American Travelers
December 3, 2007
Since I just got back from Morocco, which is a pretty exotic, but some may call it a third world country, I would like to express some of my thoughts on Americans traveling abroad and their attitude on world traveling.
I see people booking travels that are popular with Americans such as Hawaii, various Mexican resorts like Cancun, the Caribbean, various European capitals such as London and Paris. But that is the extent of their travel experience. Some people are afraid to go out of these zones because it is unfamiliar to them. It is fine to go to non-English speaking countries and less developed countries. Traveling is not about comfort. It is about learning and experiencing.
The following are some of the beef I have with some American travelers.
Oh, this place is dirty.
Chien says: Most places other than Japan and Western Europe is going to be dirtier than the U.S. because they have lots of people and no resources. So get over it. If those people can live like that and survive, I am sure you will be all right since you are there for only few days.
They don’t have sit down toilets.
Chien says: So what? Learn to squat down and do it the third world way. It is actually cleaner because you are not touching any part of the toilet.
Eating inside Western hotels and ordering Western food.
Chien says: Food is such an important part of traveling so why would you try to eat the same type of food you are eating at home. You should be trying out the local food and maybe you can know more than just burgers, fries and steaks.
Staying at Western brand hotels
Chien says: Why would you over pay for a cookie cutter hotel with no soul just so you can get hotel points or be familiar with the check in process. You should try to stay at small family owned inns and talk to the owners about the place you are visiting.
Being impatient with the servers at the restaurant.
Chien says: Except in Asia, everywhere else is slower service than in the U.S. You just have to slow down and realize you are not in America any more.
Being preoccupied about finding alcohol in Islamic countries.
Chien says: A great number of Americans are addicted to alcohol in my opinion. They get so uncomfortable in Islamic countries where alcohol is not readily available. I actually think it’s better not to drink. You will be sober and remember more of your trip. Traveling is not about drinking in bars and laying out on the beach. It should be more of a cultural experience.
I can’t find any Starbucks. I am dying for a cup of Starbucks.
Chien says: That’s great. I hate seeing Starbucks and McDonalds’ signs in other countries. Is that the best we have to offer the world? No wonder people think Americans don’t have any culture.
December 3, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Hi Chien,
Hope you had a great itme. You are very correct abou the American travelers. It shows our ignorance toward the world which quite quickly is uniting against us.
December 3, 2007 at 10:59 pm
I know Chien and he is a pretty easy-going guy, so for him to write comments like this, well, it’s just got to be true. Plus, as a World traveller since I was about 8 years old, and living much of my time outside of the States, I can agree with Chien’s comments about Americans abroad. He did leave out that most Americans talk way too loud as well. I can usually spot an American 50 yards away by the way they dress (usually really badly), by the way they walk (the women especially), by their weight (need I say more), and by the way they speak. Having said that, I will be the first to say that Americans are also the last people to throw trash on the street or sidewalk (while the natives do) and are the first to offer someone help when they need it. They also tend to be much more open about everything (except perhaps intimate matters), much to the surprise of the locals.