Stupid Americans!

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I am now in an internet cafe in Florence, Italy. We haven't had much time to explore the city yet, as we got here yesterday. We came from Venice, where we got to watch a glass making demonstration on the island of Murano and see the beautiful houses on Burano, where I have decided to retire when I grow up. On the way to Florence we stopped in Pisa to see the leaning tower of Pisa, a graveyard, church, a place where baptisms were conducted. On our trip to Pisa we were told that we were going to meet the Mayor of Pisa and a representative from the University of Pisa because they were glad to hear that there were students in town. We got to sit inside the mayor's office meeting room and meet the Vice Mayor of Pisa and representatives from the University of Pisa, which was very exciting. This experience showed the positive exhanges that can happen among people traveling internationally. The mayor and representatives from the college spoke about how they wanted to bridge communications between the University of Pisa and the University of Delaware, which would be an excellent opportunity for both Universities.

However, all of my experiences here have not been this positive in the way I have been treated because I am from the United States. Before I begin writing about this topic, I want to say that I do not mean any of this in a negative way and that most of my interactions here have been positive. However, from a communication standpoint, I believe that I have occasionally been treated differently because I am from the United States, something which is not always looked highly upon here in Italy, or in other countries by some people.

Before coming on this trip, I knew that many people in various countries were unhappy with some of the politics and attitudes found within the United States. However, I did not quite realize the intensity of these feelings until arriving in another country. The communication of disapproval was evident from the first day I arrived in Rome when I saw graffiti with George Bush's face underneath an obscene comment. Also, there were lots of messages and information showing anger toward the United State's policies in Iraq and other countries.

On a smaller, personal level, I have met people who have treated me differently once they found out that I was from the United States. For example, one night I met someone from Italy who told me that I was rude because I pointed at people when I talk to them and that this was a "rude, American, gesture." Pointing when I speak is something that I do naturally, and when communicating in the United States, it is common. Another Italian man made derrogatory comments towards a friend of mine one night, assuming things about her because she was from "America."

In addition, I have noticed that occasionally people will try to take advantage of myself or others in my group because we are from the United States and do not speak much Italian. Several times when we have had to take taxis, we have watched as the drivers added time to the meter, for no reason. In addition, I have been to restraunts where they have added the bill incorrectly, taxed and charged for things not served, placed us in separate rooms away from other diners, and told us to be quiet and "shhhed" us immediately upon entering the restraunt.

I have tried to assimilate myself to the culture here as much as possible. If this means trying not to point when talking, not touching things in stores, and being quieter when sitting at dinner, this is fine with me because I am now a resident of Italy, and should follow the customs that are common here. However, it is sometimes difficult because I feel that I am being judged or treated differently because of my nationality. It is fascinating how some people have determined and stereotyped people from the United States. While this stereotyping is not good, it is something we do in the United States as well. I am definitely taking home with me a lesson about being open to new ideas and not making judgements before meeting people. My experience so far has been wonderful, and I am learning from these occasional criticisms that until you actually communicate on an individual level with people from other countries there really is no way of knowing what they are truly like.

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Comments

[Heidi]

I can relate
Hi Tiffany, You're not alone! I've spent the past few years travelling off and on and living in other countries, and I too, have faced the sterotypes, the comments, etc. Offended at first, but I've decided that all we can do is try to adapt a little, and be ambassadors for the U.S.A.--show everyone that America is full of wonderful people, not just the "typical American". A lesson learned, and hopefully your experiences will encourage others. Good luck to you in your travels!