Comments on: How to Avoid Being an Ugly American Tourist

By: GAC

GAC — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:54:48 +0000

EVA
Sounds like you were hanging around with racists in the UK (where I’m from), as a nation I don’t think we’re worse than anywhere else though. We are the worst tourists in other ways being guilty of much of the above. Look at the replies from many americans and you’ll see that the article was probably worth writing cos 6 out of 10 obviously think they have the right to turn the rest of the world into the US.
As for the dogsh*t they should probably clean it up though.

By: RySnow

RySnow — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:24:44 +0000

Johnny and Craig, I completely agree, I’m glad that you two articulated the words for me since I am a lazy pecker.

By: Regina

Regina — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:27:57 +0000

I just have to add this one, was it three coins in the fountain, or three coins down the crack? Pull your pants up, woman!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:14:58 +0000

@ Trair

I don’t know how many billions the USA donates every year but I am sure it is a substantial amount. Do you honestly think that the world would be a better place if the USA stopped handing out money? Umm… I don’t think so. You see when you are the top dog everyone has to try and point out your flaws. So when we try and help other countries we get criticized for not doing enough. Is there another country the size of the USA (and I am talking about population too) that is as nice as America?

As far a cleaning- that doesn’t take money. Last time I no one pays you to throw away your trash. Being poor doesn’t excuse you from littering. If EVERYBODY through THEIR trash away THEY wouldn’t have a problem.

I don’t have a problem when people criticize the USA. There are numerous problems here. The only time I have a problem is when people are stupid about it. I guess if you don’t mind walking in trash and dog crap you can do what ever you want. Not for me though. If I were to spend lots of money to travel to Buenos Aires I would not want my trip ruined by the filth of the city. Thats me though.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:29:23 +0000

@ Trair – I find it really interesting that people treat you rudely because they think you’re an American and then magically change perspectives when you say you’re Canadian. I’ve traveled around South America, parts of Africa, Europe, and China, Japan, and Malaysia, and I can say that never once have I had that reaction to being an American. I’ve definitely had people point out the problems with the USA or ask me why in the world Bush was elected and we have conversations about it, but I’ve never had people assume I was rude or arrogant because I was an American.

None of the other Americans I know on the road have had that happen, either. And in fact, contrary to your stories, most Americans (not all, of course) I’ve met traveling have been really great, open-minded people, and I’ve heard that from other travelers as well–one of my close Australian friends said she just doesn’t understand how U.S politics are so bad when she meets so many great Americans.

Does this mean the U.S is this great, benevolent country helping the world? Hell, no! I haven’t lived there in five years. I think the politics are atrocious and the U.S remains an imperial country looking out for it’s own destructive interests. But I think it’s a little too easy to fall into the trap of the ugly-American stories. I’ve seen rude tourists from all sorts of countries.

By: trair

trair — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:05:11 +0000

And as for “Jacob” hahahahaha Thank you for proving your own ignorance.
If you actually went to some of the countries that the USA was “helping” you would learn so much more about the corruption that your government creates in less fortunate countries. look into the country of Georgia! You think that USA is the global savior? Did everyone ask for your help? How many of the poor eastern European countries are happy about the expired pharmaceuticals that the US donated as a humanitarian mission? Do you think the people who died or the people with damaged livers asked for that? Don’t be so ready to condemn other countries for having dirty streets and praise your own for being the “nicest” country in the world. That just sounds silly.
I agree that being proactive is great. To try and make a change for the betterment of the people is noble. But do not put yourself up so high. If you were paid only $200 a month for working every day for 10 -12 hours, would you have the ambition to try to clean your country up too? And if you are paid even less to clean the streets, how much effort would you put in it? I think the change has to come from the government of these countries. they have to be the ones to give the people the incentive to make the change on the street. As a tourist you so not have the right (or the ability) to try to make that change for them. They do not need their countries faults rubbed in their faces. I see that you don’t like it when people do it here!
Just throw YOUR garbage in the bin, don’t let YOUR dog shit on their streets, don’t add to the mess and you will have done your part. The rest of the change needs to be done other ways.

Trair

By: trair

trair — Sat, 02 May 2009 13:39:19 +0000

Hi Kate, Great article. I am from Canada and when I travel, people always assume I am an American. And so I am treated as such. People assume that I am rude and arrogant. But when they find out I am from Canada, they completely change their opinion. It is funny sometimes.
My brother met an American guy in the Bangkok airport a few years ago and all he did was complain about Thailand. About how you could not find a decent American breakfast in all of Thailand. I thought, “really?” Why in Gods name WOULD you? Your in Thailand. Your not at home!
Even up here in Canada we get Americans coming up all the time and trying to use American money, and getting upset if it’s not accepted. Well, again, you are not in America!! We have our own money!!! Would you accept ours if I went down there and tried to use it? NO!!
I am not saying that all Americans are that way, but like you say, one person can ruin it for everyone. Believe me, not all Canadians are saints either. If you take the beer away from us and take the hockey stick out of our hands we can turn in to pretty mean assholes!

Thanks for the article!

Trair

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:22:37 +0000

Johnny, you are right on. I was just in Buenos Aires. LOVE that city. But the dog poo is just horrible. I travel around the world and in BA, it is really bad. Such a shame as it is such an amazing city. Congrats for that buy praising someone for picking up the poo. My good friend is a cardiac doc in BA. He says everybody complains about the poo and the trash. He actually hates BA because of it.

And as for trash, like Johnny says, it is not a cultural right. Just ignorance.

Sounds like Kate has a bone to pick with the world. Maybe another one of those “obnoxious” Americans?

By: Johnny

Johnny — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:49:34 +0000

Being 100% tolerant of all that you encounter does not make you worldly, it makes you vapid. Many people’s desire for travel stems from a lust for life. Lust is passion and passion must be expressed lest it be rendered into angst.

While the topic of your article is prescient, your writing seems to be in line with the popular trend, among young expatriates , to reject your own culture out of little more than post-adolescent spite. The tolerance you preach is apparently not a tolerance you practice.

I do agree that learning the local language and observing (and respecting) local culture is of the utmost importance while visiting a foreign country. Littering, however, is not a cultural right, it’s just ignorant and it’s a global problem.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:28:26 +0000

Like I said Kate it has its faults. Any country the size of America has it faults but it’s the cream of the crop. I really have to believe that all countries have pollution problems. I know that the laws are stricter in Europe but it’s a little easier to control when your country is smaller then some of our states. Part of that “20%” waste thing is that we are not a developing country and our people have money to buy things with.

Do you really think that the world would be a better place without America? Get real… Everyone says crap about Americans until they need us. I guess if we stopped helping people in other countries we could make our own even better. Then people would talk about us for not helping.

So if your asking me would I rather live in a country where people can’t even figure out how a trash can works or America I will take the USA.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:53:45 +0000

Yeah, Jacob. it’s real nice the way we strip mine and destroy mountaintops and the way we pollute the rest of the world. It’s beautiful the way we destroy our rivers and send all our jobs to other countries where there are no restrictions on pollution so we can save a buck and put Americans out of work.

It’s really nice the way we are 4% of the population of the world but generate more than 20% of its waste.

You’re right. America is great – as long as you live there. Come to think of it, I hope you stay right there.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:20:52 +0000

While I wouldn’t go up to someone and tell them to pick up their dog mess or trash I don’t see a real problem with someone doing it. What’s the problem in doing the “American” thing and helping other countries less fortunate then us (we’re always there to give out money when people need it and no one complains). When you say “your country sucks too” I think you are way off base there. Are there some downsides to America?…YEP… Is there more up then down?…YEP! Maybe if some of these other countries would adopt the way we do things they would a little nicer. I’m not talking about going full blown American just basic sanitation would be nice.

Who knows maybe if a few people started to clean up after their dogs more would do it and you wouldn’t have to watch where you walk on the SIDEWALK!

The more I think about it most of you list sucks. People are people there is no need to single out Americans. For it’s size America is the best run and nicest country in the world.

By: SeaDub

SeaDub — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:19:13 +0000

I travel extensively for work and pleasure and am sick and tired of the “ugly American” stereotype. The “ugly tourist” isn’t an award Americans carry on their own. It exists in every nationality.

And I would like to coin the phrase “ugly host”. When you have traveled to my country and are doing business with my culture, you should be aware of some of our differences and respect those as well. And therefore not try to shove grubs down my throat and “tsk tsk” when I refuse. Or be offended when I won’t eat shark fin soup or even soup with congeled blood in it. And at least try to be a little bit more conspicuous about your leers at my chest.

The world holds Americans to a higher standard and loves to comment when one or some don’t live up to that standard. I don’t mind being held up to that standard, but you better damn well hold yourself up to it as well. And in most instances, that is not the case.

By: Ao Yang

Ao Yang — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:15:41 +0000

Nice article

Another tip- avoid doing the hippie and insulting your own home to kiss ass to another place- just as tacky as a clueless tourist, maybe worse

happy trails

A.Y.

By: Eva

Eva — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:17:24 +0000

@J Agreed. That one’s a classic!

By: J

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:08:41 +0000

@Eva No, it wasn’t. I wrote my comment after browsing through all comments. It was a generic response. As for the problem of public racism and xenophobia, Tim Patterson aptly sums up why we need to travel: http://matadorabroad.com/youth-travel-programs-are-vital-to-our-security/

By: Eva

Eva — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:17:59 +0000

@J Fair enough. (Although, a majority of the students I knew engaged in this sort of racial baiting publicly and regularly, without anyone but me ever speaking up. I’m not going to argue that overall, the UK tolerates public racism — but it certainly seemed to be completely acceptable in the circles I moved in, sadly.) I’m guessing, then, that the “patronizing” comment wasn’t directed at me and my discomfort with racial slurs?

By: J

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:02:53 +0000

@Eva, i’m certain racism and racist slurs in the UK are not encouraged. In fact, it’s even frowned upon and condemned by most of the UK. Look, if the BNP took control of parliament all hell will break loose. You’re comparing apples with oranges – one’s a generally accepted culture (eg. certain ways of dressing), the other is culturally frowned upon (racism) but practiced by certain people.

By: Eva

Eva — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:17:44 +0000

J – I’m curious. Do you find it patronizing if someone objects to the use of a generally accepted racial slur? Or were you responding to some earlier part of the discussion? Because I really don’t think I should have to be Mother Teresa before I can say, “Hey, you know, it’s not really okay to call someone a nigger.”

By: J

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:05:41 +0000

There’s a big difference between being patronizing and making real changes in a country not of your own. So unless you’re Mother Teresa doing any real good by first, ah, isn’t that important – showing humility and commitment to change – then there’s no reason why you as a tourist (yes tourist, that’s all you’ll ever be to locals if you’re there touch and go), should talk shit on their culture.