I used to have this theory that the reason we (where by “we” I mean you, me, and possibly that other guy) always felt that American travelers were so loud and boisterous was because we spoke English. Meaning that, the only language that we really understand comes in louder and clearer than any of the others.

Upon closer inspection, however, the old hypothesis is true: Americans are loud and obnoxious.

Sitting in my hotel room with the TV on, I could hear loud talking through my door. This is a nice hotel… I never hear loud anything through my door. Curious, I padded over to the door and looked out of the peephole. I have a perfect view of the elevators and I, of course, saw three westerners talking loudly about their morning, crazy Chinese customs, and breakfast. There was no reason for them to be so loud. They were standing right next to each other in a bunch, there wasn’t any construction noise in the background, and they all looked young enough to not be suffering any crippling hearing defects. That’s just the way (some of us) we are.

What is that? Bravado? Ego? Low self-esteem? Is it generally louder in America so that we’re conditioned to speak in near-shouts? I don’t get it. .. but it’s definitely embarrassing.