On the subject of Americans
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On my holiday to the New Forest last week I met American tourists twice. The first was in a pretty little market town trying to haggle the price of *everything*, from a set of plates in a British Heart Foundation charity shop down by eighteen pounds ("they're not Staffordshire ya know and it's Staffordshire that're the big name over here in the U-Kay"), through to a bunch of flowers on the market. The second was at a place called Monkey World - a world renowned monkey centre. This time there was a fat American kid walking past me as I was watching a Chimpanze play with it's penis and finger it's arse concurently (that was a hilarious sight to see, it really was... pure postcard material!) - this boy said, and I swear I have not changed a word: "why are there only monkeys at Monkey World? I 'wanna' pizza." I think I may have offended his parents as I passed comment to my dad along the lines of him seeming to mistake Monkey World for Pizza Hut. They were not impressed. Damn these imported yanks are hilarious. I'm thinking of starting a farm... I could loan them out to local clubs and bars for comedy nights! :-D
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
Any time I go to a large urban area I encounter more loud-mouthed, obnoxious, idiots than I care to count. Maybe city-slickers are more apt to travel to Europe.
Jason Henderson
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"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill -
Mike Mullikin wrote: How do you know they were American as opposed to Canadian? Accents can be nearly identical you know. Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Mike Mullikin wrote: I can see where his confusion arose. Most zoos in the US also offer food and beverages at restaurants or snack shops. Sadly I couldn't add the verbal emphasis to my textual interpretation of what he said, but suffice to say that is not how it sounded at all. It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. :-D Mike Mullikin wrote: They probably frequent Mexico on their vacations. When shopping in Mexico (and many other places) it is customary to negotiate prices rather than accept the advertised price In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Thanks for making this point! I was just about to, but I might be biased by saying we Canadians, in general, don't like to be, and shouldn't be, confused with Americans. :-D :-D David Wulff wrote: In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling. I found that I was paying about the same number value in pounds for a CD as I would if I was in the US (13pounds vs 13dollars), and that hurt my wallet (especially when the pound is ~2.5 Canadian dollars!). :(
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Exactly!! She was also one of the many idiots talking inside Notre Dame, which just cracks me up. "Oh, this place is so beautiful and peaciful!" Then shut the hell up! The best is that they have some dude get on an intercom system and actually go "SHHHHHHHHHHHHH" "SHHHHHHHHHH" to quiet everyone.. That had me in tears, it really did. Classic. -dork
dorkshoe wrote: "Oh, this place is so beautiful and peaciful!" Then shut the hell up! :laugh::-D:laugh: I'm honestly in tears laughing here. You have no idea how many times I've come close to saying things like that to people. Some people just don't realise that everyone else has already realised how beautiful and peaceful it is, without the commentary, and would quite like to enjoy it for a while. Paul Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see - Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop
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Couple of points to rain on your fun ;) 1) American Tourist != Average American. I don't know what happens to them when they leave the country, but my experience is they seem to get a bit more louder and a bit more obnoxious and a lot less tolerant. It seems to be the same thing that happens to Australian tourists when we leave home (though you can probably add "a lot more drunk" to the mix in that case as well). American's in their homeland are actually really, really nice people (Scout's honour!). As much as I myself have bitched about American tourists I've also done my fair share of apologising for Australian Tourists each time I come across a poor local who has met "my kind" before. In a similar vein I think any country that has ever hosted a European soccer game would probably not have warm feeling about certain Englishman. 2) haggling is a very common practice in most of the world. Come over to the land of the biggie size everything and you'll find that sticker prices and actual prices have absolutely nothing in common. It's really disturbing. 3) Did you have a camera and if not, why not? :D cheers, Chris Maunder
Chris Maunder wrote: American Tourist != Average American Of course - these loud obnoxious ones have taken the first step to becoming good world citizens by aknowledging there is life outside the US of A. :rolleyes: Chris Maunder wrote: though you can probably add "a lot more drunk" to the mix in that case as well Lol. I can remember seeing a flier for an "Austrialian Survival Kit" the other day -- it consisted of a bottle opener and a bottle of Fosters. :) Chris Maunder wrote: I've also done my fair share of apologising for Australian Tourists each time I come across a poor local who has met "my kind" before. Whenever anyone goes on holiday they take on the role of being the obnoxious one - that's half the fun of taking a holiday. ;P It is like in the good old days when we English would sail over to France in the dead of night and plunder all their riches before legging back to England and selling it back to them, before returning and pinching them again. :laugh: Chris Maunder wrote: In a similar vein I think any country that has ever hosted a European soccer game would probably not have warm feeling about certain Englishman. Add England to that list too! We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore. ;) Chris Maunder wrote: haggling is a very common practice in most of the world. Come over to the land of the biggie size everything and you'll find that sticker prices and actual prices have absolutely nothing in common. It's really disturbing. That doesn't make it any less entertaining to watch in an environment that doesn't know of such concepts. :) Chris Maunder wrote: Did you have a camera and if not, why not? If you are talking about the "happy chimp" then no I didn't, but there were plenty of people that did so I don't suppose it will be too long before pictures emerge on the net. If you are talking about the tourists, then just go to http://www.loudamericans.com[^]... :-D
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I see the subject of accents has come up further down, just as I was thinking about that. It's hard to say whether it's the accent that makes us want to laugh at everything they say when vacationing in our homelands, or just the fact that they tend to speak so loudly (I seem to be falling into the hole of generalisations ;P ). Perhaps 5 or 6 generations of living in a country with loads of space has just allowed evolution to take over their vocal chords. :)
Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator. - Marc Clifton
Perhaps 5 or 6 generations of living in a country with loads of space has just allowed evolution to take over their vocal chords. Hmmmm. Suddenly it makes some sense. I used to work with a guy from Texas. He talked louder than anyone that I've ever known. (Yes, I live in the US.) You could ALWAYS hear him talking even if he was 100 feet away. But, maybe it wasn't coincidence that he talked loudly and was from Texas (the largest state in the contiguous US). ------------------------------------------ "Isn't it funny how people say they'll never grow up to be their parents, then one day they look in the mirror and they're moving aircraft carriers into the Gulf region?" - The Onion
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Pavel Klocek wrote: to haggle Who actually haggles here? The last time I haggled was with Janina as to which side of the bed she got. Apart from that I either pay what the ticket says, or go somewhere cheaper. Also you can only haggle with the owner of the goods, not just someone who works for them. It is no good haggling with the lady at the drive thru over the price of a McCardboard. I just plain do not enjoy haggling, how about you?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaPaul Watson wrote: I just plain do not enjoy haggling, how about you? Unfortunetaly, it is expected in various countries in South East Asia. Everything was so cheap anyways, but you could still cut the price in half. And every then, we were still paying "too much" for it, as locales would easily pay less than we had (even after the "bargain"). Still, I never liked saying "that is too much! i'll pay half that, no more!" :~
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Paul Watson wrote: I just plain do not enjoy haggling, how about you Hate it. It actually succeeded in spoiling the time I spent in Turkey some years back. Hell, everything was so cheap over there that I got sick of it and paid the ticket price anyway, they must have loved me. :-O Paul Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see - Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop
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Chris Maunder wrote: American Tourist != Average American Of course - these loud obnoxious ones have taken the first step to becoming good world citizens by aknowledging there is life outside the US of A. :rolleyes: Chris Maunder wrote: though you can probably add "a lot more drunk" to the mix in that case as well Lol. I can remember seeing a flier for an "Austrialian Survival Kit" the other day -- it consisted of a bottle opener and a bottle of Fosters. :) Chris Maunder wrote: I've also done my fair share of apologising for Australian Tourists each time I come across a poor local who has met "my kind" before. Whenever anyone goes on holiday they take on the role of being the obnoxious one - that's half the fun of taking a holiday. ;P It is like in the good old days when we English would sail over to France in the dead of night and plunder all their riches before legging back to England and selling it back to them, before returning and pinching them again. :laugh: Chris Maunder wrote: In a similar vein I think any country that has ever hosted a European soccer game would probably not have warm feeling about certain Englishman. Add England to that list too! We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore. ;) Chris Maunder wrote: haggling is a very common practice in most of the world. Come over to the land of the biggie size everything and you'll find that sticker prices and actual prices have absolutely nothing in common. It's really disturbing. That doesn't make it any less entertaining to watch in an environment that doesn't know of such concepts. :) Chris Maunder wrote: Did you have a camera and if not, why not? If you are talking about the "happy chimp" then no I didn't, but there were plenty of people that did so I don't suppose it will be too long before pictures emerge on the net. If you are talking about the tourists, then just go to http://www.loudamericans.com[^]... :-D
David Wulff wrote: We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore Speaking of England deporting it's miscreants and unwanted chattel to Australia, I just found out that Brisbane was set up as a penal colony for those already in Australia who had been bad. So - if you're bad you get sent to Australia. If you're *really* bad you go to Brisbane. What a life! For those unfamiliar with Brisbane: Brissy is one of the nicest, warmest, friendliest places in Australia and has quick access to some stunning beaches. cheers, Chris Maunder
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Chris Maunder wrote: 2) haggling is a very common practice in most of the world. Come over to the land of the biggie size everything and you'll find that sticker prices and actual prices have absolutely nothing in common. It's really disturbing. I have never haggled for anything, except a car. Although, I hear that paying with cash will usually get you a discount.
Jason Henderson
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"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston ChurchillReally? I learned a new phrase a few weeks ago: "Is that tax inclusive?". :D cheers, Chris Maunder
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Any time I go to a large urban area I encounter more loud-mouthed, obnoxious, idiots than I care to count. Maybe city-slickers are more apt to travel to Europe.
Jason Henderson
start page
articles
"If you are going through hell, keep going." - Sir Winston Churchill*American* ;P I attempt to haggle over as much as i possibly can.(with the exception of established businesses and set in stone prices) Haggling has got to be one of the most useful skills in the universes. Think about it, you can really save money. That all does remind me of The Life of Brian. I have never said gonna or shoulda don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they?
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*American* ;P I attempt to haggle over as much as i possibly can.(with the exception of established businesses and set in stone prices) Haggling has got to be one of the most useful skills in the universes. Think about it, you can really save money. That all does remind me of The Life of Brian. I have never said gonna or shoulda don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they?
Mathew Lowery wrote: don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they? When I figure that out I am going to retire ;) "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
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On my holiday to the New Forest last week I met American tourists twice. The first was in a pretty little market town trying to haggle the price of *everything*, from a set of plates in a British Heart Foundation charity shop down by eighteen pounds ("they're not Staffordshire ya know and it's Staffordshire that're the big name over here in the U-Kay"), through to a bunch of flowers on the market. The second was at a place called Monkey World - a world renowned monkey centre. This time there was a fat American kid walking past me as I was watching a Chimpanze play with it's penis and finger it's arse concurently (that was a hilarious sight to see, it really was... pure postcard material!) - this boy said, and I swear I have not changed a word: "why are there only monkeys at Monkey World? I 'wanna' pizza." I think I may have offended his parents as I passed comment to my dad along the lines of him seeming to mistake Monkey World for Pizza Hut. They were not impressed. Damn these imported yanks are hilarious. I'm thinking of starting a farm... I could loan them out to local clubs and bars for comedy nights! :-D
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: I met American tourists twice. In defense of my nations honor I could make the observation: You only noticed them (selectively) twice. The rest of the lot did not draw attention. OR To be allow to travel to the UK you have to go through special conditioning and this is the result. After a few week you return to normal:) Take care. I could also relate this to driving habits. Just entering the city limits causes people over here to become maniacs when a few mintes before in a rural area they were calm decent people. "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
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On my holiday to the New Forest last week I met American tourists twice. The first was in a pretty little market town trying to haggle the price of *everything*, from a set of plates in a British Heart Foundation charity shop down by eighteen pounds ("they're not Staffordshire ya know and it's Staffordshire that're the big name over here in the U-Kay"), through to a bunch of flowers on the market. The second was at a place called Monkey World - a world renowned monkey centre. This time there was a fat American kid walking past me as I was watching a Chimpanze play with it's penis and finger it's arse concurently (that was a hilarious sight to see, it really was... pure postcard material!) - this boy said, and I swear I have not changed a word: "why are there only monkeys at Monkey World? I 'wanna' pizza." I think I may have offended his parents as I passed comment to my dad along the lines of him seeming to mistake Monkey World for Pizza Hut. They were not impressed. Damn these imported yanks are hilarious. I'm thinking of starting a farm... I could loan them out to local clubs and bars for comedy nights! :-D
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
The thing is most people change their view on things when they leave their hometown, especially on vacation. That's part of the fun of traveling. You get to not give a shit about things that probably didn't matter in the first place. Often with some people (generally those who are more uptight at home), a certain undesirable quality of superiority comes to the front. A very proud and self-righteous tone "ha-rumph, ahem, Yes, well... I'm on vacation. And you whom I grace with my monies, must pay homage to me. I care not if I offend, it is my right to, nay my duty to. Now boy, quit ogling that monkey's penis, and fetch my son a pizza. " Thats my theory on why away = asshole; home = pleasant. BW The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding. - Jack Kerouac
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Mathew Lowery wrote: don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they? When I figure that out I am going to retire ;) "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
Michael A. Barnhart wrote: When I figure that out I am going to retire Think i would do the same.:-D
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Mike Mullikin wrote: How do you know they were American as opposed to Canadian? Accents can be nearly identical you know. Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Mike Mullikin wrote: I can see where his confusion arose. Most zoos in the US also offer food and beverages at restaurants or snack shops. Sadly I couldn't add the verbal emphasis to my textual interpretation of what he said, but suffice to say that is not how it sounded at all. It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. :-D Mike Mullikin wrote: They probably frequent Mexico on their vacations. When shopping in Mexico (and many other places) it is customary to negotiate prices rather than accept the advertised price In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. Now that would be something to see - kinda makes your monkey penis/anus story old-hat. ;P
Mike Mullikin :beer: You can't really dust for vomit. Nigel Tufnel - Spinal Tap
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David Wulff wrote: We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore Speaking of England deporting it's miscreants and unwanted chattel to Australia, I just found out that Brisbane was set up as a penal colony for those already in Australia who had been bad. So - if you're bad you get sent to Australia. If you're *really* bad you go to Brisbane. What a life! For those unfamiliar with Brisbane: Brissy is one of the nicest, warmest, friendliest places in Australia and has quick access to some stunning beaches. cheers, Chris Maunder
Chris Maunder wrote: So - if you're bad you get sent to Australia. If you're *really* bad you go to Brisbane. Maybe if Blair wins 100% of the vote in the next UK election he'll declare an amnesty and you can all finally go home. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Mike Mullikin :beer: You can't really dust for vomit. Nigel Tufnel - Spinal Tap
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The thing is most people change their view on things when they leave their hometown, especially on vacation. That's part of the fun of traveling. You get to not give a shit about things that probably didn't matter in the first place. Often with some people (generally those who are more uptight at home), a certain undesirable quality of superiority comes to the front. A very proud and self-righteous tone "ha-rumph, ahem, Yes, well... I'm on vacation. And you whom I grace with my monies, must pay homage to me. I care not if I offend, it is my right to, nay my duty to. Now boy, quit ogling that monkey's penis, and fetch my son a pizza. " Thats my theory on why away = asshole; home = pleasant. BW The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding. - Jack Kerouac
Think i might have to agree on that one.
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Think i might have to agree on that one.
Me too... Americans are so uptight. :laugh: :rolleyes:
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
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Mike Mullikin wrote: How do you know they were American as opposed to Canadian? Accents can be nearly identical you know. Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Mike Mullikin wrote: I can see where his confusion arose. Most zoos in the US also offer food and beverages at restaurants or snack shops. Sadly I couldn't add the verbal emphasis to my textual interpretation of what he said, but suffice to say that is not how it sounded at all. It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. :-D Mike Mullikin wrote: They probably frequent Mexico on their vacations. When shopping in Mexico (and many other places) it is customary to negotiate prices rather than accept the advertised price In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Definitely. On the light (far?) side I once watched an American bragging about that most amazing US invented warplane...(get this) the Harrier. :omg: It was a real shame he chose to do it to a Canadian and a bunch of Brits in a Youth Hostel in Dublin wasn't it? :laugh: Anna :rose: "Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia Graesch -
Megan Forbes wrote: So why do people behave better at home than when away? Perhaps everyone just needs to let our hair down sometimes, even if it does strain international relations. It is true to say that most Brits are also embarrassing to be around when you see them abroad... then again a good percentage of Brits are embarrassing to be around when they're at home too, so it's not so disturbing a contrast :-D Paul Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see - Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop
Gawd.. took a vacation to Spain and had to sit on the seat next to a gentleman wearing a loud hawaiian shirt, black wig, handlebar moustache, purple lycra all-in-on with socks stuffed down his crotch. God only knows how he managed to get through immigration in Alicante airport. I am ashamed to be a brit sometimes. www.beachwizard.com/travelogue[^] "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered" George Best.