The ugly American tourist
The ugly American tourist can be defined as a person whom insults the culture, lifestyle, and people of the country in which they are traveling. The ugly American tourist does not care about representing America and the American people in a positive light. They only care about themselves.
Before I start the story I am going to say "I am sorry" for the use of the fu** word. I normally would not be posting that word in my journal as I find it to be rude but it goes with the story.
On Saturday, I met two people who fit this definition perfectly. Andrea and I were in a bathroom in Tokyo waiting for a stall to open and this is what we heard. Ugly American tourist 1 was doing her hair in front of the mirror and Ugly American tourist 2 was going to the bathroom.
Ugly American tourist 1: “I am not wearing Fu**ing jeans.”
Ugly American tourist 2: “Well, you missed the fu**ing toilet.”
Ugly American tourist 1: “Fu**ing Japanese toilet.”
Ugly American tourist 2: “I fu**ing hate Japanese culture.”
Ugly American tourist 1: “I fu**king hate Japan.”
At this point Andrea and I had rolled our eyes twice and Andrea muttered under her breath (in Japanese) “Idiots.”
Ugly American tourist 1: “I can fu**ing speak Japanese. If you are going to trash me; say it to my face.”
Andrea: “Ok, you are acting like idiots. People can understand you.”
A Japanese woman comes out of the stall and I start to head in. Oh, there are also two people behind Andrea and me in line.
Ugly American tourist 1: “I fu**ing live in this country and I can say what I want.”
I was on my way into the toilet stall and I replied, “We live here too. Have some respect.”
Andrea says at the same time: “I have lived here for four years. People can understand what you are saying.”
Ugly American tourist 2 flushes the toilet and Andrea starts to go into the stall.
Ugly American tourist 1 and 2 then start saying “Well at least we are not fu**ing ugly.” They then started screaming about how Andrea and I should plastic surgery and start using swear words to make their points stand out more.
After Andrea and I left the bathroom we went to Jana and asked if she had heard the conversation. She said she only heard the shouting and swearing. We told Jana the story and Andrea informed us that both girls missed the toilet when they tried to squat.
NOTE: To anyone who travels to Japan. Most of the Japanese have studied English and understand the words “hate”, “Japan”, “Japanese”, and from TV and movies they understand that fu**ing is not proper word to use. Therefore, if you are going to act like an idiot be prepared to be labeled as an Ugly American tourist. People who travel should try to act in a proper and courteous manner. Be respectful of the people and the culture. Acting like a moron not only makes you look bad but it also makes people think that everyone in your country acts that way.
Traveling and living in a foreign country is hard. Culture shock is going to happen but a traveler still needs to be respectful.