The "Ugly American": Combatting the image

[LastLion]

SWS, I agree, lets think about it this way if you go looking for an UGLY AMERICAN you will probably find him. I worked in a lot of nightclubs and bars in SF, D.C. and even a few months in NYC. back in the early nineties..

I met lots of great foreigners and some UGLIES foregners too. The french come to mind, but I met ugly foreigners from everywhere. The worst is the foreginer that comes up to the bar half lit and complains about americans and our culture, complains about or atittude and all that ****..

I must admit I said this more than once..

HEY WHAT THE **** ARE YOU DOING HERE THAN? hahahahhhah

What is almost as bad but definetely palatable, is in the many trips to europe growing up, I had to listen to Euros complain and complain about americans.. IN this case I kept a tight lip..

Although back in my head I was like, well you get what you ask for and people who look for the bad and the negative will most defintely find it!

The EGO and the better than attitude that prevails with some of the Foreigners I have found is that a lot of it is due to some personal inadequacy or lack of humility and sound pride.. Or some serious jealousy of the american lifestyle.

2 of my English cousins, with whom I spent lots and lots of time in Britain, when ever we played soccer it was alwasy Britain against the States..

The funny thing was that it was always just me against my 2 cousins, one a year older than me and one a year younger.. I lost most of the matches, but occasionally I underdogged them and their EMPIRE..

[BIG E]

Originally Posted by LastLion

HEY WHAT THE **** ARE YOU DOING HERE THAN? hahahahhhah

And there are two sides to that coin. I have heard plenty of Americans say the same thing about the places they travel while they are there.

I don't understand why you would talk **** about the country you are visiting... at least not while you are in that country! If it is that bad... GO HOME!

And I feel that same about the illegals in this country who come here, then try and fight the laws in America. And when I am home in Spain, the illegal Africans or Slavs who do the same damn thing. IF HOME IS SO MUCH BETTER... GO BACK!

[Bala]

Of course, no one has a monopoly on being rude, having poor attitude or manners, complaining or otherwise wearing the "ugly" visitor hat. And I am sure that all the posters and readers here are, and always have been, good "ambassadors" for the USA.

The topic here is the "Ugly American" image specifically, and I (and others) have seen it enough on my Latin travels and other travels, whether I happened to be looking for it or not, to know that there are those American travelers who certainly have room for improvement.

And I think President Obama and his wife have set a great new example of Americans who listen, are respectful and humble, and who represent admittedly a flawed country, but one which is proud and always striving for a "more perfect union", sometimes in our history at great cost and sacrifice.

Besides, who among us American travelers is so perfect as to say that we (or no one) cannot improve on learning new ways to represent well the USA?

The Business for Diplomatic Action, a few years ago, released a World Citizens Guide for US Travelers abroad offering some more suggestions, in case you have not seen it.

http://www.worldcitizensguide.org/pr...izensGuide.pdf

Some of their interesting suggestions:
-Listen, look, learn
-Smile, genuinely
-Think big, act small, be humble
-Live, eat, play local
-Be patient
-Celebrate our diversity
-Be a student, learn the language better
-Refrain from lecturing; dialogue instead of monologue
-Be proud, not arrogant
-Know some sports trivia, and talk about more than politics
-Less is more, be quiet and respectful
-Impress people with kindness, curiosity and fair nature

The USA stands as the world's last and lone super-power, financial and military. And I have always thought that we as American travelers, in some small way, represent that power in their foreigner eyes, which means we have a special responsibility to act with humility and respect to reflect American values and ideals, as well as its power.

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by BIG E

And there are two sides to that coin. I have heard plenty of Americans say the same thing about the places they travel while they are there.

I don't understand why you would talk **** about the country you are visiting... at least not while you are in that country! If it is that bad... GO HOME!

And I feel that same about the illegals in this country who come here, then try and fight the laws in America. And when I am home in Spain, the illegal Africans or Slavs who do the same damn thing. IF HOME IS SO MUCH BETTER... GO BACK!

Big E.....we are a lot alkie.....

[BIG E]

Originally Posted by John Wayne

Big E.....we are a lot alkie.....

You know what they say about great minds....

[LastLion]

Bala, do me a favor and give that guide to all new parents so they can teach their kids the same. Bottom line is that is the problem...

JW< BIG E. on the same page with that..

I really enjoy meeting new people especially foreigners I am alwasy curious and enjoy being a host.. Back in the days of nightclubs and barwork. I had 2 french roomates. We had the best time of our lives at that point.. They were loving it here. Plus their cutsie accents got them lots of play with the american gals, much like that it happens for girngos in some countries..

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by LastLion

Bala, do me a favor and give that guide to all new parents so they can teach their kids the same. Bottom line is that is the problem...

JW< BIG E. on the same page with that..

I really enjoy meeting new people especially foreigners I am alwasy curious and enjoy being a host.. Back in the days of nightclubs and barwork. I had 2 french roomates. We had the best time of our lives at that point.. They were loving it here. Plus their cutsie accents got them lots of play with the american gals, much like that it happens for girngos in some countries..

You know the French,...Were they "Girls" or guy's......

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by John Wayne

You know the French,...Were they "Girls" or guy's......

Damnit they were guys, but it would of been cool if they were chicks based on my last post, cause they were meeting lots "gals""

I did date one of their french girl friends..

OHHHHH to the good ole days!!!

[John Wayne]

Originally Posted by LastLion

Damnit they were guys, but it would of been cool if they were chicks based on my last post, cause they were meeting lots "gals""

I did date one of their french girl friends..

OHHHHH to the good ole days!!!

I'll stay right here, cause these ARE THE GOOD 'OLE DAYS.......