I would like to keep the identity of these subjects anonymous, but I will tell you their situation. They are just out of high school, taking a gap year, and they are volunteering in Israel. Anyways I had just retrieved my hat from the desert and I was coming over the dune to walk down to camp and I knew they were American. All the girls had on sweatpants (some with things written on the butt) and sweatshirts. That is a number 1. I walked down to camp and we got ready to see the sunset. They were sitting up on top of a rock (with their sweat suit ensemble). They were talking sooooooooooooooo loud. You could hear them from the other side of the camp. That is number 2. Once the sunset was over (they actually went in before the sunset, weird) they all started to go to the communal tent. They walked past me and I stood up and introduced myself, but they seemed a little closed. I did some things around the camp and went into the tent. They had taken up the entire bottom by the fire and did not leave room for any of the other guests to sit. One guy offered to let us sit, but we said no thank you, hoping he would move over for the other guests. The food was all set up and we said for people to go and eat. The Americans got up and got their food, but they were coming up for seconds before other people had eaten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not cool. After we ate my mom and I decided to strike up a conversation. My mom asked them "Where are you coming from?" They all just turned around and stared. A French lady said in French to us "I guess they don't speak English." The problem with them was that they were still in high school, they gave the dirty smug to anyone who was not in their group, they acted like a clique. I asked them "So what are you guys doing in Israel?" A girl said, "Volunteering." There was a pause and I just looked at her waiting for her to finish and asked "What are you volunteering there for?" The other example was when I asked "Where in the states are you guys from?" They just said, "All over." I waited and then did a hand motion and said "And where in the states...?" I was experiencing the Ugly American reputation. I had met plenty of Americans here that were so friendly and open, but these were very stereotypical and were very closed. I gave up on trying to make conversation after the girls insulted me by saying in a valley girl voice "Like, what do you actually do here?" I replied very politely our daily duties and all I got was sour faces. I decided to go and talk to a girl from American that lived in boon, NC. She was so open and friendly, because I was done with that group. So I will do a quick rundown of what not to do when you travel, so we can together beat this reputation.
- Don't talk extremely loud
- Don't wear sweatpants, it looks sloppy
- Offer others seats before yourself
- Always be aware of your surroudings so you can be polite to everyone in your area
- Don't go up for seconds when some people haven't eaten
- Engage in conversation and be open to all sorts of people
- Don't make rude remarks at what others say
- If you think you are acting like a "typical ugly American," STOP!
1 comment:
I think that I have seen those guys! Well, not those specific ones, but . . . . I hope that their traveling experiences helps them to get a clue or two. One of the best things about traveling can be the ways that it changes you. I am sure that I have done my share of damage to the American image, but I'd like to think that I've wised up.
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