Visitors survey says America is the worst country in the wor

[razbojnik]

Unfriendly, Suspicious, Arrogant...
By Catherine Elsworth and Melissa Whitworth
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 22/11/2006



The land of the free has become the home of the rude thanks to the "arrogant" and "unpredictable" immigration officials who police its borders, according to a survey of travellers.

The nation that once welcomed all with its Statue of Liberty and declaration E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one) is now considered the world's most unfriendly.
Worst country: experts fear that rudeness is turning away the tourists


Visitors are staying away, costing the country billions of dollars in lost revenue, and the situation threatens America's already battered image, according to the group behind the survey.

The Discover America Partnership, a group of travel industry leaders, found that two thirds of the 2,011 foreign visitors it questioned found America "the worst country in the world" in the way they were treated.

"Visiting the United States and interacting with the American people can have a powerful, positive effect on how non-US residents see our country," Geoff Freeman, executive director of the DAP, said. "Unfortunately, perceptions of a 'rude' and 'arrogant' entry process are turning away travellers and harming America's image."

The survey of visitors from 16 countries showed that the US was ranked "the worst" in terms of visas and immigration procedures by 39 per cent, twice as many as the next destination considered unfriendly, the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent. More than half of those surveyed said US immigration officials were rude and two thirds said they feared they would be detained on arrival for benign mistakes in paperwork or for saying the wrong thing to Customs and Border Protection staff, whose motto is Vigilance, Service and Integrity. The DAP said travel to the US from countries other than Mexico and Canada was down 17 per cent from its high in 2000.
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Earlier this year Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, promised to speed up what is for many a lengthy and expensive visa process and make the US a friendlier place to visit. But critics say they have yet to see evidence of improvements.

"The problem is that since September 11, this country has viewed visitors more as a threat than an opportunity," said Mr Freeman. "The entry process has created a climate of fear that is keeping visitors away. There is more fear of our immigration officials than of terrorism or crime."

Several high-profile figures have fallen foul of immigration. In 2004, the novelist Ian McEwan was refused entry from Canada. Eventually allowed in, he thanked the Department of Homeland Security "for protecting the American public from British novelists". He later received an apology. At Newark airport in New Jersey yesterday, passengers arriving on a flight from Glasgow had plenty to say about their welcome.

"They have this weird accusatory tone," said Chris Stack, 26, a film director, who was given a grilling at immigration before being let in. "It's the first time I've been back to the US since 9/11. Now you feel like they're looking at you and labelling everyone a possible terrorist."

John McLelland, 26, a shop manager, agreed. "It's their way of asking that makes you feel uncomfortable, their manner and their tone."

But perhaps Miss Rice's message has got through to some border officials. Angela McClean, 29, who works for a finance company, said she had braced herself and expected an ordeal, but fortunately came through without incident.

Ross Paterson, 25, a personal trainer, said he and his girlfriend, party planner Beverly Dalgleish, 37, had had "cheery" border experience this time around.

"They tend not to be very chatty – they usually get down to business," Mr Paterson said. "But our guy was chirpy and cheery, the friendliest I've ever had. Usually they stare at you, but we were surprised."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main. ... wusa22.xml

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I got plenty of examples of this myself. I know alot of people who have examples like this too.

But then again:

http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/311872

You gotta have some humor baby yeah!

[Vincetheprince]

I've seen many of your posts and you seem to be anti-America

[razbojnik]

I've seen many of your posts and you seem to be anti-America

Depends on the subject. If we are talking about military I'm anti-American and pro-Russian. Same goes with Socialism because I think it's the best system for regular folks such as me and you and just like the rest of ex-Yugoslavian countries' people think Yugoslavia was the best when it was together. If we are talking about wealth and organized crime I love the idea of capitalism being around with it's exploitation advantages and am pro-American in this case. It all depends. I'm flexible depending on the subject. I'm neutral as well. I am not afraid to speak my mind and with debate with people as long as it's in a civilized manner. If they start insulting I deem they are not worthy to talk to me so I just ignore them. I only insult back if there is zero to minimum risk of getting banned and if it's for my own amusement but I save that for Youtube where I love to debate in a civilized manner as well about subjects like this. Here it's too risky because I have no backup and the situation is controlled by one side. As I said, it all depends...

Shall we talk in German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Macedonian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatia, Bosnian, Greek, Albanian, Arabic, Urdu-Hindi or just plain old English?

[Azure9920]

I've seen many of your posts and you seem to be anti-America

Depends on the subject. If we are talking about military I'm anti-American and pro-Russian. Same goes with Socialism because I think it's the best system for regular folks such as me and you and just like the rest of ex-Yugoslavian countries' people think Yugoslavia was the best when it was together. If we are talking about wealth and organized crime I love the idea of capitalism being around with it's exploitation advantages and am pro-American in this case. It all depends. I'm flexible depending on the subject. I'm neutral as well. I am not afraid to speak my mind and with debate with people as long as it's in a civilized manner. If they start insulting I deem they are not worthy to talk to me so I just ignore them. I only insult back if there is zero to minimum risk of getting banned and if it's for my own amusement but I save that for Youtube where I love to debate in a civilized manner as well about subjects like this. Here it's too risky because I have no backup and the situation is controlled by one side. As I said, it all depends...

Shall we talk in German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Macedonian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatia, Bosnian, Greek, Albanian, Arabic, Urdu-Hindi or just plain old English?

lol@pro Russian. Socialism doesn't work, it has to be full on dialectical materialism or neither. Look at the welfare states we've created in Canada, with all the debt, people abusing the system because they can. But how can you be pro socialist when it comes to the working class, but pro capitalism when it comes to wealth? You're contradicting yourself there.

[Vincetheprince]

LOL Azurre once again hahaha you make me laugh but you make a good point, and as fo r Razbojnik I speak English, Spanish, and Arabic

[razbojnik]

I've seen many of your posts and you seem to be anti-America

Depends on the subject. If we are talking about military I'm anti-American and pro-Russian. Same goes with Socialism because I think it's the best system for regular folks such as me and you and just like the rest of ex-Yugoslavian countries' people think Yugoslavia was the best when it was together. If we are talking about wealth and organized crime I love the idea of capitalism being around with it's exploitation advantages and am pro-American in this case. It all depends. I'm flexible depending on the subject. I'm neutral as well. I am not afraid to speak my mind and with debate with people as long as it's in a civilized manner. If they start insulting I deem they are not worthy to talk to me so I just ignore them. I only insult back if there is zero to minimum risk of getting banned and if it's for my own amusement but I save that for Youtube where I love to debate in a civilized manner as well about subjects like this. Here it's too risky because I have no backup and the situation is controlled by one side. As I said, it all depends...

Shall we talk in German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Macedonian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatia, Bosnian, Greek, Albanian, Arabic, Urdu-Hindi or just plain old English?

lol@pro Russian. Socialism doesn't work, it has to be full on dialectical materialism or neither. Look at the welfare states we've created in Canada, with all the debt, people abusing the system because they can. But how can you be pro socialist when it comes to the working class, but pro capitalism when it comes to wealth? You're contradicting yourself there.

I wrote a whole damn book to you why I'm pro socialism when it comes to the working class but pro capitalism when it comes to wealth but Robi decided to be a bitch at 1 am in the morning and temporarily cut off my internet like he does everyday.

To put it simple and short:

Socialism in Yugoslavia meant free healthcare and education, everyone had a job and a home. There was no poverty. There was no crime. It was the best country in the world, and the best time, when Yugoslavia was together, according to everyone I know, my grandparents, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my friends families and everyone esle that lived while Yugoslavia was together. There was no rich or poor. Everyone was equal. It was no facism or a dictatorship like they lie about in the West. It was as free as it can be. Macedonia being a capitalist democracy now has gone down the toilet with poverty, crime and politics being the reason for hate and violance. It is still more free than America or Canada in my opinion. But less free than when Yugoslavia was a nation, before it collapsed.

But when it comes to my big agenda for wealth, I choose capitalism because it allows you to do just that and thanks to the many loopholes in UN regulations and the US justice system I can freely conduct fraud operations on a daily basis.

[razbojnik]

LOL Azurre once again hahaha you make me laugh but you make a good point, and as fo r Razbojnik I speak English, Spanish, and Arabic

I speak English, Macedonian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Bosnian and a little bit of Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, Arabic, German and some Chinese and Japanese. Very little Greek and Albanian. For a 15 year old kid that's good right?

[razbojnik]

Unfriendly, Suspicious, Arrogant...

With the way I've been treated by some people here such as A Ghost, Perongregory and McMinister, it just only proves this point that some Americans are:

Unfriendly, Suspicious, Arrogant...

Don't hate. I don't like violance. Can't we all just get along?

[RainbowLJ]

Macedonian, Serbian,, Croatian, Bosnian same language son

[Sentenza]

Depends on the subject. If we are talking about military I'm anti-American and pro-Russian.

How come? I mean i know you are a Slav, but do you really think the Russian are acting different on the Imperialism shit? They know no mercy either when it comes to their interests.

[Vincetheprince]

Razbojnik have you ever lived in America?

[whiskeyjack]

lol, im going to america in about 30 minutes cause not only is the gas 20-40 cents cheaper once you convert from gallons to litres but the beer is also lol

[EmperorPenguin]

lol, im going to america in about 30 minutes cause not only is the gas 20-40 cents cheaper once you convert from gallons to litres but the beer is also lol

So you're going to drive the 20+ KM's there and then back to save on gas.....your math sucks.

You also understand that the beer is also at least 1% lower then your Canadian counterpart. Check out the labels. Most beer don't even put their % on the label and most hard liquor still uses the "Proof" system. Your average American beer, even if it's "Imported" Molson Canadian is 4%. Up here it's 5%, and light beer in the states is 3% or lower. So though you may think you're saving money you're not. Enjoy.

[EmperorPenguin]

I personally love visiting the States. I goto parts of America at least once a year and will spend anywhere from a day to a month at a time. I enjoy visiting but I'd never move there.

[Vincetheprince]

hahaha lol, and why not?

[whiskeyjack]

lol, im going to america in about 30 minutes cause not only is the gas 20-40 cents cheaper once you convert from gallons to litres but the beer is also lol

So you're going to drive the 20+ KM's there and then back to save on gas.....your math sucks.

You also understand that the beer is also at least 1% lower then your Canadian counterpart. Check out the labels. Most beer don't even put their % on the label and most hard liquor still uses the "Proof" system. Your average American beer, even if it's "Imported" Molson Canadian is 4%. Up here it's 5%, and light beer in the states is 3% or lower. So though you may think you're saving money you're not. Enjoy.

naw man i may be in van but not in van itself, im right close to the border and if my math sucks so does everyone else that buys gas over the border, and what are you talking about lol, i was buying bottles of liquer for the what i would normally pay for 6 packs here thats a good fuckin deal... I didnt save 100's of dollars but i did save money...

[whiskeyjack]

i was buying these bottles of scotch for $19, normally id pay $23-25 for the same bottle in canada, was too excited buying whiskey but my bud bought some busch and it was 5% and one of that imported black (lol) of whiskey and he didnt pay alot either, ill ask him but it wasnt alot and he did mention its better to buy there then here, cause its all cheaper... I dont understand how i didnt save money? What do u mean? bud, busch all were cheaper.....

[whiskeyjack]

lol, im going to america in about 30 minutes cause not only is the gas 20-40 cents cheaper once you convert from gallons to litres but the beer is also lol

So you're going to drive the 20+ KM's there and then back to save on gas.....your math sucks.

hey man dont hate i just said it was cheaper.... weather im buying gas in hope, abbotsford, surrey, merrit, or kamloops... gas in america is cheaper... if i leave my car running outside for 15 minutes in the winter to warm it up, does that mean my math still sucks?

[Vincetheprince]

I don't get what you mean about your math sucking and you having to warm up your car?

[whiskeyjack]

its all a matter i think in what your definition of wasting gas is i guess,

what i meant about gas being 20 cents cheaper after converting from litres to gallons means just that, for what its worth gas is cheaper in america in my opinion

[Vincetheprince]

Not in California that for sure.

[EmperorPenguin]

Unless you're walking over and stock piling both booze and gas you're wasting money. You're spending money to go over to the states to "save" money. So in the end you've saved nothing and wasted time. Unless you live in Tsawwassen and get get across the border in no time you've wasting gas driving to the border, waiting at the border and then getting gas and booze and then waiting at the border again and then driving home you've wasted time, and gas going there and back. The booze and gas in the states isn't THAT much cheaper that warrants a drive all the way there and back. Not to mention again, that most beer in the states is a 1% drop for each can or bottle. Even at the duty free shop, booze isn't that much cheaper.

[Vincetheprince]

he probably saves pennies per visit

[SmoshBro]

I live right on the border too. I was talking to my cousin yesterday and he told me he bought a bottle of Patron a couple weeks ago. He said over here it would be around $100 but he bought it across the border for $35, so I guess he saved quite a bit haha.
And I go across to get gas all the time, I can fill up my car for around $35 over there or $60 on the Canadian side.

[SmoshBro]

And I know people who go across the buy booze all the time, here the average 24 pack is around $35. If you go across the river, you can get the same brand of beer for $20. Ive never bought alcohol in the States but alot of people I know do so it must be worth it.

[Vincetheprince]

Well if you're telling the truth then that seems worth it.

[whiskeyjack]

And I know people who go across the buy booze all the time, here the average 24 pack is around $35. If you go across the river, you can get the same brand of beer for $20. Ive never bought alcohol in the States but alot of people I know do so it must be worth it.

yea thats what im talking about, my buddy bought a 30 pack of busch beer it was 5% alch for 20 bucks roughly, over here its pretty much 30 bucks +/- a couple of bucks, that aint pennies in my opinion....

and for what its worth it is cheaper, id like to have cheap gas like the americans also.... weve destroyed enough of our environment exploring for and tappin oil and natural gas reservoirs that we should be the ones with cheap"er" gas...

i mostly went over to fill up on gas to experience the american dream, more then anything else really

Well if you're telling the truth then that seems worth it.

lol, i wasnt lieing bout anything

[EmperorPenguin]

I live right on the border too. I was talking to my cousin yesterday and he told me he bought a bottle of Patron a couple weeks ago. He said over here it would be around $100 but he bought it across the border for $35, so I guess he saved quite a bit haha.
And I go across to get gas all the time, I can fill up my car for around $35 over there or $60 on the Canadian side.

$35 would have been at the duty free shop. Depending on your stay you can go through the duty free shop. That's not always the case and it depends on the border crossing. Again, unless you're stock piling booze and gas and walking across the border, you're not saving yourself a whole lot of money if any.

[Vincetheprince]

Gas is most expensive in California, in the USA.

[razbojnik]

*sigh*

[Vincetheprince]

I'm not watching these 'til you tell me what they're about.

[Sentenza]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE[/youtube

*sigh*

We make a big blast crater out of the fucking middle east!

What currency do they have in the United Kingdom? Queen Elizabeth Money?

LMFAOOOOOO