Best and worst tourists

markopantelic

The French the most ignorant and close-minded while the Brits are the second best after Japanese.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8143780.stm

Cookie_Monster

markopantelic wrote: »

The French the most ignorant and close-minded

But we all knew that anyway

chin_grin

And we needed a survey for this fact?

Don't get me started on the Spanish.........grrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh! Gonna embed those quirky big shades in their skull the next one that gets in my way.

markopantelic

well no sign of 'everybody loves us'(ireland) on the list.

buynow

Full list we were beaten by italians!

http://press.expedia.co.uk/press-releases/2009/holidaying-brits-worst-behaved-in-europe.aspx

PeterLT

Was in Paris this year, nobody spoke english (exept hotel receptionists and one bus driver) so I agree with french being arrogant.

nibtrix

Interesting that while Brits are seen as the 2nd best in the world they are worst behaved in Europe. Probably goes to show the general difference between those who travel long-haul and those who go on the traditional sun holiday or drinking holiday...

chin_grin

PeterLT wrote: »

Was in Paris this year, nobody spoke english (exept hotel receptionists and one bus driver) so I agree with french being arrogant.

That must be the most retarded thing I've read all day. Jesus, at least learn a few phrases just so you don't look like an eejit!

IvyTheTerrible

PeterLT wrote: »

Was in Paris this year, nobody spoke english (exept hotel receptionists and one bus driver) so I agree with french being arrogant.

You do know that they speak French in France?

How many people in Ireland speak foreign languages for the tourists?

markopantelic

perhaps a mod could change the title to the irish' 19th worst touritsts' wonder where we come in the fashion stakes? lol.

cherryghost

the french really are up their own arses. i've only met one nice french person and he was half japanese. no joke.

chin_grin

cherryghost wrote: »

the french really are up their own arses. i've only met one nice french person and he was half japanese. no joke.

Frapanese, sounds like something Starbucks would sell.

(Couldn't derive anything from "Jench").

PeterLT

chin_grin wrote: »

That must be the most retarded thing I've read all day. Jesus, at least learn a few phrases just so you don't look like an eejit!

Well, French language is very awkward for me. And if I'd speak to you in other language than English, asking for help or needing some directions you would call me a retard and eejit? Thanks, you're very helpfull man...

davyjose

chin_grin wrote: »

That must be the most retarded thing I've read all day. Jesus, at least learn a few phrases just so you don't look like an eejit!

Yeah try this: le fromage eating surrendére monkey

IvyTheTerrible

cherryghost wrote: »

the french really are up their own arses. i've only met one nice french person and he was half japanese. no joke.

I live in France, and there are about the same proportion of people up their own arses as back home. In fact, the majority I have met are lovely and laid back. (But then, this is the south, and they tell me Parisians are horrible :rolleyes: )

davyjose

chin_grin wrote: »

Frapanese, sounds like something Starbucks would sell.

(Couldn't derive anything from "Jench").

Japarench?

Ruu_Old

Module 4: Learning French for trips abroad! (NSFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxeTcRLBUyU

markopantelic

Parisiens feel the rest of France are made up of rural inbred hicks.

PeterLT

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

You do know that they speak French in France?

How many people in Ireland speak foreign languages for the tourists?

No, I thought they speak Welsh... And the fact that people can't help tourists speaking other language than English makes them great?

IvyTheTerrible

markopantelic wrote: »

Parisiens feel the rest of France are made up of rural inbred hicks.

Why does that sort of sentiment seem familiar to me? Hmmmmmm...

chin_grin

PeterLT wrote: »

Well, French language is very awkward for me. And if I'd speak to you in other language than English, asking for help or needing some directions you would call me a retard and eejit? Thanks, you're very helpfull man...

davyjose wrote: »

Yeah try this: le fromage eating surrendére monkey

Facepalm. My point was that you going to a place that speaks a foreign language and talking to everyone in YOUR foreign language (to them) makes you look like an imbecile. So of course they'll seem rude and obnoxious.

Please let me point you in this direction: (with mp3's so you can get the pronunciation right)

http://www.ielanguages.com/french1.html

Enjoy.

(and no I don't speak fluent French, I'd like it that if I went to a foreign country I'd like to say "thank you" or "please" to the person....y'know courtesy)

IvyTheTerrible

PeterLT wrote: »

No, I thought they speak Welsh... And the fact that people can't help tourists speaking other language than English makes them great?

Well obviously not. But you can't go to a country that doesn't have English as a first language and expect everyone to speak it to you. There are basic phrases in every guidebook. And if people see you at least trying (even if you mangle it) they'll be a lot more willing to try to mangle English too.

aoibhebree

markopantelic wrote: »

well no sign of 'everybody loves us'(ireland) on the list.

Hmm, why would that be?

PeterLT wrote: »

Was in Paris this year, nobody spoke english (exept hotel receptionists and one bus driver) so I agree with french being arrogant.

Maybe that's why!!

You expect them to speak English to you in France, and you're calling them arrogant??

PeterLT

chin_grin wrote: »

Enjoy.

(and no I don't speak fluent French, I'd like it that if I went to a foreign country I'd like to say "thank you" or "please" to the person....y'know courtesy)

Good man, thanks. Actually I'm prety good with foreign languages and I know simple words like Merci, Bonjur, Parle Ingles (sp?). My point was (I should elaborate my previous post) nobody spoke English after Bonjur Mesje, Madam. Parle Ingles? I sustained an injury and had to speak about it ER and I'll repeat my self - nobody spoke english. It's very easy to give advices now when you weren't there. Next time in French ER I'll take my laptop and visit this link you provided. Thanks

netwhizkid

Is it just me or are Americans suddenly likeable again since "loud black woman voice" OBAMA came to power? If so people are such hypocrites to hold there leader of their country against people. Irish tourists would then be classed of some sort of sub-human degenerates if that was the case.

PeterLT

aoibhebree wrote: »

Hmm, why would that be?



Maybe that's why!!

I'm not Irish.

TwoShedsJackson

So the French are ignorant and loath to speak another language!!! News at 11.

PeterLT

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

There are basic phrases in every guidebook. And if people see you at least trying (even if you mangle it) they'll be a lot more willing to try to mangle English too.

Totally agree with this attitude. Unfortunatelly it wasn't what happened in my case...

aoibhebree

PeterLT wrote: »

Good man, thanks. Actually I'm prety good with foreign languages and I know simple words like Merci, Bonjur, Parle Ingles (sp?). My point was (I should elaborate my previous post) nobody spoke English after Bonjur Mesje, Madam. Parle Ingles? I sustained an injury and had to speak about it ER and I'll repeat my self - nobody spoke english. It's very easy to give advices now when you weren't there. Next time in French ER I'll take my laptop and visit this link you provided. Thanks

But if, say, you were working in a hospital, and a French person walked in and explained to you in broken English that they couldn't speak any more English, it's not going to suddenly make you be able to speak French, no matter how polite they are! You can't call them arrogant because they're not able to speak your language!

chin_grin

PeterLT wrote: »

Good man, thanks. Actually I'm prety good with foreign languages and I know simple words like Merci, Bonjur, Parle Ingles (sp?). My point was (I should elaborate my previous post) nobody spoke English after Bonjur Mesje, Madam. Parle Ingles? I sustained an injury and had to speak about it ER and I'll repeat my self - nobody spoke english. It's very easy to give advices now when you weren't there. Next time in French ER I'll take my laptop and visit this link you provided. Thanks

You should've typed that before sounding like just another tourist. You know information is power.

Suppose if I was in that position I'd be annoyed and make a crass generalisation too.

latenia

In my own vast experience, the worst tourists are middle-aged, middle-England Daily Mail/Daily Express readers. It's like they go away soley so they can complain and reinforce their prejudices. The best are Spanish and Italians. Americans are fine but they expect way too much for their money.

PeterLT

aoibhebree wrote: »

But if, say, you were working in a hospital, and a French person walked in and explained to you in broken English that they couldn't speak any more English, it's not going to suddenly make you be able to speak French, no matter how polite they are! You can't call them arrogant because they're not able to speak your language!

Yep, of course I couldn't make me speak French (though, I would be great)

I have said that french, IMO are arrogant, because they even didn't bother to speak with me in English. I have been in Spain (Mainland and Islands), Portugal, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland and had no problems with local people at least try to speak language I speak, hence there is my opinion on French...

Maybe I was unlucky and met people who were having a bad day, but still, my impresion on French people was like this and I won't change it.

I know this attitude and have experienced it before, despite fact of being extremely pleasant and trying to make first contact in language used in the country I visited... For example Estonia. If you'll ask directions in Russian, there's big big possibility you'll be directed wrong way. True fact

PeterLT

chin_grin wrote: »

You should've typed that before sounding like just another tourist. You know information is power.

Suppose if I was in that position I'd be annoyed and make a crass generalisation too.

True...

*note to myself - elaborate your posts after early booze...*

TripleAce

I think Liechtenstanian, Vaticanian, San Marinian, Luxemburgesians and Vanuatuan are pretty cool tourist also. Not sure why they don't appear in the list.

the_syco

Interesting. The english site puts the British yobs as better than the Irish. You have to wonder where they go to get this view?

patchybaby

im a hote receptiopnist and i gotta say that the french are bad....i would know basic german,a little spanish and very basic french, the french just expect me to talk french,when i tell them i don't speak french they just keep talking over me......i won't say it's an isolated incident either...most of them do it. The americans are ok although they do expect a lot things to be standard.....the english can be hard work to....they just DO NOT LIKE the auld euro x

Pop's Diner

netwhizkid wrote: »

Is it just me or are Americans suddenly likeable again since "loud black woman voice" OBAMA came to power? If so people are such hypocrites to hold there leader of their country against people. Irish tourists would then be classed of some sort of sub-human degenerates if that was the case.

Yeah it's just you. I think if they had actually even got BIFFO as US President in replacement for that bumbling idiot W we'd still feel more positive about the US than we had 12 months ago. So it's not the Obama Fator, it's the Thank Christ that Texan Maniac Is Finally Gone Factor.

Snowie

markopantelic wrote: »

The French the most ignorant and close-minded while the Brits are the second best after Japanese.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8143780.stm

The French arnt rude...

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

I live in France, and there are about the same proportion of people up their own arses as back home. In fact, the majority I have met are lovely and laid back. (But then, this is the south, and they tell me Parisians are horrible :rolleyes: )

I agree I lived in the south of france, over 2 and a half years most of them where lovely again I was in the south of france, but generally they where pretty cool

Parisians are allways going to be difficult to deal with from what I've found in the hospitality sector.... But it total never had a problem with them marsae people can be a bit odd at times....

so seconded..

Dionysus

PeterLT wrote: »

Was in Paris this year, nobody spoke english (exept hotel receptionists and one bus driver) so I agree with french being arrogant.

Why should they speak English when you are in their country? English speakers tend to go abroad with some seriously delusional notions about their greatness.

b28

I dont understand at all how brits rated high. Must be a fix!
The english are boring, maybe thats why the scored it, they're reserved people.

Overheal

i see this thread ending amicably.

Dionysus

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

So the French are ignorant and loath to speak another language!!! News at 11.

Which makes them totally different to the British and the Irish, of course, two great nations of open-minded polyglots indeed.

Dionysus

b28 wrote: »

I dont understand at all how brits rated high. Must be a fix!
The english are boring, maybe thats why the scored it, they're reserved people.

* Cough* *Cough* Then again they might have just overlooked English soccer fans as they go on tour....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTIwEo-W_xU (skip to 29 seconds and we see the charmers)

BlueSpiral

We met two Aussie guys in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago who had a pretty bad few of Irish people, particularly girls. View came from seeing some dishevelled Irish drunks wandering through Sydney in the middle of the night, high heels in hand and laughing at the top of their voices. Seems we aren't all great reps for our country. :pac:

DTrotter

BlueSpiral wrote: »

We met two Aussie guys in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago who had a pretty bad few of Irish people, particularly girls. View came from seeing some dishevelled Irish drunks wandering through Sydney in the middle of the night, high heels in hand and laughing at the top of their voices. Seems we aren't all great reps for our country. :pac:

Obviously classy English lasses pretending to be Irish, we're loved everywhere.

inforfun

PeterLT wrote: »

Yep, of course I couldn't make me speak French (though, I would be great)

I have said that french, IMO are arrogant, because they even didn't bother to speak with me in English. I have been in Spain (Mainland and Islands), Portugal, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland and had no problems with local people at least try to speak language I speak, hence there is my opinion on French...

Maybe I was unlucky and met people who were having a bad day, but still, my impresion on French people was like this and I won't change it.

I know this attitude and have experienced it before, despite fact of being extremely pleasant and trying to make first contact in language used in the country I visited... For example Estonia. If you'll ask directions in Russian, there's big big possibility you'll be directed wrong way. True fact

Parisians are a special breed. Even if you would have spoken near perfect French i wouldn't have been surprised if they had still ignored you.

But speaking Russian to Estonians..... You could also tell every Irish person he is British, every Dutch person that in fact he is German. Really not a good idea if you are looking for help.

b28

English are moaners and have no charisma. And all they do is get drunk, hang around in groups and try get girls WAY out of their league. They takeover a place.

DTrotter

b28 wrote: »

English are moaners and have no charisma. And all they do is get drunk, hang around in groups and try get girls WAY out of their league. They takeover a place.

They are unique in that regard, and they all support English football teams.

b28

DTrotter wrote: »

They are unique in that regard, and they all support English football teams.

my point was i think little of the GREAT british. They have a cheek to travel to prague and lure over the women. The women there are perfect nearly, brits should keep away. Brits aint gud enuf 4 them. Just a pity some countries werent as powerful as britain. The superpower status adds to their arrogance.

Heckler

inforfun wrote: »

Parisians are a special breed. Even if you would have spoken near perfect French i wouldn't have been surprised if they had still ignored you.

But speaking Russian to Estonians..... You could also tell every Irish person he is British, every Dutch person that in fact he is German. Really not a good idea if you are looking for help.

Never had any bother with Parisians. I just make a small effort in french and when they realise I can't speak it they just start speaking what english they can. That and a bit of pointing gets the job done. Same goes in other areas of France for me anyway.

An Fear Aniar

nibtrix wrote: »

Interesting that while Brits are seen as the 2nd best in the world they are worst behaved in Europe. Probably goes to show the general difference between those who travel long-haul and those who go on the traditional sun holiday or drinking holiday...

Yeah, exactly. European hoteliers see the beer and chips tourists while the rest of the world meet the upper middle class tourists.

.