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How to Avoid Looking Like an American Tourist
serious crayons:
LOL, sometimes the list reads like "How to fit in and be polite" and sometimes it reads like "How to avoid being taken hostage by terrorists targeting Americans."
In other words, I think it makes sense not to be rude, not to wear shorts and casual clothes in a dressy place or church, not to openly discuss others assuming they don't understand English, not to be loud and overbearing and insist on having everything the American way. On the other hand, in most countries at most times -- that is, unless the situation is dangerous -- I don't think there's anything wrong with having people realize you are American. Most people would be fine with that, just as I would be fine with anybody visiting here who revealed themselves as being from another country.
I thought this one was sad:
--- Quote ---Avoid making eye contact, smiling, greeting, and engaging in conversation with strangers.
--- End quote ---
It's true that many non-Americans don't go around smiling at passersby the way many Americans do. On the other hand, if you're not going to meet or talk to anybody in the country you're visiting, what's the point of traveling?
I've been to Italy a couple of times in recent years. In Rome, there are these fake tour guides around the major tourist attractions -- the Coliseum, for example -- who aren't affiliated with any organization but will go up to random visitors and offer tours. My friend and I noticed that these guides would approach us and immediately start speaking English. As if they knew instantly that we were American. Later, we asked this guy we'd befriended, an American who'd lived in Italy for years, what was up with that. He very delicately pointed out that we looked totally American. My friend is fairly heavy -- so, American. Very few Italians are overweight, unless they're really old. In my case, my coloring is a dead giveaway that I'm either American or maybe English or Scottish or Irish -- in any case, English-speaking.
I do know that in certain politically sensitive years, some Americans made a habit of wearing maple-leaf T-shirts when they traveled overseas. We did not do that -- we openly admitted our nationality and even (gasp) smiled at strangers -- and everybody we met was extremely friendly. When I went back to Italy, this time in a larger group, same thing.
CellarDweller:
--- Quote from: Katie77 on May 07, 2009, 04:08:39 am ---Also, the use of "bum bags"....(I think you might call them "fanny bags")
--- End quote ---
Oh, I learned first hand about the word fanny overseas.
:laugh:
Katie77:
--- Quote from: CellarDweller on May 07, 2009, 09:38:13 am ---
Oh, I learned first hand about the word fanny overseas.
:laugh:
--- End quote ---
Gooooood......that will save some embarrassment.
optom3:
I read all through he points and tried to recall how we spotted the Americans, when travelling in Europe. They were much more open and friendly,that's for sure.They were also so enthusiastic about the countries they were visiting.
They tend to dress in a less conservative fashion than some Europeans and hotel and restaurant staff, love them because they tip well ,unlike the majority of Europeans.
It is all generalisation though. The Brit abroad or at least some of them, can be a major embarrassment.Wanting chips with everything, full English breakfast and no desire to eat any of "that foreign muck" Lord knows why many of them ever left their own shores.We would sometimes cringe when in the south of France on holiday. Crowds of beer swigging Brits, moaning non too discretely about how much they dislike the "frogs", derogatory term for the French.
Nigel and I would sink lower into our sun loungers and start to talk in French. Germany was just as big a nightmare, old football rivalry and the urban myth about all the best sun loungers being taken in the middle of the night by the Germans.Truth was many Brits were probably too lazy to get up early enough to get a good spot !! Or were still nursing hangovers and shovelling down vast breakfasts.
Italy presented the old soccer rivalry problem as well. So I guess there are many generalisations made about the inhabitants of all countries. In general when we travelled we would immerse ourselves in the local culture and stay pretty quiet.
One thing is for sure, I love the uninhibited way, Americans can just say what they feel.Such as I love your accent, or those shoes are too cute, where did you get them from. Most Brits. would never do that and for me I have found it all to be a refreshing change. I have definitely come out of my shell more since moving here and that is no bad thing.It has given me the courage to enter other people's lives and so has exposed me to so much more than had I remained in my reserved little British cocoon.
The thing perhaps I admire most about Americans,is their unabashed pride in their country. We go to the beach every July 4th and it never ceases to to make the hairs on my neck stand up.
The very first gymnastics meet I took Emma to, the national anthem was played at the start and everyone stood up. Pride in your country is not to be scorned and it seems to be sadly missing in England.Less so in Scotland and Wales.
Kelda:
--- Quote from: optom3 on May 07, 2009, 12:38:01 pm ---I read all through he points and tried to recall how we spotted the Americans, when travelling in Europe. They were much more open and friendly,that's for sure.They were also so enthusiastic about the countries they were visiting.
They tend to dress in a less conservative fashion than some Europeans and hotel and restaurant staff, love them because they tip well ,unlike the majority of Europeans.
It is all generalisation though. The Brit abroad or at least some of them, can be a major embarrassment.Wanting chips with everything, full English breakfast and no desire to eat any of "that foreign muck" Lord knows why many of them ever left their own shores.We would sometimes cringe when in the south of France on holiday. Crowds of beer swigging Brits, moaning non too discretely about how much they dislike the "frogs", derogatory term for the French.
Nigel and I would sink lower into our sun loungers and start to talk in French. Germany was just as big a nightmare, old football rivalry and the urban myth about all the best sun loungers being taken in the middle of the night by the Germans.Truth was many Brits were probably too lazy to get up early enough to get a good spot !! Or were still nursing hangovers and shovelling down vast breakfasts.
Italy presented the old soccer rivalry problem as well. So I guess there are many generalisations made about the inhabitants of all countries. In general when we travelled we would immerse ourselves in the local culture and stay pretty quiet.
One thing is for sure, I love the uninhibited way, Americans can just say what they feel.Such as I love your accent, or those shoes are too cute, where did you get them from. Most Brits. would never do that and for me I have found it all to be a refreshing change. I have definitely come out of my shell more since moving here and that is no bad thing.It has given me the courage to enter other people's lives and so has exposed me to so much more than had I remained in my reserved little British cocoon.
The thing perhaps I admire most about Americans,is their unabashed pride in their country. We go to the beach every July 4th and it never ceases to to make the hairs on my neck stand up.
The very first gymnastics meet I took Emma to, the national anthem was played at the start and everyone stood up. Pride in your country is not to be scorned and it seems to be sadly missing in England.Less so in Scotland and Wales.
--- End quote ---
That is my pet hate. "I hate the food here.. its all GREEK!" Eh hello, you're in Greece what do you expect!?!
Jess, I'd def say that a lot of these suggestions seem to be overkill...you love TAR you know us foreigners can help out and be nice to Americans when we're in the mood! :P
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