The rumors are true.
According to a caller canvass of European tourism experts, galore citizens of nan aged state position Americans arsenic “rude” and “entitled” — which mightiness not beryllium a full surprise.
Reportedly, these experts were recruited by representatives from 4 of nan astir heavy visited European countries — France, Greece, Spain and Italy.
They’d been tasked pinch surveying tourism workers and locals to find retired wherever nan “best” and “worst” visitors hail from. In turn, these experts gave their reviews of visitors from Australia, Germany, nan US, nan UK, Spain, Italy, China, and France.
So while American visitors were criticized — we were successful bully company, astatine least.
But they weren’t conscionable shaming travelers for kicks. This roundup comes amid an uptick successful complaints from European locals overrun by nan world tournami pinch countries from Italy to Spain rolling retired various policies to curb nan influx of world riff-raff (Read: Venice, Italy’s argumentation limiting ample tourer groups in nan sinking city).
Without further ado, here’s what locals from these apical 4 destinations had to opportunity astir Americans.
Americans
According to nan French?
Contrary to depictions successful “Emily successful Paris” and different celebrated media, nan French don’t wholly despise us. Marie-Cécile Ruault-Marmande of nan National Museum of Pre-History successful nan Dordogne praised our exuberance and hunger for culture.
“Even aft 2 hours, they [Ameicans] stay enthusiastic and eager for more,” she gushed. “They admit very elaborate explanations, exhibiting a awesome capacity for amazement.”
“They ever grin and look happy to beryllium alive,” added Elena Murtas of Aups Tourisme successful Provence.
Our only demerits, per French sources, are that American visitors successful Paris are reticent astir nan French cheek-kissing greeting, require aircon, and move our noses up astatine offal and different French delicacies.
According to nan Spanish?
Apparently, nan Spaniards don’t stock this whimsical position of US visitors pinch nan aforementioned Seville guideline citing our deficiency of respect for section customs, on pinch our humanities and taste ignorance.
According to 1 source, an American tourer asked if Franco was “still” nan King of Spain — causing a section to shingle their caput successful disbelief.
According to nan Italians?
We aren’t viewed overmuch much favorably by Italians — but their opinions are mixed. “The benignant of high-end Americans who enactment astatine nan Four Seasons are among my astir difficult clients,” 1 circuit guideline told Nicky Swallow.
“They are self-entitled, rude, demanding and will support you waiting for hours.”
However, different guideline lauded American visitors for leaving large tips and appreciating Italian food, vino and culture.
According to nan Greeks?
Given our shared emotion of populist — not to mention our countless subject bases location — it’s possibly nary astonishment that we’re kindred spirits pinch nan Greeks.
Just for illustration nan Italians, nan Cretans loved our generous tipping culture.
Many besides noted really they looked guardant to visits from Greek-American immigrants who’d moved to nan US for a amended life post-war.
However, Greeks and Italians dislike erstwhile Americans return endless selfies connected roofs and trample others to get nan cleanable shot.