EB and I have had long discussions about the vast differences in Americans and Australians. To some extent, it extends to people in lots of other foreign countries. US people seem to have such a sense of entitlement. You can almost always pick out the Americans while travelling. First of all, they’re fatter than most anyone else around. Secondly, they’re wearing white tennis shoes while walking down the street. There is a tendency toward ridiculous looking fanny packs.
What makes them show up even more, though, is the visible attitude. There’s a tendency to think if one speaks louder, someone else will learn English instantly, as if divinely inspired to comprehension. If the locals would only realize they’re talking to an American, they’ll be so thrilled to be in our presence that doors will magically open.
There are exceptions, of course, and we try to fall into those categories when we can. If you try to speak the local dialect, people tend to brighten immediately and almost always smile and get more friendly. If you laugh and confess your confusion with something local (money, bus tickets, or whatever), clerks, taxi drivers or whomever are almost always helpful.
If we remember that we’re guests who are allowed to experience someplace else, and act accordingly, it’s almost always a good experience.
On the other hand, let’s compare that to some of the conditions in the US right now. Clerks in stores seem to think that customers are an imposition rather than the reason for existing. With few exceptions, (the Lowes and Harris Teeter grocery stores near us leap to mind, which are in direct competition with each other) if you ask for help finding something you’ll be told or they’ll point – if you can find a clerk. In most stores in Australia, someone was right there to offer assistance and they’d either lead you to something or get it and bring it to you. There was a friendly congeniality that was not invasive or offensive, but made you feel welcome in a place of business.
The place that I think it’s most noticeable is in the airports. TSA (or their equivalent) in other countries are unfailingly polite. This is even in countries that have stricter rules than the US – Germany and Italy, for instance – but the people enforcing the rules are much more pleasant about it, and offer direction and explanation. Twice in US airports I was left standing waiting for directions on what to do, whether to wait, or to go on. The responses were consistently just rude. Such a change to elsewhere in the world.
