Embarrassed to be an American

Totenkopf · **Embarrassed to be an American -** 03-22-2003, 11:55 AM

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.

GreenEggs&Pot · 03-22-2003, 12:11 PM

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.

geRV · **Re: Embarrassed to be an American -** 03-22-2003, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totenkopf

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.

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:

Innoxx · 03-22-2003, 12:21 PM

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).

GreenEggs&Pot · 03-22-2003, 12:23 PM

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

Sgt. Pepper. · 03-22-2003, 12:24 PM

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

geRV · 03-22-2003, 12:29 PM

[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:

doomsday2002 · **Re: Embarrassed to be an American -** 03-22-2003, 12:42 PM

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.

Simo Häyhä · 03-22-2003, 12:46 PM

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

geRV · **Re: Embarrassed to be an American -** 03-22-2003, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomsday2002

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:

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:

Chronic Diarrhea · 03-22-2003, 01:08 PM

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.

Bucknub · 03-22-2003, 01:09 PM

[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

MrLevinstein · 03-22-2003, 02:00 PM

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

doomsday2002 · 03-22-2003, 02:19 PM

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.

ED! Ban #126 · 03-22-2003, 03:12 PM

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.