>>>Hi Mike.
>>>
>>>>For those interested in such things, my darling daughter (one of two) has started a blog documenting her time in Prague. The url is http://emilylilliebeane.tumblr.com/
>>>>
>>>>We talked this morning via Skype. She sounds great. Ally, her new bestest friend, is the other female engineering major from UW-Madison studying in Prague this semester. They have been having a blast. They have already gone on one weekend trip elsewhere in the Czech Republic and are going to Budapest this coming weekend. I told her take advantage of it because you don't know when or if you will be back in that part of the world again. Ally and Emily are not roommates, by predetermination. Emily has two roommates, one from Russia and the other from the Ukraine. I said that must be lively these days but she said no, they get along great.
>>>
>>>It's great that she's getting a chance to learn abroad. There's nothing like meeting people from other countries to expand your view points.
>>>
>>
>>I really regret not doing it. We had a couple of discussions before she left about embracing the Czech Republic on its own terms. For goodness sakes don't just hang out with other Americans or try to turn it into what you had back home. Otherwise why not just stay home?
>>
>>As it happens she says the few students who have annoyed her are mostly American. She says I can see where the stereotype of ugly Americans comes from.
>
>Don't worry Mike I have met many charming Americans here.
>
>If you want ugly stereotyping try being a british tourist in Spain.
>
>I liked the comment about the car parking. Is that a rule in the USA ?.

I imagine so. I don't remember ever seeing cars parked facing in opposite directions on the same side of the street.

For sure not all Americans abroad are ugly Americans. But enough are for it to be noticeable. Loud, braying, acting entitled, that kind of thing.

One thing she said that made me smile was that although Czechs are not noticeably out of shape, you don't generally see them overtly exercising. She was told that if you see someone running outside, they're American.