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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
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Judy Jan 26th 2007 12:59AM
I don't get this!! If Americans are so ignorant and rude and all the other things stated, then why are immigrants piling into America? They come to America wanting their language to be spoken, rules and laws changed to accommodate them and then complain about things. No country, in the whole world, can you enter and place demands,expectations and receive benefits like you can in the United States. Freedoms?....hmmmmm....our military fights for this and look how it's being abused and our soldiers are losing their lives for it. People are people, I don't care where you live, who you are or what you have, there is good and bad in every corner of the world. If people treated people like they wanted to be treated, we wouldn't have half of the mess we have in today's world.
Skye Jan 26th 2007 1:13AM
No way, worst tourists in the world are Brazilians ahha yeah I am Brazilian and that's why I can talk about it. Said somebody that wise people learn from other's mistakes, silly people learn from their own mistakes, and the total dumb ones never learn. Trying to be wise I work hard to learn from others and don't do same. By my last vacation in Brazil I happened to be in a very nice 5 stars hotel, there was this family from Rio, it was umbelievable how loud, umpolite and clueless they behaved. It was like they were sending the message: "HEY LOOK AT US, WE CAN AFFORD A 5 STARS HOTEL SO WE THINK THAT THE WHOLE PLACE BELONG TO US. OHH SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO ENJOY THE SUNNY WEEKEND BY THE SWIMMING POOL? OHH THEM YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH US, OUR STUPID JOKES AND SPOILED LOUD KIDS. BY THE WAY WE HAVE CELL PHONES AND WE DON'T LIKE TO USE THEM SILENTLY SO WE TALK OUT LOUD." Anywhere you go in the whole world if you see loud, cheap, silly tourists, you bet they are Brazilians who saved some reais for an entire year so they can go somewhere and make believe they are somebody. I just don't know who they think they are fooling. I love my country, have family there and bunch of friends, however I don't close my eyes and defend when I know that something "smells bad". I am realistic to accept the flaws and point them out.
jesse Jan 26th 2007 1:36AM
Everyone is ignorant about something! When you are a tourist in another country sometimes you slip up because you are not used to the culture. The best thing to do is read about the culture before you go and do your best when you are there. I have traveled all over and found that most people were very friendly to me, american or not. I think that the one place I went that had the friendliest people was Panama. My friends and I stayed in this little hotel on a tiny island and we kept the bar open half the night. The bartender said she couldn't believe how much american's can drink! We drank her entire supply of rum, but we tipped her big time. The place I think have the rudest people, from my experience, is Canada! Also, strangely, I found Hawaii to have plenty of rude people as well and that's in my own country! You don't have to go very far to find angry people. Americans might be loud, rude, and ignorant, but other tourists to America are just as annoying. I used to work at this oil shop when I was younger and we hired this kid fresh over from Russia. He wouldn't do a damn thing I told him too because I was a woman! Talk about ignorant.
Shane Jan 26th 2007 10:51AM
I have been to quite a few countries in Europe and from what I have experienced people are people wherever you go. German, British, French it makes no difference; some are nice, some are rude some are indifferent and the same can be said for Americans.
If you are in France or England acting like a fool people are going to react negatively toward you just like they would if you were in Miami or New York acting like a fool. I am willing to bet that many people that say French people are rude or British people are humorless have never met anyone from those countries in the first place.
Ramon Jan 26th 2007 1:37AM
I believe it isn't a nationality thing. The world has become so globalized that the differences are becoming apparent depending of the social class and education. Every country, at least in the western world, has smart people and idiots probably in the same proportion. The difference is that lesser educated americans tend to have more money to travel than people in other countries.
Phil Melton Jan 26th 2007 2:15AM
I am an American, but have been a resident of Japan since over 40 years ago, spending only a total of about 15 years in the USA as a child and then in higher education (up to doctorate level), while traveling the world (a mere twenty countries so far) over the past twenty years. That does not qualify me to make generalizations, but perhaps it entitles me to an experience-based opinion.
The world is filled with people. Period. Their families, traditions, education, economic status, national pride, occupation, culture, religion, and upbringing-based values systems play a role in formulating who they are and how they act, but essentially people are people and act the way they do either by choice or by habit (however these habits may have been formed).
The basic difference between people is merely in how they CHOOSE to relate to one another, whether by habit, or by educated and informed contemplative choice. If one is brought up in an atmosphere of perceived superiority, he will most often reflect that in habitual behavior regardless of his nationality.
NonyoBiz Jan 26th 2007 2:02AM
Well, you can not generalize Americans. The reason being, people from different parts of the country may have very different ways they go about things... but one thing is for sure... Americans don't take any crap and are quick to speak their minds, especially NYers. I see that as a good thing. Introverted nations who bite their tongues aren't so progressive now are they?
The French aren't too smart when it comes to getting around America and the English I would have to say are almost as dumb.
These stereotypes are fairly accurate but lookat the size of the nations you are comparing, America is far too large to be summed up as people from one part of the country to another being so similar. Take China for example, if you have any experience in your travls you will know the Chinese can have many differences from one part of their country to another.
I will tell you though, it is pretty common for people to be jealous of Americans because we have so much to be proud for and you don't hear of people saying "It's their dream to one day move to England, France, Mexico, Korea, Venezuala, Brazil, Japan, Russia, etc..." Visit... maybe but move?? no way.... Now on the otherhand, how often do you hear of someone who dreams to move to America? There are many reasons for this, we as Americans need to appreciate what we have =) If you are from NYC, you should appreciate the greatness that surrounds you and fills your life even more.
Patti Hughes Jan 26th 2007 2:08AM
utah is the rudest place on earth.
Diver Dan Jan 26th 2007 2:18AM
Tried to use French and referred to my English French dictionary to buy jeans at a mall near Marseille and was refused service at the store because I didn't speak fluent French! The nice young lady clerk was mortified that her boss was so rude.
Diver Dan Jan 26th 2007 4:58AM
I travel a lot (goes with the job) and know plenty of Americans who have chosen to move to and reside permanently in other countries and many more who wish they could. To say you don't hear of people who wish to move to these other places leads me to believe you are spending too much time in tourist traps when you travel.
Michael A.DeShields Jan 26th 2007 2:23AM
Well folks I know that when you travel the excitement of being in a new place changes us all the voice goes up and you try to cope with being on shaky ground and unfamiliar footing and like all people try to make the place you are standing your own. The people in the place you are visiting not being use to you start to feel a little discomfort as you are not coming from the usual pidegon hole everyone mind your manners and go two steps out of your way to make the people that think the place you live is so interesting it was worth a visit. =M=
William Opunui Jan 26th 2007 2:24AM
In Hawaii,We experience Mainland Tourist as reckless
drivers who cause a average of 4-5 fatal & bad
accidents during Their stay !! Its due to running
red lights,speeding,illegal u turns,and cutting other
drivers off! So many end up,dead or in prison,with
some hefty tickets! So suggest if You come Hawaii,
drive carefully or don't come!!
shelley Jan 26th 2007 9:24AM
For the record, I'm an American who has traveled to Israel about 20 times and traveled with Israelis many times. Israelis are extremely friendly, kind, intelligent, caring and wonderful people and 95% of them speak English.
Lauren Jan 26th 2007 3:01AM
Patrice, I think that your entire comment was ignorant. I am from Texas and that doesn't mean that I'm ignorant or a hillbilly or don't have manners. A lot of people are insincere.. not namely Texans, or Americans for that matter. You can't lump everyone into one group! Just because we hail from the same country doesn't mean we're the same. Not all Muslims are terrorists and not all mormons are polygamists. Don't you get the point? We may all be from the U.S., but that doesn't mean that we are all the same or have the same ideals! I can see how people will say that Americans are ignorant or rude or loud in other countries... however, that's not ALL of the Americans, and I could say the same for all of the people I've met from Wisconsin... but that's namely ONE a-hole. I know not all Wisconsin folk are a-holes... but, apparently, you don't. Whoever wrote the list of the worst tourists obviously had a bias because of a bad experience and that's not my fault because I'm Texan.
If you don't like anyone that's not from Wisconsin or Minnesota, then don't go anywhere but there. There's these two little things called tolerance and respect, and you, my dear, apparently don't have either. I don't want to visit an area inhabited by hundreds of yous, because quite frankly, you are the arrogant one because you apparently think you're better than all of us. I'm proud to be an American... and no, I didn't vote for Bush.
The entire reason I actually posted was to say that when you're in a foreign country, do as the citizens do. You learn the culture and the way of life... and isn't that why people should travel? I don't go to tourist-y places when I travel... I travel to be a social anthropologist in a way. I travel for the love of people, not the love of seeing some statue.
As a last final snub to the oh-so-brilliant Patrice:
"Texas could survive without the United States, but the United States couldn't survive without Texas!"
-Sam Houston
romano Jan 26th 2007 4:08AM
i think the entire premise of stereo-typing people is a waste of time. how can you possibly judge an entire country of people based on the actions of a few? there are good, bad, rude, polite, funny, boring, etc, etc in EVERY culture, race, religion, gender, and country. i myself am an american who does not fit the "american stereotype." i am fascinated by multiple cultures and countries, and love learning languages. i do not feel that america is "ENGLISH ONLY," as many people think all americans feel. america was founded and settled by people of multiple countries, and i believe all of these places and cultures should be celebrated. if people weren't so hypocritical of one another maybe they wouldn't have such obtuse views on the people of different countries they know nothing about.
KMK Jan 26th 2007 3:05AM
I travel a lot by myself or with another person. I never thought we, Americans, were loud tourists until last summer when I went to Fiji with 5 other gals and I was so embarrassed by the obnoxious loud behavior of some of the group. Now I understand. I think it is those that haven't traveled much and believe that others look upon their behavior as cool, somewhat like a bunch of giggling high school girls trying to get attention thinking everyone is just so impressed by their antics. They want to be noticed and think the attention they are receiving is positive. Very naive.
Mimi Jan 26th 2007 4:15AM
I believe that much of how we experience of others lies in how we behave and what we expect. Last August, along with two other adults, I took a group of American teenagers to London for nearly two weeks. We stayed in a hostel full of international travelers of all ages; we traveled on the Tube and by train; we ate in restaurants from pizza joints to the Hard Rock Cafe to nicer upscale restaurants. We visited museums and churches and sites such as the Greenwich Observatory, and rode the London Eye. (well, they did: I didn't.) We spent one fine day in Oxford, at the colleges, at the Cathedral, at the shops. In all that time we encountered exactly two rude Britons; everyone else went out of their ways to be helpful, kind and friendly. Our kids did us proud: they were polite, energetic, ready to befriend every other person they met and full of enthusiasm for every event and place scheduled. (ok, some of them got tired of the long docent guided visit to Westminster Abbey before the docent was through, but they gamely stayed along and continued to ask interested and interesting questions.) They stayed polite when the verger at All Hallows Barking was patronizingly rude to them, though he ought to know that they DID know he was being deliberately and crudely rude to them. I'd take those kids anywhere in the world, and be happy with how they encountered the people and places they'd meet.
Michael Jan 26th 2007 5:54AM
I think we're trying to be politically correct or culturally sensitive too much ... really. Stereotypes of tourists or the "out-of-town" manner kinda keeps us from talking about people from other countries, or visitors from talking about the people of these places we get in. Sure...I got to travel to different parts of America to visit family...and I know how Californians are viewed in Utah, Oregon, Oklahoma, back east, up north and down south. And Californians look at those "pushy, tough, affluent, snobby, self-correcting" east coast people get into an argument with us "lefty, radical, posh, always smiling, touchy-feely" west coast people...and whenever a Northerner from like New York takes a vacation in Atlanta (the east coast stereotype works well there) and vice versa, the Southerner gets called a "hick, yokel, backwood, close-mind, redneck" by the New Yorkers. Ok, I know stereotypes "hurt" entire groups of people, just like certain words or slurs are emotionally hurtful. but what about discrimination, marginalization and segregation that actually hurt based on fear, hate or suspicion of anyone different or foreign? I guess the rule to not generalize or "assume" the culture or ethnic-national origin of a tourist or a local if you're the guest or the host, applies to tourists looking at a local and locals viewing a tourist, and think "hhmm...they behave strangely, but this is a different place".+
Kelly Jan 26th 2007 6:14AM
I say that I have to agree with the stereotypes of Americans in other countries. I am American, but have spent time living in Europe, and I currently live in Africa. I see tourists all the time, who are negative and criticize the local culture and traditions. If you're going to travel to a different country, you need to be prepared for the life there, and not just complain how it's not like home. People have different customs and you need to respect the local people. Don't just expect everyone to speak to you in English, you're in THEIR country!!! I believe that many Americans are ignorant, not seeing the outside world for what it truly is.
Veronica Jan 26th 2007 9:08AM
FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS,MY FRIEND AND I HAVE VISITED THE UK.FROM PARTYING ALL NIGHT AT THE SKIN TWO RUBBER BALL,LONDON,TO RUBBING ELBOWS IN RURAL VILLAGE PUBS. THE ARTICLE IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE MEDIA USEING A LOT OF WORDS ,TO SAY NOTHING!SUGGEST THE AUTHOR "MIND THE GAP" BETWEEN HER EARS.