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Who are the world's most obnoxious tourists? Hint: it's not the Americans
Monolingual, white tennis shoes, an unbecoming outfit and an ugly fanny pack: my stereotypical image of an American tourist. But apparently Americans don't win the number one spot for the world's most obnoxious tourists. In Europe, that special place is held for the French, reports Time Magazine.According to an international survey conducted for Expedia.fr, the French are in fact considered to be overall the worst of the worst of tourists. Employees in 4,000 hotels in Germany, the U.K., Italy, France, Canada and the U.S. were asked to rank their clients on different levels ranging from willingness to speak the local language to discretion and elegance, and French travelers did not fare well.
France fell behind India and China as providing the world with the worst tourists. And the stereotypically obnoxious American tourist? Out of 21 countries, with the most liked at the top, the US got an impressive 11th place. Why is that? Among other reasons, despite language faults, Americans get the top spot for trying to speak local languages the most. Quelle surprise.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, North America, France, United States, News, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Peter Zimmermann Jul 10th 2008 11:05PM
Can't believe it. Thought that the ugly Americans would come in first. If not, certainly the Germans. What about the British soccer fans?
That's what you get for having six weeks of vacation every year; you have plenty of time to travel and to pick up everyone's worst habits.
Eileen Jul 11th 2008 6:53AM
I would have had disagreed until my run in with a couple of rude French tourists on the tube yesterday. Seriously, when you accidently grab someone instead of the pole, then step on them and elbow them, you'd acknowledge them and maybe apologize.
chuck Jul 12th 2008 3:22PM
What's even more obnoxious is an author who misquotes, or at the very least, misunderstands the source for the article. The Time article clearly states that the survey was about tourists FROM European nations. Last time I checked, the USA is not in Europe.
"According to a recent international survey, the French are now considered the most obnoxious tourists from European nations, behind only Indians and the last-place Chinese as the worst among countries worldwide"
lisa Jul 12th 2008 3:36PM
Since when are India and China in Europe???? News to me...
Ron Jul 13th 2008 1:04PM
What's even more obnoxious is an author who misquotes, or at the very least, misunderstands the source for the article. The Time article clearly states that the survey was about tourists FROM European nations. Last time I checked, the USA is not in Europe.
No the survey was not restricted to tourists from Europe. The story only says that "According to a recent international survey, the French are now considered the most obnoxious tourists from European nations, behind only Indians and the last-place Chinese as the worst among countries worldwide." This does not mean the study was meant for Europe ONLY. There is no place in the story that indicated that onyl Europe was involved.
"The survey was taken by employees in 4,000 hotels in Germany, the U.K., Italy, France, Canada and the U.S. for the French travel website Expedia.fr." Where does this indicate that the survey was European only?
chuck Jul 12th 2008 4:41PM
One more time: "According to a recent international survey, the French are now considered the most obnoxious tourists from European nations,..."
"Most obnoxious FROM European nations". If that is accurate, then Americans COULD still be the worst. (They're not, but the quote allows that possibility)
Peter B Jul 12th 2008 3:27PM
Eileen, perhaps it was because there were no Poles to grab? If they are first grabbed, then stepped upon and elbowed I could hardly blame them for not riding the tube. Somehow I don't think an apology would suffice in any case!
Neil Jul 12th 2008 3:37PM
In my travels in the U.S. and Europe, I have to say that Chinese tourists are by the worst and most inconsiderate. I was in Oslo getting a guided tour of the Vigeland park and a group of Chinese tourists was so loud and intrusive I couldn't even hear my guide from a distance of 4 feet away. A week later, I was in Stockholm at the Vasa Museum and saw a group of Chinese tourists plow through and cut a line, knocking an elderly woman against the glass. I was completely disgusted as was everyone else waiting in that line.
JRH Jul 12th 2008 3:46PM
I can't believe it isn't the Japanese. Butt in in a line, hog focal points for pictures, talk over everyone else in conversation! And second is Germans. Loudest people in any touring situation.
Sadam Jul 12th 2008 3:49PM
I can't believe it isn't the Japanese. Butt in in a line, hog focal
points for pictures, talk over everyone else in conversation! And
second is Germans. Loudest people in any touring situation.
Charles Jul 12th 2008 4:36PM
Well count me in as the ugly Ameican. White tennis shoes and knee length shorts are my standard outfit and they will be on display in Rome beginning tomorrow. If clothes are the biggest problem we have, then things have improved greatly.
Willis Jul 12th 2008 3:54PM
If I had one drop of French blood in me, I'd slit my throat.
old enough to remember Jul 12th 2008 3:57PM
My sister-in-law has visited France several times on business. They are very rude there too. Unlike people in other countries who appreciate visitors trying to speak the native language of that country, the French look down on visitors trying to use French.
StoneMan Jul 12th 2008 4:03PM
We Americans have shed a lot of uglyness and are far more accepted today than in the past. The Germans are, in my opinion, still Arrogant Nazis where ever they are.
Jessie Jul 12th 2008 5:27PM
Not all Germans are Nazis.
rebecca Jul 12th 2008 4:07PM
I think Chinese tourists are by far the worst. I was at the grand canyon a few months ago and a large group of Chinese tourists ran by me to squeeze through a doorway in a gift shop. They pushed me aside and none of them even so much as glanced at me in apology. Then later I was in line to get food and the same group of tourists cut in front of me. So rude.
rob Jul 12th 2008 4:05PM
French are a bunch of a-holes!!!
w67 Jul 13th 2008 5:15AM
Nice comment ...
very clever ...
Do you really know french people ?
deleted Jul 13th 2008 10:46AM
I know enough of them to know they are rude, spiteful, hateful, snobby people who have no manners. Ever try going to france?? It sucks!! Not one single person I came across there is nice, no matter how much you try to be nice and get along with them.
Kent Jul 12th 2008 4:18PM
Senator Obama will change his mind again; this time about us Americans who can only say "Merci Beaucoup" in our attempt at foreign languages. He should apologize to us. I am American and speak four languages learned from highschool, college and living overseas. Good going Americans..."A" for effort.