Americans and Europe

"Me Talk Pretty One Day," by David Sedaris is a series of short essays about the authors life, many of which take place during the period of time he spent living in France with his boyfriend. One of the essays, entitled "Picka Pocketoni," tells the story of his encounter with ignorant American tourists on a subway. In this story Sedaris is accused of smelling awful and being a pick pocket by tourists who assume they are the only people in France who speak english.

These stereotypical, 'bad' tourists are encountered in several of the other essays and Sedaris presents a unique perspective of them as an American native who resides in France. Sedaris explains constantly having to defend his native country from stereotypes, for example that Americans are pushy and overweight, always want to talk about money and avoid unpasteurized dairy products. In comparison there is a popular notion that the French are rude, which Sedaris dismisses as an equally false stereotype.

Unfortunately, i fear my parents may be slightly 'bad' tourists. On a trip to London a few years ago I experienced what can only be described as a fully loaded trip. In a matter of days we saw, The Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Hampton Court, Big Ben, Kensington Palace and Gardens, went on the London Eye and (god help me) visited Madame Toussads among other attractions and shopping. Not that i didn't enjoy every one of these attractions, but each was crammed on top of the other and linked by visits to the underground which were made unnecessarily confusing. What seems most ironic about this trip is that the attractions were valued for their grandeur and elegance yet could not be truly appreciated as the experience was tainted by constant confusion.

(me being an obnoxious tourist)

Currently my parents are planning a trip to Italy which is intended to include visiting Rome and Venice... so far their 'artinerary' is pretty crammed and i just hope they can get by without knowing any Italian.