There is definitely something wrong with American youth.
Posted: September 24th, 2015, 2:45 am
I am about conclude an 11 month European tour. During this time I've stayed in many hostels. Without fail, there's something wrong with the American young people when they check in (as well as Canadian). This is no longer a speculative observation, but it's quite objective because their behavior often annoys or makes other guests uncomfortable.
In essence, every single fellow American I've met on my travels (with the exception of one or two cool people I've met -- that's it) has been unable to socialize normally by comparison to anyone else, from any other country.
With the Americans, the situation almost immediately devolves into insecurity. They start worrying about showing off, who's the most "cool" in the group, trying too hard, faking behaviors, etc. This is never a problem with anyone else of any other nationality who can integrate effortlessly and be relaxed around people.
- In a hostel, an American girl kept mentioning that she's vegan. "I sure don't miss cheese, it's a good thing I'm vegan now". It was obvious an attempt to pry for approval. She was quite attractive and this annoying behavior was odd--why would she need more approval?
- In the same hostel, another American girl kept insisting to the guy who worked front-desk that she'd go and buy him a hamburger. "That's okay," he said. Then she insisted more, until he was like "Umm, okay". She returned later with a hamburger. He ate it and seemed to enjoy it, but there was awkwardness you could cut with a knife.
- An American guy I met was super paranoid when I tried to socialize with him. As is the usual case, when he found out I wasn't judging him, he started clinging on to me like I was his best friend.
- At my latest hostel in Greece, a self-described fashion model checked in. She was attractive physically indeed, but super f***ing awkward. She had a very overweight friend who it seemed like she was clearly keeping around so she could make herself feel a bit superior. She would talk in the lobby for *hours* about topics that made me cringe every 5 minutes. Such as making fun of ex-boyfriends penis sizes. When she checked out, the hostel breathed a collective sigh of relief.
- In this same hostel, there's another very "attractive" blonde model / sorority girl type from Boston. She's just staying here by herself for like 3 weeks because she's trying to make a documentary about the immigrant crisis. That's cool, right? Well everyone she talks to, she sizes up based on artificial criteria of worth. She immediately decides if you're worthy of her company or not, and will shrug past you if you're below the salt. She shows zero emotions and I am convinced she's a sociopath. She also regularly bashes men and cites feminist bullshit.
- Various other Americans I've met this year share similar traits, or are simply terrified to socialize with anyone. Especially the guys may retreat to corners, find their groups, and huddle away like scared woodland animals, while the women are often unnecessarily forceful, always over-compensating for something and getting in your face.
"Americans are so annoying" one hostel worker told me once. Yep.
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In essence, every single fellow American I've met on my travels (with the exception of one or two cool people I've met -- that's it) has been unable to socialize normally by comparison to anyone else, from any other country.
With the Americans, the situation almost immediately devolves into insecurity. They start worrying about showing off, who's the most "cool" in the group, trying too hard, faking behaviors, etc. This is never a problem with anyone else of any other nationality who can integrate effortlessly and be relaxed around people.
- In a hostel, an American girl kept mentioning that she's vegan. "I sure don't miss cheese, it's a good thing I'm vegan now". It was obvious an attempt to pry for approval. She was quite attractive and this annoying behavior was odd--why would she need more approval?
- In the same hostel, another American girl kept insisting to the guy who worked front-desk that she'd go and buy him a hamburger. "That's okay," he said. Then she insisted more, until he was like "Umm, okay". She returned later with a hamburger. He ate it and seemed to enjoy it, but there was awkwardness you could cut with a knife.
- An American guy I met was super paranoid when I tried to socialize with him. As is the usual case, when he found out I wasn't judging him, he started clinging on to me like I was his best friend.
- At my latest hostel in Greece, a self-described fashion model checked in. She was attractive physically indeed, but super f***ing awkward. She had a very overweight friend who it seemed like she was clearly keeping around so she could make herself feel a bit superior. She would talk in the lobby for *hours* about topics that made me cringe every 5 minutes. Such as making fun of ex-boyfriends penis sizes. When she checked out, the hostel breathed a collective sigh of relief.
- In this same hostel, there's another very "attractive" blonde model / sorority girl type from Boston. She's just staying here by herself for like 3 weeks because she's trying to make a documentary about the immigrant crisis. That's cool, right? Well everyone she talks to, she sizes up based on artificial criteria of worth. She immediately decides if you're worthy of her company or not, and will shrug past you if you're below the salt. She shows zero emotions and I am convinced she's a sociopath. She also regularly bashes men and cites feminist bullshit.
- Various other Americans I've met this year share similar traits, or are simply terrified to socialize with anyone. Especially the guys may retreat to corners, find their groups, and huddle away like scared woodland animals, while the women are often unnecessarily forceful, always over-compensating for something and getting in your face.
"Americans are so annoying" one hostel worker told me once. Yep.
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