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Stereotypes of Tourists, from a British Perspective
Travel stereotypes always make good writing topics. On one hand, we hate stereotyping because we are told that "cultured people don't use stereotypes". On the other hand, there is no question that observations become stereotypes because they are based on accurate reality. And isn't travel supposed to be about observing reality?
I came across a funny piece, entitled "The Worst Tourists in the World" by Rolf Potts talking about the British obsession with stereotypes of national character, roughly outlined below:
- Americans: Ignorant. Loud. Oblivious to surroundings. Insincere.
- French: Rude. Bigoted. A trifle out of touch with reality.
- Germans: Humorless. Rule-obsessed. Unfriendly. Stubborn.
- Israelis: Rude. Cheap. Arrogant. Cliquish.
- Canadians: Exactly like Americans, but more soft-spoken, more polite, less ignorant, and twenty times more boring.
Well, there you have it. Of course, you are all different!
I think stereotypes are actually really helpful, if used wisely. For example, if every American/French/German...could look above and try to NOT be all those things, the world would be a better place. Although, arguably, not as funny.
Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
lucy Jun 20th 2007 12:05AM
The British are exactly like the American tourist (and vice versa). I wonder if they even realize that. They like to be heard, they fuss over the food and culture of foreign lands and expect everyone to speak English. I have been travelling non-stop for the last 5 years and I have time and time again, come across this. If it weren't for the accent you would never be able to tell them apart. That's not to say they're not lovely and amusing...that they certainly are.
Nathan Es Jan 23rd 2007 10:55AM
Israelis, the French, and Germans are exactly the same in their own countries... Us Americans and Canadians well it all depends on where you catch us
Elaine Hellman Jan 24th 2007 5:04PM
As a teacher of ESL, I am predisposed to say all people are alike; they bleed if they are injured, invoke the name of some deity if they are near death, love their children and families (regardless of abuse they may suffer at their hands),love their homelands, deplore leaving because of wars, famine, inability to find work, and the like. Profiling people serves no purpose and can lead to discrimination. I believe we are all caretakers of this planet, and the sooner we take our jobs seriously, the better off we'll be.
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my thoughts.
Don Jan 25th 2007 8:47PM
I agree that American tourists are pushy, ignorant of local customs and cultures, demanding and expect something for nothing.
I have traveled extensively throughout the world, both independently and with groups, and I find that alot of the people I have traveled with have little patience, have no concept of the history and culture of the nations they visit and complain that "things are sure not like this back home", when they are faced with situations they do not understand.
At times I feel ashamed of the "Ugly American" face that we sometimes show to others.
Liza Perrow Jan 26th 2007 6:04PM
I don't consider myself a great traveler. However, on my honeymoon I notice a great paradox to this theory. I firmly believe that just as there is good and bad in every race and gender, that there is also good and bad in all nationalities as well. My husband and I went to St. Lucia, we witnessed rude, fat, ugly americans, and then there were very pleasant americans. We also witnessed rude, unpleasant, british travelers, and some wonderful ones, so there was a stark contrast between people that came from the same country. I think it has to do with how you are raised. So, if you don't like rude, unpleasant, ugly people, teach your children to be kind, humble, polite, and respectful. Liza
Erica Hein Jan 25th 2007 8:46PM
As a world traveler who truly travels to experience life in another culture, I have to disagree with the overall stereotypes about the other countries. Yes, I do believe that on a whole, Americans fit the stereotype, but that would change if many people opened their eyes to see the world around them and get rid of their superioriority complex! I travelled in France a couple of years ago, and spoke the only phrases that I knew, mainly asking if they could speak english, and thanking them in their language, but making an effort, and had the best experience!! No one was rude or spiteful, in fact, all who I asked for directions were wonderful!! If they didn't speak english, they asked someone else to help! I was actually mistaken a few times to be french!! So in a nut shell- WE ARE IN THEIR COUNTRY- LET'S ASSIMILATE OURSELVES!!!
JD Jan 25th 2007 8:52PM
English is the language of the world now. That is the truth and the truth hurts. England colonized much of the world and the Americans brought commerce and technological advancement after them. That some other countries resent our success is their problem, not ours. English is taught as a required language in many countries where it is not a native language, so their people can compete in commerce and tourism.That is common sense on their part.Its possible they don't like it, even if it makes sense for them to do it. That does not make US bad!!! I don't believe we are loud, oblivious or insincere. An American will try to help you out when no one else will. We give more money to charities OUTSIDE our country than many other nations combined. We are FRANK ( some would say blunt) , not a bad quality in my opinion. You can count on us to tell you the truth, not yes you to your face and say/do something else behind your back. In Iraq, part of the problem has been that in Muslim culture, they tell you what they think you want to hear, and then do the ooposite behind your back.Maybe even pretend to be your friend and then take part in killing you. That kind of culture, you can keep. Well, if WE aren't welcome, we know our MONEY always is!!!! Sad but true!
Mildred Antonelli Jan 25th 2007 9:02PM
On one of my visits to the Soviet Union we got into a conversation with our guide about different tourists and their nationalities. She said the British were by far the most difficult, the most demanding, the most likely to think they were robbed if they misplaced something, etc.
Don Jan 25th 2007 8:52PM
I say that the worst tourists in the world are Mexicans --beacuse when they come to the United States-- many ,many ,many don't go back home!!!!
Dawn Jan 25th 2007 8:59PM
I think people are people. You have good people, fun people , caring,hot tempered, lonely, boring people, and bad people. Why sterotype ? If we all had predispostions of how people should act we would not venture into relationships and get to know people for who they are!
Katie Jan 25th 2007 9:04PM
dude, americans rock! were just a little retarded at times. sorry the correct term is developmentally challenged. and everyone is different and some americans are loud and Insincere. but there are a lot who arent. just like there are probably some Germans who are very funny and nice and who probably dont care about the rules(my stepdad being one of them!)
Nathan Jan 25th 2007 9:13PM
According to a poll done throughout dozens of countries' tourist board, by Expedia and the BBC in 2002, the English were rated as the worst tourists in the world because of their monolingualism, arrogance and inability to climb out of the bottle and Americans were the third most well-liked because of our tipping. This just proves that whenever the English stereotype Americans, it's always, always, always things the English are guiltier of themselves. So let the British go on stereotyping and show the world what hypocrites they are.
Patrice Jan 25th 2007 9:43PM
Okay, I thought this was funny and much truth to all. One writer however must be from Texas and not see how insincere Americans really are and loud and well, ignorant. I am an American and my Grandparents from Europe. I have to tell you(with the exception of most people from Wisconsin and Minnesota,over 25) that we are insincere. Don't kid yourselves. I get so tired of people here saying things they don't mean and never follow through with. It seems like that is getting worse. I am also so tired of the loud volume in restaurants and coffee houses. In fact, I'm starting one myself and thinking of putting up a sign on the door that say's"You are now entering a quiet zone. Oh, and yes, "No name dropping." Ignorant is an understatement since half of us voted this administration in! Also, I would not want to live with Texans or want them visiting my area. So please, be honest. Americans as a whole are arrogant. Midwesterners are helpful though and much more down to earth. -That is the European influence and Norweigan. If you don't agree with this , then change!
TK Jan 25th 2007 9:27PM
I don't know which British made that survey but it sure wasn't the one that visited me here last summer. Everywhere we went and they didn't have what he wanted he would say; I can't believe this is America and you don't have this or that. He was so ignorant and rude and I was so embarrassed that I quit taking him places, Then again maybe it was because this Brit didn't have a clue when it came to being mannerly.
Christine Jan 25th 2007 9:34PM
On a bus in London, I overheard a conversation between two Englishmen. One made a negative comment about Americans, and his companion urged him to be quiet, saying, "There's one sitting over there." I do not know how they recognized me as an American, since they had not heard me speak. Overall, the British people I encountered on my vacation were friendly and hospitable.
ilovevanille Jan 25th 2007 9:44PM
As an American citizen who lived in France for eleven years of my life, I would like to say that this is a rather accurate portrayal of things. Americans do have a tendency to be oblivious of others. I saw it many times growing up over there and was often ashamed to admit that they were my fellows. (And that, rest assured, is a VERY nice way to put it.) The other stereotypes are also accurate. Please do not have the arrogance or the narrowmindeness to assume that Americans are different at home than they are abroad. What we do in another country is learned from what we do here. I have many friends from overseas and I have heard the exact same complaints that this survey lays out. So please, try to see things from another's point of view before automatically assuming that they are wrong. And when touring in another country, remember that it is home to them, and they are just as patriotic and desireous of privacy as we Americans are.
ilovevanille Jan 25th 2007 9:46PM
As an American citizen who lived in France for eleven years
of my
life, I would like to say that this is a rather accurate portrayal of
things. Americans do have a tendency to be oblivious of others. I saw
it many times growing up over there and was often ashamed to admit
that they were my fellows. (And that, rest assured, is a VERY nice
way to put it.) The other stereotypes are also accurate. Please do
not have the arrogance or the narrowmindeness to assume that
Americans are different at home than they are abroad. What we do in
another country is learned from what we do here. I have many friends
from overseas and I have heard the exact same complaints that this
survey lays out. So please, try to see things from another's point
of view before automatically assuming that they are wrong. And when
touring in another country, remember that it is home to them, and
they are just as patriotic and desireous of privacy as we Americans
are.
john sebastian Jan 25th 2007 9:47PM
Elaine give us a break! Do you really expect people to believe that a person’s nationality doesn’t at all shape their perspective and behavior? Who are you trying fool...
Please save your idealistic rant for your third grade students.
================================================
Elaine's post:
As a teacher of ESL, I am predisposed to say all people are alike; they bleed if they are injured, invoke the name of some deity if they are near death, love their children and families (regardless of abuse they may suffer at their hands),love their homelands, deplore leaving because of wars, famine, inability to find work, and the like. Profiling people serves no purpose and can lead to discrimination. I believe we are all caretakers of this planet, and the sooner we take our jobs seriously, the better off we'll be.
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my thoughts.
Posted at 5:04PM on Jan 24th 2007 by Elaine Hellman
rick1bandit73 Jan 25th 2007 9:50PM
I would love for someone to do a survey on voting party tourist. most rep. have no desire to go outside the u.s. its usually the dems that love europe so much.so it seems to me that most people dont like us because were rude but its the dems who are giving this reputation.
Vanessa Jan 25th 2007 10:00PM
I hate it when people stereotype. THAT's the epitome of ignorance. It seems so many people hate Americans, but they don't hate taking our tourist dollars. There are good and bad in all nationalities.