A "How To" Guide For Americans Abroad

An Etiquette Guide to stop that "Dumb American Tourist" jibe.

Loud and brash, in gawdy garb and baseball caps, more than three million of them flock to our shores every year. Shuffling between tourist sites or preparing to negotiate a business deal, they bemoan the failings of the world outside the United States.

The reputation of the "Ugly American" abroad is not, however, just some cruel stereotype, but - according to the American government itself - worryingly accurate. Now, the State Department in Washington has joined forces with American industry to plan an image make-over by issuing guides for Americans travelling overseas on how to behave.

Under a programme starting next month, several leading US companies will give employees heading abroad a "World Citizens Guide" featuring 16 etiquette tips on how they can help improve America's battered international image.

Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA), a non-profit group funded by big American companies, has also met Karen Hughes, the head of public diplomacy at the State Department, to discuss issuing the guide with every new US passport. The goal is to create an army of civilian ambassadors.

The guide offers a series of "simple suggestions" under the slogan, "Help your country while you travel for your company". The advice targets a series of common American traits and includes:

• Think as big as you like but talk and act smaller. (In many countries, any form of boasting is considered very rude. Talking about wealth, power or status - corporate or personal - can create resentment.)

• Listen at least as much as you talk. (By all means, talk about America and your life in our country. But also ask people you're visiting about themselves and their way of life.)

• Save the lectures for your kids. (Whatever your subject of discussion, let it be a discussion not a lecture. Justified or not, the US is seen as imposing its will on the world.)

• Think a little locally. (Try to find a few topics that are important in the local popular culture. Remember, most people in the world have little or no interest in the World Series or the Super Bowl. What we call "soccer" is football everywhere else. And it's the most popular sport on the planet.)

• Slow down. (We talk fast, eat fast, move fast, live fast. Many cultures do not.)

• Speak lower and slower. (A loud voice is often perceived as bragging. A fast talker can be seen as aggressive and threatening.)

• Your religion is your religion and not necessarily theirs. (Religion is usually considered deeply personal, not a subject for public discussions.)

• If you talk politics, talk - don't argue. (Steer clear of arguments about American politics, even if someone is attacking US politicians or policies. Agree to disagree.)

Why not save time and just say "Act Canadian" rather than make up a bunch of rules?

The single largest complaint I hear from foreign friends about American tourists is that they are LOUD. Like, heads turning in a busy marketplace loud. It's hard too judge that from my perspective in New York, but I wouldn't be too surprised to learn there was some truth to that

They oughta send one of those pamphlets to the Oval Office and let them read up; lead by setting an example, hmmmmmm? Also, maybe tack on there:

  • Try not to start too many wars. Wars are considered an act of aggression in some countries. People may not necessarily welcome you with open arms or greet you with flowers.

I lived in Asia for five years as a working professional and have to say that the rap that Americans get for being bad tourists is a bit undeserved. Sure, you have your bad examples, but we are far less obnoxious than Australians or Germans.

Why not save time and just say "Act Canadian" rather than make up a bunch of rules?

Because asking most Americans to learn 30 or 40 words of mangled French, or simply read them off of a menu board, is overly optimistic. Yet most Canadians seem to be able to do it, which is how the Quebecois seem to tell Tronnoans from Detroiters.

It's funny, because all you have to say to explain bad French in Quebec is "I came over from Ontario". Tout est pardonnez!

Robear wrote:
Why not save time and just say "Act Canadian" rather than make up a bunch of rules?

Because asking most Americans to learn 30 or 40 words of mangled French, or simply read them off of a menu board, is overly optimistic. Yet most Canadians seem to be able to do it, which is how the Quebecois seem to tell Tronnoans from Detroiters.

It's funny, because all you have to say to explain bad French in Quebec is "I came over from Ontario". Tout est pardonnez! :-)

That, and everyone already DOES act Canadian.

The funny thing is, you won't notice the silent ones.

But the loud ones amongst you, when among us, do stand out, volume-wise. The accent is the give-away.

When I read this thread I immediately recalled a night out with some friends, where we went to get something to eat and had an American at about 20 feet talking on his cellular at a volume that pretty much made the use of the phone redundant, regardless of how far away the person on the other side was...

Slow down. (We talk fast, eat fast, move fast, live fast. Many cultures do not.)

• Speak lower and slower. (A loud voice is often perceived as bragging. A fast talker can be seen as aggressive and threatening.)

We should apply these in our own country, not just abroad. And yes, Paleo, I've seen Aussies especially make bigger, louder asses out of themselves everywhere I've been.

I have another sugestion if you are ever in Israel by the US embbecy, don't enter Mike's place . because terrorist blew Mike's Place up twice ; They seem to like blowing it up :). Buzz Stop is a better place to go to . It's nicer , more open and rather cheap. A lots of tourists from around the world come to both.

I once heard a taxi driver complain about his previous coustomers, the Americans, being extreamly loud. Americans alow themself too much abroad.

Usually Israeli tourists have a worst reputation than Americans and some establishment simplely refuse service to Israelis. They are not loud but some steal towels and practice vandalism . It's small minority called the "ugly israeli" who ruin it to all others.

Niseg,

I'm not sure you want to be giving that kind of advice. I don't know about you, but when I was a long-term expat living overseas, there were places we wanted to keep free of the dumb question asking newbies. Let them suffer at all the chain places like KFC and TGIFridays until they've earned the privilege to eat at your favorite local secrets.

Paleocon wrote:

Niseg,

I'm not sure you want to be giving that kind of advice. I don't know about you, but when I was a long-term expat living overseas, there were places we wanted to keep free of the dumb question asking newbies. Let them suffer at all the chain places like KFC and TGIFridays until they've earned the privilege to eat at your favorite local secrets.

Speak for yourself! Niseg can give me all the advice he wants about how to not get blown up in Israel. I like that kind of advice.

KaterinLHC wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

Niseg,

I'm not sure you want to be giving that kind of advice. I don't know about you, but when I was a long-term expat living overseas, there were places we wanted to keep free of the dumb question asking newbies. Let them suffer at all the chain places like KFC and TGIFridays until they've earned the privilege to eat at your favorite local secrets.

Speak for yourself! Niseg can give me all the advice he wants about how to not get blown up in Israel. I like that kind of advice. :)

Yeah, but...

If he's relying on the whole "security through obscurity" method of not getting blown up, he's not doing himself any favors by directing Americans to his favorite "safe" spots.

Paleocon wrote:

If he's relying on the whole "security through obscurity" method of not getting blown up, he's not doing himself any favors by directing Americans to his favorite "safe" spots.

Great, now we've got corporate shills AND terrorists trolling our message boards.

Loudasses, bragarts, aggressive nationalists... these are personalities, not nationalities. The difference between the average Canadian and American is subtle (though it definitely exists.) Much of the percieved difference is in what Till pointed out: The bad once stand out, and the quiet ones blend in. It's the availability heuristic.

I have no doubt that Americans are bad tourists. I just happen to think all nationalities are bad tourists. I just hate tourists. :p

Morrolan wrote:

Loudasses, bragarts, aggressive nationalists... these are personalities, not nationalities. The difference between the average Canadian and American is subtle (though it definitely exists.) Much of the percieved difference is in what Till pointed out: The bad once stand out, and the quiet ones blend in. It's the availability heuristic.

I have no doubt that Americans are bad tourists. I just happen to think all nationalities are bad tourists. I just hate tourists. :p

Ding Ding Ding! Tourist are annoying, no matter where they come from.

I disagree that tourists are by nature annoying. I think the curiosity and willingness to spend both time and resources to see a culture outside your own is to be commended, not ridiculed. It is when folks decide to JUDGE or belittle that which they encounter that they become bad tourists (or expatriates for that matter).

As a serial long-term expatriate, I have to admit to being more than a bit annoyed at tourists in the past. Much of that is due to the fact that they remind us of the mistakes we made as recently arrived outsiders ourselves. Other aspects have to do with being reminded of why we left our home countries.

I would note, however, that locals are generally not nearly as annoyed by outsiders as expats seem to be. I certainly found that the Taiwanese were generally acceptant of differences if not outright bemused by them. Mainland Chinese were a little less gracious about their bemusement (often prodding foreigners like children poking sticks at caged animals), but most folks around the world I've noticed don't really subscribe to Lederer's image of the "ugly american".

Well, as a fellow expat I subscribe that. For one thing, hearing somebody talk in your native language makes them stand out. And if they then behave "stupidly" you often get more annoyed at them than the locals.

However, to define all tourists as willing to "spend both time and resources to see a culture outside" their own is a far shot, methinks. Many just travel for the scenery, weather, good value-for-money, what have you. I don't see too many tourists on Spain's beaches trying hard to blend in, learn about Spain's extremely rich culture and/or history, and learn to communicate in the local lingua anywhere beyond "cerveza" and "paella". But that's also the Spaniards fault, partly, as it's easier to entertain (and get money from) tourists by just offering them beach & beer than a rich cultural experience.