23 Times American Tourists Made Absolute Fools Of Themselves In Other Countries

Traveling abroad for the first time is extremely exciting. But along with being tons of fun, it can be intimidating if you don’t know much about the country you’re heading to or the culture that you’ll be stepping into. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before flying out. Otherwise, you might make a huge fool of yourself and represent your entire nation in a terrible way.

According to the Pew Research Center, 76% of Americans have visited at least one other country. Meanwhile, over a quarter of the nation has traveled to at least five other countries. So the stories on this list probably aren’t about the people who are used to jetsetting every year. It’s likely that these tales target those who had never stepped foot outside of their state until they bought a flight to Paris, Rome, or Mexico City.

Regardless of where you’re from, it’s important to make sure that you respect the local culture and traditions when traveling abroad. You can’t expect people to behave the same way that they do back home, and you have to be willing to adjust your own behavior. After all, you’re the tourist stepping into someone else’s home. 

It might be frowned upon to speak loudly in public, wear sandals or shorts in religious monuments, and to smile at strangers. It’s also always a good idea to learn at least a few words in the local language to show that you respect their culture. Saying “hello” and “thank you” in a shopkeeper’s native tongue can go a long way. Plus, you can’t expect everyone to speak English if you’re in a country that speaks something else. Be patient, and be kind.

We would love to hear your thoughts on these stories in the comments below, pandas. Are you an American who tries to be as respectful as possible while abroad? Or have you seen Americans behaving poorly in your own country? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another article from Bored Panda discussing similar stories about tourists right here!