Embarrassed to be an American
 

Ahhhh, just got back from a week in Cancun, 90 degree weather, warm blue waters, dark-skinned honeys (although, I had to keep my eyes straight since I was with my woman), cheap booze.....it was paradise.

However, there was one part of the trip that was seriously depressing, or perhaps sobering is a better word. For the most part, we traveled the Yucatan penisula on our own vehicle, staying away from the tourist traps, and experiencing the "real" side of Mexico. I speak very little Spanish, but enough for us to get by.

We did though, on one day, go to a tourist spot. A state park that they have set up that is just beautiful. It is a huge lagoon, with some of the most spectacular snorkling that you can imagine. The place would've been perfect except for one thing....Americans.

I had to travel out of my country to realize what my fellow countrymen are like. I have never experienced a more arrogant, pushy, ethnocentric group of people before in my life. What also helped this experience is that my fiance and myself don't look like a "typical" American couple. She is part Korean, and I can pass for Hispanic when I gave a tan going. As such, we were treated with contempt as well. We were pushed off paths by Americans, ignored by Americans, talked down to by Americans, etc. One was so bad that she saw my fiance get off her bar stool, ran over to it to sit down, then as we asked her politely to get back up as we were there first, she had the gall to say that my girl was a "darkie", and could sit out in the sun. That was a fun scene.....

The worst though, was watching the way the Americans treated the Mexican workers at these places. They straight treated them like dirt, like a lesser class. We had one guy tell us they didn't need to tip the waiters because they were Mexican! What kind of fucking reasoning is that? I would've passed off that it was an isolated incident, but we did not see one American group tip their waiter all day....not one! And let me tell you, I spent some major time at the bar that day.

At one of the restraunts, I was treated like a king. I asked the manager why, and he said it was because I spoke Spanish, and had been tipping everyone when I was in there. He asked us where we were from and I told him the United States. He didn't believe us until I showed him my drivers license. He told me that I was the nicest American he had ever met!

Know I am beginning to understand all the anti-American feeling out there. If any of you are traveling abroad, I hope you can take the time to step back and take a look at your actions. Take the time to get to know the people around you, treat them as equals, no matter their situation. Seriously, I was so embarrassed to be an American that day, it was pathetic.

I tried to find somethign postive to add to this topic or a good agument to counter what you said...


I couldn't

Most of what you said was true, right on the money.

And it makes me sad.

Re: Embarrassed to be an American
 

We get american tourists over here all the time and they are nothing but an annoyance. They do try and make it sound as if theyre better than you, a couple of months back one walks up to me and asks "gee are you a real irishman", i just respond by saying " nah im a fucking spacecadet what the fuck do you think"?

The ones ive spoken to for the most are really arrogant sounding, obviously this isn't the case for all americans only the few ive talked to.

hake:

It's weird man. When I went to Whistler a few months back, the americans (mind you they're rich snobs from California mostly) acted like that too, treated the workers like shit, and didn't even tip them. Yet, when I go into the states (I usually dip down into the states whenever I have to travel east), the people are so polite and friendly and I like to return the favour by being polite and friendly myself. I dunno why but Americans act like total prats whenever abroad (well from my experiences, believe me I have had alot of experience dealing with Americans).

Probly because they're spending a shit load of $$$ on the vacation, makes all pissy.

Yeah well I can tell you negative stories too. But I can also tell you about being in a small town in Mexico and a local resident was hit by a car. A tour bus had a American Dr. He went to work and ended up going to a clinic, that was basically a hole in the wall with a bed and some band-aids. We helped stablize the guy then arranged for a van to transport him to the city. We went with him to the city and helped out there. We spent the whole day there and the ship we were on left without us. With us was a Cop who had emt expierence and a woman who spoke spanish. They all helped out. We payed the Van driver in advance who wouldn't do it for free. (who was a local) The clinic wanted money too and we all chipped in. This is for someone in another country who probaly on anyother day would of died. We may be rude at times but when it comes down to it we really are caring people....

Cheers

[quote="GreenEggs&Pot":77046]Probly because they're spending a shit load of $$$ on the vacation, makes all pissy.[/quote:77046]

Well the next one that tries to talk to me like im "the little irish kid" is gonna get a fucking slap up the head. mwah:

Re: Embarrassed to be an American
 

We get american tourists over here all the time and they are nothing but an annoyance. They do try and make it sound as if theyre better than you, a couple of months back one walks up to me and asks "gee are you a real irishman", i just respond by saying " nah im a fucking spacecadet what the fuck do you think"?

The ones ive spoken to for the most are really arrogant sounding, obviously this isn't the case for all americans only the few ive talked to.

hake:[/quote]

Arrogance at its best......and what seperates your arrogance from theirs in your reply?
sad little man.

dooms.

damn...
the only other country i have ever been to is canada and i would never be so disrespectfull like that! mad:

Re: Embarrassed to be an American
 

Arrogance at its best......and what seperates your arrogance from theirs in your reply?
sad little man.

dooms.[/quote]

Why don't ya go blow me limey. oOo:

He had every right to respond that way. I'm sorry Americans treat others like shit, they were probably rude ass yankees from NYC anyway. Us hicks down in the south at least have common decency, while a New Yorker would stab you in the face if someone offered him/her 5 dollars for it.

[quote:148e8]"gee are you a real irishman", i just respond by saying " nah im a fucking spacecadet what the fuck do you think"? [/quote:148e8]


LMAO

Great that just what we need, a country war Between the Iish and the English. STFU dooms day before you get flamed

O.K hehe i messed up the post...o i am so sorry, anyways gerard look i dont want to get into a pointless arguement with you.
I was simply making the point that with answer like you gave does nothing to encourage people to treat you with more respect.
And to 1 of the other posters...umm i have nothing against the irish whatsoever.
So Gerard lets drop the limey insults eh? peace.
And to the others that butted it...politly fuck off and make yer own arguemant biggrin:
love u all...big kisses!

dooms.

No offense - but rude fucking Tourists arent an American held trait.

That being said, Anti-American sentiment is based out of anger, and resentment - the fact that Americans have it easy, and feel no need to share.

Bono was on MTV yesterday talking about the war, and I'll be damned if he didn't hit the issue of anti-american sentiment on the head. It's not so much what we do, but what we DONT do.

I give respect to people that give me respect, but i wouldnt treat anyone like that, its crule. Probably all rich snobby assholes.

Re: Embarrassed to be an American
 

Okay, I understand that most Americans are assholes, but can you let us make fun of ourselves?

i would never act like that on a vaction especially in another country hake:

Re: Embarrassed to be an American
 

No i have to get the boot in somewhere and its in this thread that its applied. biggrin:

I've met and spoken to dozens of Americans and they're no different to anyone else.

There are arrogant Americans and there are Americans that aren't.

Whatever society or culture you hail from, providing it's not localised and very secluded, you are always going to get a fair proportion of twats.

Americans don't suffer from this anymore than the rest of the world, there's just loads of Americans so it just seems that way.

Everyone in the world has bad thoughts, it's just the bastards out there act on them.

It's in everyones society for christ sake... I can remember going to France and Germany and most of them being cunts, but there are other natives in those countries that are nice.

Point being: Every country has a few rich cunts that are snobby.


Get over it.

[quote="Cpt. Zapotoski":ea125]It's in everyones society for christ sake... I can remember going to France and Germany and most of them being cunts, but there are other natives in those countries that are nice.

Point being: Every country has a few rich cunts that are snobby.


Get over it.[/quote:ea125]

Cool, when did you go to Europe?

Lots do act that way...and it's a shame...thinking you are on top of the world just because of where you are from.

[quote="Chronic Diarrhea":45039]He had every right to respond that way. I'm sorry Americans treat others like shit, they were probably rude ass yankees from NYC anyway. Us hicks down in the south at least have common decency, while a New Yorker would stab you in the face if someone offered him/her 5 dollars for it.[/quote:45039]

That has got to be the dumbest thing that ever came out of your big mouth !! What the fuck do you know about NY'ers ?? You probably were never there!! Oh, i get it, it's the "stereo-type" thing and you believe it. I guess you fuck your sister too?...i mean, you are a "hick" and thats what they do right? They fuck their own family members?
Oh, BTW, in case you didn't know, the war is over! (I'm talking about the civil war) JACKASS


As for the rest of you people who had bad experiences with "Americans", lemme ask you two questions.
1. Are you sure they were from America?
2. How old were they? (The guy who started this thread went to Mexico and was surrounded by a bunch of kids....what else do you expect from them......just look at this room here!!)

I traveled outside the US and never had any type of problems. The "locals" were very nice to me and commented how nice it was to meet someone from NY. They were diggin' my Brooklyn accent. I tend to treat people with respect and then see what happens.......I always put the ball in their court 1st. Too bad you peeps met dip-shits but, that happens sometimes. Also remember, sometimes the cultures are soooo different that it may seem the other person is being rude when in fact their not. I met many people from Europe in NYC and in the Hamptons...some of them seemed snobbish but it's just a cultural difference.

Arkan, you're just another example of people that crap their pants whenever they see or hear something they don't like. I guess you haven't noticed that I like to joke around a lot. There are rude ass people from all over America, south, north, west, etc... There are lots of rude asses at my school, including people from the north and people from the south. I'm sorry I offended you with my words.

Hey, wait a min....how did you know i stained my draws??
You work for the CIA ??

No, but seriously I'm not trying to be an ass, I just like to make sarcastic comments. Sorry you couldn't see past that. And I'm not trying to flame you either.

[quote="Chronic Diarrhea":fd224]No, but seriously I'm not trying to be an ass, I just like to make sarcastic comments. Sorry you couldn't see past that. And I'm not trying to flame you either.[/quote:fd224]

np, i can respect that.

there shouldn't of had to bveen a reason to apologize in the first place.

Arrogance at its best......and what seperates your arrogance from theirs in your reply?
sad little man.

dooms.

great response dooms, ppl love to point the finger, even though they act the same way.

Allow me to tell a story of cultural insensitivity.

OK I was in Cambodia. As some of you may know, in 1975 the communist Khmer Rouge took Phnom Penh and evacuated the entire capital's 2 million residents.

What was to follow was the systematic murder of many Cambodians.

I was going to the Killing Fields for the day and it was a 45 minute motorbike ride to get there. I had past a bus on the way but I paid no real attention to them.

I went to the killing fields and saw and realised the horror of this place. It was very moving.

As I was leaving, the bus I past unloaded American tourists. Now they seemed OK for the most part but some insensitive prick was wearing a t-shirt that had the Vietnamese yellow star on it. For those of you who don't know, Cambodians and Vietnamese despise each other. And this cunt (there really is no better word) was wearing this shirt to the killing fields. This is like wearing the swastika to a Holocaust memorial.
I felt like decking the guy. He looked to be in his early twenties.

I hope he's in the minority. I've been on scuba trips and met very polite, nice Americans too.

[quote=Arkan]That has got to be the dumbest thing that ever came out of your big mouth !! What the fuck do you know about NY'ers ?? You probably were never there!! Oh, i get it, it's the "stereo-type" thing and you believe it. I guess you fuck your sister too?...i mean, you are a "hick" and thats what they do right? They fuck their own family members?
Oh, BTW, in case you didn't know, the war is over! (I'm talking about the civil war) JACKASS


As for the rest of you people who had bad experiences with "Americans", lemme ask you two questions.
1. Are you sure they were from America?
2. How old were they? (The guy who started this thread went to Mexico and was surrounded by a bunch of kids....what else do you expect from them......just look at this room here!!)

I traveled outside the US and never had any type of problems. The "locals" were very nice to me and commented how nice it was to meet someone from NY. They were diggin' my Brooklyn accent. I tend to treat people with respect and then see what happens.......I always put the ball in their court 1st. Too bad you peeps met dip-shits but, that happens sometimes. Also remember, sometimes the cultures are soooo different that it may seem the other person is being rude when in fact their not. I met many people from Europe in NYC and in the Hamptons...some of them seemed snobbish but it's just a cultural difference.[/quote:d3a3f]

Where did I say they were kids? These were adults, acting like kids. hake:

Well, the only thing i can contribute to this conversation is something a Balinese Taxi driver told me while i was over there, that in his experience, you can usually tell where The Tourists are from by their demenor when they're drunk. If they're happy, they're Australian/New Zealander/English, but if they're angry and fight-happy, 9 times out of 10, they're American.

Cab drivers are the oracles of modern society.

The rudest person Ive ever met was a wee wee frenchman pussy on vacation. This wasnt good enough that wasnt good enough, is this the only wine you sell with his pussyfied nose in the air. Every race, nationallity and sect can be rude so what does it matter

[quote="Sgt>Stackem":2daa1]The rudest person Ive ever met was a wee wee frenchman pussy on vacation. This wasnt good enough that wasnt good enough, is this the only wine you sell with his pussyfied nose in the air. Every race, nationallity and sect can be rude so what does it matter[/quote:2daa1]

Granted that all Nationalities have their assholes, but i think the point Totenkopf was tring to get across was that, en masse, Americans seem to be the worst offenders.
I personally have never met an arrogant American Tourist, but then I'm a nice clean white boy, so i probably wouldn't incur the same wrath as a Mexican waiter biggrin:

America certainly is still appaling for racism, especially seeing how diverse the culture mix is (and always has been, really).

Racism is still rife here in the UK but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be 20 years ago.

I can't help but think that there is a stronger vein of racism running in the American attitude (in general). It's a sweeping statement, I know and not one I'd normally make, but (without stating actual evidence and facts - this is opinion) it really does seem to me that Americans are naturally more racist, especially to "minorities", such as Mexicans, for an example.

I'll still stand by my original opinion that every culture has it's racists and twats, but America, being such a large country, definitely seems to have a lot more of them.

Americans tend to be very fiercely loyall to their flag and patriotic to the extreme, as well. This ultimate die-hard pride in their own institution really rubs off on their responses to out-side influences.

There's nothing wrong with standing up for your country or country people, but some take it too far and see it as their obligation to show the world that America is best.

If there's ever anything said against America by a British person it's when we see an American on TV harping on melodramatically that USA is the best country in the world and it's the land of the free and only in America would yada yada happen and "God, I love America!".... Sometimes it's just cloying, but it can get really tacky after a while.

There's only so much of "we're the best" that the world can take before it gets old to them, I suppose.

Disclaimer: That last statement was not the representation of my entire nation's opinion and is entirely my own speculation as to why Americans are regarded as isolationistic.

I have never met an American like this (most that I know are just as ready to bash their nation for it's flaws as they would be to stand up for it, like most Brits I know) so it would have to be a direct result of what must be the largest export that America has: Television.

In a way America has itself to blame for its stereotypical image, it starts right in Hollywood.

The UK is just as bad... Thanks to the films that we export to the States you all seem to think we're posh upper class Hugh Grants or Liz Hurleys, or cockney wideboys like the cast of Lock Stock'.

Apparently we all have bad teeth, we drink tea at high noon with crumpets (or scones) and we all speak like the Queen or Bob Hoskins.

Or Dick Van Dyke. Ugh...

Anyway, I ramble therefore I am... I'm done biggrin:

Hey Ydiss

It's been quite a while since I've seen you around here! biggrin:

americans here in my town, are very arrogants, they are a pain in the ass, they flood our streets whit his fucking monster trucks!! wtf man! que pedo con esos cabrones, oh and what i find really really stupid about americans is they're so ignorant, i can bet if u ask 100 americans where is denmark or china, 10 will reply,
Viva Mexico cabrones!! CDLR!!!

Yea, Americans are all annoying. Bah, you ever hear of these guys called the French? If your so embarresed, the please by all means leave. Also how is America racsist? I guess you all have never been to south, if you want some really friendly people come here.