What's with Italians?

This topic was created by lw
[Sat 15 May, 13:34 Tasmanian Standard Time]

It used to be the "ugly Americans" and I'm sure they
probably deserved it...(I am an American), however I must
say the Italian groups I have run into in my travels
throughout the middle east have been the loudest most
inconsiderate, self centered, egotistal group of people I
have ever encountered.
I realize one is on thin ice when making generalizations,
but I having observed a lot of groups during my travels
I have yet seen any group of people so consistant in their
poor behavior.
I have also found the German groups not terribly popular.
Now that I have ripped the Italians and Germans I'll be
nice.
My nominees.
Best travelers...easy winners..Australians..their cool
without even trying.
Dutch..Very nice friendly people.
Swiss and French...haven't run into groups but individually
very nice.
Japanese...never mind. love those umbrellas.
I'm sure I'll get a lot of disagreement on this subject but
hey that's what makes the world go round.
I didn't comment on Americans because quite frankly I have
seen very few if any American tour groups...basically
Americans tend to be pretty cowardly when it comes to
travel in the middle east. A friggen camel is shot and
they cancel their trip.

[There are 9 posts - the latest was added on Thu 20 May, 20:46]

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  1. The group syndrome Added by: Yudhisthira
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 17:26 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Well, I guess
    I have to apologize for the italians. Being loathed is a new
    feeling, as usually being italian is just... well, trendy.
    In reality I agree with you: most of the italians abroad are
    a nuisance. They tend to travel in packs, don't speak the
    language nor understand the culture, and try to shout as
    loud as possible to
    a) show that they are italian so they are not shot by being
    mistaken for americans
    b) show that they are italian so that girls (or so they
    think) are going to be impressed by the melodious sound of
    their language.
    Anyway, I hope that you know that mine, and yours, are just
    generalizations. There are also a lot of nice italian
    travellers: mostly small group of girls that you meet in
    Belize or en route to Kashgar (I am a man, btw).
    Y.



  2. all groups are a pain! Added by: tj
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 21:38 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    All tour groups are a pain, they spoil your shots, talk too
    loud and can take over any historical site or
    restaurant within ten seconds of getting off the bus. Unles
    you are too old to travel independently I just don't get it.
    Being an Australian living in the Middle East thanks for the
    compliment, but I've run into groups of Aussies that
    embarass me so much I pretend I don't speak English.
    BTW you may not run into too many American tour groups here,
    but you do run into a few Canadian groups with New York and
    Southern accents...go figure (as they say).



  3. The French Added by: Miki
    [Timestamp: Mon 17 May, 7:02 Tasmanian Standard Time]


    My vote goes to the French. Here we were a bunch of
    Americans, Canadians, Brits and Aussies out in Wadi Rum
    enjoying the sunset when a bunch of very loud, older French
    folks spoiled it by talking on and on forever. I guess all
    of us were too polite and their guide a total moron to tell
    them that a little peace and quiet would go a long way to
    everyone enjoying it.



  4. Germans Added by: Mark Hunt
    [Timestamp: Mon 17 May, 20:11 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    No - the bloody Germans are the rudest, loudest, most
    aggressive, ugliest, badly dressed territorial people in the
    world.



  5. There is no single nationality Added by: Jo (kiwi_josee@yahoo.com)
    [Timestamp: Mon 17 May, 21:54 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    In my opinion, all groups are a pain - there is no such thing as one with better nationalities, etc. I have met nice Italian travellers, nice French travellers, nice English travellers, nice anything travellers - individually. Its just when any travellers are in a group, they collectively turn into the most obnoxious, unpleasant, rudest, inconsiderate and selfish travellers available.



  6. The French Added by: vv
    [Timestamp: Mon 17 May, 23:40 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    My vote for the most self centered travellers (tourists):
    the French. I actually wonder why the travel (play tourist).
    They look down on any culture that was 'founded' by them,
    the only speak one language (guess which) and are surprised
    that other people do not understand their incredibly refined
    and superior language. (this goes for francophones outside
    France too). Nagging, nagging, nagging, how boring they are.



  7. How to annoy French Added by: .
    [Timestamp: Tue 18 May, 8:39 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    It is always fun to tell French folk to 'speak a world
    language like English or Cantonese'. This is best reserved
    for the older ones. As to groups, Aussies in Bali, Brits in
    Goa, Israelies everywhere - they are never a pleasant
    sight.



  8. ITALIANS Added by: Luis
    [Timestamp: Tue 18 May, 9:12 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    OHHH Don't make me remember agroup of f*&*%# italians that
    were sticking their nails into the stone carvings at Angkor
    Wat in Cambodia...I insulted them in Spanish and I hope they
    understood a well told "HIJO DE PUTA"



  9. ENGLISH Added by: Bellydancer
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 20:46 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Surely the whole point of travelling is to broaden your mind
    from your own limited culture, unfortunately way to many
    people go on holiday to confirm to themselves that their own
    culture is the best on offer. I am English and think that
    meeting English people abroad is one of the most unpleasant
    experiences of travelling. (There are always exceptions, of
    course and individual people from all countries that makes
    travelling a delight and the best way to live.)




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