The Friendly Blog

When I write a travel blog about turning "Ugly Americans" into "Friendly Americans", I am writing about better preparing and equipping the average traveler for travel in a new and unfamiliar culture.

What exactly is an "Ugly American"?  When I talk of the "Ugly American", I am not talking about their looks, rather, I am talking about their ugly attitude.  Most everyone I know has seen this type of traveler, whether they are throwing a fit on the streets of Paris or just yelling at a subway operator because they don't speak English.  The "Ugly American" can come out in the best of us, usually when frustration levels reach the breaking point.  Do you have to be American to be ugly? Of course not.  The common thread for ugly behavior is frustration and nervousness.  This site is here to help share common experiences in foreign travel so that anxiety levels never get so high as to trigger such behavior. 

What is a "Friendly American" and how can I become one?  A "Friendly American" is one that travels with ease and calm, while maintaining a respect for the foreign culture they are experiencing.  They have the tools to handle any situation with grace and ease because they know how to problem solve on their feet.  They have researched their trips and know what to prepare for in the off chance they should encounter something undesirable along the way.  Most people think travel should be effortless, and that is far from the truth.  A good traveler must plan, prepare, and think on their feet.  They must budget and think about their safety, all while trying to make the most of their money.

I wanted to start this blog because the things in travel that frustrate the best of us are the things not found in any travel books.  I am trying to share common sense tips that make the burden of travel less.  For example, when I was traveling in France I came across some "Ugly Americans" at the train/subway station at Charles De Gaulle airport.  It was a husband/wife couple that were frustrated because they did not know which line or train would actually take them into the heart of Paris.  They had their requisite travel book in hand, but all it said was that you could take a train into the city for less than the cost of a cab.  They were yelling at the attendant in the transit cage and getting very loud.  They weren't yelling because they were angry, they were getting louder because they were frustrated.  I asked them where they were headed and pointed out (on the posted station map) which train they should take.  They immediately calmed down and were quite grateful that someone could speak English.  It was at this point that I realized they had no concept of the many different resources they could have used just at the airport alone. 

This blog is meant to bridge the gap between actual travel situations and those which you read about in a travel book.  I use travel books all the time, but find that I have a much better trip if I let my common sense override what's written on their pages.  If you use them as a general reference and starting point, you will have the tools to start planning a great trip.  However, if you rely on them as you would an instruction manual, then you will spend your whole vacation getting frustrated and short changed.

I hope this blog will be a journey for us all, and a place to share common travel tips and experiences.

What it means to be a Friendly American...