"How American Travelers Are Viewed Abroad"

[TruthSeeker]

This will be a series of articles, so you may want to read them as I post them and comment on them.

Have fun.

http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...umentid=388354

"How American Travelers Are Viewed Abroad: The U.K.
Which affects British perceptions more: Stereotypes of the “ugly American” or our country’s foreign policy? Or is something else at play? First in a series.
By Diane Vadino

Despite the title of the smash TV hit, it may surprise you to learn that American Idol had its genesis in the U.K. But when it comes to cultures crossing boundaries, it’s America that rules the waves. So when you journey overseas, you’re bound to confront strong opinions about the U.S.—our culture, our people and our government. Like it or not, an American abroad is a living symbol of his homeland, and is occasionally held to account for it, from the top of the Eiffel Tower to the base of Ayers Rock. In this series, we’ll explore perspectives about Americans from a variety of countries around the world.

To start, here’s a classic view of the U.S. traveler in Britain: “When I think of American tourists, I think of people in front of the British Museum, yelling across large spaces to each other about how to use their digital cameras,” says Ian Hamilton, a university student in Glasgow. “Or complaining loudly in McDonald’s about how the chips taste in London versus how they taste in America.”

...

Indeed, solitary travelers conjured up an entirely different reaction than a group of Americans, who were perceived as camera-wielding, Bush-supporting boors. “Universally idiotic; large Hawaiian shirts; large cameras; stupid questions,” says Ian Clifford, a software developer from Nottingham, ticking off the stereotypical qualities of a group of average American tourists. And, says Clifford, these are the more cultured members of U.S. society: “Only 10 percent of Americans have passports. What on earth have you left behind?”


LOL!

[EmptyForceOfChi]

i just dont like the american accent, especialy with little kids it sounds creepy,

how did the english language turn into that?

also americans seem to love themselves so much. and have so much patriotic pride that it borders actual superiority complexes, like they think they are better than everybody else, and americans seem to think everybody from the middle east is from the same country (iraq), and everybody from the far east is chinese.

peace.

[John99]

i just dont like the american accent, especialy with little kids it sounds creepy,

how did the english language turn into that?

also americans seem to love themselves so much. and have so much patriotic pride that it borders actual superiority complexes, like they think they are better than everybody else, and americans seem to think everybody from the middle east is from the same country (iraq), and everybody from the far east is chinese.

peace.

they are no more narcisist than you two.

aaahh ha ha ha.

[John99]

“When I think of American tourists, I think of people in front of the British Museum, yelling across large spaces to each other about how to use their digital cameras,” says Ian Hamilton

thats exactly what i think of

[EmptyForceOfChi]

they are no more narcisist than you two.

aaahh ha ha ha.

i dont think england is the best country in the world, like every american thinks his country is.


peace.

[John99]

However, TruthSeeker is superior. Where is your country of origin, you've never mentioned it. They must be highly evolved and do great things.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

ethiopia

[John99]

i dont think england is the best country in the world, like every american thinks his country is.


peace.

I am sure you are especially partial to England. What countries have you been to aside fr. England.

[John99]

ethiopia

You are from England, i was asking TS where his ancestors are from i know he emmigrated (?) to Canada.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

I am sure you are especially partial to England. What countries have you been to aside fr. England.

i like china more than england, i like the caribbean more than england, i am buying land in saint lucia where my wifes family are from,


i have been to quite a decent amount of places. and to be honest england is one of my least favorite places to be,


peace.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

You are from England, i was asking TS where his ancestors are from i know he emmigrated (?) to Canada.

i told you his country is ethiopia. i was born in london but my bloodline is not from england,

peace.

[IceAgeCivilizations]

I have a fantasy where I sit down at a table in the fanciest restaraunt in gay Paris, kick the ol' boots up on the table, lean back, snap my fingers and yell "YO GARKON."

[EmptyForceOfChi]

I have a fantasy where I sit down at a table in the fanciest restaraunt in gay Paris, kick the ol' boots up on the table, lean back, snap my fingers and yell "YO GARKON."

do it man, that would entertain me.

peace.

[John99]

i like china more than england, i like the caribbean more than england, i am buying land in saint lucia where my wifes family are from,


i have been to quite a decent amount of places. and to be honest england is one of my least favorite places to be,


peace.

ha ha, i allways wanted to live in England...SERIOUSLY. Particularly in the 6's-70's and 80's....oh well. I like the TV shows and music from that period, the clothes etc. Right then

' American Werewolf in London' started it all, that was the first movie i ever saw.

Well i guess TRUTHSeeker dont want to say where he is from then.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

ha ha, i allways wanted to live in England...SERIOUSLY. Particularly in the 6's-70's and 80's....oh well. I like the TV shows and music from that period, the clothes etc. Right then

' American Werewolf in London' started it all, that was the first movie i ever saw.

england is nothing like what outsiders think it is like. people think it is all tea the royal family and crumpets, its not,


its a shithole, 70% of london and most cities here are slums, you wouldent be able to tell if you were in east london or brooklyn.


peace.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

how americans see london




real london outside of the square mile



peace.

[John99]

not really, i see it as second pic...clockwork orange

[EmptyForceOfChi]

ages ago i was on the train going through hackney downs and some americans were looking out of the window saying "hey where are we this doesent look like london i think we are lost"


peace.

[Genji]

If I ever get the opportunity to travel abroad (not with a broad) I'll be certain to wear a Canadian flag t-shirt.

[EmptyForceOfChi]

i refered to a canadian as american once and he got so pissed at me.


peace.