Comments on: A Foreigner’s Lesson on How to “Deal” with Foreigners

By: Yaz

Yaz — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:47:29 +0000

I’ve been living in the US East Coast for 5 years, making friends in here has been challenging. I consider myself a nice person and I treat everyone with respect, regardless the shape of their eyes, skin color and so on. I wish more people, whether American or not, realise as you did that we all are HUMAN BEINGS. It would be great if we all behave in a more respectful and civilized way. I’m mexican, but that doesn’t mean I do not deserve to be treated nicely. We Mexicans are friendly and treat tourist as nicely as we can. We don’t think in ourselves as superior nor inferior than other people.

By: Maelduin

Maelduin — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:45:55 +0000

Last week I stopped on my bicycle to give directions to a couple of lost Americans looking at a map – I directed them to the National Gallery, then went on my way to the shop I was heading for, and then cycled on to the park where that art gallery is, where I’d arranged to meet a friend.
They were obviously suspicious of me; I saw them again as I cycled around the park, looking for my friend. They stared at me, then very deliberately took a photograph of me, scowling. Strange!
@Yasbeth, find a class where you can meet people as you learn, say, woodwork together; join a cycling club – shared activities can cut across cultural prejudice, and once you make one or two friends, others will relax.

By: Yazbeth

Yazbeth — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:48:25 +0000

Now since you have also been on the other side of the coin, could you tell me how to break the cold wall? I have been living in a tiny village in the UK for 5 years, out of those 5 , my kids have been going to a school for 4 years, and guess what, no friends yet. I will say like in the book of chocolate, they are too polite, that they pass me by without even looking at me.I have tried to integrate by doing all sort of things from getting involved in the school to doing fundraising events etc … Still, people do not talk to me unless they need help in the school. So how do you deal with this ? This is so cold, tough, and cruel culture, I give up really, hoping one day to leave this hell. Good you change your mind about foreigners.

By: Bruce Philips

Bruce Philips — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:23:41 +0000

I have also the same experience when I worked far from home with different language. Totally different but the good thing was I made friends and I am so glad they speak english fluently and they are very helpful. It was hard at first but having friends like them I’ve learned a lot and become so attached with their culture.

By: Kath

Kath — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:15:10 +0000

I don’t speak any language, but American fluently and even that is in question some days. I’ve had people in Paris stop, help me read my map and point me in the right direction. A woman on a train to Melun concluded we might not know we needed to change trains…I understood enough French to understand we needed to change trains, but not enough to understand which platform so she walked us over to it. A few words, a smile, a nod and many, many people are helpful. Sure you get the rude sometimes, but no more then you get here when you do speak English.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:19:21 +0000

I hate to admit it but I’m one of the many who used to think less of people who can’t speak English. And I am from a non-native English speaking country.

But when I started working as a tour guide, it all changed. Was not so easy dealing with condescending foreigners.

By: Mary @ Green Global Travel

Mary @ Green Global Travel — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:42:43 +0000

You certainly think about things differently when the shoe is on the other foot.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:21:29 +0000

So is this a blog post directed to people who travel and can relate to this and hence don’t need the advice or is it directed at the minions of Americans who never travel and won’t even bother to try to understand this post? :)

I feel compelled to relate something.

Since my wife is Filipino, I have a lot of interactions with Filipino abroad. It’s quite interesting that with their limited English, they feel that anyone who can’t speak English is stupid. In China, experienced Chinese English teachers are being given lessons on basic teaching methodology from people who have never taught a day in their life back home. Why? Because they are obviously unqualified if they can’t speak perfect English. :)

I don’t think it can be stressed enough, just because someone can’t speak English, it doesn’t mean they are unintelligent. Some of the greatest minds in history couldn’t speak a word of English. :)

By: Perception of Languages | Once A Traveler

Perception of Languages | Once A Traveler — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:16 +0000

[…] language, I’d say the perception of non-native speakers of American English is that of lesser intelligence: We might bother to consider the people behind the language travesty, this illusion we put up in […]

By: Rev

Rev — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:08:42 +0000

I am a New Yorker. Tourists are a part of /life/ around here, especially if you happen to be around Midtown anytime after midday. And yeah, we all gripe about them — constantly. It is part of becoming (or being) a New Yorker, you learn to despise tourists. I admit it.

But I gotta admit, as an aspiring traveler, this article was a slap in the face (in the “I needed that” way). I might start quoting this article next time I get in a conversation with other New Yorkers about Midtown. :)