There is this video about some American traveling and complaining that everywhere he goes people look at him with disgust and disdain. So there is that.
As an American white dude traveling full time, I haven’t really gotten any of this yet personally. I have sat next to some really loud Americans and felt irritated at them, but the same goes for the British lady who walked into a cafe I was in and loudly insisted they make her a sandwich that wasn’t on the menu.
Most people are kind and curious. Those who aren’t, regardless of nationality, are the ones who irritate the locals.
Of course, the world is big and I obviously haven’t been everywhere. In each place I have been to, though, learning a few words and being extra polite goes a long way. Locals welcome you and return the curiosity and respect.
Curious: As a Chinese American, is it technically possible for me to just… pretend to be a Chinese National (I’m talking about after getting through borders and putting away the US passport), and fake a Chinese accent when speaking English… and like “conceal” my American identity? (I can speak basic Mandarin btw)
Is it actually better? Since I heard that Chinese Tourists sometimes get hated on too…
Or since I speak Cantonese too, I could pretend to be a Hong Konger…
Or I could pretend to be from Taiwan… most people probably can’t tell anyways, its just the same Mandarin to them
I spent like 6 months in 雲南 and 18 in 台灣 but yeah i’m not familiar with 台山.
But for years afterwards people who i talked to would ask me about thailand, even a close friend took like 6 months to understand no, not thailand, somewhere else. I think most places you could speak cantonese and say you’re from cambodia and no one would bat an eyelid 😆
Depends where you are, but I’d advise against presenting as Chinese, chinese tourists have such a bad reputation sometimes you see signs like “no spitting in the dish sink” or “do not put toilet paper in dust bin” exclusively in chinese in hostels. Which indicates behavior expected of Chinese tourists
Across asia, I get curious looks rather than any hostility. I kinda wonder what the american was doing that drew so much attention, if they weren’t making it up for content.
imo speaking with an american accent wouldn’t even particularly call you out… i know a bunch of people that speak english as a second language that speak with at least somewhat of an american accent
I always introduce myself using my native birth country (always a fun talking point too!), never as an American. If prompted I’ll say I’m a New Yorker, but I refuse to represent that stain on the planet.
You’d be surprised how common it is to put toilet paper in provided bins instead of flushing! Lots of places in eastern Europe and South America, in my experience.
There is this video about some American traveling and complaining that everywhere he goes people look at him with disgust and disdain. So there is that.
As an American white dude traveling full time, I haven’t really gotten any of this yet personally. I have sat next to some really loud Americans and felt irritated at them, but the same goes for the British lady who walked into a cafe I was in and loudly insisted they make her a sandwich that wasn’t on the menu.
Most people are kind and curious. Those who aren’t, regardless of nationality, are the ones who irritate the locals.
Of course, the world is big and I obviously haven’t been everywhere. In each place I have been to, though, learning a few words and being extra polite goes a long way. Locals welcome you and return the curiosity and respect.
Curious: As a Chinese American, is it technically possible for me to just… pretend to be a Chinese National (I’m talking about after getting through borders and putting away the US passport), and fake a Chinese accent when speaking English… and like “conceal” my American identity? (I can speak basic Mandarin btw)
Is it actually better? Since I heard that Chinese Tourists sometimes get hated on too…
Or since I speak Cantonese too, I could pretend to be a Hong Konger…
Or I could pretend to be from Taiwan… most people probably can’t tell anyways, its just the same Mandarin to them
hmmm 🤔
If you say you’re from taiwan, i think many people will say, “oh i love thai food!” 😆
🤣
My ancestors are actually from Taishan. Not Taiwan, Taishan (台山).
But if I say that irl, nobody would know where that is lmfao.
(Guangdong Province… which is in Southern part of Mainland China)
I spent like 6 months in 雲南 and 18 in 台灣 but yeah i’m not familiar with 台山.
But for years afterwards people who i talked to would ask me about thailand, even a close friend took like 6 months to understand no, not thailand, somewhere else. I think most places you could speak cantonese and say you’re from cambodia and no one would bat an eyelid 😆
Depends where you are, but I’d advise against presenting as Chinese, chinese tourists have such a bad reputation sometimes you see signs like “no spitting in the dish sink” or “do not put toilet paper in dust bin” exclusively in chinese in hostels. Which indicates behavior expected of Chinese tourists
Across asia, I get curious looks rather than any hostility. I kinda wonder what the american was doing that drew so much attention, if they weren’t making it up for content.
imo speaking with an american accent wouldn’t even particularly call you out… i know a bunch of people that speak english as a second language that speak with at least somewhat of an american accent
Tell people you are canadian eh.
I always introduce myself using my native birth country (always a fun talking point too!), never as an American. If prompted I’ll say I’m a New Yorker, but I refuse to represent that stain on the planet.
E: I no longer live in the US either
You’d be surprised how common it is to put toilet paper in provided bins instead of flushing! Lots of places in eastern Europe and South America, in my experience.
I’m not really sure what this has to do with my comment
Oh, I think I just replied to the wrong comment by accident. My bad.
American and Chinese tourists are the two most hated tourists and it’s not even fucking close.
American because they are loud annoying impolite and destroy shit
Chinese because they are ignorant disgusting foul and destroy shit