I am in a Snit

I am in my yearly snit. Now my wife would contend that I am in a snitty mood daily and sometimes more often than that. However, I am in my Yearly Snit-it's the Tourist Season.

The tourists flooding into Guanajuato is not news, I guess. We have them all year round. In the month of October, the month of the infamous-you can only find it here-Festival Internacional Cervantino, there is an influx of 50,000 plus tourist who stay for the entire three weeks this hardy-party lasts.

What I am talking about, is the time of the year, the summer, when AMERICAN tourists coming pouring into our adopted city throwing money around like it was pigeon feed, and expecting the locals to bow and scrape before their American presence, kissing their rings, and whatever else they would like the locals to kiss.

Now, if you think I am at all exaggerating this let me tell that once I had a conversation with a woman from America about his very issue. She wanted to know why she felt, "under the eye", or "looked down upon" in San Miguel de Allende (another little colonial town not to far from where I live but much more infected with American tourists). I told her exactly why. It wasn't received well. She acted as though I had just made several obscene gestures and cast doubt as to the true source of her paternal origins.

Her "coming-un-glued" response was this,

"Well, these people should be thankful that we are here throwing money into their faces".

Let me warn you that I am about to make a huge generalization here and I do so without the slightest hesitation. I have lived in this country long enough to make the anecdotal observation (not to mention the thousands of stories I have been collecting from third parties accounts) that Americans-tourists and some expatriates-generally haven't a clue how to act in someone else's culture.

What I am really thinking is that the vast majority of Americans act abroad the very same way they act at home-like jackasses. I am referring to the majority of the twenty million or so tourists who come to Mexico each year infected with the Ugly American Syndrome and in some cases terminally so.

I've recently begin wondering, from reader's email I get, if some of these 20 million are also infected with "TMPS" (The Minuteman Project Syndrome).

If you want to read about The Ugly American Syndrome here in Mexico go to www.lulu.com or www.amazon.com and write my name, Douglas Bower, into the search engines to find my books with plenty stories of how American Tourists act when they come to Mexico. Be sure to buy as many copies as you can afford and give them out as Christmas presents.

In the meantime, if you are cash strapped, go to this web site and read an account by friend, Dane, who made a blog entry on an example he ran into of The Ugly American Syndrome. He is currently studying in San Miguel de Allende, where The Ugly American Syndrome is so rampant, so prevalent, that there is not even the remotest possibility the behavioral disorder ever being extinguished.

Check out Dane's blog at: http://www.zyworld.com/theolog/Home.htm His blog report from San Miguel is what got me in my current Snit. Do you think there is a Snit therapist out there somewhere?

Doug Bower is a freelance writer, Syndicated Columnist, and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He is a columnist with Cricketsoda.com and more than 21 additional online magazines. He is also a writer with EzineArticles.com with a readership of almost 6,000. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico. His newest books, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country can be seen: CLICK HERE: http://www.lulu.com/mexicanliving

---

Learn From My Personal Experience About Bahamas Vacation Rentals

Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More

Vacation Villas in Orlando Florida - What are They?

What is a villa? Come to Orlando, Florida to find... Read More

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ? Is It A Family Or Golfers Vacation Destination?

Before finding the answer to this dilemma, let's take an... Read More

Timeshare Presentations: Scams or Opportunities

Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an... Read More

Hampshire - Mild, Convenient, and Full of Variety

The southern English county of Hampshire is only two hours... Read More

Timeshares Vs. Condo Hotels For Vacation Home Ownership

Condo hotels, also known as condotels, are a relatively new... Read More

How You Can Save Up to 50% or More on Your Next RV Rental Vacation

RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do contain loads... Read More

Advantages of Bahamas Packages

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More

Welcome to Floridas Emerald Coast!

Stay a week or stay a lifetime, the Emerald Coast... Read More

Pigeon Forge Cabins

Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist... Read More

Whistler, BC: A Great Winter Spot

If you're thinking about planning a great winter vacation, think... Read More

All Inclusive Vacations

Most of the time, when an individual is planning a... Read More

Pigeon Forge Motels

Motels became prominent in the United States after the advent... Read More

7 Tips To Avoid Costly Surprises When Travelling Abroad

==> Try to buy your vacation travel package from a... Read More

A Look at Punta Cana Real Estate

Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More

The Maldives - A Destination Everyone Should Visit

Following the horrendous events on Boxing Day 2005 The Maldives... Read More

Heres How: How To Get The Perfect Florida Condominium Rental

The typical scenario goes something like this: your casual mention... Read More

Vancouver, Hidden Jewel Of The Pacific Northwest

Vancouver will receive a lot of attention as the 2010... Read More

The Cape Town Wine Route Wonders

Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More

Amazon Expeditions with Time Magazine ?Hero of the Planet Year 2000? - Dr. Marc van Roosmalen

The Amazonat Jungle Lodge is offering in addition to her... Read More

A Fabulous Guide to Floridas Best Rentals: Condos for Rent, Rental Houses, and Rental Condos

A Fabulous Guide to Florida's Best Rentals: Condos for rent,... Read More

Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?

Destinations such as Aruba, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Bahamas have... Read More

Peru-Lima, Miraflores Vacation Rentals Deals

Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More

Is a Vacation Rental Near Disney World the BEST Choice?

Orlando is calling to you and your family to come... Read More

Family-Friendly Vacation Condos on Hilton Head Island

Many vacationers on Hilton Head Island have discovered a simple... Read More

Come to Orlando and Vacation Like You Never Have Before in a Town Home!

Of course you are anxious to take a vacation this... Read More

Where to Find Lodging and Accommodation in Whistler, BC

Are you thinking about a great place to go for... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #4: Before You Go

Many people believe that the first thing you should do... Read More

What You Need to Know About Costa Rica

More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.... Read More

The Advantages of Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

Whether you've saved up for years for a fun family... Read More

5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ever Dreamed Of!

Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa! ... Read More

Apartments are Good for Your Health

Work-rate, health and even personal relationships may be affected if... Read More