What are some examples of bizarre American tourists behavior?
About 19 years ago, I worked in a petrol station in my hometown in Ireland (Ennis). An American Tourist was about to fill her rented Audi up with petrol. I then ran out to the forecourt and stopped her. It was a diesel. Once she had correctly fuelled up, she came into the shop to pay. It was about €60. She handed me a $100 bill. I handed it back to her and informed her that only Euros will be accepted as payment. She the said that she thought “all poor countries took dollars”.
I got a bit cranky. At the time, Ireland was the second richest country in the world (The US wasn’t first) and the Euro was much stronger than the dollar. I explained this to her and told me that she might as well be trying to pay me in toilet paper. She couldn’t believe this. Eventually, she then tried to pay me with a Diner’s Club card, which resulted in a derisive laugh from me. She had to call her husband who was over in the Hotel across the road. He came to “clear up the misunderstanding” and also tried to pay in Dollars. At this point I informed them that they either paid for the fuel in an acceptable currency or I call the police. A Visa magically appeared. It was declined. They eventually got some Euros from an ATM.
it’s worth noting that the overwhelming majority of American Tourists I encountered in Ireland were not arrogant, rude or anything of the like. You always remember the bad ones though! quotation
