The UA still exists - and when we travel, we try hard to distance ourselves from that stereotype. We have found over the years that a bit of courtesy, a dash of politeness, and a few words of the language go a long way toward getting along. We also have found, in more than 25 trips to Europe, that dressing in a respectful manner helps - things like dressing modestly when visiting places of worship, for instance, and looking like you belong in the nice restaurant where you wish to eat. But we've also found that no matter what we do, the French are still the French.

Are there "Ugly Americans" in other countries? Yes, there are always some. As they are of any nationality in other coutries. Of, course the uglies stand out, but there are really not that many. You just never notice the majority of pleasant foreigners in other countries.

Wow, just wow.

In the late 80's I was in a modern art museum in Germany, probably Berlin, and there was a display entitled "The American Wife". The setting was an ugly couch, TV, and a fat woman in a robe with rollers in her hair, cigarette, Jim Beam, and TV dinner leftovers. Not a flattering picture but hey - it's Art ;)

Yes the UA's are still out there, along with the UF's (French), UG's (Germans), etc... I always go out of my way to acclimate to the local language and customs. Setting a 'good' example for us uneducated Mericuns. :) Lighten up folks!

What is the French term for German tourists? White worm?

I've seen some ugly Americans, but one stands out. When I was traveling in the Yucatan and Central America years ago, a guy (math professor at an eastern university) I met in Isla Mujeres asked if I wanted to travel with him a ways and split the gas for his Land Cruiser. Sounded good to me. I quickly found out he was one of those ugly Americans. The highlight of his actions was when his Land Cruiser started acting up using lots of oil as we got to Belize City. Our experience there is another story, but he got a recommendation for a mechanic and we went there. The guy agreed to leave his Land Cruiser there to be worked on and before he left, he pointed his finder in the owner's face and told him not to pull any funny stuff. After he picked his car up, we left for Guatemala and parted ways at Tikal. I ran into him again in Oachaca (sp?), and he told me his car was in a shop again. When I asked him about it, he said he didn't understand. His car ran well for a hundred miles or so and really started using huge amounts of oil again. I didn't bother to tell him why.

Please let me apologize on behalf of dewolf. He's a bit sensitive. He was on this HK trip with his sons and his son's girlfriend who he has a huge crush on, so he was just being protective of this girl.

I would say yes.


Fortunately, we vacation in Cuba so we don't have to see them.