IT’S NOT COOL TO BE A STEREOTYPICAL OBNOXIOUS AMERICAN
While your trip to Europe might be all about you, your friends, and your experiences, try not to forget that you also represent your country. Travelling abroad and being American automatically comes with a steriotype. Recognize that most of the European countries view Americans as loud, attention drawing and semi-obnoxious people. Not that this opinion is right, but it does exist. With that in mind try to tone down your attitude or voice while you’re with friends, we have a tendancy to get loud the more excited we get. Remember how annoying it is when people come to America and don’t try to speak English. At least make an attempt to speak the native language. The people will appreciate you butchering their language more than your laziness to try to speak it at all. Making a bit of a fool of yourself is also a good way to show humility to counter the widespread opinion of Americans as self rightous. Be polite, respect culture and don’t get too defensive if people constantly ask you how we as Americans could have elected Bush for president…twice. If you follow these tips I can assure you that you’ll have a wonderful, confrontation-free trip. And perhaps learn a thing or two.
