The late-night binge drinking sessions, the tabletop dancing and the pounding hangovers are typical signs of hard-core partyers. After downing shot after shot of hard alcohol, many late owls sleep into the afternoon, down a few cups of coffee to wake themselves up and prepare for their next bout of excessive boozing and inappropriate behavior.
In college, this type of behavior is overlooked. Schools don’t condone it, but they realize that the phrase “study hard, party hard,” is the life of most university students. After a week of studying, cramming and exam taking, most students unwind by hitting up the bars on the weekends.
But those days are short-lived. You can only keep up with that type of lifestyle for so long, right?
Well, it appears that’s not completely true.
Party Scene Abroad – photo by bugdog on stock.xchng
As the refined TV show The Jersey Shore proved this past summer, even those past their prime college years can party with the best of ‘em. The problem, however, becomes when this behavior is demonstrated outside of your home country.
When you’re surrounded by twenty-somethings in an American bar who are set on building a high bar tab, it’s ok to imbibe with them. But, when you’re one of only a few Americans ordering drink after drink in another country, it just might be frowned upon.
While it seems counterintuitive to travel to another country only to partake in the nightlife, it appears that there are plenty of people looking to do just that. They aren’t interested in packing their day with city tours, adventure trips or countryside excursions. Instead, they choose to show themselves only at night.
These are not true travelers. These are international bar hoppers. And, as a result, they are blind to other countries’ customs.
I’ve watched scenes like this unfold not only when The Jersey Shore crew flew to Italy, but I’ve also witnessed this first-hand. In Costa Rica, I’ve seen young foreign women get up on the DJ’s stage and distastefully move about. The off-beat girating couldn’t even be called dancing. While the girls appeared to be having the time of their lives, the locals – particularly the men – simply stared.
Actually, the men were gaping in awe. They didn’t appear to be turned on, but rather turned off by such an obnoxious display of behavior by foreign women.
The women attracted attention, which I’m sure was their intention. But it was the wrong kind of attention.
When you are in a foreign country, it’s always wise to keep a low profile. If the locals aren’t behaving wildly, then follow their lead. Don’t make yourself a target.
If you really just want to venture to another country to see a bar, then by all means do so. But don’t make a mockery of yourself. And, if you must, then please don’t identify yourself as an American!
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