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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on March 16, 2012, 07:41:06 AM

Title: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on March 16, 2012, 07:41:06 AM
QuoteHow Not to Attract Tourists (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/opinion/the-unwelcome-mat.html?_r=1)
AS Americans, we like to imagine our country as we think of ourselves: open-hearted and welcoming; efficient and practical; easygoing, above all. These values are the foundation of our culture, of an open economy fueled by ideas and immigration, and of our soft power — America's ability to change the world simply because it is admired.

Whatever foreigners think of the American experiment, though, it's unlikely the experience of crossing our border has made them think better of it.

This op-ed seems to share a number of the same opinions as a number of the Euros here.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valdemar on March 16, 2012, 08:39:05 AM
Its funny :) in many instances French and Americans seem alike in the "we have enough in our selves, our beautiful country, and we don't really care what others think"

V
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.

People who like foreigners to come here, give us their money, and leave.  Those people clearly do not work for Homeland Security.  But then they tend to do a pretty good job pissing off American tourists flying around America as well.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on March 16, 2012, 09:02:53 AM
Yes.  They've made flying absolutely miserable.  Miserable.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.

People who like foreigners to come here, give us their money, and leave.  Those people clearly do not work for Homeland Security.  But then they tend to do a pretty good job pissing off American tourists flying around America as well.

Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: katmai on March 16, 2012, 09:15:37 AM
I'd take them all over the Irish.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:20:05 AM
Quote from: katmai on March 16, 2012, 09:15:37 AM
I'd take them all over the Irish.

Of course you'd want to get rid of police departments.  You're a ne'er-do-well.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:36:57 AM
People outside the US form views of the US based on how Americans act when they are travelling and Fox news.  The thing the article is complaining about pales in comparison.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:42:29 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:36:57 AM
People outside the US form views of the US based on how Americans act when they are travelling and Fox news.  The thing the article is complaining about pales in comparison.

Yeah what do they learn from Fox News?
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:42:57 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:42:29 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:36:57 AM
People outside the US form views of the US based on how Americans act when they are travelling and Fox news.  The thing the article is complaining about pales in comparison.

Yeah what do they learn from Fox News?

They learn that Americans watch it.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:36:57 AM
People outside the US form views of the US based on how Americans act when they are travelling and Fox news.  The thing the article is complaining about pales in comparison.

Personally, I form my view of any country based on the most representative Languisite, the one whom I think best represents that country's pecularities.

For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:50:39 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Well I presume all Canadians are like Grallon so that's fair.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:51:49 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:42:57 AM
They learn that Americans watch it.

Fox News reports on its own ratings?  How unprofessional.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:56:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:50:39 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Well I presume all Canadians are like Grallon so that's fair.

By his own account, he's not a Canadian. He's Québécois. So we Canadians are off the hook.  :D
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Jacob on March 16, 2012, 09:57:51 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.

:lol:

You're such a putz sometimes.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:58:10 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:51:49 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:42:57 AM
They learn that Americans watch it.

Fox News reports on its own ratings?  How unprofessional.

Let me connect the dots for you.  While most Americans are friendly warm and welcoming in their own country when they travel they often transform in the kind of person often seen on Fox news.  From an outsiders point of view therefore, Fox News and American tourists are self referencing reinforcers of the negative stereotype of the ugly American.

As an added bonus the latest GOP race also helps.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:01:26 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:56:53 AM
By his own account, he's not a Canadian. He's Québécois. So we Canadians are off the hook.  :D

Yeah because Lettow always wraps himself in the American Flag.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:02:07 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2012, 09:58:10 AM
While most Americans are friendly warm and welcoming in their own country when they travel they often transform in the kind of person often seen on Fox news.

Fat people? :P
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Eddie Teach on March 16, 2012, 10:06:12 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:01:26 AM
Yeah because Lettow always wraps himself in the American Flag.

Maybe if he was burning it. :shifty:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Josquius on March 16, 2012, 10:06:23 AM
I wonder what would happen if someone actually did click those "Yes, I am a terrorist" boxes.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:08:16 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Sure, if the US were 1850's Georgia.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Eddie Teach on March 16, 2012, 10:09:00 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:08:16 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Sure, if the US were 1850's Georgia.

Tennessee.  <_<
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:11:02 AM
Quote from: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on March 16, 2012, 07:41:06 AM
QuoteHow Not to Attract Tourists (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/opinion/the-unwelcome-mat.html?_r=1)
AS Americans, we like to imagine our country as we think of ourselves: open-hearted and welcoming; efficient and practical; easygoing, above all. These values are the foundation of our culture, of an open economy fueled by ideas and immigration, and of our soft power — America's ability to change the world simply because it is admired.

Whatever foreigners think of the American experiment, though, it's unlikely the experience of crossing our border has made them think better of it.

This op-ed seems to share a number of the same opinions as a number of the Euros here.

I guess there's a reason you didn't post the rest of the op-ed. That form sounds like a nuisance but minor in the extreme.  I thought this was going to be something about bizarre hoops.  Besides we aren't the only country to ask for customs forms, which is an additional complaint in the article.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:12:05 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:56:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:50:39 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Well I presume all Canadians are like Grallon so that's fair.

By his own account, he's not a Canadian. He's Québécois. So we Canadians are off the hook.  :D

Then we're off the hook for Lettow who claims CSA citizenship.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:13:41 AM
Quote from: Jacob on March 16, 2012, 09:57:51 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.

:lol:

You're such a putz sometimes.

I'm sure up there in your idyllic sylvan paradise of Disney's Canada, everybody with an accent shows up chock full of heady immigrant goodness, ready to become active participants in the Canadian Dream(tm) as  animated woodland creatures help them get dressed and work on their cobbling and other humble occupations, but down here--particularly in the Northeast Corridor--a substantial amount of immigrants are up to no goddamned good.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:14:29 AM
I seem to recall Britain being quite a pain to get through customs compared to other Euro countries which just sorta wave you through with a yawn.  In Italy if they realized you were American they would not even check your passport.

It was pretty comical seeing a long line of backpackers being asked in robot fashion 'what is your business here in Britain'.

Um to get drunk and hit on your women dude.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 10:16:09 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:01:26 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:56:53 AM
By his own account, he's not a Canadian. He's Québécois. So we Canadians are off the hook.  :D

Yeah because Lettow always wraps himself in the American Flag.

Listen, I don't wanna know *what* he does while wanking.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Josquius on March 16, 2012, 10:19:27 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:14:29 AM
I seem to recall Britain being quite a pain to get through customs compared to other Euro countries which just sorta wave you through with a yawn.  In Italy if they realized you were American they would not even check your passport.

It was pretty comical seeing a long line of backpackers being asked in robot fashion 'what is your business here in Britain'.

Um to get drunk and hit on your women dude.
You can hardly blame Brits at being suspicious of people claiming to be tourists.
Tourist? Coming TO Britain?

:P
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:20:12 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:11:02 AM
I guess there's a reason you didn't post the rest of the op-ed. That form sounds like a nuisance but minor in the extreme.  I thought this was going to be something about bizarre hoops.  Besides we aren't the only country to ask for customs forms, which is an additional complaint in the article.
I think you're the only country to charge for it though.  When I visited the US it was a form you filled out on-board, it was free, it was shorter than that form and it looked a lot less of a bureaucratic hassle than this:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
When you add that to the proverbial delight of dealing with TSA staff it's just not a terribly pleasant place to travel to.

What I find extraordinary is that, from what I hear, Israeli security and screening which is far greater (and probably more effective than anywhere else in the world) is actually quite pleasant and well handled.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:22:00 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:20:12 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:11:02 AM
I guess there's a reason you didn't post the rest of the op-ed. That form sounds like a nuisance but minor in the extreme.  I thought this was going to be something about bizarre hoops.  Besides we aren't the only country to ask for customs forms, which is an additional complaint in the article.
I think you're the only country to charge for it though.  When I visited the US it was a form you filled out on-board, it was free, it was shorter than that form and it looked a lot less of a bureaucratic hassle than this:
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
When you add that to the proverbial delight of dealing with TSA staff it's just not a terribly pleasant place to travel to.

What I find extraordinary is that, from what I hear, Israeli security and screening which is far greater (and probably more effective than anywhere else in the world) is actually quite pleasant and well handled.

Actually per the article sounds like it is in addition to the free paper form.

Anyway, security staff in the UK aren't so lovely either.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:25:07 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:20:12 AM
What I find extraordinary is that, from what I hear, Israeli security and screening which is far greater (and probably more effective than anywhere else in the world) is actually quite pleasant and well handled.

American government officials are notoriously unpleasant people.  Why do you think we all have such a bad attitude about the state?
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:28:35 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:22:00 AMActually per the article sounds like it is in addition to the free paper form.
The website says all travellers who are under the visa waiver have to do it now.

QuoteAnyway, security staff in the UK aren't so lovely either.
Lord no.  Neither are the French for that matter.  But the Americans are notoriously bad.  I've read articles by Americans about internal travel bemoaning the TSA's attitude to people so it's not just international travellers who get a bad impression of them.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:28:51 AM
Quote from: Tyr on March 16, 2012, 10:19:27 AM
You can hardly blame Brits at being suspicious of people claiming to be tourists.
Tourist? Coming TO Britain?

Of course.  Britain is lovely.  At least England was during the my short time there.  It was beautiful, warm, and sunny the whole time so I just assumed it was always that way.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:28:51 AM
Of course.  Britain is lovely.  At least England was during the my short time there.  It was beautiful, warm, and sunny the whole time so I just assumed it was always that way.
And it is.  The warmth of our weather is matched only by the warmth of our welcome :)
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Eddie Teach on March 16, 2012, 10:34:32 AM
I'm not real clear how Malthus is basing opinions of America on Lettow when he apparently hasn't read a word the guy's posted.  :hmm:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:35:27 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:20:12 AM
What I find extraordinary is that, from what I hear, Israeli security and screening which is far greater (and probably more effective than anywhere else in the world) is actually quite pleasant and well handled.

Their security measures allow so much latitude on profiling, if you're not what they're looking for, you're not a threat.
Arab male between 18 and 45 with an Islamic name in a business suit?  You're gonna miss your flight, buddy.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:35:52 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:28:35 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:22:00 AMActually per the article sounds like it is in addition to the free paper form.
The website says all travellers who are under the visa waiver have to do it now.

That's what I meant. It is an extra thing that now needs to be done which does suck. I was just pointing out in my first post that complaining about the old customs form was silly because every nation requires that.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:36:31 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
And it is.  The warmth of our weather is matched only by the warmth of our welcome :)

England is the Hawai'i of Europe.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:36:51 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
The warmth of our weather is matched only by the warmth of our welcome :)

:x :x :x
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:39:27 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:36:51 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
The warmth of our weather is matched only by the warmth of our welcome :)

:x :x :x

Well that shouldn't be off putting then given how cold the welcome is.

I still remember how flustered this one student got when 2 girls and I just randomly chatted him up at one of the school dances.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:41:50 AM
Bah, I wouldn't go to England anyway, since it took my father and I months to get off the No-Fly List after 9/11.  Brits probably pegged us as IRA because of our names.  Fucking racists.

GET OUT OF IRELAND YOU RAT BASTARDS
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:43:35 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:41:50 AM
Bah, I wouldn't go to England anyway, since it took my father and I months to get off the No-Fly List after 9/11.  Brits probably pegged us as IRA because of our names.  Fucking racists.

GET OUT OF IRELAND YOU RAT BASTARDS

The UK is lovely, MB.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Zanza on March 16, 2012, 10:46:39 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:35:52 AMI was just pointing out in my first post that complaining about the old customs form was silly because every nation requires that.
Quite a few nations don't require a customs form. They will just make random searches.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:46:59 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:43:35 AM
The UK is lovely, MB.

Yeah, I've seen Hugh Grant movies.  I know.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 10:50:07 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on March 16, 2012, 10:34:32 AM
I'm not real clear how Malthus is basing opinions of America on Lettow when he apparently hasn't read a word the guy's posted.  :hmm:

I suspect you are not taking my posts in the spirit they were intended.  :P
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Eddie Teach on March 16, 2012, 10:55:59 AM
Oh, I'm sure you're joking/trolling, but still doesn't change the fact Lettow gets excluded on the same rationale you created for grallon. :contract:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on March 16, 2012, 10:57:19 AM
There are no strangers in Britain, only people we have yet to be rude and unpleasant to  :bowler:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:58:50 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on March 16, 2012, 10:55:59 AM
Oh, I'm sure you're joking/trolling, but still doesn't change the fact Lettow gets excluded on the same rationale you created for grallon. :contract:

Thank you for calling out Malthus on that travesty.  I was too outraged to respond personally :ultra:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:59:38 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on March 16, 2012, 10:57:19 AM
There are no strangers in Britain, only people we have yet to be rude and unpleasant to  :bowler:

In Britain everybody is treated like family.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 11:05:49 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:59:38 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on March 16, 2012, 10:57:19 AM
There are no strangers in Britain, only people we have yet to be rude and unpleasant to  :bowler:

In Britain everybody is treated like family.
True.  That's why we should get Mike Leigh to direct our tourism adverts.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 16, 2012, 11:06:18 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on March 16, 2012, 10:57:19 AM
There are no strangers in Britain, only people we have yet to be rude and unpleasant to  :bowler:

Wogs start at Calais :bowler:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 11:06:51 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on March 16, 2012, 10:55:59 AM
Oh, I'm sure you're joking/trolling, but still doesn't change the fact Lettow gets excluded on the same rationale you created for grallon. :contract:

Again, it's not as if I actually cared about that.  :lol:

On a more significant note - the current Republican primary is offering the world a most unedifying example. Every country has silly politicians who sound absurd and/or crazy to outsiders, but this lot is (a) generating a lot of news, and (b) much of it viewed unfavourably by pretty well everyone outside the US.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 11:13:21 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.

People who like foreigners to come here, give us their money, and leave.  Those people clearly do not work for Homeland Security.  But then they tend to do a pretty good job pissing off American tourists flying around America as well.

Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.

Somebody hasn't read the article...

QuoteImagine that you're the citizen of a prosperous, democratic ally like Britain, Spain or Japan, and you'd like to visit America.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 11:20:18 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 11:13:21 AM
Somebody hasn't read the article...

QuoteImagine that you're the citizen of a prosperous, democratic ally like Britain, Spain or Japan, and you'd like to visit America.

Big deal: their students get the red fucking carpet.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 11:23:55 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 11:20:18 AM
Quote from: The Larch on March 16, 2012, 11:13:21 AM
Somebody hasn't read the article...

QuoteImagine that you're the citizen of a prosperous, democratic ally like Britain, Spain or Japan, and you'd like to visit America.

Big deal: their students get the red fucking carpet.

But we're not talking about students, we're talking about tourists.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 12:37:32 PM
Meh.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: MadImmortalMan on March 16, 2012, 12:57:37 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:41:50 AM
Bah, I wouldn't go to England anyway, since it took my father and I months to get off the No-Fly List after 9/11.  Brits probably pegged us as IRA because of our names.  Fucking racists.

GET OUT OF IRELAND YOU RAT BASTARDS

Nah, they probably thought you guys were fake names made up by terrorists with an ironic appreciation for Tom Clancy novels.  :P
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Brain on March 16, 2012, 02:09:53 PM
I don't hate America. :)
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on March 16, 2012, 02:45:27 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on March 16, 2012, 12:57:37 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:41:50 AM
Bah, I wouldn't go to England anyway, since it took my father and I months to get off the No-Fly List after 9/11.  Brits probably pegged us as IRA because of our names.  Fucking racists.

GET OUT OF IRELAND YOU RAT BASTARDS

Nah, they probably thought you guys were fake names made up by terrorists with an ironic appreciation for Tom Clancy novels.  :P
Let's face it, the name Mohammed de Valera does not exactly inspire confidence  :huh:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Crazy_Ivan80 on March 16, 2012, 03:09:54 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.

People who like foreigners to come here, give us their money, and leave.  Those people clearly do not work for Homeland Security.  But then they tend to do a pretty good job pissing off American tourists flying around America as well.

Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.

I imagine that this is what the natives said about the colonists...
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Crazy_Ivan80 on March 16, 2012, 03:14:45 PM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 10:36:31 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on March 16, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
And it is.  The warmth of our weather is matched only by the warmth of our welcome :)

England is the Hawai'i of Europe.
be glad he didn't mention the warmth of the beer  <_<
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on March 16, 2012, 03:34:18 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:46:59 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 16, 2012, 10:43:35 AM
The UK is lovely, MB.

Yeah, I've seen Hugh Grant movies.  I know.
More importantly, Braveheart and The Patriot. 
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Razgovory on March 16, 2012, 03:43:24 PM
Actually watching British TV from the 1970's and 1980's gave me the impression that it's cold, wet, grey, and has a very poor special effects.  Not a place I'd want to visit.


I wonder if anyone says to themselves:  "You know, I'd go to America but they charge 15 bucks to get in.  Fuck that".
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 04:01:32 PM
One thing I noticed from visiting southern England is how damn green and fourishing all the vegitation is. Pretty well everyone seems to have magnificent guardens, and even the fields by the sides of the roads were covered with verdant greenery and flowers.

A "green and pleasant land" indeed.

Also, every bit of it looks like someone has cultivated it obsessively for centuries, which is probably true.

Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Jacob on March 16, 2012, 04:26:39 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on March 16, 2012, 03:43:24 PM
Actually watching British TV from the 1970's and 1980's gave me the impression that it's cold, wet, grey, and has a very poor special effects.  Not a place I'd want to visit.

Have you ever visited somewhere outside of the US?

QuoteI wonder if anyone says to themselves:  "You know, I'd go to America but they charge 15 bucks to get in.  Fuck that".

I haven't done that, but I've definitely done the "that connection takes me through the US. Fuck that" thing.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Razgovory on March 16, 2012, 04:30:15 PM
Quote from: Jacob on March 16, 2012, 04:26:39 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on March 16, 2012, 03:43:24 PM
Actually watching British TV from the 1970's and 1980's gave me the impression that it's cold, wet, grey, and has a very poor special effects.  Not a place I'd want to visit.

Have you ever visited somewhere outside of the US?

QuoteI wonder if anyone says to themselves:  "You know, I'd go to America but they charge 15 bucks to get in.  Fuck that".

I haven't done that, but I've definitely done the "that connection takes me through the US. Fuck that" thing.

Yes.  I have seen Europe close up and personal.  Not the UK though.  I was in Italy mostly.  Which was nice and warm, and kind of dirty but friendly.  I really enjoyed it.  The Southern part could use some work.  Florence was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.  Naples, not so much.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Jacob on March 16, 2012, 04:34:19 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on March 16, 2012, 04:30:15 PMYes.  I have seen Europe close up and personal.  Not the UK though.  I was in Italy mostly.  Which was nice and warm, and kind of dirty but friendly.  I really enjoyed it.  The Southern part could use some work.  Florence was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.  Naples, not so much.

Yeah, Florence is gorgeous. It would've been an awesome place to go for an exchange year or three in university.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 04:41:02 PM
Ed's Foreigners checklist:

UK: London is a grubby city.
France: Has the Ed Anger seal of approval
Denmark: Why Bother?
Italy: Milan was nice. Got lectured on how to vote.

Germans: Lectured by peon about stupid Americans. He was wanting to work in the US.  Surprisingly left behind. Let the German office know how much of an idiot he was.

Edit: Why did I say Koln? My brain is numb.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Brain on March 16, 2012, 05:07:21 PM
Florence. :wub:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: KRonn on March 16, 2012, 05:22:35 PM
You mean, that even more people don't like Americans!? Oh man, our long national nightmare just never ends!  ;)
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on March 16, 2012, 07:13:10 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 16, 2012, 05:07:21 PM
Florence. :wub:
Yes.  :wub:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: mongers on March 16, 2012, 08:48:48 PM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 04:01:32 PM
One thing I noticed from visiting southern England is how damn green and fourishing all the vegitation is. Pretty well everyone seems to have magnificent guardens, and even the fields by the sides of the roads were covered with verdant greenery and flowers.

A "green and pleasant land" indeed.

Also, every bit of it looks like someone has cultivated it obsessively for centuries, which is probably true.

Well, we've had an extraordinary dry 18 months, so things aren't quite so green as normal, the river outside is looking decidedly 'ill'. 

Yeah I doubt there's a single square mile within 150 miles of here that's 'natural'. Hell, even the wastelands like the heathland or uplands like Dartmoor are ancient areas of failed of cultivation, that are largely managed to stay the way they now are. 
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 09:18:43 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)

:bleeding:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Brain on March 17, 2012, 01:24:56 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)

:wub:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:35:45 AM
I wonder if that mall is any good.  I should check it out sometime. :hmm:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:37:02 AM
btw, I've been to the real Florence also and while I agree it was a gorgeous city, it was so overloaded with filthy Gypsies that it wasn't my favorite.  I liked Assisi much better, which is nearly as attractive a town anyway.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: The Brain on March 17, 2012, 06:15:26 AM
OK, Tampax.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 17, 2012, 12:57:20 PM
Quote from: The Brain on March 17, 2012, 06:15:26 AM
OK, Tampax.

This.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Razgovory on March 17, 2012, 02:04:40 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:37:02 AM
btw, I've been to the real Florence also and while I agree it was a gorgeous city, it was so overloaded with filthy Gypsies that it wasn't my favorite.  I liked Assisi much better, which is nearly as attractive a town anyway.

I was in Assisi was well, but it had an earth quake or something recently so everything was being repaired.  Still looked very medieval.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: DontSayBanana on March 17, 2012, 11:50:23 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)

In a related vein, some genius decided to paint the letters of the name "Glassboro" from last to first when lettering the water tower visible from Route 55 (anybody familiar with NJ knows it's one of the main ways to get from Philly to the shore, since it doesn't have ridiculous tolls like the AC Expressway).

That's right, for a couple of weeks, we had a water tower that read "Assboro."
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: garbon on March 17, 2012, 11:58:35 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on March 17, 2012, 11:50:23 PM
That's right, for a couple of weeks, we had a water tower that read "Assboro."

Art imitates life?
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: DontSayBanana on March 18, 2012, 12:01:30 AM
Quote from: garbon on March 17, 2012, 11:58:35 PM
Art imitates life?

Glassboro?  Could very well be.  Like many college towns, it's a dump.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Ideologue on March 18, 2012, 12:43:09 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 09:18:43 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)

:bleeding:

Sorry. :(

Edit: NM.  I naturally assumed the abomination was in Florence, SC. :P
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: FunkMonk on March 18, 2012, 12:51:13 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on March 18, 2012, 12:43:09 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on March 16, 2012, 09:18:43 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 16, 2012, 07:18:20 PM
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F0%2F0a%2FFlorence-yall.jpg&hash=5593eb2a1525dc5b044f05c755b3fcf521dc79c1)

:bleeding:

Sorry. :(

Edit: NM.  I naturally assumed the abomination was in Florence, SC. :P

When I visited Bishopville we stopped by Magnolia Mall near Florence.  :cool:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Razgovory on March 18, 2012, 01:01:01 AM
Our Watertower does not have the name of the town on it.  It's also shaped like a rocket for some reason.  Apparently a fairly rare design.  I think it may be duel-use water tower/rocketship.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: sbr on March 18, 2012, 01:15:16 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on March 17, 2012, 11:50:23 PM
That's right, for a couple of weeks, we had a water tower that read "Assboro."

Why did they capitalize the 'A' if it was going to end up in the middle of the word when they were done?
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Eddie Teach on March 18, 2012, 01:25:03 PM
If it's like the Florence water tower, it would have said ASSBORO.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 18, 2012, 03:49:28 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on March 17, 2012, 11:50:23 PM
In a related vein, some genius decided to paint the letters of the name "Glassboro" from last to first when lettering the water tower visible from Route 55 (anybody familiar with NJ knows it's one of the main ways to get from Philly to the shore, since it doesn't have ridiculous tolls like the AC Expressway).
Hm, do you mean people taking route 40 south to 55 east?  I think I've done that before.  Last July I took 40 from the Delaware River all the way to Pleasantville.  I too refuse to pay tolls.   :mad:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 18, 2012, 03:50:37 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on March 18, 2012, 12:01:30 AM
Glassboro?  Could very well be.  Like many college towns, it's a dump.
My uncle went to Rowan back when it was still Glassboro State.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Siege on March 18, 2012, 04:43:17 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on March 16, 2012, 10:09:00 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 10:08:16 AM
Quote from: Malthus on March 16, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
For the US, of course, that would be Lettow.  :)

Sure, if the US were 1850's Georgia.

Tennessee.  <_<

Hey, don't talk shit about The Great State of Tennessee!
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Siege on March 18, 2012, 04:46:38 PM
Quote from: Crazy_Ivan80 on March 16, 2012, 03:09:54 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 09:10:47 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 16, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on March 16, 2012, 08:06:25 AM
Who gives a shit.

People who like foreigners to come here, give us their money, and leave.  Those people clearly do not work for Homeland Security.  But then they tend to do a pretty good job pissing off American tourists flying around America as well.

Problem is, they come here, and they fucking stay.  And I'm up to my balls here in Russian cyber scam artists, Jamaican grass dealers, Chinese counterfeiters, Honduran car thieves, Nigerian stolen credit card rings and Korean dry cleaners that rip you off by not using the starch they charge you for.

Like I said before, the great thing about being an American is you don't have to see the world;  the world comes here and starts crime syndicates. 

Fuck them all.  I hope TSA puts their filthy 3rd world asses through the fucking gauntlet.

I imagine that this is what the natives said about the colonists...

We don't place ourselves on our enemies shoes.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Valdemar on March 19, 2012, 03:51:27 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:37:02 AM
btw, I've been to the real Florence also and while I agree it was a gorgeous city, it was so overloaded with filthy Gypsies that it wasn't my favorite.  I liked Assisi much better, which is nearly as attractive a town anyway.

You should try Siena then, next time you go there :) It is very nice. Beware of the festival time though, either make sure you make it, if thats your interest, or NOT to make it, if you want the town more tranquil :9

V
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 04:06:09 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:37:02 AM
btw, I've been to the real Florence also and while I agree it was a gorgeous city, it was so overloaded with filthy Gypsies that it wasn't my favorite.  I liked Assisi much better, which is nearly as attractive a town anyway.

RACISSS
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 04:06:35 AM
Quote from: The Brain on March 17, 2012, 06:15:26 AM
OK, Tampax.

drop that already, Nuketard  :mad:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Jacob on March 19, 2012, 12:55:05 PM
Quote from: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 04:06:35 AM
Quote from: The Brain on March 17, 2012, 06:15:26 AM
OK, Tampax.

drop that already, Nuketard  :mad:

Suck it up.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: derspiess on March 19, 2012, 01:18:26 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:35:45 AM
I wonder if that mall is any good.  I should check it out sometime. :hmm:

No.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 19, 2012, 06:48:18 PM
Quote from: Tamas on March 19, 2012, 04:06:09 AM
Quote from: Caliga on March 17, 2012, 05:37:02 AM
btw, I've been to the real Florence also and while I agree it was a gorgeous city, it was so overloaded with filthy Gypsies that it wasn't my favorite.  I liked Assisi much better, which is nearly as attractive a town anyway.

RACISSS
I don't like it when dirty children keep trying to steal my camera.  Call me crazy.
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Caliga on March 19, 2012, 06:49:49 PM
Quote from: derspiess on March 19, 2012, 01:18:26 PM
No.
*checks* They have an Orange Julius. :cool:
Title: Re: How Not to Attract Tourists
Post by: Razgovory on March 19, 2012, 06:57:33 PM
Quote from: Siege on March 18, 2012, 04:46:38 PM

We don't place ourselves on our enemies shoes.

Is this some kind of Arab saying or something?