| The Reality about Americans: (As I see it) |
| How come a lot of Germans think all Americans are having a charming na�vet� and are too openhearted while traveling abroad? Hey, after a hard year or even years of work, this travel may be a dream-come-true! Nobody, neither German nor American wouldn�t be happy and giddy and run around with childlike �pink glasses�, if you can travel somewhere you always wanted to see. Back at home, we all have to deal with the dark side of the World: Poverty, unemployment, criminals, terrorists, war and that is just the news. Almost everybody wants to forget those negative sides for a little while. So how come the poor little American Tourists got blamed, when there is the �ugly� German Tourist, the arrogant French Tourist, the boorish English Tourist or the camping-crazy slow Netherlands Tourist? My guess is as good as yours� |
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| Germans who look down to �normal� American, English, French, Netherlands, German or any other traveler are usually the ones who just love to be extraordinary well prepared when traveling as a tourist or otherwise, that they 1. Learn the culture and history of the country and cities they are about to visit better then even the Locals way ahead of time. 2. They even learn the language (at least to an amount that they can communicate sufficiently). 3. Their travel is mostly cultural based and not for rest and relaxation. Now you may think: �Yikes, are all Germans that way?� Oh, no. These travelers are just in the minority as the Americans who prepare their travel this way � which is really admirable � but who has the time?! The majority of German tourists (and this is based on the Sales of travel-packages) are hard-working people, who are just longing for Sun, Beach and fun, with a little bit of culture and sightseeing-tours after they found their Strength again. So, how come the American tourist gets branded? Well here comes the answer: Most American tourists stick out in Europe. I could always tell from a Mile away, if there is an American walking in front of me. The haircut, clothes (I just say Old Navy and Sneakers) are just a little give-away. The biggest one is the walk! Most Americans have a swing in their walk, as if they walk on springs or in sneakers. If you want to blend in� especially in times like this, where evil people are looking for targets� Let your hair grow before you travel and go to a hairdresser in the country you visit (that is fun too and you meet locals) Watch the locals. One sure sign you are a foreigner is if you stand around with a Street map and a camera around your neck. Avoid this by preparing yourself in your hotel room and have the camera in your purse or bag, just taking it out, when you need it. Of course you can�t change your walk � but in the Streets of a foreign town� always walk fast enough as if you know exactly where you are going. All these little hints help you not only to blend in� but it discourages also �normal� thieves (especially in Rome or Madrid) and of course more evil people. Exceptions are the Teen-ager. MTV has put them all into one mold � only when you hear them talk one can tell from which country they come. |