Do you agree?

DEAR ABBY: On a recent trip to Europe I learned firsthand the meaning of the term "ugly American," which stems partly from the loud, obnoxious voices we sometimes use in public.

When Europeans are out in public they converse in low, modulated tones. They carry cell phones as we do, but rarely did I see Europeans use them, and never loudly. On trains, they walk out of the train car and answer their phones between the cars, so they won't disturb other passengers. And only once did I see someone answer a cell phone in a restaurant.

For some reason, Americans seem to need to be constantly on their cell phones. It's almost as if they have a compulsion to prove to those around them they are important or have friends. Well, they would gain far more friends if they turned off their phones and smiled or spoke quietly to the human seated next to them. -- TRAVELER IN SAN DIEGO

DEAR TRAVELER: Here we go again on the subject of cell phone manners. People who plan to travel outside the country need to keep in mind that once we cross the border we become unofficial representatives of the U.S.A., and first impressions can have a lasting impact. That's why it's wise to ask a travel agent or read up on your destination before leaving to learn what the local customs are in the place you are visiting -- and this applies not only to the use of cell phones, but also to how you dress and whether or not it's appropriate to take photos.

I agree. I haaaaaaaate bad cell phone manners with a passion.

We're such a self-absorbed culture. I am not surprised by this letter writer's observations at all. I see it here in DC all the time. PUT.THE.PHONE.DOWN! This weekend, my friends and I went to an amusement park. The ENTIRE time there, except for me, everyone in the group was just addicted to their damm cell phone! Um, let's just go have FUN and ignore the damm phone!

It's as if no one wants to be present in the moment. It makes your present company feel as if you aren't as important as the people you are hoping call with your constant checking of the phone!! IT'S OK TO PUT.THE.PHONE.AWAY! :talking

oh jeez, lol.

Yeah, and cellphones and DRIVING?! Never ok. I'm guilty of it, but only in emergencies: "Ok, I'm on my way" *click*

the twenty times I've almost been hit since coming to CA all involved a cell phone. I think people here would drive better if I shoved that phone up their ass ><

I agree.

Has anyone else encountered a rude foriegner while here in the States? I noticed when I went to Disney, that the foriegners were rude as all get out! Much more so than people I come across every day. I wonder if it is because we have this stigma of being rude so they think it is ok to be rude as well? Or if it is because they just don't like Americans :lol

I completey disagree with the dear abby. I live in Europe.... in Italy, the Italians for the most part are so rude and inconsiderate. When they drive, first of all, you would think no one else is on the road. They stop and park anywhere, even in the middle of the road. They are on their cell phones as much as any American. This is also just my experience. They do not like Americans much here.


ETA** they do take way better care of their things here. The states look very dirty compared to here. You rarley see trash on the side of the road and their yards always look amazing

I agree that American's have an obsession with their cell phones, but I have no experience with other countries.

A few days ago we were at the park and this Dad was on his cell phone the entire time, just following his kid around but not interacting with him. He was letting the boy walk up to everyone and mess with their stuff, but still remained completely in tune with his conversation. I felt a little bad for the kid.

I totally agree. I wish I could buy one of those cell phone blockers and take in resturaunts with me.

Well, since "polite" and "rude" are cultural inventions, most everyone can be considered "rude" when around those of other cultures.
OP mentioned cell phone use in public. I would counter that with body odor and over use of perfume and cologne by many Europeans.
Cell phone use in public is only as rude as the equivilant of two people talking. If the two people are shouting, or not paying attention to anyone else (talking in the checkout line when the clerk is trying to help them) and being distracted when driving, they are just as rude as the individual on a phone exhibiting these same behaviors.

Bad cell phone manners BUG THE HECK OUTTA ME!, I rarely answer my cellphone if I am out at a resturant unless its my mom because of things going on with Gpa, but I find it so annoying when people come into my work and expect me to help them while they are loudly talking on the cell phone and look at me like im supposed to read their mind on what they want!

I went home at Christmas and I was shocked. I remembered my home town being full of polite people in a "little town" atmosphere. Maybe it was because it was the run up to Christmas, or maybe because I had an American stroller which was bigger than all the UK ones, but people were so rude. Over here, if you see someone trying to get through a store door and struggling with a stroller, you'd help, not watch and snigger (happened to me 5 times!), or maybe move out of the way so someone could get past.

I was truly shocked. And yes, having DD with her Daddy Doll with her Dad in uniform didn't help matters much. I'm really hoping it was just the Christmas rush that was making people like that. I'd hate to think that my home town has gotten so rude.

However, on the flip side, I know someone who went to Italy and threw a huge fit because when he ordered bacon he got what Europeans eat as bacon (we call it back bacon and it's more like thin sliced gamon steak). He made a huge fuss saying "this isn't bacon" etc. etc. until they ended up bringing him a whole pound of "american" bacon (of course, after he had finished the rest of his breakfast). It's instances like that which can give Americans a bad name.

when i traveled through Spain
I was shocked by the behavior of other americans! :wow

Most of the Americans we ran into were rude, loud, obnoxious, etc...
The most of the elevators in europe are small built for 2-4 people at most
dumb american teenagers crammed 12 people into one...
And BROKE it:vent
Right afterwards my group came into the hotel and we were immediatley associated with those punks...:arg.
It made me ashamed to be an american

That was one of the mild incidents....
Most of the Americans i've met abroad have been jerks!:duh

oops...

oops...

Although I can agree that some people within the US have horrible manners when it comes to the use of their cell phones, to make such a blanket statement that Europeans don't answer their phones or talk loudly is a bunch of BS.. Not all, mind you, but some of the rudest people I ever encountered were in Europe... :dunno

The US isn't the only country obsessed with cell phones, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong come to mind. Koreans are constantly on their cell phones, they drive with them more than we do! They are just not "loud" on them but sometimes you would swear it was attatched to their heads or hands.

Well, since "polite" and "rude" are cultural inventions, most everyone can be considered "rude" when around those of other cultures.
OP mentioned cell phone use in public. I would counter that with body odor and over use of perfume and cologne by many Europeans.Cell phone use in public is only as rude as the equivilant of two people talking. If the two people are shouting, or not paying attention to anyone else (talking in the checkout line when the clerk is trying to help them) and being distracted when driving, they are just as rude as the individual on a phone exhibiting these same behaviors.

Ok, so that means I stink because I am German (that is a part of Europe... little info for the stupid Americans;)) and you are loud, rude, but pretty funny because you are American?:lmao

That's great;-)