According to a new survey conducted by Expedia, the French were determined to be the worst tourists in the world, coming across as poor tippers, tight with their money, arrogant and bad-mannered as well as having terrible facility with foreign languages. The survey was conducted with over 4,500 hoteliers around the world.

Believe it or not, the Japanese finished as the best tourists for the 3rd year in a row. While Americans finished 9th overall in this latest survey, they received the highest marks for generosity as the biggest spenders and tippers. On the other hand, American tourists were characterized as slobs, loud and the worst complainers. Sounds like some Americans that I know!

I really don’t much put creditability in this survey due to the relatively small sample size (only 4.500 hoteliers participated) among other things. I think French people get somewhat of a bad rap because of their difficulty with the English Language, which is the international language of the tourist and usually the 2nd language spoken by the host country. From my vast experience as a traveler in Thailand, many the Thais (especially those engaged in the Tourist Business) have a lot better facility with the English Language than most French tourists.

I admit though that the FRENCH have a tendency to be somewhat arrogant and rude though - at least that is the way they act towards me. Maybe it’s because I’m an American and the French people are known to have an attitude with us Yankees. My pet peeve with the French (as well as some other European people) is the total lack of dining etiquette in a public restaurant or café vis a vis smoking.

Unfortunately, it seems that the French – especially the ladies - do not seem to show any 2nd thoughts about lighting up a cigarette in a restaurant or cafe and seem to be oblivious to the protestations of their fellow diners. Young Israeli Ladies are also notorious smokers – and seem to have an attitude equal to worse then French Girls.

I have gone on record with my distaste for cigarette smoking - in particular I hate to be sucking down smoke while I’m eating my meal. If I had it my way, smoking would be banned in all restaurants and cafes - both indoor and outdoors – worldwide. Maybe there should be dedicated restaurants for smokers as well! Cough. Cough!