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hlthe2b

(115,122 posts)

5. Yes. The "Ugly American" phenom is real. I worked overseas for years and nearly everyone

Thu Jun 11, 2026, 06:23 AM

Jun 11

(who were not specifically "in the know" ) thought I was Canadian. That is because I removed all labels, insignia from luggage and clothing, I was friendly with "locals," and did not hang out with Americans at all. Of course it was easier because I was traveling/working alone, but this included countries in the Middle East at a time when tensions had exploded--following the disastrous Bush* war with Iraq and periodically after other foreign policy disasters.

This is not to say that plenty of Americans cannot/do not travel "well," and are welcomed--but not if you act totally "entitled" and treat local populations as though they were "the other," even including hanging out in cliques with other Americans, finger-pointing (literally) and denigrating everything and everyone around them.

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Highlight:

You will be treated very badly. [View all] tavernier Jun 11 OP

Following Sedona Jun 11 #1

I guess these colors *do* run? Tim S Jun 11 #2

It gets complicated when the president claims the flag as his own tavernier Jun 11 #7

That's A Rather Nasty Implication And A Nonsensical .... ColoringFool Jun 11 #17

I live in England, fwiw r�is�n_dubh Jun 11 #3

Yes. The "Ugly American" phenom is real. I worked overseas for years and nearly everyone hlthe2b Jun 11 #5

it's also a very old stereotype LymphocyteLover Jun 11 #13

Well, When This Century Has Been Dominated By Our ILLEGAL INVASIONS AND... ColoringFool Jun 11 #18

And? There is a reason stereotypes persist. I saw it first hand and learned to avoid it because hlthe2b Jun 11 #19

An old stereotype resurrected by a president who is the ultimate ugly American. -nt CrispyQ Jun 11 #28

the loud ones get attention Skittles Jun 11 #32

When I went to Europe, I was also mistaken for a Canadian. haele Jun 11 #34

It has been like that for a long time genxlib Jun 11 #8

Being polite and respectful helps always Easterncedar Jun 11 #4

I have been to various parts of Europe twice this year. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Lonestarblue Jun 11 #6

I was in Europe kairos12 Jun 11 #9

We returned from a family visit last month after 3 weeks in Germany: there were no issues. MLWR Jun 11 #10

My neighbor just returned from Europe HAB911 Jun 11 #11

In Sept of 2016 while visiting my aunt & uncle in western Switzerland; she took me and a cousin to Paris. While there... electric_blue68 Jun 11 #37

JEEZE HAB911 Jun 11 #39

Right?! Bummed me out for a few mins...but then got focused on getting to the Eiffel Tower! electric_blue68 Jun 11 #40

Well, since a good chunk of us are struggling just to survive each day... OldBaldy1701E Jun 11 #12

My teenager is over there on a school trip Dr. Shepper Jun 11 #14

We were not treated badly! WVGIRL Jun 11 #15

Sitting in Sofia Bulgaria al_liberal Jun 11 #16

That kind of warnings makes me irate. sinkingfeeling Jun 11 #20

I can only echo what others have said. cab67 Jun 11 #21

Trump is ruining travel for decent Americans. That's why no decent restaurant or resort should provide service to any ChicagoTeamster Jun 11 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author sinkingfeeling Jun 11 #23

I was in France and Spain last summer and was never treated badly. yardwork Jun 11 #24

wear an obama hat. mopinko Jun 11 #25

I haven't seen it there in recent trips JustAnotherGen Jun 11 #26

My 15 year old grandson is in Germany on an exchange school trip. BoomaofBandM Jun 11 #27

Was in Frankfurt and Cologne a week ago.... Melon Jun 11 #29

My experience last year in Frankfurt, at a party, was that other guests were cautious initially, but once wiggs Jun 11 #42

Just got back from Germany actually MenloParque Jun 11 #30

My experience as well. Germany and the UK Melon Jun 12 #43

You'll definitely be asked your opinion of Trump in the first conversation with anyone overseas. sboatcar Jun 11 #31

SO and I traveled through Europe in October mcar Jun 11 #33

I live part time in England GenThePerservering Jun 11 #35

I live in Germany, speak the language fluently, and am married to a German DFW Jun 11 #36

Thank you to you and to everyone who answered. tavernier Jun 12 #46

Had a wonderful time in Paris when my aunt took me and a cousin from where I was visiting them in Switzerland.... electric_blue68 Jun 11 #38

One thing we did Unwind Your Mind Jun 11 #41

I'm always floored by people thinking they deserve to be chewed out abroad, or should pretend to be from somewhere else rictofen Jun 12 #44

I've lived and travelled overseas more or less continuously since 2003 meadowlander Jun 12 #45