i love amerikan tourists

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last night's convo with my cousin jONATHON:- 'so we're looking at hadrians wall this morning then the lake district in the afternoon, down to london tomorrow for two days then around to stonehenge and the white cliffs of Dover. Is there anything on the isle of white?'

talking to my cousin dAVID:- 'well we've booked two weeks in llangollen again'

who da amerikan ?

holidays - breadth vs. depth ?

a-33, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Today at Embankment - Sarah cannot get up the stairs due to a "cuddly" sized American family blocking up the entire stairway, NOT MOVING, whilst shouting down towards the direction of the Northern Line,

COME ON YOU GUYS!!!! WE CAN MAKE THIS TRAIN!! YEEEHA!

I like the American tourists as long as they KEEP WALKING. Methinks sense of proportion (UK = abt the size of ONE US STATE) and driving culture means a lot more travelling on holidays than a UK bod who would think "it is a holiday I do not NEED to drive miles and see things I wanna relax" innit.

Sarah, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

two of my favourite American Tourist Urban Myth stories have actually come true! once in Cambridge, someone asked me where the University was and i had to Explain. and then once in Leicester Square, one asked me where "Lie-sester Square station" was. i directed him correctly and everything (i'm not one of those people who misdirects people for kicks) but had a wry chuckle at his retreating back. oh i am a smug Brit ;)

katie, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Some ATs on the tube once heading towards Oxford Circus seemed to be under the impression they were going to Oxford. Ha ha. But you have to feel sorry for them really cos they always seem to end up eating in Angus Steakhouses then moan about our food.

Emma, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I am intensely curious about Angus Steakhouses. Has anyone ever been in one? Is it like travelling back to the 70s? I have seen the menu. They still offer fruit juice as a starter and a sweet trolley for pudding. My ph34r of them is crisp.

RickyT, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

and there are more angus steak houses than one's actually called "Angus Steak House". with the red velveteen decor style thing. there's a variety of names, like the variations in the name of KFC that you get. Is there a huge legal dispute going on? Or are they all owned by the same red-velvet sofa-making empire as a way to offload stock?

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Aberdeen Steak Houses too, but they appear to be identical. I am disturbed by them.

RickyT, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

that (and others)'s the bunny.

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

there's Angus Steak Houses and Aberdeen Steak Houses, and they have identical signs etc, but i think are owned by different companies. both pretty expensive if you've ever looked at a menu, too

michael, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

(too slow!)
i remember some broadsheet restaurant reviewer reviewing one once that was quite interesting to read what they are actually like. prawn cocktail starters! black forest gateau for dessert!

michael, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

There is a place like this in St Johns Wood which is apparently raking it in by catering to elderly foax fed up of all these young persons Trendy Bars. A big feature is CRISP LINEN k-rah.

Sarah, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

blimey, read these reviews of those Angus Steak Houses, particularly the second one...

michael, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

People in Angus / wherever Steakhouses always look so sad, not like they are having a meal out whilst on holiday at all.

Emma, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Aberdeen Angus STeakhouses = owner by Turkish Mafia.

Turkish Kebab Houses on Green Lanes = owned by Scottish Mafia.

If it wasn't true you'd have to make it up.

Pete, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

If it wasn't true you'd have to make it up

I'm going to hazard a guess that you went for the second option. as per.

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Best thing ever said by southern American tourist (overheard) part 497:

"Well, honey, we ain't lost: we just don't know where the Hell we are!"

suzy, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Bah. All I can say is that British tourists in New Orleans are just as bad as the domestic ones. The worst are the German and Israeli tourists--they (more than most) tend to be extremely rude to the service-class types (ie me), plus they dress funny.

adam, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

American tourists in Ireland are funny sometimes because they ask for a pint of "Guyness". Also when the barman pulls it and he's leaving it to settle, they piss off with it before it's finished often, and I imagine this does nothing for the taste of what is already a disgusting soup like broth. So AMERICAN ILXERS, WAIT FOR YOUR GUYNESS.

Sorry I'm sure it's not all American tourists, I've just seen it happen alot.

Ronan, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Guinness - the only drink which takes two minutes to go off - which is why they hold it back from you because Guinness is also the only drink which tastes better when it has gone off.

Pete, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

that's odd, Ronan, we drink a lot of guiness over here, and generally know to let it sit. but we do have our ugly american image to uphold! ;-)

Ron, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

see I can't even spell it right

Ron, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

holidays - breadth vs. depth

both! i want it all dammit! we are going to make this train! yaaa-hooo!!

Amerikan, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

ow the fuck else do ya pronounce leicester?

Queen G, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Lester.

Emma, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

time for me to bring up the aussie that pronounced Loughborough as Loogabaroo

gareth, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I like it when American tourists complain abt the lack of air conditioning on our 'subways'... they need Dave Q to tell them they are now in a third world country etc. etc.

Andrew L, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Actually they are right on that one. The tube does need air conditioning.

*ducks*

Anna, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Welwyn Garden City"

so we're looking at hadrians wall this morning then the lake district in the afternoon, down to london tomorrow for two days then around to stonehenge and the white cliffs of Dover. Is there anything on the isle of white?

I have ridiculous Brian-inspired plan to do all of America this way. I feel it may be a stupid idea.

Graham, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Katie you do realize how American-ly arrogant it is to expect people to figure out how to pronounce something as cryptically spelled as Leicester? You will get your comeuppance when you go to Madagascar and can't figure out Antananarivo.

Nitsuh, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

it is pronounced as it looks nitsuh

mark s, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Americans are pretty good tippers. British tourists are terrible tippers. Both are nice and friendly enough most of the time, that's the only difference.

fritz, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Mark, does that mean that in the UK, leices is more?

Dan Perry, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

leices = feathersmonehore

mark s, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I don't think that's true, Mark. They don't pronounce vowels at the ends of words and often don't bother at the beginning or in the middle either. Thus Antananarivo is "Tananariv" and "Merina" is "Mern" but then say "Ambatoloaka" is "Ambatoolook" which anyway is short for "Andrianampoinimerinandriantsimitoviaminandriampanjaka" (seriously) which is pronounced "Phil" (not seriously).

Nitsuh, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

You have given me the fear. *fears*

I like the American tourists as long as they KEEP WALKING

I have done my best in this regard. Brit ILxers who have met me can confirm or deny.

I have a deep-seated LOATHING of being the typical American tourist abroad. I will fight against being this way as I can. I will probably fail nonetheless. But this explains why I don't go with tour groups, why I like going to places where I know people already via the Net, hurrah, why I generally avoid 'the sights' in place of hanging around with said people having other fun, etc.

Ned Raggett, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Andrianampoinimerinandriantsimitoviaminandriampanjaka" = the new name of my band!

geeta, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I love being an American tourist :) who wants to let me embarrass myself and you? i'd be glad to if it meant free fare to england!

Maria, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

we're thinking of all these great tricks we can play on ned when he comes to NZ! mis-directing american tourists to Dead C. shows & stuff, yeah what endless possibilites for hilarious larks.

duane, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Help help! I now must fear.

Ned Raggett, Monday, 8 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

twelve years pass...

"What is High Line?"
"It's not obligatory. "

calstars, Monday, 25 August 2014 22:02 (nine years ago) link

yuppie catwalk

Iago Galdston, Monday, 25 August 2014 23:47 (nine years ago) link

things i have heard about american tourists:

-we make ourselves obvious by wearing sneakers in non-athletic situations
-we dress super-casual in general and this makes us look like slobs
-we're very loud and confident (lol american exceptionalism) and sometimes friendly to the point where it makes people uncomfortable
-because of our largely suburban, car-centric population, when we go to compact cities we're always IN THE FUCKING WAY of foot traffic, on escalators, etc.

Rihannamator (get bent), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 03:50 (nine years ago) link

(addendum: i went to a festival this weekend where half the kids were from san diego and the rich parts of orange county and these people had no fucking idea how to just WALK. to keep the flow of traffic moving or get the hell out of the way.)

Rihannamator (get bent), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 03:54 (nine years ago) link

It's not just American tourists who wear sneakers. Have you seen the Europeans? Sneakers per capita in a one block radius around the museum of natural history is off the charts

calstars, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 04:04 (nine years ago) link

Americans are always ready to spring into action. Can't imagine what I'd so if I were at some national monument and suddenly had to run somewhere in a pair of oxfords. No ventilation in those things.

how's life, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 10:08 (nine years ago) link

two of my favourite American Tourist Urban Myth stories have actually come true! once in Cambridge, someone asked me where the University was and i had to Explain.

Please explain, where is the University?

how's life, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 12:04 (nine years ago) link

The university is made up of a number of separate colleges all over the city.

Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 12:07 (nine years ago) link

gotcha.

how's life, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 12:10 (nine years ago) link

Oxford is the same way too. urban myths must be thin on the ground in Cambridge

rob, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 12:10 (nine years ago) link

I used to get tourists asking how to get to Annapolis all the time, and I'd always answer "you're here" until they said, or at least attempted to say, the words "Naval Academy". 'cause screw you militarists, it's a beautiful town with a hell of a lot more going on than that place.

Three Word Username, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:00 (nine years ago) link

Nice.

how's life, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:08 (nine years ago) link

It would be hard to resist the temptation to redirect them up West Street and make them drive around the mall or something.

how's life, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:09 (nine years ago) link

Send 'em up Clay Street.

Three Word Username, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:31 (nine years ago) link

-because of our largely suburban, car-centric population, when we go to compact cities we're always IN THE FUCKING WAY of foot traffic, on escalators, etc.

― Rihannamator (get bent), Tuesday, August 26, 2014 3:50 AM (9 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

This is certainly true of non-city dwelling American tourists visiting American cities.

carl agatha, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:32 (nine years ago) link

american tourists don't believe in queues is my personal experience

nakh is the wintour of our diss content (darraghmac), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:34 (nine years ago) link

I got out of a BART in San Francisco and there was this neat, orderly line of people going up the escalator.

And my first thought was WHAT IS THIS SHIT?

pplains, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:41 (nine years ago) link

also - use of the word 'sneakers'

Scary Darey (dog latin), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:43 (nine years ago) link

What if we're wearing these.

http://vagrantsneaker.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/hal-reebok-pair-1.jpg

pplains, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:44 (nine years ago) link

This thread is relevant to my interests since we're going to Australia in December.

Last time I was there, I was such a poor Amerikan tourist, one of the waitresses thought I was Canadian.

pplains, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:47 (nine years ago) link

^^^same thing happened to my family in australia, ppl seemed disappointed we were not canadian when they found out

dan m, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 13:58 (nine years ago) link

While in Mexico, I was frequently mistaken for being Canadian, which never failed to make me irrationally offended.

mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 14:07 (nine years ago) link

Oh hell, they thought I was a Texan when I went to Mexico, which offended me greatly.

pplains, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 15:46 (nine years ago) link

also - use of the word 'sneakers'

i know, i even felt self-conscious about typing that, but "trainers" would make me feel weirder yet.

Rihannamator (get bent), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 21:21 (nine years ago) link

theres no way the average australian could tell americans from (anglo) canadians, that is either a knowing reference to the 'conscientous/guilty americans abroad pretend to be canadian' demograpic or learning from experience that americans mistaken for canadians are less likely to be upset than canadians mistaken for americans

Nothing less than the Spirit of the Age (nakhchivan), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 21:29 (nine years ago) link

Tons of Deutsche tourists in NYC

calstars, Tuesday, 26 August 2014 21:48 (nine years ago) link

^^^same thing happened to my family in australia, ppl seemed disappointed we were not canadian when they found out

― dan m, Tuesday, August 26, 2014 1:58 PM (9 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Tbf they might as well BE Canadian.

Orson Wellies (in orbit), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 23:52 (nine years ago) link

many xposts: weird that american tourists don't form queues when travelling because they sure as hell like lining up for no reason when they're at home

SEEMS TO ME (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 26 August 2014 23:55 (nine years ago) link

pleasant plains, you should visit the darling downs when you're in australia.

estela, Wednesday, 27 August 2014 00:01 (nine years ago) link

learning from experience that americans mistaken for canadians are less likely to be upset than canadians mistaken for americans

Maybe. I would've figured she guessed American since the odds would have been in her favor, but good point.

pleasant plains, you should visit the darling downs when you're in australia.

It looks like a nice verdant area with plenty of - wait, this is about my username, isn't it?

pplains, Wednesday, 27 August 2014 00:34 (nine years ago) link

loool estela

SEEMS TO ME (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 27 August 2014 00:59 (nine years ago) link

there are surely worse places to go than this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/BunyaMtns-SW.jpg

otherwise, wikipedia suggests the darling downs are a place where 'blokes' might live, and where more 'traditional' australian values might predominate

Nothing less than the Spirit of the Age (nakhchivan), Wednesday, 27 August 2014 01:01 (nine years ago) link

Sounds a lot like Pleasant Plains then.

pplains, Wednesday, 27 August 2014 01:16 (nine years ago) link


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