DisCopper
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
I recently got back from a weekend trip to Disney. Granted, I was only on the compound for 2 days, in the Parks for one, but I didn't witness anyone from another land behaving badly. I did see a couple incidents with Americans behaving badly (in restaurants, mostly).
In my many past visits to WDW, I've witnessed all kinds of horrible things from all kinds of people (American cheerleaders, ball players, Brazilian tour groups, and some particularly nasty French people).
And, for years, we've heard about the "ugly American" traveling overseas. We all know the stereotype. But I had something interesting happen this year: I made a trip to Scandinavia. I visited 8 different countries (take that people who say I go to Disney too much!). Part of the trip was on a cruise ship, where I was exposed to people from all over the world.
Here's what was interesting: there were no "ugly Americans." What I did see was: loud, obnoxious Greeks screaming non-stop in an upscale restaurant (every single night of the cruise), Japanese literally knocking old women down to get on the elevator first, an aggressive, demanding French woman who screamed at me for invading her personal space in line (I was 3 feet away from her in a jam-packed line), Italians pushing a BRIDE out of the way so they could get into a church (she was in full, white wedding gown, and had been married moments before), and many other examples. The Americans were the ones giving up their spot in the elevator for the elderly, smiling and stepping aside so others could take pictures, and basically being seriously polite and respectful. No one pushed, or shoved, or was ill-behaved in any way. It was significant enough that by the end of a month, our group was commenting on it non-stop.
I know when I'm out of the country, I really go out of my way to be polite and respectful (at Disney, I'm in such a happiness zone that I don't get irritated at things). So are we more comfortable (and willing to be nasty) at home? Or is it just Disney (which can obviously be stressful)? Or has the "ugly American" persona been wiped out, or at least reduced?
I'm sure there are all kinds of stories on all sides of this... but I'd like to hear thoughts.
In my many past visits to WDW, I've witnessed all kinds of horrible things from all kinds of people (American cheerleaders, ball players, Brazilian tour groups, and some particularly nasty French people).
And, for years, we've heard about the "ugly American" traveling overseas. We all know the stereotype. But I had something interesting happen this year: I made a trip to Scandinavia. I visited 8 different countries (take that people who say I go to Disney too much!). Part of the trip was on a cruise ship, where I was exposed to people from all over the world.
Here's what was interesting: there were no "ugly Americans." What I did see was: loud, obnoxious Greeks screaming non-stop in an upscale restaurant (every single night of the cruise), Japanese literally knocking old women down to get on the elevator first, an aggressive, demanding French woman who screamed at me for invading her personal space in line (I was 3 feet away from her in a jam-packed line), Italians pushing a BRIDE out of the way so they could get into a church (she was in full, white wedding gown, and had been married moments before), and many other examples. The Americans were the ones giving up their spot in the elevator for the elderly, smiling and stepping aside so others could take pictures, and basically being seriously polite and respectful. No one pushed, or shoved, or was ill-behaved in any way. It was significant enough that by the end of a month, our group was commenting on it non-stop.
I know when I'm out of the country, I really go out of my way to be polite and respectful (at Disney, I'm in such a happiness zone that I don't get irritated at things). So are we more comfortable (and willing to be nasty) at home? Or is it just Disney (which can obviously be stressful)? Or has the "ugly American" persona been wiped out, or at least reduced?
I'm sure there are all kinds of stories on all sides of this... but I'd like to hear thoughts.