Which nation's tourists are most disliked?

**November Rain** · 07-07-2008, 09:51 PM

Don't blame me. Just found this on Yahoo.

Most Obnoxious Tourists? The French

By BRUCE CRUMLEY / PARIS Sun Jul 6, 10:45 PM ET

Remember the tightwad tourist whose baggy shorts, frequent complaining and shouted questions about why none of the locals spoke any English made the ugly American the world's Visitor From Hell? Well, it's time for Archie Bunker to move over and make way for Petulant Pierre. According to a recent international survey, the French are now considered the most obnoxious tourists from European nations, and behind only Indians and the last-place Chinese as the worst among all countries worldwide. And it's not only the rest of the world that have a gripe with the Gallic attitude: the French also finished second to last among nations ranking the popularity of their own tourists who vacation at home.
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But it's the unflattering image being reflected from abroad that may give pause to the millions of French travelers now heading off to summer vacation destinations across the globe. Will that move them to improve behavior the poll characterized as impolite, prone to loud carping and inattentive to local customs? If so, that's just the start: the study also describes the voyageur franÇais as often unwilling or unable to communicate in foreign languages, and particularly disinclined to spending money when they don't have to - including on those non compris tips. Over all, French travelers landed 19th out of 21 nations worldwide, far behind the first-place Japanese, considered most polite, quiet and tidy. Following the Japanese as most-liked tourists were the Germans, British and Canadians. Americans finished in 11th place alongside the Thais.

The survey was carried out among employees in 4,000 hotels in Germany, the U.K., Italy, France, Canada and the U.S. for the French travel website Expedia.fr. The study asked respondents to rank clients by nationality on criteria of general attitude, politeness, tendency to complain, willingness to speak local languages, interest in sampling local cuisine, readiness to spend money, generosity, cleanliness, discretion and elegance. Many replies simply conformed to long-established reputations: Italians, for example, were described as the best-dressed tourists, with the French not far behind.

American tourists fared well in some surprising ways: despite being notoriously language-limited, for example, they top the list of tourists credited with trying to speak local languages the most, with the French, Chinese, Japanese, Italians and Russians coming in last in the local language rankings. Does that mean Americans are the most polyglot tourists on the planet? Maybe not, says Expedia's marketing director for Europe, TimothÉe de Roux, who notes the poll's focus on hotel operators may explain the counterintuitive outcome.

"Most hotel staffs around the world speak English, meaning they'll communicate far more easily with native English-speaking American or British clients than with French or Italians who - it's true - are pretty bad with foreign languages," de Roux says.

De Roux explains how external factors similarly account for why Americans wind up as the biggest-spending and best-tipping tourists, while Germans and the French are among the worst penny-pinchers. "Our findings show the average French employee will get 37 vacation days spread over seven trips in 2008, versus 14 for an American - who won't even take them all," de Roux believes. "That means the French tourist will more tightly budget his or her spending over more trips, while the American spends freely on the one or two vacations taken all year."

By contrast, poll finds the French and Americans similar in being perceived as critical and rude when they travel - though for different reasons. The same local attractions that make France the world's top destination for 92 million foreign visitors each year, says de Roux, also explains why over 85% of French vacation in-country - and wind up spoiled by it when they leave. "When they go abroad, French travellers demand the same quality they'd get at home," de Roux says. "Americans, by contrast, demand the same exceptional service they are used to at home, which is why they rank as the loudest, most inclined to complain, and among the least polite." View this article on Time.com

Most Obnoxious Tourists? The French - Yahoo! News

**panama hat** · 07-07-2008, 10:03 PM

I completely agree with the Froggy, Chinese and Indian part - - - ever been at check-in for a flight to India?

Or stuck at Shanghai airport

(Clearly the poll wasn't conducted in Pattaya or Phuket . . . the roles may well have been reversed)

**chitown** · 07-07-2008, 10:04 PM

Does that mean Americans are the most polyglot tourists on the planet? Maybe not, says Expedia's marketing director for Europe, Timothée de Roux

whatever you say Timothée

**Loy Toy** · 07-07-2008, 10:10 PM

OK NR here I go and I expect you in a round about way are asking us about the tourists here in Thailand.

I really find the typical English ruffian football hooligan types with their shaved heads, tattoo's and earrings the most obnoxious I run into regularly here in Pattaya. Loud, filthy language, no respect fro the people around them and always looking for a fight.

At the same time all my close friends are English and they also find these cretins also tiresome and somewhat embarrassing for them and as fellow Englishman.

**NickA** · 07-07-2008, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by November Rain

they rank as the loudest, most inclined to complain, and among the least polite.

Yep, he's got that bit right

**jizzybloke** · 07-07-2008, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I really find the typical English ruffian football hooligan types with their shaved heads, tattoo's and earrings the most obnoxious I run into regularly here in Pattaya. Loud, filthy language, no respect fro the people around them and always looking for a fight.

They are the biggest bunch of cocks!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

At the same time all my close friends are English and they also find these cretins also tiresome and somewhat embarrassing for them and as fellow Englishman.

I feel the same.

**rawlins** · 07-07-2008, 10:23 PM

The French are a bunch of cvnts.... always have been, always will be...

See plenty of cringeworthy tourist specimens in Pattaya... British lager louts, German fvckwits.... The Isrealis are pretty bad tourists too...

**extras** · 07-07-2008, 10:24 PM

Seeing on the thread title, I was thinking the Chinese. Ok, and maybe German.

But not surprised to see it's the French.

**SEA Traveler** · 07-07-2008, 10:30 PM

Not to be offensive and realizing that there are exceptions, I will offer an observational opinion that the Koreans are generally not the best liked travelers.

**Gerbil** · 07-07-2008, 10:34 PM

I always dread being inline behind an Indian family at an airport check in desk. They always have problems and take ten times as long as anyone else. Unsually because they're trying to check in a mountain of suitcases (probably containing a number of kids that they havent bought tickets for).

**Loy Toy** · 07-07-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Not to be offensive and realizing that there are exceptions, I will offer an observational opinion that the Koreans are generally not the best liked travelers.

Run into them when playing golf. Obnoxious and rude and have no respect for the other people playing golf and especially the lady caddies.

As a matter of fact never met a caddy who had a nice word for them.

Thankfully never run into them and during my night time ventures so could not comment further.

**Spin** · 07-07-2008, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by November Rain

Most hotel staffs around the world speak English

Apparently that doesnt include the originator or the editor of the article.

**Bubba** · 07-07-2008, 11:13 PM

Israelis seem to almost universally dispised for being obnoxious, supercilious and rude. Guest house owners who don't know shit about anti-semetism, middle-eastern politics, etc, etc putting up 'No Israeli' signs at their pads has to say something.

As for Koreans ... expat Koreans that I've met almost to a man (or woman) I've found them damn good company. Strangely the exact opposite is true for non-expat Koreans.

**Marmite the Dog** · 07-07-2008, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Bubba

As for Koreans ... expat Koreans that I've met almost to a man (or woman) I've found them damn good company. Strangely the exact opposite is true for non-expat Koreans.

I've met good and bad. The ones who have lived here a while really don't want to go back if they can help it.

**DrAndy** · 08-07-2008, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Bubba

Israelis seem to almost universally dispised for being obnoxious, supercilious and rude. .

they are, but you have to have some sympathy for the poor bastards

most of them have just come out of the army, are brainwashed and have no real idea that their politics stink. They seem to feel that they are kings of the world, and it shows in their behaviour.

BUT most tourists have the idiot mentality, especially the ones travelling in groups, from any country

**Lorenzo** · 08-07-2008, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Bubba

Israelis seem to almost universally dispised for being obnoxious, supercilious and rude. Guest house owners who don't know shit about anti-semetism, middle-eastern politics, etc, etc putting up 'No Israeli' signs at their pads has to say something.

Have heard this from some thais who rent motos and also seen a sign in a bar. A group of young, cheap, obnoxious and crazy army guys often looking for a fight are generally not welcome.

**3737ipod** · 08-07-2008, 02:05 AM

you wont run into them because they dont tend to hang around boystown !!!!!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Not to be offensive and realizing that there are exceptions, I will offer an observational opinion that the Koreans are generally not the best liked travelers.

Run into them when playing golf. Obnoxious and rude and have no respect for the other people playing golf and especially the lady caddies.

As a matter of fact never met a caddy who had a nice word for them.

Thankfully never run into them and during my night time ventures so could not comment further.

**EmperorTud** · 08-07-2008, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I really find the typical English ruffian football hooligan types with their shaved heads, tattoo's and earrings the most obnoxious I run into regularly here in Pattaya. Loud, filthy language, no respect fro the people around them and always looking for a fight.

Pure scum. Pattaya is full of them.

bkkandrew · 08-07-2008, 04:00 AM

^Pure scum seems to infer a certain quality, you know like a 24 carat variety....

**Tao** · 08-07-2008, 04:58 AM

French, Italian, Israeli. Take your pick, all as bad as each other.

**Tao** · 08-07-2008, 04:59 AM

I mean the tourists, not the Nations.... except for the French that is

**nedwalk** · 08-07-2008, 05:06 AM

i don,t like the french either, they bombed the sought pacific with nukes.. fucking arseoles

**Jet Gorgon** · 08-07-2008, 06:07 AM

I just hate the ones who run in packs, whatever their nationality. They are usually rude, loud and don't give two satang about anyone or anything not in their group. Runs the gamut of all nationalities from what I've seen. I have been ashamed of English speakers shouting at and belittling Thais. Never forgot a few jerks calling one bar owner "Boy". He was a CPA from BKK before he decided to beach it.

**DrAndy** · 08-07-2008, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by nedwalk

i don,t like the french either, they bombed the sought pacific with nukes.. fucking arseoles

yes Ned, and their English is atrocious, the bastards

**November Rain** · 08-07-2008, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Runs the gamut of all nationalities from what I've seen. I have been ashamed of English speakers shouting at and belittling Thais

Saw this yesterday. From an English guy.

I was waiting in Burger King (yeah, yeah get over it

) & this shaven headed, shirtless English guy came bursting in & started demanding sauce. Bear in mind this guy has a thick Northern English accent & at first even I didn't understand what he was saying. The poor girl wasn't sure what he wanted & started to fill one of their take-out bags with ketchup & salt. So then he got more agitated & started half yelling at her that he wanted the dipping sauce for the chicken nuggets or whatever they do there. But he didn't quite explain it like that, he kept getting very insistent & saying 'the sauce for the bloody gai', like that would get over his meaning.

The poor girl was getting so flustered. If he'd just come in & asked politely, calmly & nicely, he'd have got it far quicker.

Total twat. And one of my countrymen.

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