Japanese tourists the best? I disagree: large herds of them have damn near trampled me at numerous attractions.

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In my experience the British are the worst behaved tourists, loudest and worst tippers. I can’t even mention here the disgusting things they do at hotels I’m familiar with. I think it’s because they love to get drunk and then after that they have no idea what they did.
American tourists tend to be good tippers and they spend the most money where I’m from, I never found them to be loud though. But I suppose it depends on where they are – Caribbean, Europe etc and how much bang they get for their buck.

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I think how far away you are from home makes a big difference – if you’ve spent a lot of time and effort getting somewhere, you’re more likely to be a good traveller, and possibly a more pleasant one. I also think that people who travel far from home are likely to be more experienced, interesting people. Perhaps this is why Brits in Europe have a bad rep but outside of Europe they have a good one – the good travellers actually travel. I found this teaching English too – when I worked in New Zealand, European students had a lot more personality than those who studied in Malta when I worked there.

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An interesting summary for sure. I’m not sure if I have enough experience to classify these groups. I guess part of the reason is that it is so cultural, what is rude to one group is perfectly normal in another. So I guess it depends by which standards you are measuring.

I’m a US American, however, the tipping issue is a difficult one for me. Like you I base it on a satisfactory experience. Many people I know will give you crap for doing this complaining about how little waitresses make. The worst place for this is in Vegas.

I will say after living in Brazil for two years, Brazilians rival Americans for being the loudest. From my experiences whether in Brazil or other countires, they are not a quiet bunch and children tend to be a bit all over the place when out with a group.

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Darren

It a culture thing, Brits is less likely to tip than Americans as we do not tip so much. Other point about us being bad in Europe, I can see why we be vote towards the bottom considering the way some act.

Also we seem to want something for nothing; a German paying 300 Euros is less likely to complain than a Brit paying 250 pounds for same thing.

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I think Brits and American are bad for volume and for thinking that anyone in a foreign country who doesn’t speak English is an idiot.

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Germans the most polite? REALLY? REALLY? And yeah, we Yanks can turn up the volume, but good lord, a bunch of Aussies can give us a run for our money, that’s for sure. I am always polite and quiet, of course.

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I think for all the nations, the impression you get by meeting their tourists at a neutral venue compared to meeting their residents in their homeland is completely different. Few examples to get the wrong impression of a nationality – Brits in Ayai Napa / Danes in Sunny Beach / Americans in Cancun. . . . Something to do with alcohol, herd mentaility and some kind of holiday madness ! It’s important not to generalise and treat people as individuals.

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Call me a raving snob if you like, but I believe there’s a class issue at work with holidaying Brits in Europe. Cheap package holidays in the sun on the Costa del Solihull are, in my opinion, not going to attract the best behaved and more tip-happy individuals. The more expensive long-haul holidays, however, are going to attract a different bunch, as Linda says.

This subjet reminds me – anyone remember a 1990s documentary called The Tourist Trap? It was a fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 (UK) documentary that secretly filmed groups of British, Japanese, American and German (I think) tourists. A few of the people in the group were actors, and with their help the programme makers staged certain events to see how the “herd” would react, if they would complain, scream and shout etc. It was fascinating telly and a real insight into cultural differences. I can’t find it anywhere on the web but if anyone knows where I can view it again, please let me know!

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I don’t think tipping or likelihood to complain are any indication of whether someone is a well-behaved tourist or not.

Tipping is cultural. In some places it’s expected to offset the provision of service. In other places it’s an optional reward for good service. In my opinion, travellers should comply with the local customs on this. I do not always tip in Europe but I always do in the US (I just tip more or less depending on the service). If I don’t tip in Austria, where wages are high, this does not make me a bad tourist. If I don’t tip in Las Vegas, where wages are low, then I’m being mean.

As for likelihood to complain? If something is wrong then I firmly believe you should complain, but you should do so clearly and politely. The definition of a good tourist is not one who meekly cops whatever crap gets dumped upon them. Hoteliers might like it that way but they are not the arbiters of behaviour.

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Being Japanese, I’d have to agree with the article. I find Americans to be generally outspoken bordering on loud sometimes (I’m sure it’s this outspoken culture thing really so no offense meant). Don’t really know anything about British habits abroad.

All in all this “Japanese tourists are the best” mentality has really had a positive effect on my experiences abroad. I just mention I’m Japanese and I get extra special treatment. Of course I try my best to be polite all the time. Although some hotels WILL try to take me for a ride just because i’m nice and all that (like cross selling all other products available at their arsenal to me and hard selling it).

I think the trick is to not treat the hotel staff like you own them and treat them like adult human beings with feelings. Also, give feedback in a constructive way and not in the usual hyperbole some tourists are fond of doing.

i work for a non Japanese airline by the way. and my staff would agree to what was written above as well. Our cabin crew have the same exact thoughts on that subject.

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