Perceptions of Americans and Behaving Abroad
April 13th, 2006
Here’s an interesting link re: suggestions for how Americans should behave when traveling abroad.
Also, the WSJ had an article yesterday on the same topic and changing American images abroad.
Your thoughts and comments?
Entry Filed under: Pre-Departure, China
6 Comments Add your own
1. Elisabeth Suiter | April 13th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
I completely agree this is a huge problem. I can’t count the times I have seen Americans abroad who instead of attempting the local language yell in English to locals who don’t understand a word (and saying things louder doesn’t change that). I have been with a group of American students walking through a jungle but scaring off all the animals because they were loudly talking about L.A. traffic, offending our local tour guides who were so proud to show us this. But perhaps the worst I have seen/heard was two American businessmen in Central America trying to figure out how to say “underage prostitute” in Spanish. When you see these things you can’t help but cringe and want to yell, “We are not all like this!” Unfortunately, the ones who fit the loud and arrogant profile are the most visible.
There is no way around the fact that we as a group are going to stand out, which actually means we have a great opportunity to help change some of these negative perceptions. One-on-one interaction helps, but sometimes people tend to see you as the exception and then continue on perceiving the majority negatively.
2. Gary Lam | April 17th, 2006 at 2:43 am
The role of our government and media plays a huge part in how the rest of the World perceives Americans. Being respectful and looking objectively at the influence of American culture on the rest of the world can help you act accordingly. I remember traveling through Europe, and hearing the exact same rap song in three different countries, playing loudly in small cars with tinted windows, and drivers with their baseballs caps worn sideways. It was astonishing.
These two articles point out some of the most significant behaviors of “ugly Americans” that we should definitely be aware of when we go there.
3. Samuel Plambeck | April 18th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Note to my fellow citizens: When in Rome… It is unfortunate that some Americans traveling abroad contribute to the stereotype of the arrogant Yankee. I imagine business travel changes your attitude because you are in the country for work, but that is no excuse to be rude to your foreign hosts. All it takes while in the foreign country is a little humility and patience and everyone wins. I do not think that is too much to ask for.
I am torn over how to feel about the “World’s Citizen Guide”. On one side, I think it is embarrassing that some ethnocentric Americans refuse to adapt to the customs of the foreign country they are visiting. On the other side, I am glad that companies are recognizing that their employees need this information in order to conduct themselves in a professional manner.
I am onboard with Elizabeth when she states that not all Americans are all like this. In fact, I enjoy experiencing foreign customs and traditions while traveling abroad. And guess what? The citizens appreciate it when you show deference to their culture.
4. Peter Begley | April 22nd, 2006 at 8:54 pm
I think there is far more at stake when we make fools of ourselves abroad than simply embarrassing ourselves and our country. Here’s a very candid article from a New Zealand businessman that I know about the general opinion (global) of American businesspeople: Your turn, America
5. Brian Cronin | April 30th, 2006 at 10:43 am
I’ve always believed that the biggest freedom we have as Americans is the ease at which we can travel. Not only are most borders wide open to us but we, on average, enjoy a level of currency stregth and disposable income that can support such an interest. That said, it amazes me how small a percentage actually set out to see what this world is all about.
It’s even more astonishing to me that, among those who do travel, too large a percentage act like jackasses (hope I can say that on here) without ever considering that they represent their country. So as to not be redundant, the examples Liz gave in her post are all too common and express my point precisely. It’s true, many of us are rude, loud, arrogant, impatient, and all-around disrespectful when abroad. Sad.
On the flip side, I have always found it frustrating how blatantly descriminating many individuals can be to ALL Americans who are spending time in their country. I was once advised to sew a Canadian flag onto my backpack because of this. Although I can understand and sympathize with the reasons America is disliked globally, there is certainly something to be said for Americans (like myself) who do have a genuine interest in other places and make the effort to learn first hand respectfully. If embraced, both parties will surely benefit.
The reciprocity of Intolerance is unacceptable and must be diminished on both ends for best results. We must remember this while we tour China as a group and during all other personal or business travel. The size of our group guarantees attention will be drawn in anything we do. This certainty affords us a unique opportunity to be “the change we want to see in the world” to quote Gandhi (and Sean Martin’s group in Organizational Behavior).
6. Samuel Plambeck | May 7th, 2006 at 9:44 am
I am happy that Brian mentioned that this behavior works both ways. Eight years ago, I spent four nights in Amsterdam and unfortunately, some natives went out of their way to insult my travel companion and me. The insults occurred three of the four nights during the stay and each incident included various disparaging remarks about the United States. In addition, my companion and I did not provoke any of the insults because we were minding our own business each time the verbal abuse came our way. Even though I did not appreciate the treatment in Amsterdam, I am open-minded enough to realize that not all people of Dutch descent are like the people who insulted me.
It was ironic to target me for insults on several levels. First, I am not that “elitist” American who thinks he is above the rest of the world because of his citizenship. Next, I really enjoy interacting with other cultures whether at home or traveling abroad. Last, my experience as a teacher has afforded me the opportunity to work with students and parents from many different cultures. In fact, there were four different languages spoken other than English in my classroom last year and this was a classroom of only twenty students.
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