The World’s Most Obnoxious Tourists - Is Anyone Surprised?
OK, so I’m sick of the rap that American tourists get around the world. Just because we invade a sovereign nation, say, once every 3-4 years or so, doesn’t mean that our tourists should take the brunt of the heat. And we catch a lot of flack traveling, although in berating US tourists other travelers would always express the caveat that I of course was different from stereotypical Americans. Well, it turns out we’re not so bad. The French are the worst (shocking). According to a recent international survey and a Time magazine article, the French placed second to last behind last placed Chinese and third last placed Indians as the worst ranked tourist in the world. First off, I didn’t know that the Chinese and Indians made up a significant part of tourism. The Japanese were most liked, followed by Germans, British, and Canadians. The U.S. finished 11th overall, but received high marks for trying to speak local languages (huh?) and tipping well.
The survey was taken by employees in 4,000 hotels in Germany, the U.K., Italy, France, Canada and the U.S. for the French travel website Expedia.fr. The study asked respondents to rank clients by nationality on criteria of general attitude, politeness, tendency to complain, willingness to speak local languages, interest in sampling local cuisine, readiness to spend money, generosity, cleanliness, discretion and elegance. The US state department generously provided the funding for the study, thanks again GW!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:36 am
You americans with your surveys.
Where is Australia on that list? We are the lucky country. We are always happy.
What is it with you people?
July 14th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Australia was omitted because her tourists are too often confused with New Zealanders, South Africans, and other nationalities with unusual British accents. Unfair bias. ; )