A recent survey, well publicized in the travel industry, asked 4,000 hotel owners and managers at locations around the world what they thought about visitors from various countries. Alas, Americans fared poorly in several key categories.
Americans are rated among the least tidy as hotel guests. They are also considered noisy, and they lead all other nationals when it comes to complaining about accommodations.
Why should this be? No doubt there are several respectable psychological studies that would throw some light on the subject, but my own belief is that a great many Americans carry with them a certain amount of swagger that derives from the (now questionable) belief that they come from the world’s leading country. Thus they expect to be treated with the respect due to citizens of such stature.
But in truth, not enough of us act as if we are guests when in a hotel. We just don’t realize that the attitude that says, "I’m paying for it, so why shouldn’t I have whatever I want" doesn’t win friends and influence people—even people whose job is to provide service.
Most of us are used to having as much as we want of everyday items such as clean towels and linens, soap and other toiletries. So we don’t stop to think before calling for more, and when they don’t come as quickly as we think they should, we complain. In addition, many of us, men especially, take it for granted that someone will pick up after them. In a hotel, someone does, of course, but there’s no need to make the job more difficult than it need be.
Despite these negative charges, there are characteristics of Americans that the hoteliers compliment. We are the most generous when it comes to tipping service people. (Does this reflect a realization that we could have behaved more thoughtfully?) We’re also the most likely to make an effort to learn a few words in the local language, so we can at least say "please" and "thank you." And we’re the most interested in the local cuisine and are eager to try it.
Finally, and perhaps most embarrassingly, Americans are judged as having the worst fashion sense when traveling....and I believe it! So the next time you’re getting ready to take off for that Caribbean Island or Tuscany or the beaches of southern Spain, try on a typical daytime outfit— sandles, shorts, Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses and sun hat—then load up with all your essential portables, including camera, ipod, Blackberry, binoculars, tote bag and a newspaper or magazine, and finally, LOOK AT YOURSELF IN A MIRROR. Is this the image you want others to remember?
Not every traveling American makes these mistakes, so tell us your own rules for enjoying your travels while leaving an impression of kindness, courtesy and appreciation in your wake.
Paula (the Appreciated American) Gifford