<p>I just went to Spain as well, and I noticed the same behavior. I usually insisted (though subtly) that the people speak Spanish with me. I did also notice that I received much friendlier attention when I was in a smaller group than with a larger group. I think the problem isn’t so much that we’re Americans, but that we’re tourists. </p>
<p>There was one time when I broke all the rules of my group and went shopping by myself, and it was one of the best experiences I had on the trip. I look convincingly Spanish, and I can speak the language reasonably well, and I noticed that the store clerks treated me very well, compared to the nasty looks I received when with a bunch of other loud Americans.</p>
<p>I never felt embarrassed myself about being American, but I felt embarrassed about the others in my group that were not respecting the culture to the best of their abilities. One gets much more out of a trip abroad when one can appreciate the culture.</p>
<p>And about the language barrier: I noticed that in Europe, people are addressed in English whether they look like they would speak English or not. I was next to two South Asian men (perhaps Indian or Indonesian) who spoke next to no English. But since they didn’t look German (origin of airline), the flight attendant always addressed them in English. It’s just a language that everyone knows a little and can use in emergency situations. It really wouldn’t be difficult to pick up enough of even Japanese to get around within the country. The language barrier is nearly non-existent after the initial politeness and nature of the transaction has been established.</p>
<p>Embarrased? No
I went to spain and most of the time people did speak spanish to us, I never felt that people didn’t like Americans either. How did the people on the street know you were American? At most of the restaurants we went to, we spoke english to the waiters, and we spoke spanish when we needed to. As long as you dont act like an ignorant American, I dont see how you could have problems</p>
<p>This is why I’d never travel abroad with a really big group.</p>
<p>My mom said recently that she would pay for me to go to Italy once I graduate from college, so I figure I have four years to learn Italian. I also want to go maybe with one or two of my friends, but I’d never go in a large group.</p>
<p>@JBVirtuoso - Yeah, I felt more of the coldness in the larger group. In small groups it was more subtle, but in the large group people labeled us as obnoxious tourists more frequently and were less likely to be polite.</p>
<p>@PShap - My friends and I looked pretty conspicuous walking down the streets of Spain: All four of us are at least 5’6", three of us are blonde (not that there aren’t blonde Spaniards), and we were all wearing the American uniform of T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. It also couldn’t have helped that we were conversing in English together and that we weren’t always in tourist-heavy areas. </p>
<p>I hope we weren’t acting like ignorant Americans. At least, we tried not to act like that, conscious of how obnoxious that stereotype is. We kept our voices down, spoke Spanish whenever possible, etc.</p>
<p>My tour director advised us to not wear T-shirts with words, and I took that a step further to not wear American-looking sneakers or other such fashions. The first step to being accepted in another country is to not stick out like a sore thumb. I also wore the clothes I bought there, since I knew those would be fine.</p>
<p>When you converse in English, it’s best to keep it down quiet, and speak more quickly. That way, foreigners are less likely to overhear things. This is also very handy in the areas that are notorious for pickpockets and gypsy scammers. Really, this happens naturally if you want to make a difference. Just make sure you don’t point at things, obnoxiously pull out your camera, or start laughing really loudly about something you see.</p>
<p>We have done some wayyyyyyyyyyyyy shady things in our history that make it hard to be proud of this country, but then again I shouldn’t feel ashamed for something I have no control over.</p>
<p>I have never felt embarrassed to feel American, and I never will. I will always be proud. Why should I worry about the perceptions of Europeans and the like?</p>
<p>To go through our history and pick out mistakes our nations has made is a ridiculous exercise. We are a beacon of freedom and opportunity that the world has strived to follow, and we have been the most consistently moral and just nation the world has seen. Some of you international-minded liberals will roll your eyes, but I believe it is natural to feel a sense of patriotism for your country.</p>
<p>Every country has done shady things, and in my opinion, most countries have histories far darker than that of the US. Like I said, I’m not embarrassed to BE an American, but I don’t appreciate the all the cultural insensitivity occurring on both sides of the coin.</p>
<p>The “average American” has a pretty bad rep outside the US, especially in Europe. As long as you don’t follow the stereotypes and act respectfully, no one will bother you.</p>
<p>I was for a long time. But Barack Obama has made me not just not embarrassed…he’s made me actually proud. The minute he’s elected president, I’m going to start bragging about it.</p>
<p>I have been ashamed of small parts, like the fact it took so long to get women rights and to abolish slavery. But, overall, I am glad to be an American. We are, without a doubt, the strongest, most powerful, richest county on Earth. Not that I have anything against other countries, but it is true. However, Canada does seem nice, but I am afraid it might be a little overrated.</p>
<p>Except Europeans will still hate us. Don’t you realize? Conservatism is chic right now. They’ve just elected Sarkozy in France and Berlusconi in Italy, and lets not forget Angela Merkel of Germany. </p>
<p>lol I don’t think you can win southeasttitan.</p>
<p>As an aside, I have to say my distaste for Obama is growing day by day.</p>
<p>I’ve always been proud to be from America - Italian guys even to prefer American girsl! [errr.. as noted during my recent excursion in Italy XD]</p>
<p>But really, I’ve never been embarrassed of it.</p>
<p>The reason Americans are treated so in foreign countries (esp. France) is because the Americans they see DO act like arrogant you-know-whats. I work in the tourism industry in Hawaii and I see it here too. Families of loud, obnoxious, rich Americans demand things be how they want and show no regard for any other way. It’s like they try to change the country into a mini-america rather than experience what the untouched area has to offer. Foreigners resent the attitudes of the Americans who tend to attempt to force their beliefs on others. The kind, curious Americans who go to other countries try to hide the fact that they are american, so the only american people foreigners see in their countries are the obnoxious ones.</p>
<p>INVENIAMVIAM, I noticed that too. Many people prefer American girls, but I think that’s simply because they’re foreign. It’s much the same way that a lot of American girls like boys with British accents. (I don’t get it)</p>
I also want to go maybe with one or two of my friends, but I’d never go in a large group.</p>