Diane Vadino, travel writer for MSN, seems to be just as disgusted by Americans who travel abroad as those foreigners whom she quotes in hers titled "How American Travelers Are Viewed Abroad: The U.K.". Vadino revels in the "ugly American" stereotype and seeks out all the Brits she can find to validate her point. She even "apologizes" to an Iraqi for the evil of U.S. foreign policy on her visit to England.
In what woefully promises to be the “first in a series”, Vadino wonders, “Which affects British perceptions more: Stereotypes of the ‘ugly American’ or our country’s foreign policy? Or is something else at play?”
I can only imagine how often Vadino will say how much we are hated because of our foreign policy in this series, but whatever is to come this first segment is chock full of hating Americans by Brits… even as they are happy to eat our fast food, watch our movies and listen to our music not to mention take our money.
Vadino leads with the “ugly American” example (MSN even supplying the quintessential “ugly American” photo to accompany the article), recounting how we are loud, brash, stupid and annoying when we visit other countries. Yet, as she leads with all this negativity, she then turns around and says that this “unflattering view appears to be in the minority”, at least among the British people she spoke with.
This begs the question, why lead with the negative, then, if it is such a “minority” view? Why the series on how much our foreign policy ruins our favorable viewing by foreigners if that is a “minority” position?
She does clarify that the favorable view of Americans only pertained to a single American aimlessly walking around the countryside, but that when more than one American congregated, hate resulted. Indeed, Vadino quotes a Brit saying, “A group of Yanks is loud, raucous, insular and appears to have no interest in the local culture.”
In any case, we Americans are called “wankers”, and all sorts of names by the Brits that Vadino interviewed. And, of course, our commercial power is chalked up as the greatest of evils. Even as they sop up those same commercial offerings like a sponge.
The capper is Vadino “apologizing” to an Iraqi for the fact that we evil Americans overthrew one of the worst dictators in the world by investing ourselves in Iraq. Our traveling apologist met an Iraqi in England and couldn’t help but fall to the ground in abject supplication over American foreign policy.
I changed money at a booth on busy Oxford Street. The clerk asked me where I was from, and I asked him the same. "Iraq," he said. "I'm sorry," I replied, not knowing how to respond. What do you say to someone whose country your own has invaded?
However, I am sure that Vadino was even more shocked by the man’s answer.
"Don't worry for me," he said. "I'm a Kurd. My family is better than ever. Saddam is dead. We love George Bush!" And he pointed to a small picture of the U.S. president on his desk.
She is probably still puzzling over this encounter to this very day. But the fact that she felt compelled to “apologize” for America is telling in and of itself that she is a hate America type herself.
And, even as she recounts that one Brit says that British travelers in the USA find Americans to be “as hospitable as you could ever want”, this interviewee still thinks we are bad people because of guns, alien abductions, and intelligent design.
I have to say, with “friends” like Vadino giving such a forum for the hate America set, who needs enemies?
I can just imagine how many haters she’ll find in the rest of her series.. starting with herself.
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"Don't worry for me,&quo
May 28, 2007 - 20:47 ET by AtheistRepublican"Don't worry for me," he said. "I'm a Kurd. My family is better than ever. Saddam is dead. We love George Bush!" And he pointed to a small picture of the U.S. president on his desk.
Saw that coming a mile away. I am surprised the author even mentioned the incident. Still, one of the funniest things I have ever read.
This a great example of the stoopid liberal, looking for the bad about america where it is not. Not that all liberals are stoopid, its a class of liberals, many are just ignorant or egoists.
She should have said: "I
May 28, 2007 - 21:37 ET by botgShe should have said: "I'm a moron please don't judge all Yanks based on me."
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Unlike...
May 28, 2007 - 20:57 ET by acumen“A group of Yanks is loud, raucous, insular and appears to have no interest in the local culture.”
Yes, unlike well-behaved, culture-respecting, upstanding Brit football (soccer) fans visiting, say, Germany for example....
It's a disservice this man is
May 28, 2007 - 21:02 ET by zfIt's a disservice this man is doing, driving a wedge between Brits and Americans.
I also find the few people complaining about Americans and then resorting to terms like "wanker" to voice their displeasure rather hypocritical. And if Americans are not interested in the local culture, them why would they spend their time and money to visit the country in the first place?
This reminds me of a story a traveller once told me: he was told by a Britain that "Americans have no culture". And as the man walked away after he said this the tourist noticed he was wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey!
If Diane Vadino has her panti
May 28, 2007 - 21:04 ET by Dave RIf Diane Vadino has her panties in a knot over how Americans are perceived over-seas, then perhaps its time for Rosie to be banned from traveling abroad. After all, it doesn't get any uglier than that!
This republic will not survive the continued neglect of its people.-Neal Boortz
If you want to know who the R
May 28, 2007 - 21:08 ET by ArchConservativeIf you want to know who the REAL "ugly Americans" are, look no further than the left, (d)emocrats, and those on the DKos or HuffPo. Read this article without getting angry. If you do, you are part of the problem:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,275974,00.html
Do you really think any conservative or Republican would do that? Never. Everytime you see a (D) in front of a someone, this is who supports them.
I just checked the CNN page and there is NO mention of it at all. Fox put it in the box on the top right of their homepage for everyone to see. Once again, CNN is the face of the maggot left.
"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
- President George W Bush September 2001 speech to a joint session of Congress.
Arch....I saw this story....
May 28, 2007 - 21:38 ET by bigtimerArch....
I saw this story.... was going to bookmark it for later....alas, I got sidetracked with everyday life and chores.
Thank you for posting this, I too was going to find a place to try and insert it in somewhere.
I was outraged when I heard the whole report...still am.
Absolutely despicable...yet we have the ACLU going after yet removing more Crosses from display for our veterans....I do not know if anyone has heard about this, but this is great from these people on Memorial day...there is a video with the story here....talk about seeing red.
BT, The Mt Soledad has be
May 28, 2007 - 21:43 ET by botgBT, The Mt Soledad has been on-going for DECADES. The latest is it stays, now the fight is to not pay legal fees (by San Diego) to the losing attorneys!
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
bot...I know about the Mt. So
May 28, 2007 - 21:50 ET by bigtimerbot...
I know about the Mt. Soledad issue, I followed that close for years.
I hope they pay up the nose...maybe, just maybe we can get these trivial leftist communistic lawsuits stopped coming a dime a dozen...
This report linked above is NEW...it is about new lawsuits with Barry Lynn and the ACLU regarding these crosses in a military cemeteries (they are even worried, the veterans are that next it will be removing any cross from a Headstone, I do not know if this in the the video here, since I saw the report earlier and had to google this to find it).....did you read or listen to it...just curious?
Actually just glanced over it
May 28, 2007 - 21:54 ET by botgActually just glanced over it, I'm cuing up 'The Patriot' so will save to favs and check it tommorrow
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
BTI had time to go through it
May 28, 2007 - 22:03 ET by botgBT
I had time to go through it, the Soledad Cross has been transfered to the Feds, so the money issue is for past stuff.
Have a good evening
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
bot...You have a good one too
May 28, 2007 - 22:11 ET by bigtimerbot...
You have a good one too...this report is not as good as the one I heard on Fox earlier today, but they do not have it posted yet on their site that I could find, although they do have some of the audio that was included in it from the National Press Club...I will wait until tomorrow and see if I can get the report that I saw today and try to post it somewhere else tomorrow...it was much better.
Enjoy the movie...catch ya later.
bot...'The Patriot 'is our f
May 28, 2007 - 22:03 ET by bigtimerbot...
'The Patriot 'is our favorite movie of all time!
Great idea...may watch it later myself....(again)
So this gal writes a deadly-d
May 29, 2007 - 00:35 ET by maggieqpublicSo this gal writes a deadly-dull column and runs a photo of an American man on vacation, and we are to assume he is the “Ugly American”. Hawaiian shirts may not be the uniform of the London locals, but if dressing like the natives is protocol, somebody forgot to tell the Queen that Americans don’t tour Williamsburg looking like wedding cakes. (Clark Griswold knew how to travel.)
This woman has to be truly
May 29, 2007 - 04:28 ET by Jack BauerThis woman has to be truly dumb. I can state quite catgorically that it is, in fact, the Brits, she so lovingly quotes, who have a Europe wide, and worldwide reputation that is second to NONE for being the worst tourists around.
Hardly a day goes by without there being reported in the British press another example of literally the scum of the earth decending like some barbarian horde on an unsuspecting country.
Drunken gangs of 20-30 young men and women, destrying the locals properties, getting smashed out there heads night after night. Puking in other peoples properties, starting fights in restuarants. I could go on and on
And this dope is complaining because Americans abroad are a little "loud" and have a high opinion of their own terrific country. Please lady. Get real.
And by the way, Oxford Street in London has turned from a reasonably classy two mile long thorouhfare filled with pleasant shops, into a hellhole that resembes a Calcutta slum street on a bad night.
Pot holed crap, broken pavement, pools of muddy rainwater, shit on the ground -- and where English is the second language.
And what's really wonderful
May 29, 2007 - 04:32 ET by sarcasmoAnd what's really wonderful is when the Brits bring their quaint "no tipping" custom over here, charming the various wealthy bartenders & overpaid wait staff across America.
JMR
Dear Mr Iraqi/British money c
May 29, 2007 - 05:24 ET by danboDear Mr Iraqi/British money changer.
I would like to apologize for my fellow countrymen. Unfortunately we seem to have countrymen who would rather that your daughters are being raped and your family gassed.
But please be assured. Not all Americans are so dumb or uncaring.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Ms Vadino. You will have to p
May 29, 2007 - 05:31 ET by danboMs Vadino. You will have to pull my Hawaiian shirt off my cold dead body.
If I ever have no interest in culture and class. I'll go visit you.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
"Bush-supporting boors&q
May 29, 2007 - 08:07 ET by FOXFAN"Bush-supporting boors"
And there's the rub, it's clear the wench is struck with BDS. Is this a British Rosie?
Diane Vadino
May 29, 2007 - 08:36 ET by SportPoliticsHer book - the article claims will be published in September - is titled, " Smart Girls Like Me ".
lol - One isn't sure if that means intelligent girls take a liking to her, or if she is part of the group of smart girls, and wishes to brag as such.
These people just frost me!
May 29, 2007 - 08:49 ET by USA4freedomThese people just frost me!
Don’t talk to us about who are the biggest jerks are. They call every one wankers… mostly each other. Look, I ran a bar for 15 years. The biggest arseholes (more of that clever slang) were the Germans and the English. Don’t talk to us about who are the biggest jerks are. Take a look at Drudge this morning, The 200 people that are still in Mexico (probably to lazy to walk north,) boos Miss America in the Miss Universe pageant. And you call us ugly. Were we so ugly when we showed up for that EUROPIAN WAR CALLED: WWII and I
Were we so ugly when we send help in every earthquake, storm, or what ever disaster you have? (By the way has anyone ever except Israel ever sent help to us)??
Were we so ugly when we saved the MUSSULAMS in Bosnia?
Were we so ugly when after we saved your ass from Hitler, then the American people dug in to their pockets and came up with the Marshal plan to rebuild what once was Fortress Europe?
Were we so ugly when helped with the latest tsunami (except for: we did not do enough in your option I’m sure)?
Were we so ugly when we shipped billions of $ to that bottomless pit called Africa for Aids?
Were we so ugly when (with American dollars and blood saved these countries from being ruled by Germany?
England not once but twice
France not once but twice
Holland not once but twice
Albania
Belgium not once but twice
Denmark not once but twice
Greece
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Were we ugly when the United States will donate over a-million-and-a-half tones of wheat as a part of an aid package worth one billion dollars to Russia in 1999?
Were we ugly when we send 230 million to Lebanon?
Were we ugly when we send 129 million to Somalia?
Were we ugly when we sent $1,272,424,432 to Sudan and Chad??
Facts from: http://www.usaid.gov...
So the way I see it, if I decide to wear a loud Hawaiian shirt to some other place then a Buffett concert, smoke a cigar in a (smoke area) and wear a really dumb hat I will. My great uncle who was gassed in WWI, my grandfather who landed on the beaches of france (lack of caps was intently done), a good friend that was killed in Nam, the people I knew in the WTC that were killed (one very close). My tax dollar and the money I have donated for worthy cause and the fact that we live in a free country tells me: I CAN DO WHAT I WANT! You arsehole.
Let me show you ugly: http://www.starpulse...
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
A note on Poland
May 29, 2007 - 08:53 ET by Cool ArrowI think the Poles are pretty good friends. I'll agree with all the other points.
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
I’m not saying that these p
May 29, 2007 - 09:07 ET by USA4freedomI’m not saying that these people are our enemies (exception france). Just our great country has done so… much.. for so… little thanks.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Dziekuje, from another Pole,
May 29, 2007 - 09:10 ET by FastEdDziekuje, from another Pole, and well said.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Personally I couldn't care le
May 29, 2007 - 13:52 ET by Seabeach4348Personally I couldn't care less about what the EuroPussies think of us.
From my own experience the Euros generally get defensive when you bring up all the ways we saved their d**cks over the years.
If they don't like something we do then we're most likely doing the right thing.
Diane, how do you know for ce
May 29, 2007 - 10:01 ET by Hero SquadDiane, how do you know for certain that the smart girls like you? Maybe they just like having a dim friend around to make themselves feel even smarter.
(See what I did there?)
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
So - how come we don't see an
May 29, 2007 - 09:06 ET by FastEdSo - how come we don't see any articles about "Ugly Immigrants"? It seems that they "hate" us enough to break the law to get and stay here.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Ah ha. This is a great exampl
May 29, 2007 - 10:31 ET by Chris NormanHas she apologized to the British for the American Revolution? This is a great example, in the clearest form, of the Radical Left's hatred and snobbery against their own country. I just can't wait to hear her thoughts on WalMart, McDonalds, SUVs, etc....
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Walmart, McDonalds and SUV's
May 29, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Cool ArrowWalmart, McDonalds and SUV's? When you think about it, we really are pro choice. And it's the Libs trying to limit our choices.
Gore lied. Nobody fried
The Left has nothing but con
May 29, 2007 - 10:44 ET by Chris NormanThe Left has nothing but contempt for Wal Mart, McDonalds, and SUVs because they have nothing but contempt for the people who use them. These are the people the Left feels need to be directed and controlled by their "superiors". I mean, after all, this "rabble" votes for Bush and Republicans. 'Nuff said?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris. They're only in contem
May 29, 2007 - 10:58 ET by danboChris. They're only in contempt of you or I having an SUV. They have a plenary indulgence for SUV's. Therefore they can drive them. Or ride in a limo. Or fly in a private jet.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Sure. That's why I can only c
May 29, 2007 - 11:38 ET by Chris NormanSure. That's why I can only conclude they have nothing but contempt for the middle class. They feel intellectually, morally and therefore - politically - superior to the conservative middle class. The radicals in the Sixties rejected their parents' values, and have passed that contempt on to many in the generation since. I really believe, deep down, this is a snobbery thing.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Walmart Shoppers
May 29, 2007 - 10:52 ET by Cool ArrowYeah, I can see Teddy Kennedy or John Edwards stopping in for an oil change at Walmart Automotive.
Gore lied. Nobody fried
"Frisco based?" I
May 29, 2007 - 11:32 ET by j. frank wilson"Frisco based?" Is Ms. Vadino from Texas?
Huh?Diane Vadino writes about
May 29, 2007 - 12:38 ET by Roger the ShrubberHuh?
Diane Vadino writes about fashion, travel and film from her base in San Francisco. Her debut novel, Smart Girls Like Me, will be published in September.
"Frisco" is a city
May 29, 2007 - 13:00 ET by j. frank wilson"Frisco" is a city in Texas. "San Francisco" is a city in California.
You mean you've never heard t
May 29, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Warner Todd HustonYou mean you've never heard the slang "Frisco" for San Francisco? Get out much?
Wilson, you are a horse' back
May 29, 2007 - 13:47 ET by NL207Wilson, you are a horse' backside as usual. Any of these places are commonly referred to by the term, "Frisco" one of which is San Francisco, CA. When taken out of context, the term is ambiguous, giving rise to confusion, which you equate with ignorance.
I assure you the ignorance is
May 29, 2007 - 14:45 ET by j. frank wilsonI assure you the ignorance is all yours, not mine.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to read Herb Caen for many years learned at least one thing - Never Call it 'Frisco [although he did mellow a bit in his final years].
It was a joke. Lost on you, of course. Somehow that doesn't come as much of a surprise...
Still filled with Self-loathi
May 29, 2007 - 14:28 ET by BDStill filled with Self-loathing, J Frank?
It extends to hating the nickname for a west coast city?
Please see above. As to the
May 29, 2007 - 14:46 ET by j. frank wilsonPlease see above. As to the "self-loathing," you do a fine job of that all on your own...
So J. Frank, in the movie th
May 29, 2007 - 14:45 ET by Hero SquadSo J. Frank, in the movie the The Frisco Kid, do you think the main character was heading to a synagogue in Texas, or in San Francisco?
I'll give you a hint... you're acting like a dope.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
I am sure there are a dozen t
May 29, 2007 - 19:04 ET by Roger the ShrubberI am sure there are a dozen towns named Frisco all across American, Sparky. Personally, I thought Frisco was a character on "General Hospital".
I am confused.
May 29, 2007 - 12:40 ET by Roger the ShrubberI am confused.
Roger,I'm confused also, but
May 29, 2007 - 12:48 ET by Chris NormanRoger,
I'm confused also, but on a different topic. Since the relocating of my job, I don't have the time I once had to monitor what's going on here. I notice the Open Thread seems to have vanished. What did I miss and where do I go to read the now famous Shrub Report (little registered symbol here)?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I think when "furreign
May 29, 2007 - 12:54 ET by balboaI think when "furreigners" think of Americans in terms of being bad tourists, they think of the worst case scenario: how they look, the loud speaking, general ignorance toward anything not found at a strip mall.
But when it comes right down to it, we spend like nobody's business, which is what's important in the end.
Bal,Do you really buy into th
May 29, 2007 - 13:06 ET by Chris NormanBal,
Do you really buy into that mythic stereotype? I just don't buy the notion that the average American tourists are like the Beverly Hillbillies let loose on the Champs Elysee.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Nah, I don't, but I think a
May 29, 2007 - 13:14 ET by balboaNah, I don't, but I think all anyone remembers is that ONE obnoxious family or group, and that perpetuates the myth for everyone.
Geez. And they say we're the
May 29, 2007 - 13:18 ET by Chris NormanGeez. And they say we're the unsophisticated ones who leap to stereotype people...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I imagine that for some Aus
May 29, 2007 - 13:23 ET by balboaI imagine that for some Austrian waitress at a ski lodge or some tour guide in Belgium it only takes one lame group of American tourists to ruin it for the rest of us. And those are the stories that are told and retold, etc.
Yep. Like Brits and tipping
May 29, 2007 - 13:27 ET by sarcasmoYep. Like Brits and tipping-behavoir in countries where tips count as a substantial portion of certain professions' salaries... They have no leg to stand on logically, but that's never stopped 'em.
JMR
Bal. Having lived just outsid
May 29, 2007 - 14:18 ET by danboBal. Having lived just outside New Orleans French Quarter for a number of years. I've seen a lot of tourist.
Using that logic. People from all over the country are idiots. The Japanese, British, Canadians, French, Dutch, Germans, Indians, Australians, many people from the Middle East and the list could go on, are also. I've seen my share of tourist.
I've seen idiots from about everywhere. But the obnosious idiots are the minority.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. They have more intellegence and fair play than that.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
I'm not saying these stereo
May 29, 2007 - 14:38 ET by balboaI'm not saying these stereotypes are true, just that they're being made.
But people who see or deal wi
May 29, 2007 - 14:43 ET by danboBut people who see or deal with a lot of tourist also see good people. They give people the benefit of the doubt.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Well if the woman in the pho
May 29, 2007 - 14:47 ET by Hero SquadWell if the woman in the photo represents the average Japanese tourist, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Total CRAP. The real worst to
May 29, 2007 - 13:41 ET by Ruths husband BenTotal CRAP. The real worst tourists? The freakin' Brits.
http://louminatti.blogspot.com/2005/02/worlds-best-tourists.html