return of the ugly american?
While planning my upcoming trip to Morocco, I got stuck in a particularly alarming sentence published in the 2011 edition of Le Guide du Routard, Marrakech. While explaining how the “marchandage” (bargaining) works in the souks of Marrakesh, they wrote, “Annoncer votre prix en arabe vous donne tout de suite plus de crédit. Vous n’etes plus un ‘américain,’ mais devenez presque un connaisseur”. “Announcing your price in Arabic gives you credit right away. You’re no longer an American, but you become almost a connoisseur”.
Oh dear. It seems like the case of the Ugly American is still around.
via jobsanger
Sure, my little students asked me some silly questions when I arrived here, of course. But I thought it was because they are little. I was shocked when I asked my co-workers, teaching in high schools, what the students had asked them. Some of the most haunting included, “Do you have a gun? Why aren’t you obese? Do you eat at McDonalds?”. Can you imagine being faced with any of these questions on your first day of work?
Europe is inundated with American culture in films, tv shows, music, and trends (if I confiscate one more silly band I’ll scream). With pop culture constantly reporting a distorted view of realistic life, of course people are going to believe it’s true. But the problem is rooted deeper than pop culture. After the election of Obama, I felt a slight change in Europe’s perception of Americans. But some days I question whether progress has been made. I have heard it all: that our own government was the culprit behind September 11th, that our foreign policy is focused on world domination, and that our culture is non-existent. What’s a girl to do? Whip up that 50-state American smile, keep calm, and set the story straight.
In no way can I say this is a daily occurrence. But the fact that such strong sentiments against my country exist is a definite wake-up call. If everyone can do their part in educating others – through leading by example – I do believe that things can change. Here’s how to negate the American stereotype.
1.) Learn at least ten phrases in the native language of the country you are visiting. Don’t know how to speak Spanish? There are 35.5 million people in the United States who do. Take someone to coffee and ask for a few basic tips. They don’t call us a melting pot for nothing!
2.) Do your research! Read! Learn about the history and culture of the places you are visiting. There’s nothing worse than being uninformed about current events while traveling abroad.
3.) Don’t travel with lofty expectations of “service”. When you go to another country, you have to commit to their rules. No one is going to rush to get you cream for your expresso. You’re not going to die if you eat something you’ve never tried before. Things will be different, and may be out of your comfort zone. Stop whining about it and go with the flow!
4.) Be aware of your voice level. In restaurants, in the metro, on your cell phone. I will never forget when I was introducing a French friend to a group of Americans, and she winced at the sheer volume of their voices. My heart broke!
Overall, try to travel with an open mind. You represent your country, and everything you do reflects back to a population of over 300 million people. Own it!
What have your experiences been? What do you do to negate the American stereotype?
Tags: les voyages, stereotypes, ugly american
When we lived in China, people would always ask me if I knew so-and-so-famous-person. It was like, “You’re from America? Well, do you know Brittney Spears?” Never failed to crack me up.
Occasionally I was asked why I wasn’t fat, but more often than not, people considered me chunky compared to themselves. People did assume that I ate at McDonalds all the time. In fact they would invite me to go there with them for a “nice dinner out”… ah good times. 
“Mcdo” is really popular here, too. It’s way different than in the US! My roomate is from Miami, so everyone asks her if she’s seen crimes/robberies/etc. because of the tv show!
I’m from Canada so people always say ‘eh’ or ‘oot in a boot (out and about) and ask me if I have a pet beaver or if I live in an igloo .. I always think its quite funny.
x
myheartstumbles.blogspot.com
hmmm…. ok, this doesn’t apply to me directly I guess. But I think stereotypes are everywhere. I will never forget one summer in Oxford, where a german guy (maybe age 17) asked me if people actually LIVED in the Canary Islands. He thought there were only resorts, and that the people working in those resorts lived in the resort itself. Can someone really be that uninformed of the world? It was painful to hear.
When I visit Greece, they all have horrible impressions of Americans, especially when George W. Bush was still president. Ugh, it was so annoying.
A lot of Americans are obese and eat at McDonald’s . . . but the grease from the fries and quarter-pounder makes it tricky to hold and fire a gun. so those are not usually on-hand. Seriously though, can we really blame the French for being a little put off by us? I’m even a little put off by us. And we have plenty to look down on them for, too.
I agree. I don’t see it as much out here (300 km from Paris), but when I am in the big city I usually stray away from big guts masked by fanny packs. La honte!
People usually ask me if I’m American when I go abroad because of my accent. When I tell them I’m actually Canadian, they always get really apologetic in case they think I’m offended…haha.
I haaaaaaaaaaaate this. I was never patriotic at all until coming to Spain. And French people must be way quieter than Spaniards, especially Spanish women. They are LOUD! I swear Mario’s female relatives practically yell at me when I’m on the phone with them. I have to hold the phone at a distance of 15cm! Hahaha.
Agreed about the expectations. I really hope anyone traveling outside of his/her country would realize service is not the same everywhere and this is not good or bad, just how it is. There are ups and downs of American service, just as there are with European-style service. (For instance, I enjoy the no tipping thing. And the tax already being included.)
The check-out guy at the grocery store told me Obama was his brother yesterday…great, this is the only small talk we can make…is that all the French know/think about America. Obama? There is so much more to our culture than 1 president, 1 fast food chain, 1 body type! But, like you said, peoples’ perceptions of America/Americans won’t change unless we can portray ourselves in the best light and being super loud definitely doesn’t help! The “tips” are great and a good reminder for all of us traveling abroad.
I get so many questions about obesity it drives me crazy! I tell them that just as ALL French people don’t wear berets and wave white flags, not ALL Americans are fat.
That’s a good comeback!! I like your style Sara!
very very interesting. I def get the americans are fat and loud thing…which is crazy. but usually my swiss friends say that i don’t seem american but European…which is sad that I take that as a compliment! One girl said it was because I’m not overly emotional, like I don’t gush when I see her and ask her how she is (in that fake american way) haha
but actually here, it’s the italians that are loud
I love your tips.
As a Canadian living in the US and traveling abroad whenever possible, I’ve come across these questions a lot, and it never fails to amuse me. 
Ah! Being stereotyped when you are living abroad really makes my heart sink, e.g. when someone says ‘you look so British’, ‘How’s that?’ I ask…usually to the response ‘oh you know… sort of cute and small mouthed and blonde’. oh, I am still hoping for ‘stunning’.
Brilliant guide, now to get it out there to the masses. Our goal when we travel is to blend. Take things as they come, that is half the adventure! I admit, we went to a McDo to see how they fared in France and it was a pretty classy joint compared to our local outpost:) They had expresso and cocktails. Yes please. I cringe when I see Americans abroad committing these tell tale signs, fanny packs and all, and I have to admit I took it as the highest compliment ever when someone stopped me in Paris to ask for directions. Pretty much made my trip.
Yes! That happened to me in Paris over Christmas and I was overjoyed. But of course, you always look amazing Noelani!
It really is shocking how many people travel or live in a foreign country and take no intiative to learn the language. Knowing the language gives the abroad experience a whole other nuanced dimension.