Comment on I am an American. I used to be proud of my country. Now it feels like a turd circling the drain. Is there anything going on behind the scene that America is actually doing good in?

stumu415@lemmy.zip ⁨7⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

• Dry_Monk@lemmy.world ⁨35⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago

  As an American white dude traveling full time, I haven’t really gotten any of this yet personally. I have sat next to some really loud Americans and felt irritated at them, but the same goes for the British lady who walked into a cafe I was in and loudly insisted they make her a sandwich that wasn’t on the menu.

  Most people are kind and curious. Those who aren’t, regardless of nationality, are the ones who irritate the locals.

  Of course, the world is big and I obviously haven’t been everywhere. In each place I have been to, though, learning a few words and being extra polite goes a long way. Locals welcome you and return the curiosity and respect.

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• DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

  Curious: As a Chinese American, is it technically possible for me to just… pretend to be a Chinese National (I’m talking about after getting through borders and putting away the US passport), and fake a Chinese accent when speaking English… and like “conceal” my American identity? (I can speak basic Mandarin btw)

  Is it actually better? Since I heard that Chinese Tourists sometimes get hated on too…

  Or since I speak Cantonese too, I could pretend to be a Hong Konger…

  Or I could pretend to be from Taiwan… most people probably can’t tell anyways, its just the same Mandarin to them

  hmmm 🤔

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  • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    Depends where you are, but I’d advise against presenting as Chinese, chinese tourists have such a bad reputation sometimes you see signs like “no spitting in the dish sink” or “do not put toilet paper in dust bin” exclusively in chinese in hostels. Which indicates behavior expected of Chinese tourists

    Across asia, I get curious looks rather than any hostility. I kinda winder what the american was doing that drew so much attention, if they weren’t making it up for content.

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  • Holytimes@sh.itjust.works ⁨5⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    American and Chinese tourists are the two most hated tourists and it’s not even fucking close.

    American because they are loud annoying impolite and destroy shit

    Chinese because they are ignorant disgusting foul and destroy shit

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  • Witchfire@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago

    I always introduce myself using my native birth country, never as an American. If prompted I’ll say I’m a New Yorker. I refuse to represent that stain on the planet

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    • rbos@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago

      You’d be surprised how common it is to put toilet paper in provided bins instead of flushing! Lots of places in eastern Europe and South America, in my experience.

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