"Ugly Traveler" Experience
Has anyone ever experienced the "Ugly Traveler" and it turned out to be your own Mother/family? Examples...
1. Argued with a waiter very loudly
2. Talked very loud on the metro
3. Sat on tapestries displayed at flea market
4. Told another waiter she would rather if he spoke English to her
5. Took her sweater off in church and had only a sleeveless shirt
6. Broke a cup in the apartment we rented and refused to pay for it
7. Yelled at those people trying to get you to sign their paper and they yelled back!
8. Used her flash in museums because it took better pictures
9. Exited from the entrance and told them she would do what she wanted
10. Feed the pigeons where people were eating
11. Demanded ice and lots of it
12. Never mind what she said to family....
stacey
lafayette 5/7/11
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@Nukesafe - I wanted to leave my mom in the Paris Metro. My husband quickly learned "belle-mère" (mother-in-law) on this trip.
I remember reading something from a couple of years ago where a guy was attempting to take a large bottle of holy water through security when returning to the U.S. from his European vacation – he was denied and decided to drink it right there instead of checking his bag and taking said holy water back to his friends and family as intended. I wonder if it worked.
It's funny how people can be totally insane and then become completely normal when threatened. If you had seriously threatened to ditch her or put her on the next taxi to CDG, she would have straightened out enough in a hurry (if she thought you to be serious) so that you could have enjoyed the rest of your trip. If not, you could have made good on your promise, although I'm not sure about that throwing mama from the boat bit. Either way, the trip would have gotten better. IMO, the moral of the story is to NOT invite freaky weird relatives, friends, or acquaintances, including weird parents or in-laws, to anything important to you or your immediate family, EVER. It's not worth it. Let them be freaky weird all by themselves on their own time. I can imagine you had a lot of unnecessary angst and stress even before your trip, worrying about what mama will be like. Don't do it next time...put down the phone and back away slowly...don't invite her ever again. You'll be much happier. This thread really has more to do with a weird, controlling, selfish mother than with Ugly Americans, but it's been fun!
I guess my wording was not clear, Jo. No, I did not throw her over the rail. I did mean the threat, at that instant, though. The woman was really on a tear at being horrid, and at that juncture not only was the success of the cruise in jeopardy, but the survival of my marriage, I thought.
Of course, if Bernice went for a swim I suppose my dear Wife might have had some sharp words for me.
On a semi-related note: When I was a spry teen I took my parents to one of my fave high school lunch hangouts (for dinner, of course), a Cuban restaurant. My dad, who's been around the world with the Navy, wanted to order flan for dessert. Expect he pronounced it like it rhymes with fan. I told him it's pronounced flawn, but he insisted he was correct as he's "been to Spain"...Anyways, he ordered it, and the waitress had no idea what he was talking about. After a few awkward seconds I told her he wanted "flawn", and for the next 5 minutes he insisted that the Cuban lady didn't know what she was doing, while I put both hands on my head in embarrassment.
When planning my study abroad trip my mother couldn't understand why I wouldn't bring khakis. I tried explaining to her that they're not commonly worn in Europe as dressy clothes: She then told me I could show them a thing or two about fashion. It was HILARIOUS!
EDIT:
Let me rephrase that, in non-Mediterranean France. Hope that makes someone feel better, as they felt the need to shoot me off a snide message. It's amazing what some people here feel the need to send you as a message. I find that "HILARIOUS"!
@Alexander: You dare insult the khaki pant which is worn by Rick Steves himself and, therefore, by many of his most devoted followers? GASP!
If you want to see something funny, take a moment to watch some of the short video clips currently on this website produced by ETBD and featuring Rick researching his Italy guide or hopping about the rest of Europe wearing his trademark khakis & shapeless windbreaker. You will notice that everyone who stops to shake his hand and talk to him on the street after they recognize him is a khaki-wearing North American, yet just about every single European he interacts with (whether it's the hotel owners, merchants and vendors, farmer standing in the road, or some local guide he picked to show him the city) is wearing a pair of jeans (which is also highly controversial subject matter on this board if you attempt to recommend packing 1 pair in your 21" carry-on).
About a year ago, Rick was photographed in a pair of dark jeans and a fitted jacket. He must have received death threats from some of his fan base, because it seems he has once again returned to khaki-colored roots.
I think Rick Steves is great - he's built a fantastic travel empire for himself and he's helped thousands of people embrace travel. Whether the guy wears khakis or jeans (which, FYI, he looked great in), he's still terrific.
I don't think Rick would find it cool that the Khaki Police are sending snippy private messages to anyone that doesn't subscribe to "the uniform". If someone doesn't have the cojones to say it on the board where it's public, then it shouldn't be said period. No need to harrass someone with a PM because you don't like that their opinion varies from yours.
Ceidleh,
I thought I was the only one to notice all of that! LOL Thanks for stepping to the plate. :) True, jeans certainly aren't perfect for the backpacking tourist. I always wore a pair of nice jeans, which could either go as casual or dressy (depending on the shirt). (What a great post, Ceidleh!)
There's nothing wrong with looking like a tourist, since that's what many of us are. Though, I always tried to blend in. It took some time learning how to be a chameleon, but in the end of my longstay living in France I didn't encounter any Frenchman that would try to practice their English with me---and to me, that felt really good.
interesting topic....
I am visiting family in Germany in Aug/Sept 2012. My father's side is old German Aristocratic family. We are going to the family reunion. I, personally, have to mentally prepare myself and my wife about etiquette.
I have a daughter from a previous marriage. As much as I would love for her to visit Europe and meet family. She does not have the social skills to deal with the culture AS OF YET.
Stacey,
I laughed & laughed when I read this page--no disrespect intended! Most of us can relate to it & maybe know people who would do something like that. Hope you have had some wonderful travels since then! And have some good companions when you want travel company....
"I have a daughter from a previous marriage. As much as I would love for her to visit Europe and meet family. She does not have the social skills to deal with the culture AS OF YET."
Wow, hoi polloi.
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