In this case, I’m referring to the notion that we all make minor sacrifices in our daily interactions in service of a “greater good” for everyone.
“Following the rules” would be a simplified version of what I’m talking about, I suppose. But also keeping an awareness/attitude about "How will my choices affect the people around me in this moment? “Common courtesy”, “situational awareness”, etc…
I don’t know that it’s a “new” phenomenon by any means, I just seem to have an increasing (subjective) awareness of it’s decline of late.
I’m visiting Niagara Falls, which is a tourist area obviously, and you can tell who the Americans are because they’re happy to shove you out of the way to get a better look. Also, last night, an already loud motorcycle was driving down the road with its music blasting so loud, I thought I was in the Hard Rock Cafe down the street. Of course, American plate.
I’m despair at the lack of regard for the social contract for my own people in specific. I go out of my way to not annoy people.
In Iceland there are plenty of awful non-American tourists too. In Canada and Alaska I encountered bad Canadian tourists. It sounds like you just don’t like Americans.
Iceland is my favorite country in the world and I feel guilty just for visiting because of how badly behaved tourists are
I try to be on my best behaviour there but you can just tell that there is a distaste for tourists and it’s obvious why
I noticed the same thing. Leading up to this trip everything I read made me believe that the local population loved tourists but I don’t think that’s actually true.
Tourism is a huge part of their economy so on a macro level it’s great for their economy but on an individual level it seems like many hate having such a huge number of tourists. I don’t know if that’s true for tourists from all countries though.
Yeah I travel a lot and I’m grateful to the British and Chinese tourists who seem to have overtaken americans in terms of shitty tourists. Most of the locals I meet say most of the Americans they meet are kind of annoying because we are loud and overly talkative and friendly, but in a puppy dog sort of way, not in a rude way.
I will definitely admit to speaking loudly (even other Americans say I’m loud) and being super talkative. I can see how being loud might be annoying, but it seems like the local population of Iceland has a pretty good solution for dealing with overly talkative Americans which is to just not engage by being polite and respectful but very curt.
Canadian here who travels a lot. Yeah brits and Chinese are by far the worst. Americans I meet tend to be very friendly, as well as generous