I have to say, there is nothing more obnoxious to me than a stupid tourist, irregardless of your home country.
There was this one student from my school who was abroad with me in turkey at the same time. He was clueless about the language (couldn’t read a menu), oblivious to their political climate (he was too scared to go to any protests. Which definitely will come in handy for him since he’s a poli sci major), almost got beaten up by a street gang for saying “fuck you” to them in Turkish, and on top of it he’s just kind of clueless in general.
Yet HE got a goddamn JOB there this summer?
If I don’t get any of the int’l jobs I’ve applied for I’m killing one of Will Smith’s children. Probably Jaden.
Maybe I’m an asshole about these things because I lived as a foreigner for so many years, but I don’t care, most American tourists annoy the shit out of me.
Here is a handy list on how not to be an asshole while studying abroad.
1.Learn some phrases/words/how to read the alphabet-people will appreciate the time you took and also it will save your ass in many situations to know how to say such key phrases as “please”, “I’m lost”, “More beer!”
2.Don’t assume you know shit about a country because you took one college class on it. I’ve always found that you get a lot more out of listening to natives explain their world to you, then acting like an authority yourself.
3.Realize that you’re an awkward tourist, and revel in the benefits. there is nothing worse than a stuck up traveler. A little bit of humbleness helps, combined with a willingness to laugh at yourself. I managed to make a lot of friends just by drunkenly saying “I’m a stupid American!” in Turkish at the end of most sentences
4.When in doubt, giggle and drink.
5.Do a little research before you visit a city. Having a few go-to restaurants and bars to check out can be infinitely rewarding.
6. Don’t be scared, but don’t be stupid about crime.
7.Take chances. I used to think I looked a damn fool dancing at traditional bars in some countries, but first off it’s hella fun, and two, as long as you’re not acting a complete fool, it’s a good way to make friends.Going out of your comfort zone ends in reward 80% of the time and makes for a good story the other 20%
8.Don’t say no to any food offered to you.
9. Travel during off-seasons.
10. Everyone enjoys nutella.
