As someone where traveled a great deal as a liberal, long-haired hippie during the Vietnam War (tacking on "liberal" is a knee-jerk thing to do. back then, unlike today, if you had long hair, you most likely were a liberal. today, it's meaningless), and had numerous, no, countless political discussions over several months of bee-boppin' around Europe, I can attest to the wisdom of your post, DD. For those who apparently live in a vacuum, and fail to see that American foreign policy has a direct impact on how those in other countries view citizens of the United States, please wake up and smell the coffee. (something I'm doing right now... consuming about a gallon of the stuff... got in very late last night from out of town) Having said that, my experience was that stereotyping Europeans (or any other culture/country/religion) is just as foolish as the stereotyping of Americans. I had wonderful experiences. I was shown hospitality by more people than I could count. Hitchhiking around, some of my most interesting rides were with people who were conservative, like a Swiss woman, taking me across most of her country at 160kph, in her expensive and utterly quiet Citroën. (some things stick in your mind... going 100mph, with people passing you by, as if it's the most normal thing in the world, and being able to hear a pin drop... that stuck in my mind) I talked about the war with her, I talked about the war with the family of a Swedish psychiatrist of the opposite political persuasion, but still conservative, in his own way. (who wore a suit straight out of Star Trek. I became friends with his son in Grindalwald. he was playing Beethoven on his harmonica, on the slopes of the Eiger, and invited me to visit if I made it to Sweden, which I did) I talked to all sorts of Europeans back then, and people from other countries visiting Europe, and the war was almost univerally condemned, no matter if they were liberal, conservative, or in between. I frequently heard things like, "The French finally wised up and left Vietnam... what on earth is your government thinking??" "All those people dying... for what? You're in the middle of a civil war! You can never win." "How could you elect someone like that??" My answers? "They're not thinking." "I know... I didn't vote for them. It's a horrific tragedy." "I didn't vote for them!" and more intelligent responses. (it's been a long time) Europeans tend to love politics, and talking about politics, more than Americans, oddly enough. That's been my experience. They certainly vote in larger numbers than Americans do. It is very easy to talk about politics with them. Here, it's become in vogue to consider such talk impolite. I find that rather astonishing, seeing as how we are supposed to be the "shining light," for democracy. Pretty strange to have a democracy and not have avid discussions about politics... thus, my being here in D&D, lol. And it helps to say you are a Texan, when someone asks where you are from. Good ice breaker. Keep D&D Civil.
i would have agreed with you some years back, when's the last time you were there? bush has certainly dampened enthusiasm for texas. as far as who the worst tourists are, it's all relative. the german's while not rude, often invade beaches with their sheer numbers, much to the chagrin of local holiday-goers.
Of course, there is always the view from inside the cage. While in high school in the Washington DC area, we thought it was great sport to harrass and be ugly to the tourists. I suppose it is the same with any place that gets lots of tourists.
Though Americans tend to be louder, from my travels abroad, most people are more welcoming because they know they will be financially rewarded for good service. And speaking of "Ugly", i don't know if any of you have been in a business/board meeting with Euros. They simply cut you off, and speak louder and louder as if it further validates their point.
Indians are some of the worst, mostly the ones that haven't been in the US long. If they don't get the best possible deal, they start accusing you of cheating them! "Are you cheating me??", "Why are you cheating me?"
