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

---

Why an Algarve Vacation?

If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure... Read More

Andalucia, a Wonderful Holiday Destination

The Costa del Sol has long been one of the... Read More

Zambia... What an Amazing Country!

When you travel abroad, especially far away from home you... Read More

Travel Journals ? Preserve Your Travel Experiences

Traveling is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More

The Bed and Breakfast Experience

The bed and breakfast experience is unique. You get the... 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

Advantage of Renting a Condo While on Vacation

So you may be asking yourself, why would I want... Read More

What are the Lodging Options when Visiting Orlando Florida for Our Family Vacation

Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More

Preparing To Travel To Europe ? Four Important To-Dos

You have your tickets, your hotel or vacation rental reservations,... Read More

Smokey Mountain Cabins - There Is Only One!

Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for... Read More

Heres How: How To Get The Perfect Florida Condominium Rental

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

Living and Retiring in Bolivia

A beautiful and inexpensive place without a tourist in sight.... Read More

Sea Pines Plantation - The Pearl of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Sea Pines Plantation ? The Pearl of Hilton Head IslandHilton... Read More

Why Should You Rent Town Houses Instead of Staying in a Hotel Room?

So you decided on Orlando Florida for your family vacation... Read More

Family-Friendly Vacation Condos on Hilton Head Island

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

Is a Vacation Rental Near Disney World the BEST Choice?

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

A Look at Bahamas Vacation Resorts

Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More

Vacation Villas in Orlando Florida - What are They?

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

You Only Have One Life, Let Your Caribbean Dream Come True

Turning your dream to Reality?Buying in the CaribbeanBuying a home... Read More

Journeying Through Dorset - & The Jurassic Coast

The county of Dorset on England's south coast is a... Read More

Customized Services is What makes a Vacation Rental the Best

The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More

A Review of Popular Punta Cana Hotels

Punta Cana is an affordable destination in a magnificent tropical... Read More

All Inclusive Vacations

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

Finding Travel Deals

If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More

Buying Real Estate in Cozumel

As beautiful and modern as Cozumel is, visitors must remember... Read More

Luxury Cairns / Port Douglas Hinterland Accommodation Will Take Your Breath Away

Cairns Rainforest Retreat is ideally located for your unique rainforest... Read More

Townhouses ? Rooms for Rent for Every Family!

Rooms for rent! No, not the kind where you are... Read More

A Dream Vacation

What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is... Read More

How To Close A Timeshare Sale ? Minimize The Hassles

Making the decision to dive into the world of timeshares... Read More

Is A Disneyland Vacation Right For You?

Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More

Caribbean Pearl Secret, Margarita Island is Not So Much a Secret Anymore

Margarita Island is one of the lesser known Caribbean islands.... Read More

Apartments are Good for Your Health

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

The Lake Havasu RV Resort

Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists,... Read More