My week with an ugly American

[av8rdave]

I just got back from a week in Mazatlan. We went with another couple, who we have known and socialized with for several years. The husband acted like a total horse's a$$ the entire time we were there.

He mentioned to me a few weeks ago that he had a problem with Mexicans because of "the whole illegal immigrant thing." I didn't want to get into a political discussion with him, but I reminded him that (1) we were going to be on vacation, where we don't talk politics, and (2) I could pretty much guarantee he would see NO illegal immigrants while in Mexico.

This guy was unbelievable. He complained loudly in front of the locals about every meal, every ride, every tour, etc. He referred to the local people repeatedly as "chihuahuas" in front of and around them. I bit my lip and tried to keep my distance.

Finally, at dinner over the weekend he referred to the waitstaff as chihuahuas (again, within earshot no less) and complained about the food. I finally, in as disarming a voice as I could muster, said "well, you don't seem to like anything." He said, "look, I find it depressing I have to go on vacation and look at crowded little streets, ramshackle little houses and poor people. I don't have to deal with that stuff if I go to Newport." I'm not making this up...he actually said this stuff!

I couldn't take it any more. I looked at him and said, "well, I guess you and I should be thankful that we chose so wisely."

"Chose what?" he asked.

"Where we were born."

To her credit, his wife glared at him and said, "Yeah. What he said!"

Needless to say, that's my last trip with that individual. A shame, as his wife is nothing like that at all.

End of rant/vent.

That is all.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear av8rdave!

Wow, what a jerk he is. I have to wonder what happened to him; was he always like this?

Sorry he was such an ass on your vacation.

:hug:

[av8rdave]

17. I think he was always like that...I just never realized how bad off the guy really is

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. I'm sorry you had to put up with this.

I used to socialize with a few "friends" that acted in a similar manner.

Same type of thing...only I never went on vacation with them.

They would make comments about "gays", "blacks", etc.

They would say "oh, let me get the tip", and then they would leave a $5 tip on a $100 dinner bill saying "$5 is enough for anyone". I'd be so damn embarrassed, I would throw another $20 down when they turned their backs to leave.

All of this stuff combined made me wonder why I was hanging around these people...so I stopped. I just cut off communications with them, and that was that.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. some of the things that come out of the mouth of my acquaintances (not all of whom are american)

leaves me shocked.

i know that racism is rampant but i would think people would have some shame about overt racism. apparently not

[Arugula Latte]

4. Ugh. The last time I was in Mexico I was regularly cringing at my fellow 'Murikins.

I just wanted to scream at them all: "Do you rude assholes HAVE to live up to the negative stereotype and then exceed it?!"

There was one exception. A very nice older American lady who spoke Spanish well was giving a present to a woman who worked (cleaned) at the timeshare place. I got the impression they'd known each other for a long time. She was pressing dollars into the woman's hand and saying "Es tuya. Para tu familia." (It's yours. For your family.) The worker was protesting, saying it was too much. The older woman told her that she loved her and wanted her to have it.

[TZ]

5. I went to Aruba a couple of years ago.

I wanted to say I was Canadian after the way the American press dealt with the Natalie Holloway incident.....The locals were very nice to me but to say they were pissed at the way they were all blamed and made to sound like a lawless crime infested island that didn't care was outrageous. I winced when the name came up in conversation from my fellow Americans....
BTW, highly recommend Aruba, really is a wonderful place.

[av8rdave]

13. I do lots of Aruba layovers....great place!

[NewJeffCT]

23. Aruba is a terrific place

and I never was worried for my safety or the safety of my ex-wife when we went there in 1998.

[XemaSab]

30. Mexico builds border wall to keep out US assholes

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/mexico_builds_border_wall_to_keep

[david13]

6. Typical ugly merican. You should not associate with people

like that. It's no fun, definitely do not plan a vacation with people like that. When I hear things like that I just pick up and leave.
dc

[av8rdave]

18. Good advice!

[EndersDame]

7. Sometimes I try to be respectful and try to educate but some times ....

I scream STOP BEING SUCH A BIGOTED STUPID ASSHOLE !

[LeftyFingerPop]

8. LOL!

I was out with my sister's hubby once. He's an overall sweet guy, a good man.

But we got into a discussion about Katrina.

We both were liquored up pretty good, and he tried to tell me that Katrina was a "local problem" and that the people who were stranded should have had the good sense to leave.

I slammed my hand down on the table so hard that half the dinnerware fell on the floor and I screamed at him..."TRY SAYING THAT WHEN IT'S YOUR FUCKING KIDS TRAPPED IN THE FUCKING SUPERDOME"!

He just looked at me and said "ooops". :rofl:

[BOSSHOG]

19. It it weren't for the

failed levees no one would have had to leave. And the levees are the federal government's responsibility not a "local problem." Get liquored up again and verbally kick his ass, again.

[av8rdave]

20. An acquaintence of mine tried that whole "local problem" line

I pointed out that the benefits of the port and the economy there are anything but local.

That did shut him up.

[gmoney]

9. bad policy to insult the waiters in ANY country

they're handling your food and beverages... abroad, if they just put a few ounces of tapwater in with your beverage, it could spoil the rest of your vacation.

watch "Fight Club" or "Waiting" for other reasons why waitstaff should be treated politely. (Of course, that's no guarantee they won't fuck with your food just for laughs.)

Of course, it is unfortunate that Mexico had to be filled with so many Mexicans! It didn't say that in the brochure! :sarcasm:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. They're the people who come back from foreign trips and claim

that everyone "over there" is "anti-American."

No, everyone is just anti-asshole, especially anti-assholes-who-claim-that-everything-is-better-in-America.

[Skittles]

11. argh, av8r

I hear you - I remember being on the train between airports in London - the cart guy came by with the drinks and chips - a lady (American) tried to get his attention and when he didn't hear she yelled WHAT THE FUCK, ARE YOU DEAF? People on the train looked uncomfortable. I waited until the transaction was completed between the cart guy and that American be-yatch and then I announced very loudly, "I JUST WANT EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN TO KNOW NOT ALL AMERICANS ARE ASSHOLES." Everyone started cheering and high-fiveing eacy other and that gal stormed away. YEE HAW!!!! :D

[Flaxbee]

35. lol. I used to be shy, Skittles, but now I'd do the same thing you did,

and love doing it :D

[unpossibles]

12. you handled it well

the last time I went to Mexico, a friend in the car said "I hear in Mexico they'll stab you if you look at them wrong."

All of us cringed, including our friend who is half-Mexican.... I told him he was mistaken and thinking of Detroit. One thing I have noticed is that when you are polite when you travel it goes a long way. More than once we were given better prices, service, or portions than the loud obnoxious tourists around us. And I always make it a point to tip well. I don't know, but it's shocking that these things are not common sense....

[av8rdave]

15. I spend a lot of time in Mexico, and have never been treated any way but great

It's amazing how much some good manners and a little respect will do. I make every effort to converse in Spanish, until I've exhausted my abilities. I think it's always appreciated.

They are good people. Devout, hard working, and way up there on the "family values" thing. You'd think the rethugs would love them too!

That reminds me of another story about this guy. A couple of years ago, he needed foundation work done on his house. In one breath, he was bragging about the great price he got for the work, in the next complaining about "all the &%$# illegal chihuahuas hanging around my house."

I don't think he ever did get it.

[BOSSHOG]

14. "I find it depressing I have to go on vacation!"

he HAD to go on vacation? And he HAD TO ON VACATION IN MEXICO? What a fucking jerk and you are way too kind.

[av8rdave]

16. He definitely should have gone to Newport instead!

I think we ALL would have been happier (including his spouse).

[NewJeffCT]

24. Had this guy ever been to Mexico before?

I mean, your profile says Dallas - it's not like it's a long or difficult trip to catch a plane to Mexico from the hub for American Airlines...

[av8rdave]

26. He went to Cancun on a 5 couple trip with us a few years ago and was fine

Go figure

[Kali]

27. Cancun is barely Mexico.

At least Mexicans go to Mazatlan too.

[av8rdave]

28. Good point

I don't think he had to encounter too many locals in Cancun.

[Kali]

21. I'm surprized he went at all,

most of those types are afraid to go down there now what with all the fear and loathing and drug wars.

[av8rdave]

22. He liked the idea of the free lodging.

[WolverineDG]

32. OMG, I was in Cancun for a friend's wedding

another friend & I took the bus into town to go shopping. Then as we were getting off the bus at the hotel afterwards, some lady asked the driver if he only accepted pesos or "Would real money be okay?" Jesus Christ, why did she even leave the country?

dg

[liberaltrucker]

25. You're a better man than I, Dave

I would've ended up in the custody of the Federales
after I cold-cocked his ass. Then again, maybe not.:)

:hi:

[trof]

29. "Gitcher ass on the BALL, Roberto!"

Spoken by a loud American 'gentleman', party of six, to a waiter in a fairly posh restaurant in Mexico City some years back.
Miz t. and I were on our honeymoon.
I wanted to fade into the woodwork.
:eyes:
My sympathy.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

31. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad travelers

in the world who expect to travel to a foreign country and find things exactly as they are in their home country. Sorry you had to deal with such an ass.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Flaxbee]

34. You showed much greater restraint than I would have.

:thumbsup:

[av8rdave]

36. Mostly out of respect for the others there. Still, it was very hard to keep my mouth shut.

[stray cat]

37. Spend any time with an ugly mexican or frenchman? There are plenty of ugly tourists!

[av8rdave]

39. Perhaps, but I somehow don't see that as justification for this guy's behavior

[hippywife]

38. The first time he said anything of the kind,

I would have grabbed my spouse, paid my bill - even if my food had not arrived yet - and left his ass sitting there. :eyes:

[av8rdave]

40. He wasn't really part of the conversation the rest of the evening

I think that's one reason he was pi$$ed at his wife all the next day (as well as me).

[phasma ex machina]

41. "The Ugly American" is actually the story's protagonist.

The story's title comes from a physically ugly American engineer character who devises simple contraptions to improve the life of the indigenous people. While rival great powers make grandiose gestures.