My Top Ways to Avoid Being an "Ugly American"

Oh goodness, I have been very bad about updating. Having a job will do that to a person! But hopefully it means future trips will be forthcoming! Anyway without further ado, here's something I have been working on:

Yes I know this is a touchy topic for a lot of people. I also know that Americans are not the only "Ugly" tourists - there are Ugly Brits and Germans and Japanese and everyone in between. But anyway. I'm not talking about subjects I've discussed in earlier posts, like my traveler vs. tourist one, where my feeling there was more about how we as travelers can get better and more profound experiences from our trips. Instead, this post is literally more about how not to offend the locals. Though I know some people might include traits like this in this "ugly american" category, I don't even mean those families who wear jeans and pristine white sneakers. I'm talking about those people, when you see them, actually make you ashamed to be from the same country as they are, whichever country that might be. So here we go:

1. Do not address people immediately in English, just assuming they will speak it back. Can you imagine working in a clothing store in the US and someone comes and addresses you in Italian or Mandarin Chinese? It's pretty unthinkable. It's not that hard to learn three words - hello, goodbye, and thanks - in whatever language is spoken in your destination's country or countries. Even saying "hello" in their language and asking if they speak English is a big step. Phrasebooks cost about $10; in the scheme of a trip that costs thousands, that's nothing.
   
2. Don't complain about stuff not being like home. You know, those people who sit in a cafe in Naples and look at their pizza and say all-too-loudly, "Wow, this isn't like it is at home" or who ask for a "latte" in Italy and are shocked to receive a mere glass of milk - I mean..... come on.....why bother going somewhere else to see their culture if you just expect it to be like home?!
3. Don't be ignorant. I actually read a trip report a few months ago and the person had the audacity to say that one of the reasons she did not like Italy was because people hung their laundry out to dry and why don't they all just get dryers. I mean... WHAT? I don't even know what to say in response to that.
4. Do greet shop-owners upon entering a store. The culture in Europe is more like you are walking into a shop-owner or restaurant-owner's home than mere business. A simple greeting can go a long way and, who knows, maybe you'll strike up conversation and have a great memorable little cultural experience!
5. Do not expect hotels outside the US to be like here. Star systems and ratings are not the same here as they are there. If you must have that same experience everywhere, book a big international chain hotel. But even in those sometimes the beds are made a little differently or the bathroom is not the same.
6. Do not disrespect the places. Flash pictures not only are completely ineffective when you're taking a picture of something more than a few feet away but they HARM the artwork you're trying to photograph in the first place. And I wanted to cry when I saw someone leave a cup of melting gelato dripping on a centuries-old stonework sculpture in Venice. How can people do things like that. This one should really be a no-brainer, but the tragedy is that it isn't.
   
7. Do learn the local laws and customs. Don't speak loudly about being ignored by a waiter in a culture where the constant hovering by waiters is not usual, it doesn't mean the waiter's being rude. Learn about tipping, learn about parking and driving restrictions.
   
8. And perhaps the most obvious and all-encompassing one of them all... be open-minded! Turn the differences into positives, learning opportunities, and fun experiences! Who knows what you'll learn or who you'll meet.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive, but they're some of the top important things I could think of. In over six weeks all across Europe, I experienced NO animosity about being an American. In fact, several times I encountered pleasure - people who wanted to know about me, where in America I was from, where I was traveling, etc. This myth that the rest of the world hates us is just that, a myth. I myself experienced the complete opposite. I think a lot of it is in the mindset. If we, as Americans, go overseas with open minds and hearts and stomachs (and unfortunately, wallets!), we will be treated by reciprocal open minds and hearts. I sure was, and I know that I am not alone!