help but wonder, did those hotels have more guests from France, Britain, etc. than from the U.S.? I’m an American living in Estonia, and far more Brits than Americans visit here (for geographical reasons, I’m sure).
Carpetblogger 05.29.07 | 5:22 PM ET
The behavior of British stag parties in the Baltics absolves me, an American, of ever having to apologize for any bad behavior, up to and including invading other countries.
rachel 05.30.07 | 4:02 AM ET
Yes, staggers are terrible. They’re usually drunk by the time their planes touch down in Tallinn or Riga.
To ourman, yes Americans are loud. But there is an upside: you can hear them and have a chance to run away before they start talking *to* you! Then there’s no escape! ;)
suzer 05.30.07 | 4:38 AM ET
The term ‘ugly American’ and the stereotypical views and attitudes of American travelers (and Americans in general) are unfortunately created by the behaviour of few and enhanced by the comments of many. As an American who has lived abroad in a few countries over the past few years, and left the US thinking Americans did have an ugliness to them, I now realise it’s all relative. Many Brits, Australians, etc are just as obnoxious. My perception is that the media portrayal of Americans, and the ignorance of those who perpetuate the stereotypes through their comments, simply haven’t had enough exposure to know we all come in varieties!
ourman 05.30.07 | 11:12 AM ET
Firstly, Carpetblogger I agree about British stag parties.
Secondly, Suzer in all honesty I don’t find American tourists obnoxious at all.
In fact they are absolutely the opposite. Everything is WOW! and FAB-U-LOUS! and Honey, Honey, HONEY come over here you MUST see this, isn’t it WON-DEF-FUL.
Isn’t this just TO DIE FOR. Etc etc.
Meanwhile I am in the corner of some cafe just wishing I had ear plugs.
The Ugly American term, for me, doesn’t equate with meanness it just means bullish, loud and, at some, unsympathetic to others wanting to enjoy the same sights without having to listen to someone else’s over the top commentary.
Lanie 05.30.07 | 7:01 PM ET
I have traveled throughout Western Europe, Mediterranean and the Americas (South, Central and North). I can assure you that any rude behavior you receive will without a doubt come from a big city and likewise with those who display it.
Yet with that said I was never treated so rudely as I was in Paris. Trust me- it’s not because I am from the USA because I am 50% Swedish and EVERYONE believes I am FROM Sweden from my strong heritage in my appearance. My best friend who speaks French fluently (from Argentina) spoke to the offender who treated me rudely and the Frenchmen actually came and apologized to me in English. Even though I had attempted every language I knew with him -even english and he still denied my plea for his assistance when I was seperated from my French speaking friend.
I LOVE the Americas- from South through theNorth- people are truely loving and helpful (minding my initialcomment).
And as for “ugly americans” I agree with “SUZER” she is completely right in that its been amplified through comments and media, not actual knowledge.
Jane WIlder 10.24.08 | 1:33 AM ET
There are nice people everywhere and jerks everywhere. It really is what complies with the local cultural norms. Beyond that there are cultural values that are offensive to me that are not American in Nature. I don’t like being around people who think that women are lesser beings for instance. I don’t like being around racists either. As bad as it is in America I think we have dealt with the racial issue better than most other places. We have a more mixed society that unites as one over certain ideals that I have not found in Europe , Japan, South America, India, etc etc. It is easy to be non racist if you are 90% one race. Here we have created “American” by choice—maybe we are loud and talk too much, but at least we aren’t judging everyone, and you very rarely hear some of the language about other races one hears elsewhere.