Another example of "the ugly American"...

[Rick Inman]

I personally don't appreciate stereotyping an entire nation of people by one person's behavior. The title is an insult to all Americans. Most of the Americans I know are very polite.

Now the French...

 

[all4scuba05]

My partners and I came away feeling that the man really gave folks down there cause to dislike some of their American visitors. I hate it when we get labeled "ugly Americans", especially when it's true!

I doubt that they hate the money this guy was spending. Its a service business, and that means enduring some bafoonery. The guy wasn't abusive, wasn't cursing, wasn't threatening, didn't get physical, voilent, didn't throw anything except maybe a very short hissy.... and a sissy hissy at that.

I don't see the Ugly American side of this at all. There are Ugly Citizens of every country all over the place. In my opinion this hardly qualifies as Ugly American.

What is your take on Ugly American?

Rude? Ungrateful? Unappreciative? Which of us hasn't been here?

Thinks the Metric System is a joke? Thinks soccer blows? Has no time for UFO ethnic food? This is me most of the time...

I'm not following the thread. Maybe you're soft-selling the guy's fit. But from this post alone, I think the guy was pretty mellow.

---
Ken

Are you the guy he's talking about?

 

[all4scuba05]

Could the folks from other countries please clarify this situation? If Americans went to your country and acted that way, is he still considered a wonderful American?

 

[Mako Mark]

There is nothing wrong with the term "Ugly American" there are times when it applies, just like every culture has its quirks, eccentricitied and unique features. I know that generalisations are a PC minefield, but you can generalise about anyone, and generalisations are based on observation.

Personally, and from long observation, I have seen this particular side of american culture raise hackles on all sides of the world. "Ugly Americans", when confronted by a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable (as appears to have happened in the Coz example), take a stand, put toe to the line and get loud and ready to take on the confrontation. Asia is a great example where this doesnt work. There, the first one to lose their temper loses the argument. So what happend is a vioce gets raised, the local giggles nervously and everyone gets confused and myths and steriotypes are born.

It is just the way that cultures differ and interact. There will allways be differences and misunderstandings. The trick is to try to understand why and to minimise them.

Every culture has its ugly side, I think Guba was just embarrassed by the loud and argumentative side of this particular countryman. It certainly wasnt an attack on homeland security..

 

[Mo2vation]

Are you the guy he's talking about?

But thanks.

---
Ken

 

[deeper thoughts]

When my family went to France they couldnt believe the rudeness of the people.
They said how "ugly" and nasty they were, so I guess ugly is as ugly does and not what country the people come from.

 

[1RUSTYRIG]

Thinks the Metric System is a joke? Thinks soccer blows? Has no time for UFO ethnic food? This is me most of the time...

Talk about hitting the nail on the head!

 

[1RUSTYRIG]

Could the folks from other countries please clarify this situation? If Americans went to your country and acted that way, is he still considered a wonderful American?

Who cares? I really don't give a rats ***** what people think of me, foreign or domestic.

Frankly, I am sick of the term "Ugly American"...if we are such POS then stop taking our foreign aid and back out of NATO.

 

[Hank49]

I think it's jumping to conclusions to label the guy anything after one event like this. Maybe he was just having a bad day.....like we all do sometimes. He could have been pissed off because the Bengals beat Kansas City.....or anything.

 

[boomer68]

I can't resist -
First - in my opinion, the guy was out of line and could have handled better.
Second - I believe he apologized the next day after he calmed down.
Third - I am also tired of hearing the "Ugly American" based on one example.
Just my 2 cents.