Ugly Americanism Ain’t What It Used to Be
By Don Nadeau, on July 5, 2009, in Travel
Wikipedia defines Ugly American as “an epithet used to refer to perceptions of loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless and ethnocentric behavior of American citizens mainly abroad . . ..”
Happily, you won’t witness this extreme behavior nearly as much as in the past. Perhaps not at all. If anything, some Americans now tend to go overboard in the other direction, for example, apologizing right and left, as if foreigners blamed them personally for every action of the U.S. government. Overall, Americans appreciate other cultures and ways of doing things now more than ever.
A more innocent strain . . .
However, a more innocent strain of Ugly Americanism remains and surprisingly may pop up more among younger travelers. That’s when travelers don’t take the time to learn what aspects of their normal behavior might offend other cultures.
South Africa as an example
Because I’ve talked a lot lately about South Africa, let’s use that as an example, but this information applies at least in part to most countries.
Two things.
People before business
First, in all population groups, South Africans place personal relationships before business. The person at check out is not a machine. The transaction is not judged on its time efficiency.
Instead, take the time to say hello. Unless the person seems pressured, make some small talk about the weather or whatever. Talk to the person in the same friendly manner as you would a friend. This is a human relationship we are talking about here.
And, as you are not talking to a machine, imply that the person has a choice. Instead of saying “Give me another coffee,” say “May I have another cup of coffee, please?” When it comes, say thank you.
Restrained behavior
Second, know that South Africa like many countries is socially conservative. I am not talking about attitudes about abortion or gay marriage. It’s just that accepted behavior in public is significantly more restrained than in much of the U.S.
Get rid of the f—- in public among strangers. In my opinion, it’s somewhat racist to think that just because you’ve arrived in a predominately black country that that is acceptable.
Restraint applies to everyday habits such as dining, which is not a “do your own thing” in many countries.
If lacking, learn some rudimentary table manners. South Africans use them. At least do not talk with your month full and do not shovel food into your month while someone is speaking directly to you. Don’t gobble down your food so that you finish light years ahead of your companions.
As one more example, even though it may be 100F in the shade with a humidity to match and you’re in the middle of nowhere, wear a shirt in a restaurant. South African restaurants haven’t felt the need to post “No shoes, no shirt, no service.” Please don’t make them.
I discuss traveling to South Africa in a Facebook photo album titled “South Africa 2009.” Click on the first photo to enlarge and then use the “next” function to go through the series. You are most welcome to become a “fan” of this new page.
