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The Ugly American mentality is generally described as the ignorant, arrogant, rowdy, and disrespectful behavior displayed by some US travellers who behave unreasonably in foreign countries--which includes refusing to understand the language and customs of such country(ies) they are visiting.
The Ugly American mentality is usually met with shock, disgust, and pity by the local inhabitants of the country whom the Ugly Americans are visiting and is also universally condemned by both the natives of such country(ies) and by reasonable US citizens.
BUT...
If an arrogant and ignorant foreigner visits the United States and refuses to understand the local customs, such as speaking in English, such a person should be expected to be greeted with utmost respect and accomodated for the person's ignorance of the English language and customs of the United States.
Can someone explain why it's unreasonable for arrogant and ignorant US citizens, AKA Ugly Americans, to be ignorant of the customs and language of countries when they are abroad BUT it's completely reasonable for arrogant and ignorant foreign citizens to be ignorant of the customs and usage of the English language in the US when they are in the US (in fact, they're expected, by law, to be accomodated in their foreign language)?
The "Ugly American" stereotype is usually embraced by Europeans and other first-world countries, not so much places where the people you're referring to come from.
And yes, it is incredibly hypocritical. I could go on for days about it.
I think you might be confusing two separate issues/concepts - tourism and immigration.
In addition to confusing tourism and immigration, I think the OP is just confused. I've lost count of the number of my fellow Americans traveling abroad who address everyone they meet - from front desk staff to bus drivers - in English without even an inquiry as to whether they speak the language. Let alone those who don't even bother to learn how to say " thank you" in the local language. And we often expect and generally receive restaurant menus in English when traveling in a non-English speaking country. Pretty damned accommodating if you ask me. On the other hand, tourists to the US must learn rudimentary English if they are to handle something as simple as a hotel check-in. We are not a country with a solid reputation for our foreign language skills - even in the hospitality industry.
I suspect the OP is feigning some ginned up indignation to exorcise his or her xenophobia. While others may want to play, I have no interest in providing such a platform.
In addition to confusing tourism and immigration, I think the OP is just confused. I've lost count of the number of my fellow Americans traveling abroad who address everyone they meet - from front desk staff to bus drivers - in English without even an inquiry as to whether they speak the language. Let alone those who don't even bother to learn how to say " thank you" in the local language. And we often expect and generally receive restaurant menus in English when traveling in a non-English speaking country. Pretty damned accommodating if you ask me. On the other hand, tourists to the US must learn rudimentary English if they are to handle something as simple as a hotel check-in. We are not a country with a solid reputation for our foreign language skills - even in the hospitality industry.
Personally I think that if you go to a country then you should speak their language. That goes for people from the US going to other countries as well. You're a guest on their soil, after all.
Been overseas about 25-30 times, and there definitely are ugly americans. I was in Italy last week and every time we ran into groups of Americans (young people mostly) we normally ended up whispering "oh god...." at how loud and stupid they were all acting. They just come off so ignorant and act like they're somehow special.
As a guest in foreign countries Americans need to be “respectful” of others, and they often appear not to be.
Americans need to be better hosts when foreign visitors come here to spend time and see our nation, again we Americans fail at being better hosts and lack “respect” for others.
Because it is a complete double standard europeans use to feel significant.
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