The United States is the most hated country in the world.

[Marengo]

99. When living in China, I automatically expected the worst of American tourists...

but discovered something quite interesting. The western Europeans exhibited a level of arrogance and condescension that I was always led to believe only Americans were capable of. Many of the British, French, Dutch & German tourists I encountered alike simply could not control their disapproving attitude of China. Especially embarrassing were those who seemed to long for the "old China" of western fantasy or those who offered their opinions to the tour guides on how China can improve itself. Many of the Americans seemed more accepting or at least didn't show open disdain as western Europeans often did.

After an especially unpleasant tour in Xian with several insufferable Dutch & British tourists who were critical of everything, the tour guide said to me she preferred American clients who were generally more respectful. I noticed that while the Europeans seemed to be suffering terrible with the inconveniences of the developing world, the two young American guys in the group were having a good time and didn't feel the need to project their cultural and ideological superiority on Chinese working class people who are powerless to change anything.

Perhaps she was flattering me for a larger tip as the British fellow felt he had the need to say to me after overhearing us, but I chose to take it at face value.

It would not be the last time I would hear such a sentiment.