The Most Obnoxious Tourist: French? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**travelpunk** · 07-08-2008, 09:06 AM

Americans are de-throned

!

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...820358,00.html

**space virgin** · 07-08-2008, 09:30 AM

Last time I was in India, the French were annoying, but the Germans took 1st place. 2nd were the Brits (sorry guys, love ya

), followed by the French, followed by the Russians.

Didn't see hardly any Americans, but the ones I did see were pretty quiet and kept to themselves. And seemingly paranoid that EVERYTHING was a scam.

Ah well.

**joe7f** · 07-08-2008, 11:14 AM

Despite Americans not speaking other languages, most of the people I met TRYING were Americans. Virtually no one else even made the attempt but that could partly be because if you are German you feel that switching to your 2nd language, English, is already a sacrifice on your part and you expect the Spanish, for example, to switch to their 2nd language, also English.

It may also be that traveling during the winter in Europe makes you more likely to be a longterm traveler who thinks a little differently. If you are European, it may be more like a "get away".

--Joey

**space virgin** · 07-08-2008, 01:59 PM

^ Totally agree about the language thing!

Although the Aussies and Kiwis I met there did seem to try to say things in Hindi (or whatever) a lot more than the Europeans.

**mermaidnz** · 07-08-2008, 05:34 PM

haha i was laughing at all the french travellers in cambodia- they sat there ordering sandwiches and water for dinner. everyone else was giving the local food a go... i guess its not so weird- maybe they were vegeterian? but its was a funny contrast.

bluewaveted · 07-09-2008, 01:06 AM

I've read this article yesteray and couldn't help but feel sorry about getting "named" the worst. I think the worst tourists are the ones who apparently travel to other places, and yet keeping their minds closed to new culture.