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so.. I spent 5 days in Paris in May and I actually learned the entire language, wrote some legislation, taught classes, and conducted a couple surgeries just for the yell I got..
sounds pretty retarded doesn't it?
BTW, I did actually spend 5 days in Paris in May and it was nice, but just like every other foreign country I've been to, not nice enough to want to actually live there.
WORLD'S BEST TOURISTS
Japan
Britain
Canada
Germany
Switzerland
Holland
Australia
Sweden
USA
Denmark Source:Expedia.co.uk
Hmm yeah, I must never have gone anywhere and my 'baseless stereotypes' are probably imaginary ideas considering I spend over 650,000 flight miles a year on travels.
Trust me, americans need to shape up on their behavior when they travel. They should especially try to avoid being so loud, aggressive, and condescending when they are abroad. They may be the only tourists who tip well since tip is generally included in the bill, but I think people would appreciate less aggression and derision then tip. It is true however, that americans do indeed try to order in the local language which is very impressive. And many americans today, seem to be learning a second language. Its a big change in the past 20 years. Being number 9 on the list of 10 nations shows it could be better. Instead of relying on expedia, why don't you do some traveling yourself and speak to the locals? Maybe you'll find there is less stereotypes than truth to these points.
I've seen so many incidents but right now I recall one in a piazza (square) in Florence (Italy) where this woman plonked down in the table next to me. American. She talked to the waiter like he was a stupid idiot. It was uncalled for; he didn't say or do anything to offend her and he came to take her order right away. Maybe she was not aware how she came across but he got a bit annoyed with her condescending attitude so when she asked him "where exactly am I?" he said "You're in Florence, madam"...
I burst out laughing and he laughed too. She was not amused being the butt of someone's joke, but I ended up talking to her over a coffee.
This is the main problems with americans: they don't mind condescending others and freely do, but voe if anything remotely similar is done to them! Then they get hostile and spiteful.
I'm not going into full details of the ultra-naive couple from Kentucky who I bumped into in Venice during the carnival. They didn't fully know what the carnival was and had ended there unplanned. These were experienced travelers who returned twice a year to Europe, following the Tour de France. In the course of the conversation they asked me; have you heard of something called n-i-n-e e-l-e-v-e-n? Have you heard of something called h-u-m-i-d-i-t-y?
I told her I had never heard of either, because my relatives are from Kentucky so I am completely ignorant. Because I've spent such huge portions of my life here, I felt embarrassed for their behavior and for them.
Most Europeans actually hold very high degrees. They will be well aware of most topics. Its much harder to 'work your way up' in Europe and you really need a degree for nearly every kind of job.
Paris... what a beautiful city! And has been inhabited since 4200 BC. I've lived i Paris and loved it although it could get too crowded with all the tourists. Its a fantastic city to be in. No wonder France has the highest number visitors per year, over 70 million.
so.. I spent 5 days in Paris in May and I actually learned the entire language, wrote some legislation, taught classes, and conducted a couple surgeries just for the yell I got..
sounds pretty retarded doesn't it?
BTW, I did actually spend 5 days in Paris in May and it was nice, but just like every other foreign country I've been to, not nice enough to want to actually live there.
And my experience is different from yours yet I'm not mocking you.
I choose to live outside of the US for the same reasons Dane has pointed out, and which you have illustrated by your post.
I assume you did research on the economics and culture as the OP has indicated she has.
Don't phrases like "variety is the spice of life," "different strokes for different folks" or "marches to the beat of a different drummer" mean anything at all to you guys? Since we're all simply speaking from experience here, I'll share my thoughts. I remember when I visited Denmark, I took a tour of one of their castles and didn't particularly enjoy being herded with the camera snappers (or anyone for that matter), so when noone was looking I snuck away from the group and started exploring the place on my own. Eventually I was caught and the older gentleman, who seemed a little ruffled, said to me in his Danish accent, "you must be American, yes? ...for you are always breaking the rules." He couldn't have known it, but I actually took his thinly veiled insult as a compliment. What I'm saying is this, I hold individuality above almost all else, even if it means that sometimes (e.g. while be escorted through a castle) things might not operate as smoothly. I'm not an ant and I'm not going to march in file with the rest of you just because you want me to (at least, not insofar as I can get away with it), no matter how much you try to force your values on me and others like me who just want to be left alone to do our own thing.
That being said, I enjoyed visiting Denmark. Copenhagen was a beautiful and interesting city, the exception being Christiania, which was a hole and--not so ironically--a former hippy commune.
Spent a few days in Copenhagen and Arhus and I had the greatest experience. I had been doing some research about Denmark especially given the fact that they are overall the happiest people in the world and the most satisfied with their health care system.
Everytime I travel to a different country, I just get this feeling that the US is a very overrated country, it also makes me realize how many lies Americans are told on a daily basis, this whole, "We are the greatest, no one compares to us" is truly a bunch of BS. Beautiful country, very safe, no guns, no homeless people, a very happy bunch of people overall
High taxes, and some evil socialism does not seem to be all that bad after all.
There is something to be said for having little respect for other cultures and their laws.
Apparently it's a trait that you don't possess.
How would a visitor to the White House or other building in the US be treated for walking off on their own?
Not as kindly as you were treated.
Respect for the country and culture you are visiting is a sign of maturity.
You are a guest.
Oh stop being a prude. It's not like I went over there and mooched off their system, littered, or stole anything. I spent money there. And I certainly didn't act like many of the arrogant "I'm an American!" tourists I had the misfortune of meeting.
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