On 7/17/2011 9:36 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 17/07/2011 1:03 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:47:08 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On Jul 16, 9:37 pm, > wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:59:15 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
>>>>
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> You were not a maudit Anglais, merely an Ameri-con.
>>>>
>>>> Whatever that means.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Not an oppressor, merely a tourist.
>>
>> Oh, okay. Thanks. We figured that if we had gotten a blatant snub
>> from anyone, it would have been the guy that we asked directions from
>> at the gas station in an "I don't speak English, I just pump gas" sort
>> of way.
>>
>
>
> My French is admittedly rusty. I have heard horror stories about rude
> treatment of tourists in Quebec and have come to the conclusion that it
> had more to do with the way they acted and that they probably get rude
> treatment everywhere. It certainly never happened to me. I always have
> very friendly service, despite my fractured French.

I have traveled to numerous countries and know all about the so called
for a good reason "ugly Americans" and I am definitely not one of them.
The only time I have ever experienced snobby arrogance when trying to
spend money as a tourist was in Quebec. It isn't universal but happens
enough to simply draw a line through Quebec as a possible destination.

>
> I had similar experiences in Paris. People often talk about how rudely
> they were treated in Paris but, with the exception of a middle aged
> waiter at a sidewalk cafe, everyone was kind and courteous. I can
> understand a 40 year old who has never risen above the position of
> waiter having a chip on his shoulder.
>
>