The Ugly American

How to avoid fitting the stereotype

The English are quite proper and drink tea.

• The French wear berets and carry baguettes under their arm.
• The Italian are fashionable and drive Vespas.
• The Japanese are loaded down with cameras.
• The Scottish play bagpipes and wear kilts.
• The Germans drink beer and make good cars.

These are stereotypes we as Americans often have of other cultures. But did you know that there are stereotypes about Americans too? There's even a name for it: the Ugly American. Not too pretty, is it? An Ugly American is the person who travels abroad and doesn't even attempt to be culturally appropriate. Generally they are first spotted by their loud voices in public or incredibly casual clothing, by French standards.

As an expat living in France, I can verify that Ugly Americans do exist. In fact, they multiply in summer months. However, there are also many Americans who come to France and do make an effort to be culturally appropriate.

When we're in a Franco-American group, the conversation often turns to the differences between our two cultures. As we were getting ready to leave, I started to put on my chunky sports sandals, which prompted one a French friend to comment on how American my shoes looked. I then opened the can of worms by asking the question, "What are the stereotypes about the way Americans dress?" Here's what they, and we, came up with in about 30 seconds.

Americans wear baseball caps. They wear flip-flops or chunky sandals like the Germans. They wear t-shirts or Hawaiian print shirts. All their clothes are brightly colored. They wear shorts with cargo pockets, which are always full and bulky. They have supremely white legs sticking out of said shorts. The men often wear Rayban sunglasses and have mustaches or goatees. They have cameras, but not as nice as the ones the Japanese carry. They wear fanny packs.

Other than the fanny packs, also called bum bags outside of the US, I had to agree with them. Don’t get me wrong. I love America, and I love Americans. But we do stand out in like Wonder Bread in a row of baguettes.

If you are traveling or moving to France, here are a few tips to help you be respectful of the culture.

• Speak quietly. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the metro, at a café, or in a park, you should lower your voice at least a notch from the American standard volume. Conversations should be kept between those taking part in the discussion.
• When in doubt, dress up. American dress is generally much more casually than the French counterpart. Items to contemplate carefully before wearing include sweatshirts and sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, or any clothing that looks like it was designed for the gym.
• Bonjour. This little word is of great importance. When entering a store or beginning any kind of interaction, open with, “Bonjour, madame,” or “Bonjour, monsieur.” Other key words to learn are merci and pardon.
• It won’t take long to notice that personal space is viewed differently in France, especially if you take public transportation. As previously mentioned, do keep your voice down, but also be aware of your eye contact. French people refrain from making eye contact with strangers. For women, be especially careful not smile at strangers as this can be considered a come-on.

With these in mind, you should be able to blend in a bit, without wearing a beret or carrying a baguette under your arm.

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By Kari Masson, a freelance writer for travel, cross-cultural, and expatriate-focused publications. More than 50 of her articles have appeared in North America, Europe, and Africa. If you are looking to add dynamic creativity to your publication, contact Kari at
www.jkmassonprint.blogspot.com