Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
French Deemed Worst Tourists
It's a debate that will never be definitively decided, but for the time being, the French are officially the worst tourists in Europe according to a recent survey of 15,000 European hoteliers.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the same survey has determined that the very best tourists are the Japanese. Americans, despite the bad rap they usually receive, were deemed the second best--although this was a hollow victory as the Americans were also voted the worst dressed tourists according to the same survey (speaking for myself, guilty as charged!).
The five worst tourists according to the survey come from the following countries:
1. France
2. India
3. China
4. Russia
5. Britain
Filed under: Europe, China, India, Russian Federation, France, United States
Reader Comments (Page 7 of 7)
rex May 29th 2007 5:25AM
I think it depends on where you are. In Hawaii, hands down the Australians are the rudest tourists. In England, it's the Italians. In the U.S., it's the French and particularly the wretched French Canadians. In Mexico, it's the Americans.
shollidayt May 29th 2007 5:57AM
Monika, I'm not surprised to hear that you won't find rude hateful or pushy people in "Barvaria." The truth is, you won't find any people at all, since it doesn't EXIST. Now, if you go to Bavaria, you may find people, and they are probably very nice. I would have to vote for the French, at least for not "getting it" when they are traveling. I was at a national park a few years ago, and was horrified to see a French woman wearing a fur coat and chain smoking, then stubbing the butts out on the ground. In a national forest like that, it just didn't make sense. Once I stopped by the side of the road in the redwood forest with my husband, in a very quiet, solitary setting, to enjoy a picnic lunch. It was not a rest stop; we simply pulled the car over at a random place and stopped. Moments later, we were inundated by five Japanese men, all wearing cameras. As they swarmed our secluded spot, one of them looked at us and remarked, "aaah, the beauty of nature!" I still laugh to myself at this. What were they thinking? I just believe it is a cultural difference. To them, privacy may not be as big an issue. They could have pulled their car over anywhere, but they chose to stop when they saw our car, thinking they might be missing something???
..."Boomer"... May 29th 2007 8:10PM
It's a myth saying that certain nationalities behave obnoxiously as tourists.All countries have their rude, loud, and obnoxious groups.The mentality seems to be " there is no sin away from home";..freeing them to behave as bad ambassadors of what ever country they came from...
kungfoochimp Jun 15th 2007 11:31PM
I gotta agree with Stephanie New York Jews possess every bit of the arrogance and entitled attitude of the French. God help you if you are in the service industry and come into contact with them. They act as though you are their personal servant, completely ignoring the fact that you may be waiting on 20-30 other people by making time intensive requests (read: demands) way out of scale with the situation. If these demands are not met expect wailing and bitching the likes you have never seen. A friend who was a flight attendant told me NYC-Miami flights are always avoided by FAs. The demands made are insane, and the flight is nicknamed "Miracle Miles" due to the number of NYC jews that require wheelchair assistance getting on (so that they can get on first) and then in Miami fight their way off the plane like Mike Tyson on crack, completely under their own steam. I have to wonder how many of the ugly American stereotypes are due to this lot. Yuck.
nel Jun 19th 2007 3:22AM
We live in Europe here Bruseels for almost a year and I found the people here is most unfriendly,incosiderate and mean people.
Marilyn Jun 22nd 2007 9:24AM
Having been raised in Oxford England..I lived every day amongst tourists from all countries. The Americans always had a rap as VERY loud...but they were always friendly.. I agree withg the other user who said their dress was laughable, It still is, ...Mind you having now lived in Texas, Florida for many years and spent time in the south,they still dress badly, sloppy, unkempt and half dressed!!!!! I admit it isnt so in NYC etc...
However take it from us who lived in Europe, the Germans were always rhe rudest by far...They never lined up...were loud and pushy...and they think they are far superior to anyone else,,!!!
Mira Jun 22nd 2007 9:59AM
I had the misfortune of vacationing with the French twice. Once at Club Med in Florida and once in St. Maarten. Only when I left the " french side" of the island did I feel relaxed and human again. At Club Med they were rude to other guests, treated the staff horribly and showed no consideration for anyone at the pool, in the restaurants or anyplace else. They were loud, pointed to other guests and laughed loud and it does not take a genius to figure out that they were talking about us... silly Americans with no manners. The most annoying part is that they never correct their chilren's behavior, offer no apology for splashing you repeatedly and their women go topless at a drop of a hat. Now, I grew up in Europe and we had separate beaches for those who chose to take their bathing suits off completely, but those beaches were for women or men only. I am no prude and raised my children in a very open and healthy environment. But a few days into this constant nipple parade, my older son said:" Ma, you'd think if they wanted to show it off so bad, they'd have something to show except for skinny, shrunken bags with nipples. I lost my appetite for lunch". I am happy to say that he and his bride will not be vacationing in France...Incidentally one lady from Michigan, I believe, pointed out to the french guests that Club Med is a family resort and our children are not used to topless women on the beach or the ugly speedos on men..and was promptly interrupted and advised of the fact that Club Med is a french concept and as such WE are on their territory even if we are in Florda, USA. :) Got to love them. I never did at either side of the Atlantic.
GEORGIE Jun 22nd 2007 10:08AM
I think the Italians tops the list. I have worked as a travel agent and a tour guide and I know what I am talking about!!!!
Mira Jun 22nd 2007 10:31AM
Hey, there is plenty said that is just too far below the belt. If you have pent up anger about a particular ethnic or religious group talk to your priest or shrink. We are talking about travel experience. I absolutely loved traveling with the Irish. I can listen to their lovely lilt in their speech forever. I met a lovely French woman who lives in Dubai and hates France for high taxes, I live among NY jews you hate so much, I have asian neighbors. Part of my family lived in Germany and I hated visiting because in a restaurant you are given 2 lupms of sugar and if you ask for more they refuse. Don't tell me it's not so, I have been there. In general in Europe there is a limit on service that we from the Land of Plenty do not understand. The English are absolutely lovely. I had a flat tire and called for help and people were literally waiting on the road looking for me and offering assistance untill help arrived. I lived in Italy and loved it. They are crazy and everything is " no problemmo", but they are friendly and funny. I guess what I am trying to say: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Respect the rules of the country or at least read up before you go so you don't make a blunder or offend anyone and never assume that you are better than anyone. Dislike is ok, HATRED is so last century. And to those who posted those ugly notes, shame on you. I am sure you were as rude as you can possibly push the envelope and people picked up on that. I can just hear it, you probably "m'mam..ed " them to death and sounded like a sheep. And as far as speaking a language you don't understand, that is your loss. I speak 5 and have to laugh when people say something they don't think is understood by anyone else. The fact that people speak their native tongue in addition to English should only make you think that YOU only manage to speak one and are mad for not being to understand. For that I am very impressed by Europeans who are frequently fluent in French, German, Spanish and yes, even Russian. Especially if you are in customer service, or a hotelier. Don't forget those annoying people bring revenue to your coutry and pay your salary as well.
Shane Jun 22nd 2007 4:19PM
Why not simplify everything? What good does it do to categorize nationalities? I have been to many places- including the U.S where one person was gracious and the next rude- people are people- and most are nice. I've found that by learning a little of the host language will help- then use it and enjoy yourself. People seem to want to see the negatives around them. Is that what vacation is for? How sad.
daniel Jun 22nd 2007 3:16PM
as someone who lived in portugal, brasil, kuwait, and mexico, i would have to say that the worst tourists are the germans, japanese, and british. the british (in my experience) ussualy dont do much besides getting tans and are ussualy grumpy. the german tourists i have seen are most likely to go to the beach nude (this is quite bad since they are all 90 years old).
Di Jul 19th 2007 11:57AM
This appears to be a scam. If you do a search, you find a Yahoo! article that links you to Trans-Global Association for Travel and Tourism Commerce as the source of the survey. Follow the link and you're told there's no such thing as the Trans-Global Association for Travel and Tourism Commerce.
Lynn Jun 25th 2007 1:32AM
I don't know why the French always get a bad rap about being rude and condescending. In the 36 years of living on and off in Paris, I have almost always found the French to be polite and accommodating. The few times they have not...well, you can read the post I wrote at http://www.theparistraveler.com
Hutbay Aug 30th 2007 2:08PM
I would have expected people reading this blog to be open minded traveler, and not people who are judgmental. Generalizing the whole country being the worst tourist( mind the word tourist, not the same as traveler) is both insensitive and ignorant.
People bring their cultural differences when they travel, you can't expect everyone to be like you. Indian/Middle eastern people are the way they are because of the culture, just like you brought your individualistic culture with your people from other countries bring their own culture when they travel.
May be you all should get out of your air conditioned tour buses and experience the culture, Spending a week in a country is not enough to experience its culture. Another option would be to get to know people from other culture, which is not very hard for people in the US.
I been involved in an international organization on campus, and has been the most rewarding of all my college experiences. Got to meet people from various countries and also got to know about the culture, also get to stay for free at their place when I travel...