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People Frustrated With American Tourists Share 22 Stories About Them Being Oblivious To The Fact That They’re Foreigners
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People Frustrated With American Tourists Share 22 Stories About Them Being Oblivious To The Fact That They’re Foreigners

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Traveling abroad is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things you can do in your life. You see a completely different side of the world, bask in all the different cultures, and you start to realize who you are as a person much better because now you’ve got a broader context to compare yourself to. That’s not to mention all the new friends you make on the way and how you grow as an individual when dealing with new and unfamiliar situations. Alas, some people have a warped perspective of what travel is and they expect the rest of the world to be identical to their home.

For them, travel is less about going on an adventure and experiencing something new, and more about checking off some items from their bucket list, taking some cool photos near landmarks, and then coming back home to brag about how utterly amazing their trip has been. Stereotypically, it’s American tourists who are sometimes loud, rude, and expect to buy everything in dollars no matter where they are (though touristic rudeness actually has no flag, and anyone can be either awful or an angel).

Stand-up comedian and author Ginny Hogan, from the US, started up a massively viral Twitter thread about rude tourists after sharing a photo from the airport that stressed to Americans that, yes, they are considered foreigners abroad. Scroll down to see how Twitter reacted to the photo and the types of experiences that people had with rude tourists. When you’re done reading, Pandas, drop by the comment section and tell us what you think makes for a great tourist and what you personally love about travel the most.

Bored Panda reached out to Ginny for a chat about her post going viral. She told us that part of the reason why the tweet resonated with so many internet users was that “people love to make fun of Americans (and for good reason). I also wonder if Americans related to the idea of not realizing we’re tourists abroad, and had the self-awareness to laugh at it. I’m embarrassed to admit that I found the sign helpful.”

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Comedian Ginny went viral when she pointed out that quite a few American tourists act entitled and think they’re at the center of the world

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Ginny opened up to Bored Panda that she’s not much of a traveler, so she doesn’t know much about being a good tourist abroad.

“I’d imagine people frown upon US tourists because they frown upon the US in general, but I’m not in a position to say what people dislike about US tourists,” she said.

We were also interested to get to know Ginny better. “I love comedy because it has trained my brain to find the humor in every situation. I really believe that if you can laugh about something, you can survive it,” she said.

“Stand up is so fun because I get to connect with people IRL, but I also love Twitter because I’m able to interact with so many more people than I would otherwise.”

Comedian and writer Ginny’s thread got nearly a third of a million likes and was incredibly popular with the crowd on Twitter. So much so that everyone started sharing their most memorable interactions with American tourists. Unfortunately, many of these experiences weren’t all that stellar.

Of course, there are rude tourists from absolutely every country on Earth. However, because the thread was about Americans, the focus was on them this time around. The thing that really gets us is that some folks simply assume that they’re the center of the world, that they’ll automatically speak English and accept US dollars.

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A part of what makes travel so great is the sense of humility you (should) get: you realize just how small you really are… and how much you have to rely on the goodwill and kindness of strangers to survive. Especially if you have absolutely no knowledge of the local customs and culture. Humility is always best.

Twitter users shared their own weird and hilarious experiences having to deal with tourists from the United States

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Professor Christine Vogt, from Arizona State University, previously explained to Bored Panda that learning about the customs and culture before the trip can make it more enjoyable. “More than likely that is what draws a person to visit a certain place. The more local knowledge a traveler has, the more a traveler can feel like a local and fit in,” the professor, from ASU’s Center for Sustainable Tourism, explained to us.

These customs can include how to dress, what the etiquette is for using your cellphone, how to eat ‘properly,’ and other things.

“When a traveler is out in a community such as walking in a downtown area or eating in a restaurant, these local customs can come into play. For example, in Buddhist countries, a woman who has not covered her shoulders or legs may not be allowed into temples or even a restaurant. Learn as many local customs as you can and a few key words to enhance your experience,” she noted that putting the extra effort pays off and helps show the locals that you’re trying to learn about them and that you care.

It’s not just American travelers who need explicit instructions, though

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Here’s what some other people had to say about how US tourists behaved abroad

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ivanakramaric avatar
Ivana Bašić
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Belgium, but I speak English. Buying a waffle for my kid, this guy comes in and is trying to pay with US dollars and doesn't understand why he can't. It's a whole different continent! Then he tries a card, but he asks about it like the woman doesn't know what a credit card is. Apparently US contactless payments work differently, he didn't get it. So I explain. He looks at me and asks if I'm American. No, I just speak English. Puzzled face. Lol, most people in Brussels speak at least three languages, the guy is in for quite a cultural shock.

kathrynbaylis avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or how about a bank? You ALWAYS convert any cash you may be carrying to local currency when you arrive, and convert it back before you leave. Anything having to do with money—-and that includes currency exchange—-is kind of bank’s whole raison d’etre.

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admimblake avatar
JP Doyle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to moderate in an online game chat room. I had a lot of Australian, New Zealander, and Filipino chatters, but it was always fun when I had to remind a fellow American about the language guidelines for the newbie channel. I would get a rant and rave about violating the 1st Amendment and Free Speech, etc etc. Needless to say the Aussies were not shy in telling them where they could stick their entitlement issues :)

octoberskye avatar
october skye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love Aus people. NEVER mince words. I refer to myself as an USian, because there are *two* Americas.. much easier than saying "I'm from North America, but not Canadian". :)

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cait_sith89 avatar
Evgeniya Khon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting, I work in the personal assistance company and we send a lot of packages to different countries. When clients send us their addresses, about 60% people from the States never indicate the country.

anb1388 avatar
Allison B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone from the US I apologize. The US bashing on BP gets very annoying, but honestly the very vocal minority gives us a bad name. As for not putting a country maybe it's because we're not used to having to? I mean maybe they think putting the state is enough. I'm not sure tho.

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tuckersacat avatar
Kelley Clough Mountain
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, it's embarrassing to read how clueless Americans are. When I travel to another country, I always read a couple books about the country's history. I try to learn what their customs are, what is considered a big no no in the country, even try to learn some basic phrases in the language. (Which I'm quite sure I'm mangling horribly). Am I the perfect American visitor? Probably not, but the United States isn't the quite the Utopia some Americans think it is. (Don't even get me started on the cost of health care in the U.S.) I'm a visitor to their country, I see no reason to make their lives a living hell because I was too ignorant to do a little research. Or act like a considerate person with manners.

lee_kerr avatar
Lee Kerr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBF l’ve met far more reasonable Americans than otherwise but I suspect people remember difficult people of any nationality more easily than they remember nice people. Perhaps it’s because they’re rare enough to stand out?

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rosiemcleod avatar
AnyOtherName
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The British one is slightly defensible, we used to be allowed in the other line *sob

marionlin avatar
Mary Lou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of that person who accused me right here on Bored Panda of not being a real psychologist as I proclaimed. Me not being a native English speaker never crossed her mind: " I agree with you about her not being my shrink. I've worked in counseling for at risk youths for years and she doesn't really sound like any psychologists I've known, in the manner of her terminology and sentence structure. Her credentials seem sus."

mathiesen avatar
Pirates of Zen Pants
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American, I find this behavior perplexing. Everywhere I go, there's literally an ATM in the airport. Lima, Bangkok, Cairo: everybody's got an ATM.

hywelis avatar
Hywel Thomas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We call them cash machines here in the UK. (I have no idea what ATM stands for.)

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pierred avatar
Pierre D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you look at a weather map from any Canadian television channel, they usually show at least half of the USA, because, well, weather knows no border. But look at weather maps from any US weather broadcast, and it's ONLY the USA. Nothing exists above or under. USA is the only thing on the continent. No wonder they don't know much about basic geography and they believe that the USA is the center of the Universe. There was a (stupid) TV series called "Last Man on Earth". They guy has one giant map that he's travelling to find other living souls. The map is only of the USA. Nothing above or below, so his "whole world" was limited by the 48 contiguous states. After hi travelled his "world" he concluded he was the only one left on the planet. (did I say that show was stupid?)

babycatg2002 avatar
Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was in Bangkok for a work trip a few years back and went out for a few drinks with local colleagues. An American couple were screaming at a street hawker for not understanding the husband's particular requests, one of them being him not liking coriander (NOT allergies, we double checked) Dude, you're in Thailand getting Thai street food, not a fancy restaurant. We didn't step in to help the ignorant couple, we helped translate the requests to help the poor street hawker who was too polite to say anything, also probably terrified too. The couple were American-sized, if you know what I mean

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is definitely a result of being taught that we are the biggest and the best for no particular reason.

dennydunn avatar
Denny Dunn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should trying living with these brain washed masses. It's exhausting.

nikkisevven avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exhausting barely begins to describe it. Since 2016, it's either "existential dread" or "crippling anxiety" or "hopeless depression." I love my country, but some of my fellow Americans are insane.

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zselyke_szekely avatar
UpupaEpops
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in Italy last week. The ONLY people who were not wearing a mask on the train were two American girls who decided between themselves that "well, we don't do this in America so..." They were so damn loud they practically filled the entire carriage with their voice, discussing their special relationship with GOd. (This is not really done in Europe, as Faith is considered a private matter.) When visiting the Ufizzi, literally everybody stands at a respectful distance from Botticelli's Primavera except for this one American lady, visiting with her daughters, who just struts up to the painting and starts lecturing her daughters, completely ignoring the fact that the three of them are now blocking the view for everybody else. I know it's just 5 people out of millions but damn they were irritating!

fc_2 avatar
F C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is because the fines in Italy for not wearing a mask are through the roof for an Italian and Italy had a horrible time with the early stages of the pandemic. It's not purse good behaviour.

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I'mNotARoboat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point about the US being so big that they probably will never leave their country and thus remain ignorant to the rest of the world doesn't fly. Canada is bigger but most know about the rest of the world to some degree. Probably because we (most of us at least) make a point to not be like Americans in that regard.

katiewalker avatar
The weird one
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear not all Americans are this stupid. The one with Australia, and asking if people DRIVE from there made me feel so embarrassed. I, an American cannot believe that people are this stupid. Yet- here we are. I’m sorry that they had to deal with them.

pennylost avatar
Penny Lost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tbh it's not just American tourists. The tourist mentality is a completely different thing on its own. Like, whenever humans gather in packs, they become a completely different species. I had to deal with different nationality groups, and Americans weren't even the worst ones. Don't mean to offend anyone (and sorry if I've managed to do just that), but Chinese and Russians can teach Americans a thing or two.

olanickyforchrist avatar
Coffee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Chinese tourist in Egypt scrawled his name on one of the Pyramids. He basically destroyed some thousand-year old artifact. He was fined and made to apologize.

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Greta Kolding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recommend Bill Bryson's "Notes from a big country". It's an old book but really hilarious.

emilystevens_2 avatar
gotham-panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans do this to other Americans too. My friend from Hawaii came to visit me in NYC with her mom. When they got to the hotel, the clerk at the desk asked them for their passports. They told him they were from Hawaii. He said, "Yes so I need to see your passports." They explained that Hawaii was a state, the 50th state. He insisted Hawaii was a foreign country and they needed passports for identification. They asked to see the hotel manager, who said the same thing. They refused to believe it until my friend googled it right in front of them.

giustizia avatar
Jus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think Americans understand they are a symbol of being uneducated, naive, entitled and rather not very smart to the rest of the world, especially Europe. It seems like in Europe only Brits can afford not to know foreign languages at all.

clarissacrosson avatar
NamiKoa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One can cut people from the US some slack. A) The country is huge so they don’t get to other countries as quickly as people in Europe for instance. B) So many people are so poor that international travel is a luxury they can’t afford. I read that 40% of Americans can’t come up with $400 in a pinch. C) I also read that only 4% of Americans actually have a passport, so that’s such a tiny percentage of the population who can even help educate their peers. I realize that they seem like idiots very often, not knowing the most basic things about other countries, but who here tends to take the time to sit down and learn about the world - especially when they’re working two jobs in an attempt to survive capitalism? I guess their educational system is probably somewhat to blame.

nshyama108 avatar
Serendipity911
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cousins in Asia know more about the world and they dont have money to travel, they work a lot and their country is big too. I'm not saying Americans don't have it hard, but they also have access to more knowledge than a large percentage of the world. I blame the education system though.

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Marigen Beltran
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed then when I am watching a live stream and people are asked what country they are from the people from the USA answer with the name of their state.

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pinkpepperedsquid avatar
PinkPeppered Squid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe Americans need to take a long hard look at themselves and change for the better, then it will no longer be an issue. If the shoe fits.....

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El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many of the attitudes are the same for people from England when they are in the UK..

maximilianodumit avatar
Maximiliano Dumit
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many People here mocking of People from the USA, but Still dumb enough, not to realize that they address to their citizen as "AMERICANS". Hey, there are more than 50 countries here in AMERICA. So if you feel entitle to mock of them, at least don't call them AMERICANS.

maximilianodumit avatar
Maximiliano Dumit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many People here mocking of People from the USA, but Still dumb enough, not to realize that they address to their citizen as "AMERICANS". Hey, there are more than 50 countries here in AMERICA. So if you feel entitle to mock of them, at least don't call them AMERICANS.

fc_2 avatar
F C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the Thai example is indeed different, those people qre usually hires by the US government or military, so, they're not indeed "working for a thai person," and their stay could be 4 years and they'll move to another Asian county which has a different language than Thai obviously. While it's fun to sh*t on Americans on bored panda I guess some people truly forget how large and rural the US is. Many people have not travelled their own country, the US, due to its size and diversity, let alone Europe. So some are truly ignorant but not by choice.

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahahaha! How many countries have the 4th of July? ALL of them, but the US is the only one who celebrates Independence Day on that date.

sanchorb avatar
LSR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another one which shows how imbecile and uneducated u.s. of a*****e are. Nothing new here.

circular-motion avatar
Mer☕️🧭☕️
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And here, ladies and gentlemen, we see exactly that Trumplanoma was elected by the electoral college back in '16: the stupidity is real. It's not pervasive; many voters are just lazy.

nshyama108 avatar
Serendipity911
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might be rude, but honestly the American education system is very very poor. I think that explains the behaviour.

amunetbarrywood avatar
Kristal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, doesn't surprise me. I do wish schools were able to teach about other cultures more (and start foreign language BEFORE high school). Growing up (in the U.S.), I had to make a map of North America for a class project when I was about 10. I completely forgot about Canada. There was no Canada on my North American map. Eugh. Don't worry! Now I remember Canada, in fact, I'm moving there to become a Cultural Anthropologist.

7000305 avatar
1.21Gigawatts?!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That American in PEI tho. AMERICANS WE ARE YOUR GODDAMN NEIGHBOURS??? Know our different CURRENCIES?? We wouldn’t ask for a toonie in the USA like you wouldn’t ask for a two dollar bill here?

deborahahn avatar
deborah ahn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the north americans here...yeah...your holidays aren't relevant here. and english isn't the local language, so yeah...many people don't speak english..we speak many other neighbouring languages as our second and third languages sometimes. and if you want ny style pizza...go to ny..and if you want chicago style pizza....go to chicago and if you want tex mex...go to texas. we have our own culinary delights. we enjoy. and christmas isn't an important holiday here...and turkeys aren't eaten here...so go home if you can't enjoy experiencing other cultures.

joann-f avatar
Jo Firth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australian here - it's not just Americans (though they do seem to have a monopoly). Worked with a woman in her 30s who was asked to book travel for a number of people doing a study tour in Canada. Asked me where the Canadian airport is located ... she was shocked to know that Canada is larger than Australia in size.

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Wavehopper
Community Member
1 year ago

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Creature Cargeaux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then ask an Italian where Kansas is & they'll be like "wtf is a Kansas?" Yes. Americans are fucken stupid & ignorant as f**k. By design. Lol. Our schools are literally designed to make us believe that america is #1 & that the rest of the whole lives in our shadow. We are brainwashed into thinking that we are the base standard of the world.

creaturecargeaux avatar
Creature Cargeaux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But also... like... our country is fucken gigantic... so when ppl give Americans s**t for not writing labels on packages or for not knowing where certain countries are etc etc. it's kind of a dumb argument because if you flipped that around and legit asked most Europeans where each of the 50 states were.. y'all would be like "idk and I don't care!" I'm not saying we're not ignorant, entitled & just overall infuriatingly clueless about how the rest of the world works... I'm only saying that the stories & jokes pertaining to topics similar to/like I mentioned before are also stupid because the rest of the world doesn't know as much about the US as they expect Americans to know about their countries. I mean, you shouldn't be traveling to other countries if you don't even know what language they speak or how to even get there or where it's located on a map or what currency they use or if you don't even know basic etiquettes.. but let's not be hypocrites here. There is plenty of s**t to...

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Alma Muminovic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American’s are isolated. Compared to someone living in Europe they don’t travel. I know so many people who have never left the country except to go to small island countries nearby. I also know so many people who have never left their hometown and refuse to. What can you expect from a mentality like that? The world is very narrow for them and it will remain so.

vladimiri avatar
Vladimir I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But what if they knowingly travel to another country? It's not about foreigners in USA, but about people who actally leave their city, state, country.

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Dill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that's true at all. I think most people find the majority of Americans friendly, I certainly have. I've met them on my travels and I've met them in the US and liked them. This is looking at a certain type of person and they're often loud and obnoxious. ALL countries have people like that!

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cathy hurd
Community Member
1 year ago

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It's not just Americans that act like stupid assholes. These countries trash us but are more than delighted to take our money.

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Cross Oni
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're right. There are stupid assholes like you all over the world. Not really the point of the post.

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Don John
Community Member
1 year ago

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Americans really are thick... its 100% fact.

kathrynbaylis avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, just the loud minority. We’re trying really hard to shut them the f**k up. Instead of making snide remarks, how about lending us a hand?

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Ivana Bašić
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Belgium, but I speak English. Buying a waffle for my kid, this guy comes in and is trying to pay with US dollars and doesn't understand why he can't. It's a whole different continent! Then he tries a card, but he asks about it like the woman doesn't know what a credit card is. Apparently US contactless payments work differently, he didn't get it. So I explain. He looks at me and asks if I'm American. No, I just speak English. Puzzled face. Lol, most people in Brussels speak at least three languages, the guy is in for quite a cultural shock.

kathrynbaylis avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or how about a bank? You ALWAYS convert any cash you may be carrying to local currency when you arrive, and convert it back before you leave. Anything having to do with money—-and that includes currency exchange—-is kind of bank’s whole raison d’etre.

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JP Doyle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to moderate in an online game chat room. I had a lot of Australian, New Zealander, and Filipino chatters, but it was always fun when I had to remind a fellow American about the language guidelines for the newbie channel. I would get a rant and rave about violating the 1st Amendment and Free Speech, etc etc. Needless to say the Aussies were not shy in telling them where they could stick their entitlement issues :)

octoberskye avatar
october skye
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love Aus people. NEVER mince words. I refer to myself as an USian, because there are *two* Americas.. much easier than saying "I'm from North America, but not Canadian". :)

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Evgeniya Khon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting, I work in the personal assistance company and we send a lot of packages to different countries. When clients send us their addresses, about 60% people from the States never indicate the country.

anb1388 avatar
Allison B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone from the US I apologize. The US bashing on BP gets very annoying, but honestly the very vocal minority gives us a bad name. As for not putting a country maybe it's because we're not used to having to? I mean maybe they think putting the state is enough. I'm not sure tho.

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Kelley Clough Mountain
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, it's embarrassing to read how clueless Americans are. When I travel to another country, I always read a couple books about the country's history. I try to learn what their customs are, what is considered a big no no in the country, even try to learn some basic phrases in the language. (Which I'm quite sure I'm mangling horribly). Am I the perfect American visitor? Probably not, but the United States isn't the quite the Utopia some Americans think it is. (Don't even get me started on the cost of health care in the U.S.) I'm a visitor to their country, I see no reason to make their lives a living hell because I was too ignorant to do a little research. Or act like a considerate person with manners.

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Lee Kerr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBF l’ve met far more reasonable Americans than otherwise but I suspect people remember difficult people of any nationality more easily than they remember nice people. Perhaps it’s because they’re rare enough to stand out?

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AnyOtherName
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The British one is slightly defensible, we used to be allowed in the other line *sob

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Mary Lou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of that person who accused me right here on Bored Panda of not being a real psychologist as I proclaimed. Me not being a native English speaker never crossed her mind: " I agree with you about her not being my shrink. I've worked in counseling for at risk youths for years and she doesn't really sound like any psychologists I've known, in the manner of her terminology and sentence structure. Her credentials seem sus."

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Pirates of Zen Pants
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American, I find this behavior perplexing. Everywhere I go, there's literally an ATM in the airport. Lima, Bangkok, Cairo: everybody's got an ATM.

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Hywel Thomas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We call them cash machines here in the UK. (I have no idea what ATM stands for.)

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Pierre D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you look at a weather map from any Canadian television channel, they usually show at least half of the USA, because, well, weather knows no border. But look at weather maps from any US weather broadcast, and it's ONLY the USA. Nothing exists above or under. USA is the only thing on the continent. No wonder they don't know much about basic geography and they believe that the USA is the center of the Universe. There was a (stupid) TV series called "Last Man on Earth". They guy has one giant map that he's travelling to find other living souls. The map is only of the USA. Nothing above or below, so his "whole world" was limited by the 48 contiguous states. After hi travelled his "world" he concluded he was the only one left on the planet. (did I say that show was stupid?)

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Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was in Bangkok for a work trip a few years back and went out for a few drinks with local colleagues. An American couple were screaming at a street hawker for not understanding the husband's particular requests, one of them being him not liking coriander (NOT allergies, we double checked) Dude, you're in Thailand getting Thai street food, not a fancy restaurant. We didn't step in to help the ignorant couple, we helped translate the requests to help the poor street hawker who was too polite to say anything, also probably terrified too. The couple were American-sized, if you know what I mean

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Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is definitely a result of being taught that we are the biggest and the best for no particular reason.

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Denny Dunn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should trying living with these brain washed masses. It's exhausting.

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exhausting barely begins to describe it. Since 2016, it's either "existential dread" or "crippling anxiety" or "hopeless depression." I love my country, but some of my fellow Americans are insane.

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UpupaEpops
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in Italy last week. The ONLY people who were not wearing a mask on the train were two American girls who decided between themselves that "well, we don't do this in America so..." They were so damn loud they practically filled the entire carriage with their voice, discussing their special relationship with GOd. (This is not really done in Europe, as Faith is considered a private matter.) When visiting the Ufizzi, literally everybody stands at a respectful distance from Botticelli's Primavera except for this one American lady, visiting with her daughters, who just struts up to the painting and starts lecturing her daughters, completely ignoring the fact that the three of them are now blocking the view for everybody else. I know it's just 5 people out of millions but damn they were irritating!

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F C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is because the fines in Italy for not wearing a mask are through the roof for an Italian and Italy had a horrible time with the early stages of the pandemic. It's not purse good behaviour.

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I'mNotARoboat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point about the US being so big that they probably will never leave their country and thus remain ignorant to the rest of the world doesn't fly. Canada is bigger but most know about the rest of the world to some degree. Probably because we (most of us at least) make a point to not be like Americans in that regard.

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The weird one
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear not all Americans are this stupid. The one with Australia, and asking if people DRIVE from there made me feel so embarrassed. I, an American cannot believe that people are this stupid. Yet- here we are. I’m sorry that they had to deal with them.

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Penny Lost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tbh it's not just American tourists. The tourist mentality is a completely different thing on its own. Like, whenever humans gather in packs, they become a completely different species. I had to deal with different nationality groups, and Americans weren't even the worst ones. Don't mean to offend anyone (and sorry if I've managed to do just that), but Chinese and Russians can teach Americans a thing or two.

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Coffee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Chinese tourist in Egypt scrawled his name on one of the Pyramids. He basically destroyed some thousand-year old artifact. He was fined and made to apologize.

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Greta Kolding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recommend Bill Bryson's "Notes from a big country". It's an old book but really hilarious.

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gotham-panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans do this to other Americans too. My friend from Hawaii came to visit me in NYC with her mom. When they got to the hotel, the clerk at the desk asked them for their passports. They told him they were from Hawaii. He said, "Yes so I need to see your passports." They explained that Hawaii was a state, the 50th state. He insisted Hawaii was a foreign country and they needed passports for identification. They asked to see the hotel manager, who said the same thing. They refused to believe it until my friend googled it right in front of them.

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Jus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think Americans understand they are a symbol of being uneducated, naive, entitled and rather not very smart to the rest of the world, especially Europe. It seems like in Europe only Brits can afford not to know foreign languages at all.

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NamiKoa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One can cut people from the US some slack. A) The country is huge so they don’t get to other countries as quickly as people in Europe for instance. B) So many people are so poor that international travel is a luxury they can’t afford. I read that 40% of Americans can’t come up with $400 in a pinch. C) I also read that only 4% of Americans actually have a passport, so that’s such a tiny percentage of the population who can even help educate their peers. I realize that they seem like idiots very often, not knowing the most basic things about other countries, but who here tends to take the time to sit down and learn about the world - especially when they’re working two jobs in an attempt to survive capitalism? I guess their educational system is probably somewhat to blame.

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Serendipity911
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cousins in Asia know more about the world and they dont have money to travel, they work a lot and their country is big too. I'm not saying Americans don't have it hard, but they also have access to more knowledge than a large percentage of the world. I blame the education system though.

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Marigen Beltran
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed then when I am watching a live stream and people are asked what country they are from the people from the USA answer with the name of their state.

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PinkPeppered Squid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe Americans need to take a long hard look at themselves and change for the better, then it will no longer be an issue. If the shoe fits.....

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El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many of the attitudes are the same for people from England when they are in the UK..

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Maximiliano Dumit
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many People here mocking of People from the USA, but Still dumb enough, not to realize that they address to their citizen as "AMERICANS". Hey, there are more than 50 countries here in AMERICA. So if you feel entitle to mock of them, at least don't call them AMERICANS.

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Maximiliano Dumit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many People here mocking of People from the USA, but Still dumb enough, not to realize that they address to their citizen as "AMERICANS". Hey, there are more than 50 countries here in AMERICA. So if you feel entitle to mock of them, at least don't call them AMERICANS.

fc_2 avatar
F C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the Thai example is indeed different, those people qre usually hires by the US government or military, so, they're not indeed "working for a thai person," and their stay could be 4 years and they'll move to another Asian county which has a different language than Thai obviously. While it's fun to sh*t on Americans on bored panda I guess some people truly forget how large and rural the US is. Many people have not travelled their own country, the US, due to its size and diversity, let alone Europe. So some are truly ignorant but not by choice.

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahahaha! How many countries have the 4th of July? ALL of them, but the US is the only one who celebrates Independence Day on that date.

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LSR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another one which shows how imbecile and uneducated u.s. of a*****e are. Nothing new here.

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Mer☕️🧭☕️
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And here, ladies and gentlemen, we see exactly that Trumplanoma was elected by the electoral college back in '16: the stupidity is real. It's not pervasive; many voters are just lazy.

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Serendipity911
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might be rude, but honestly the American education system is very very poor. I think that explains the behaviour.

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Kristal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, doesn't surprise me. I do wish schools were able to teach about other cultures more (and start foreign language BEFORE high school). Growing up (in the U.S.), I had to make a map of North America for a class project when I was about 10. I completely forgot about Canada. There was no Canada on my North American map. Eugh. Don't worry! Now I remember Canada, in fact, I'm moving there to become a Cultural Anthropologist.

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1.21Gigawatts?!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That American in PEI tho. AMERICANS WE ARE YOUR GODDAMN NEIGHBOURS??? Know our different CURRENCIES?? We wouldn’t ask for a toonie in the USA like you wouldn’t ask for a two dollar bill here?

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deborah ahn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the north americans here...yeah...your holidays aren't relevant here. and english isn't the local language, so yeah...many people don't speak english..we speak many other neighbouring languages as our second and third languages sometimes. and if you want ny style pizza...go to ny..and if you want chicago style pizza....go to chicago and if you want tex mex...go to texas. we have our own culinary delights. we enjoy. and christmas isn't an important holiday here...and turkeys aren't eaten here...so go home if you can't enjoy experiencing other cultures.

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Jo Firth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australian here - it's not just Americans (though they do seem to have a monopoly). Worked with a woman in her 30s who was asked to book travel for a number of people doing a study tour in Canada. Asked me where the Canadian airport is located ... she was shocked to know that Canada is larger than Australia in size.

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Wavehopper
Community Member
1 year ago

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Creature Cargeaux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then ask an Italian where Kansas is & they'll be like "wtf is a Kansas?" Yes. Americans are fucken stupid & ignorant as f**k. By design. Lol. Our schools are literally designed to make us believe that america is #1 & that the rest of the whole lives in our shadow. We are brainwashed into thinking that we are the base standard of the world.

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Creature Cargeaux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But also... like... our country is fucken gigantic... so when ppl give Americans s**t for not writing labels on packages or for not knowing where certain countries are etc etc. it's kind of a dumb argument because if you flipped that around and legit asked most Europeans where each of the 50 states were.. y'all would be like "idk and I don't care!" I'm not saying we're not ignorant, entitled & just overall infuriatingly clueless about how the rest of the world works... I'm only saying that the stories & jokes pertaining to topics similar to/like I mentioned before are also stupid because the rest of the world doesn't know as much about the US as they expect Americans to know about their countries. I mean, you shouldn't be traveling to other countries if you don't even know what language they speak or how to even get there or where it's located on a map or what currency they use or if you don't even know basic etiquettes.. but let's not be hypocrites here. There is plenty of s**t to...

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Alma Muminovic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American’s are isolated. Compared to someone living in Europe they don’t travel. I know so many people who have never left the country except to go to small island countries nearby. I also know so many people who have never left their hometown and refuse to. What can you expect from a mentality like that? The world is very narrow for them and it will remain so.

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Vladimir I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But what if they knowingly travel to another country? It's not about foreigners in USA, but about people who actally leave their city, state, country.

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Dill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that's true at all. I think most people find the majority of Americans friendly, I certainly have. I've met them on my travels and I've met them in the US and liked them. This is looking at a certain type of person and they're often loud and obnoxious. ALL countries have people like that!

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cathy hurd
Community Member
1 year ago

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It's not just Americans that act like stupid assholes. These countries trash us but are more than delighted to take our money.

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Cross Oni
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're right. There are stupid assholes like you all over the world. Not really the point of the post.

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Don John
Community Member
1 year ago

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Americans really are thick... its 100% fact.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, just the loud minority. We’re trying really hard to shut them the f**k up. Instead of making snide remarks, how about lending us a hand?

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