Ah, the fabled "ugly American!" However, I would have to say while this observation is true it is not exclusive to Americans. What about those incorrigible Parisiennes who believe getting to the head the line is part of THEIR liberte, equalite and fraternite and do so without so much as a "desole" or tendering a perfectly acceptable alternative "pardon?" Then there are the Germans who persist in quizzing you about American politics thinking it a perfectly introductory topic for conversation although you've just met the person(s)? Or, when in Egypt, Turkey or Italy, those males who feel they are enfranchised to touch you arbitrarily and insult you when you take offense? Yes, traveling is an education. And Americans often seem to have a lot to learn. We take up the most personal space of any people on the planet and, I must agree, we are, for the most part, loud. But we share these flaws with many other nationalities, too.

Reply