At one time, say back in the 1960s, American tourists had a reputation as the worst visitors to foreign countries. American tour groups would travel around the European continent on buses staying in fancy American-style hotels, largely apart from the local population except for people in the tourist industry.
The Americans were often loud and obnoxious, and rarely tried to learn the local language, and generally showed no little interest and respect for the cultures in the countries they were guests in. Americans were known for throwing their money around and were treated by locals as ignorant American cash cows. The term that came into use was “The Ugly American.”
The Ugly American attitude was that America was the greatest country in the world and the rest of the world would be wise to copy everything America does.
Thankfully the days of the Ugly American tourist are largely gone. The American traveler has changed and is now regarded as one of the best visitors to your country. Many Americans now stay in low budget accomodations like hostels or even stay in a room in someone’s house.
The new American travelers show respect to their hosts and make an effort to learn about the local customs and traditions. Many Americans still can not speak a second language, but it doesn’t stop many from trying. It is all about respecting other people’s way of life.
The New Ugly Tourist
Unfortunately, a new group has taken over the role of the Ugly American. However they are not American although they do speak English–British English to be precise. Yes, the worst-behaved tourists are now the British.
Now many Americans are shocked to hear this, because back in the states we think of the British as exhibiting the height of decorum and restraint. Not so.
The crux of the problem is a phenomenon known as British Stag Parties. Groups of 40 or 50 men, of all ages, converge on an Eastern European city like Krakow, Prague or Bratislava for a bachelor party for one of their mates. The sole purpose of these parties is to get drunk as quickly as possible and pass out.
Stag Partiers are easy to spot. They are the ones pissing on a National Monument or thowing up in the main square of a European capital. I have seen dead drunk Brits in the main square of Krakow at 10 o’clock in the morning being carried away by their mates. They often march down the boulevard ten abreast chanting some football song–every has to get out of their way. How obnoxious!
Enabled by Cheap Flights
The Stag Party Phenomenon is enabled by the cheap flights from budget airlines like Ryan Air and others. The plane ticket often costs less than a taxi ride to Heathrow Airport! How can air travel be so cheap? I don’t know, but I am guessing it must be subsidized by somebody.
When Will It End?
Like the era of The Ugly American came to an end, eventually The British Stag Party era must end. Perhaps oil will become too expensive enough to allow cheap air travel in Europe. Or maybe the host countries will decide that stag party Euros don’t justify the trouble caused. This already happening in Riga, where the mayor says that the unruly Brits are scaring away other tourists. [Riga plans crackdown on British stag parties with tourist police]
Or maybe national pride will kick in and the Brits will realize they are embarrassing their country abroad and end the practice themselves. Not likely.
So who will replace them as the Undesirable Visitor. Maybe Russian oligarchs will begin terrorizing Britain by buying up all the upscale property in London. Oops, it’s already happening!
Russian oligarchs flock to Britain with billions to spend and a taste for luxury
