Which ugly american are you

Wear what's comfortable, but do make an effort to blend in with what the locals wear, especially when it comes to covering up in more modest countries. We've also seen many Americans utilize the Canadian flag to pretend they're not from the US while traveling.

Don't be ashamed of our country -- be an example of what's good about it. Let your behavior and attitude leave a positive impression when you travel instead of pretending to be from somewhere else. We're not saying that you have to be fluent in a country's native language in order to visit it--but you should at least make an effort to learn key phrases and words.

Knowing how to say things like "Hello" and "Do you speak English? American tourists are notorious for just repeating English questions louder when a nonspeaker doesn't understand, so don't do that.

Try to use hand gestures, phrasebooks, or even apps to get your point across instead. To the rest of the world, it's not just Texas where everything's bigger -- it's America.

It doesn't help the stereotype when Americans complain about small portion sizes while dining out abroad. Think of smaller portions as a way to sample more dishes or to reevaluate your own eating choices. It's fine to do the math in your head or on a calculator, but don't ask a merchant how much their wares are in "real money. You'll be shopping like a local in no time. In the years since, I have noticed an alarming trend, one that I have explored repeatedly in this space in this newspaper.

With increasing frequency, Americans are now treating other Americans with that same disdain, disrespect and lack of empathy. It has become all too commonplace now to dismiss the rights and basic humanity of other Americans living right here, right now. These days, we all must be more conscious of others, especially with the notion of physical distancing.

Do they have enough room to get by me on the trail? Am I 6 feet away from that mother and her children? Did I bring my mask? It is our new reality. He would have touched me, too, had I not stepped back. The chickens are coming home to roost. As we learn more about the problems that confront the earth and humankind, more and more people are recognizing the need for the world's industries, such as tourism, to function as tools for peace.

As travelers become more sophisticated and gain a global perspective, the demand for socially, environmentally, and economically responsible means of travel will grow. Peace is more than the absence of war, and if we are to enjoy the good things of life — such as travel — the serious issues that confront humankind must be addressed now.

Although the most obvious problems relate specifically to travel in the Third World, European travel also offers some exciting socially responsible opportunities. In this chapter are a few sources of information for the budding "green" traveler. Consume responsibly in your travels — do your part to conserve energy. If your hotel overstocks your room with towels, use just one. Carry your own bar of soap and bottle of shampoo rather than rip open all those little soaps and shampoo packets.

Bring a lightweight plastic cup instead of using and tossing a plastic glass at every hotel. Turn the light off when you leave your room. Limit showers to five minutes. Return unused travel information booklets, brochures to the tourist information office or pass it on to another traveler rather than toss it into a European landfill. In little ways, we can make a difference. Understand your power to shape the marketplace by what you decide to buy, whether in the grocery store or in your choice of hotels.

In my travels and in my writing , whenever possible, I patronize and support small, family-run, locally owned businesses hotels, restaurants, shops, tour guides. I choose people who invest their creativity and resources in giving me simple, friendly, sustainable, and honest travel experiences — people with ideals.

Back Door places don't rely on slick advertising and marketing gimmicks, and they don't target the created needs of people whose values are shaped by capitalism gone wild.

Consuming responsibly means buying as if your choice is a vote for the kind of world we could have. Most travelers tramp through Europe like they're visiting the cultural zoo. Excuse me, could you do that again in the sunshine with my wife next to you so I can take a snapshot? It's a part of travel. But a camera bouncing on your belly tells locals you're hunting cultural peacocks.

While I never drink tea at home, after a long day of sightseeing in England, "a spot of tea" really does feel right. I drink wine in France and beer in Germany. In Italy I eat small breakfasts. Find ways to really be there. Consider these:. Go to church. Many regular churchgoers never even consider a European worship service. Any church would welcome a traveling American. And an hour in a small-town church provides an unbeatable peek into the local community, especially if you join them for coffee and cookies afterwards.

I'll never forget going to a small church on the south coast of Portugal one Easter. A tourist stood at the door videotaping the "colorful natives" including me shaking hands with the priest after the service. You can experience St. Peter's by taking photographs Root for your team. For many Europeans, the top religion is soccer.

Getting caught up in a sporting event is going local. Whether enjoying soccer in small-town Italy, greyhound racing in Scotland, or hurling in Ireland, you'll be surrounded by a stadium crammed with devout locals. Play where the locals play. A city's popular fairgrounds and parks are filled with local families, lovers, and old-timers enjoying a cheap afternoon or evening out.