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Overseas other Americans make me cringe.
I was at a McDonalds on the Champs-Elysees, and stood in line behind the quintessential Middle American Tourist Couple. Both were wearing ugly Paris t-shirts, and talked in these horrible broad accents. They didn't even try to order in French. I ordered after them, and did order in French, and the difference in attitude from the cashier was palpable.
My traveling companion was almost as bad.
As far as my opinions of other tourists go, I've met a few. I've traveled a lot within the United States, and to Vancouver, B.C. The hostels in Vancouver attract people from all over. My favorites were the Kiwis. Kiwi guys are very polite and friendly. Aussies, on the other hand, are a little rougher, mannerswise, but also very nice. I'm surprised to see the Kiwis so low on the list.
Canadians are great until they're clogging up the traffic in Northwest Washington when I'm visiting. I once met a very nice young man from Edmonton who had the most exotic good looks--he must have been part First Nations. He seriously looked like he belonged in a romance novel or something--until he opened his mouth, and then he had a strong accent. Still sexy to me; not so much to others.
Yes, most of my tourist stories involve me attempting to pick up men from other countries, or men from other countries trying to pick up me. It happens. Guys with accents--even Canadian ones--are hotter. Fact. As such, most of my experiences with those from other cultures are fairly positive, I must say.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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