Well, I’ve been treated most rudely in Los Angeles and Paris. I really don’t let it bother me much. I’m a pretty nice person and if someone slag’s me off it’s their loss, not mine. I’ll go merrily on my way, make friends, meet lots of nice people where ever I am. People who are rude are generally suffering under some serious delusions or they’re tremendously unhappy with something about themselves and their so-called lives. So? They’re probably rude to their own friends and family as well. The good news is that I don’t have to live with it. Garbage in, garbage out.

When people don't treat me with respect I just give them a wry smile followed by a loud ketchupy burp.

Steve..When referring to ugly americans,are you reflecting on your own image?

Steve, <BR>I'm a moderate and left the Republican party because of the vocalism from the right. But your ascertion that the election results was akin to a coup is flat our wrong. <BR><BR>Both sides pulled out all the political tricks in their bag. However, please point me to one credible news source which has absolute proof and verification that results were any different than reported. <BR><BR>BTW, even if it did occur, consider it payback for the election of 1960 when the Democrats altered Illinois election results to ensure a Kennedy victory.

Steve,<BR><BR>BTW, there is a reason why &quot;right&quot; is right and &quot;left&quot; is wrong!<BR><BR>US

Darryl,<BR><BR>20 years ago your comment wouldn't have engendered the rage that it does now. People are people everywhere, and although French waiters try very hard they have not cornered the rude-to-Americans market.<BR><BR>Most of the people whose asses were saved by US troops in WWI and WW2 won't be anywhere that you will be on a European vacation.<BR><BR>Most of the rude people you will meet -- if you meet any at all -- will be like Steve or David, morons with a chip on their shoulder or an axe to grind about stupid inconsequential issues. They are everywhere, unfortunately. Again Europe doesn't have a monopoly on Steve or David types.<BR><BR>Even though -- as was correctly pointed out -- American troops were central in the defeat of Germany in WW1 and WW2 you won't find very many Europeans throwing themselves at your feet in gratitude. Who cares? Who wants a &quot;thank you&quot; that you have to ask for? Neither of us fired a shot in either war and we don't deserve thanks anyway.<BR><BR>As for the European Steve's and Europeans of David's ilk, let 'em stew in their own juice. Steve's an idiot and David is probably less.

I must say, this post has been hilarious. I loved Frites response. But in a more serious response, I can honestly say that no one in Europe has been disrespectful to me. But I think there are certain rules that help in this. Know how to say &quot;please&quot; and &quot;thank you&quot; in your hosts' language. Don't be afraid to tip a little. Dress appropriately. In North America no one seems to mind if you dress like a homeless person, they do care in Europe. Smile. Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. If someone is truly rude, look them in the eye and ask &quot;Pardon me?&quot; in their language. They will get the hint. I think in most situations these rules will take care of any issues. I suspect that boorish behaviour as shown here precipitates any rudeness from Europeans.

I fear any conversation where Uncle Sam is involved because his mind does not work well, but does anyone ever consider the fact that perhaps the reason Europeans may be hostile to Americans is because they are tired and fed up about having to &quot;be humble to the great Americans who saved their asses.&quot; Let's not forget that America only got involved in WW 1 and 2 after the rest of the allied nations, so Americans should not pretend to have any moral superiority! Do you think people like having to be constantly reminded of this? Things are very different with respect to America back then also. Now, American foreign policy is highly imperialistic (No knowledgeable person can deny this fact) and nations are pissed off about being pushed around with punitive measures if they exercise some independence from the US.

Europeans tend to treat Americans with respect if the American can speak proper English. Many educated Europeans know English grammar better than we do and it does not enhance their appraisal of educational system when they detect us making errors in our own language. <BR><BR>I hear that they know the difference between here and hear.<BR><BR>If they don't act right, send George Dubya a letter. He will sic 'em.<BR><BR>That would be like the guy at CDG who was waiting for the shuttle bus to get him over to Terminal C for his flight home. We were pressed for time, and the bus seemed to take an eternity to come. He was yelling insults at the gate keeper and threatening to to write the president. I finally asked him which president. I should have known that the name Jacques Chirac was unknown to him. He was going to write to G. W. B. himself! Get over there and fix them stupid Frenchmen!<BR>

<BR><BR>I chortle and, on occasion, guffaw.

As long as there are normal Americans with brains, you are very welcome here in Europe and you will be treated well. We will save our hostility for war-loving morons like Uncle Sam and Bush.

<BR><BR>Yawn. Nothing is as boring as hearing someone brag about how much money they make or what they bought with it.<BR><BR>Do Europeans do this as much as Americans?

Anyone agree that Darryl most likely has another brother named Darryl?

&quot;Like you, I have been tempted to tell several French waiters that if it happened again that we needed to save their butt in a war, my vote would be no....&quot;<BR><BR>Ooooooooooooh!! Since you offered: could you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote &quot;no&quot; to saving our &quot;butts&quot; in Iraq? (Not that it matters, apparently, how one votes in your country, but it would be a nice gesture). Thanks.<BR>

Its hilarious how its always Americans &amp; not some other nationality who was part of the allies who go on about saving countries in Europe in 2 world wars...when they were late to both! Many other nationa fought fo tteh allies long before the US bothered to turn up &amp; they didn't need a a 'day of infamy' to be provoked into doing so - they are true unsung heroes for whom we should be grateful.

And then there is the whole SUV component that he keeps bragging about. Yuck. Be grateful he can no longer afford to travel to Europe.

I wasn't going to take part in this post but I must warn Uncle Sam to stay away from the Napa Valley. California is not Bush country. He lost our beautiful state by over a million votes. You better stay away, unless you want to spend your vacation with a bunch of liberal millionairs!

I'm going to defend Uncle Sam. This is a person that is willng to post for over two years under the same moniker. He never runs from a fight or ducks an attack and he does make some very good, informative posts when he chooses to do so.<BR><BR>Consider xxx, have you ever seen him or her be rude to a poster? He or she does it all the time, particularly to first time posters. <BR><BR>Come on Uncle Sam may be a conservative and someone that many of you do not like because of his viewpoints and strong opinions. But ask yourself this question. Have you ever seen him be rude to an honest seeker of information? No you have not and he has been quite helpful.<BR><BR>Contrast this with xxx, and then ask yourself this question. Do you get upset with Uncle Sam because he is a conservative and ignore xxx, because he she is not? That is the bigger question. Be honest and you will see what I mean.

Dear David and Steve<BR><BR> I have been reading this post to see how many people would feed into this persons need to stir trouble. Hoping that many would blow it off, but to my great dismay you used it as an outlet for your true feelings of Americans. How sad. I am Native American and your request for others to shoot unarmed Native Amercians is appalling. We are taught as a people to respect all living beings for the gift they have to offer in this world. Do not let one mans need to cause trouble allow the blackness of your soul to be bared in such a horrible manner. Every Country has black spots own it soul, do to the greed of its peoples of power. Even yours my English friends. England ruled a great portion of the World at a point in history. I would suggest in the future that everyone try to get along. OUR IDEA&quot;S and behavior will shape the lives of those who come after us. If we can forgive such a wrong that was handed to us by the English, French, US, why can't you forgive each other and live in peace.<BR><BR> Enough said.

During my numerous trips to Europe I have always been treated with respect.<BR><BR>I'm not certain what the issue is. Europeans are different, from us in the US in some ways and we are different from them in some ways, but I have never been treated poorly based upon the fact that I am a US citizen.<BR><BR>I was shoved once in line at Neuschwanstein, but I just ignored it. Heck, that happens in the US as well.<BR><BR>All in all, I'm quite happy with the way I've been treated in Europe and I look forward to many more trips to Europe since my two hobbies are wine and medieval history...and Europe is clearly the place to go for both!<BR><BR>US