Another example of "the ugly American"...

[BIGG_BUDD]

Ugly is a global issue. It's not just limited to the US. I've met a-holes from around the world. Although I don't act that way when I am a guest in someone's country, I don't see the need to police my actions in an attempt to alleviate some stereotype. I just act cool cuz it makes for a much better trip.

One last thing, if I ever thought my (insert significant other / family member here) was put in danger due to the negligence of another, I would have words. I might choose to do so privately, as opposed to making a spectacle of the situation, but I would ensure that my point was made.

 

[1RUSTYRIG]

If I may be so bold as to add to your statment: These resorts chase American tourists and thier money, And we pay a premium for thier services. Making the resort obligated (if they wish to be successful) to make to customers to feel at home.

An excellent point as well...you can't put the cart before the horse.

 

[1RUSTYRIG]

Exactly to my point... thank you!

Really? Maybe you could expand because I don't see where you and I are in agreement...

 

[fairybasslet]

If I may be so bold as to add to your statment: These resorts chase American tourists and thier money, And we pay a premium for thier services. Making the resort obligated (if they wish to be successful) to make to customers to feel at home.

Then again, there are some people who are never satisfied with any level of service and always find SOMETHING to complain about.

 

[all4scuba05]

Then again, there are some people who are never satisfied with any level of service and always find SOMETHING to complain about.

Like the american lady who was at the front desk of the hotel last month. She was demanding that they not charge her for the room because she found a hair in the bathroom that was not hers.

 

[Guba]

I think Big Budd and I are on the same wavelength here. I don't discount the man might have had cause for concern. (Though if I feel that if his concern were as great as his reaction he would have ensured that his wife had been the first to get aboard. A good partner looks out for his/her partner, especially when there are health concerns...) However, I question the manner in which he handled the matter. One can be emphatic and even insistant without trying to publicly humiliate others. I cannot imagine the tactics he used as being effective in the U.S. Why try them abroad? I definitely prefer more discretionary tactics first. If those fail, there is always time to get more drastic.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Really? Maybe you could expand because I don't see where you and I are in agreement...

I didnt say we were in agreement. I just pointed out that this statement confirmed my point: "As far as I am concerned that is a universal language. When on a dive boat you expect safety and attentiveness from the operators, period."

Expectations. If you would go to for instance Malaysia and dive from Tioman or Aur.... operations are run differently. What we call safety here, we may not call safety over there. What we call attentiveness here we may not call attentiveness here. There is in my opinion no 'Universal language' on this. Things are done differently around the world. The only true universal thing are the laws of physics when it comes to diving... gas laws etc.

Safe by who's standards, attentive by who's standards? ours or where we choose to visit?

 

[all4scuba05]

Well some of us have spent part of our adult life outside this country(USA). 2 years in Europe, a month in the middle east, and a month in South America. From what I learned while there, some "americans" have attitudes have ruined it for the rest of us. Some of you don't care what they think of you? Wow. Did you know that in some countries if you wave with the wrong hand, it's an offense. You don't care? Then YOU'RE the one that ruins it for the rest of us. Wether you like it or not, you represent the USA. You're ruining it for the rest of us.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Well some of us have spent part of our adult life outside this country(USA). 2 years in Europe, a month in the middle east, and a month in South America. From what I learned while there, some "americans" have attitudes have ruined it for the rest of us. Some of you don't care what they think of you? Wow. Did you know that in some countries if you wave with the wrong hand, it's an offense. You don't care? Then YOU'RE the one that ruins it for the rest of us. Wether you like it or not, you represent the USA. You're ruining it for the rest of us.

Agreed.... visitors are ambasadors of their country whether they like it or not....

 

[Hank49]

Really? Maybe you could expand because I don't see where you and I are in agreement...

It's what he said about expectations. If you go to dive shops in Tanzania, Bohol, Tioman, Madagascar.....there will be differences. Even though they all may be PADI or some agency and dive standards are the same, the local culture does "leak" into the operation. Perhaps it may show in care of the boat...or quality of on board food, or the attentiveness of the DMs. Just look at the different opinion of what the local diving Americans expect from a DM vs a boatload of Taiwanese beginners on a dive boat in Boracay, Philippines. If you go to a developing country and have expectations of finding it exactly like....the Caymans for example, you'll be disappointed more times than not.