URGENT!!!!

Thank you all who pointed out that 'ugly Americans' have plenty of company from other parts of the world. I admit there are certain 'Americans', holders of high office, who appear to have never even heard of the word 'protocol' much less consideration for the needs of others and ordinary good manners. This reflects very poorly on us all. But people of such arrogance and limited comprehension are, I hope, very much the minority.

On the other hand, I had to teach a couple dozen exchange students who lived with us over the years how we do things here. If we try on clothes in a store, we hang the ones we don't want back up, and return them to the racks or the sales staff. We don't simply step out of clothes and leave them on the floor. We don't pee on the toilet seat. In this country, we show up on time, rather than keeping people waiting for us. We tip restaurant servers at least 10%, and for decent service, 20%. We say please and thank you. We offer to help around the house, as most American families don't have servants..... and so on. For the kids, it was just part of growing up, not innate unkindness or national shortcomings. Hard to know what excuses there are for well-educated, but completely inconsiderate adults.
 
...and kiwi's set the world standard for etiquette???????? It's a shame that the american's on this board sit back and allow themselves to be categorically bashed, only several poster's objected. I guess it's accepted to trash american's now adays, however if an american on this board dissed another country the way peleka7 has all hell would break loose. I don't bash kiwi's so don't bash my country.
 
Since I was the first to bring it up, perhaps it falls to me to respond:

In no way am I, or was I "dissing" America. Some few Americans who travel should never leave home. They would likely be offensive even at the local Walmart. It is those whom I was commenting upon.

The problem is that it only takes a few people to give -any- group a bad name. Ditto visitors to the US. The point is that when anyone visits another country, one should at least make an attempt to recognize and respect the social procedures of the host country. You are a guest in the host country. Observe and learn from a different environment. This may make you either appreciate your own home even more, or it might give you ideas on how home could be improved. This is one of the big attractions to travel: to learn something new.

As far as the comment about peleka7, I see no disrespect to the USA, only a foul taste in his mouth with respect to one particular couple. He, as a guest in another country, observed that the locals found the visiting couple to be "poor guests" and was/is rightfully disgusted.
 
As a world traveler, I adapt to local customs, language and culture as best I can. As you stated, there are rude travelers across all ethnic and national boundaries. So why are americans singled out, the term "ugly american" is offensive and hate-filled. The term has no place in our "polically correct" society. As I stated before, if I were to make the same comment using another country for example "ugly <insert country of choice>" I would be harshly flamed. I've live in the Washington, DC area most of my life among ethnicities and nationalities from all over the world, as such I deal with disrespectful, impatient foreigner's daily who demand that Americans adapt to their customs and cultures on our soil, not the other way around. Peleka7 could have stated the facts without referring to "ugly americans", but he personally chose to use the slur. Is there really a need for that??????
 
Helllls Bells, I see UGLY AMERICANS every fookin' day that outta be shot or hung.
 
like I said....if you made that comment about any other nationality on the face of the earth, you would be harshly flamed! Go ahead try it and see what happens.
 
ummm, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Peleka 7 an American (Hawaiian I believe) who happens to be currently living in NZ?

autlaw, that's the problem with everything today, too many people are too worried about trying to fit in to todays "politically correct" society. Sone times things just need saying, PC or not, and if you don't like it, tough, live sucks, buy a helmet.

I'm sorry, was that not PC enough for you?

Tim
 
Take that stick outta your 6. We got Americans calling Americans A$$holes. There are tons of 'em.

There's no one saying anything about other countries.
 
OK, but you refuse to acknowledge my point. There was no need for peleka7 (whatever he is) to bash american's in order to get the point across. For example, if that boater had been a rude nigerian, do you think peleka7 would have called out an "ugly nigerian" on a public forum. My point is why are americans the only nationality that it's ok to publicly bash. In fact, I'm being bashed by so-called american's for defending my nationality.
 
Methinks you are overly sensitive.

I am not bashing America, I am bashing a couple whose conduct in public was deplorable. And even if it is not "Ok" for a non-American to comment, it is certainly acceptable for an American to do so.

The "slur", as you put it ( and I happen to disagree, but that is another issue ) exists -because- there are enough Americans who justify the existence of the "slur". It is right to call them out and state that they are "giving us a bad name". I have done so, and I will so continue.

You also have the right ( which I, personally, have defended ) to say you don't like it. Good your you.
 
I guess I'm frustrated at the world-wide bashing that americans continue to take in the news everyday. I was surprised to see this on boatered as well. America accepts every man, woman and child regardless of race, creed and religion. Yet these same nationalities bash us. Forget I said anything.
 
quote:
Originally posted by autlaw

...and kiwi's set the world standard for etiquette???????? It's a shame that the american's on this board sit back and allow themselves to be categorically bashed, only several poster's objected. I guess it's accepted to trash american's now adays, however if an american on this board dissed another country the way peleka7 has all hell would break loose. I don't bash kiwi's so don't bash my country.

Click to expand...


It is what it is, so what. American's have risen above the level of allowing something like being called "ugly american" to bother us. I have been called a lot worse before.

As for other countries getting "dissed". take a visit to NBR.
 
Yes, your politicians are Ugly Americans, however I don't judge you by your politicians and I certainly hope you don't judge us Canadians by ours because they are even uglier.
Every couple of years we cruise south from Toronto for the winter, we have visited almost every US port from Duluth, MN to Cape Vincent on the Great Lakes and have never experienced anything less than the utmost generosity or hospitality. Far more so than my own country or any other I have traveled in. Whenever a US flag vessel pulls into Port Credit Yacht Club near Toronto I am the first one there with offer of a car or anything else required because thats how Ive been treated by you guys. Some people try to elevate themselves by knocking down others, they do not merit a response.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top