The Definition of an Ugly American
Ugly American is an epithet used to refer to perceptions of loud, arrogant, demeaning, thoughtless and ethnocentric behavior of American citizens mainly abroad, but also at home. The term is usually associated with or applied to American travelers and tourists.
Ugly American's in Kuwait
(This post is constantly updated with new incidents involving Americans in Kuwait.)
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 6, 2010: An American citizen working as a civilian officer in the US Army was arrested for peddling in drugs, based on a report the Director General of Anti-drug General Department Major General Ahmad Al-Khalifa received about activities of the suspect.
Sources said a team of detectives was formed to follow up the case, while an undercover agent sealed a deal with the suspect to purchase an unspecified quantity of the contraband for KD 100, and he was arrested upon delivery of the contraband.
Meanwhile, he led securitymen to his apartment in Fintas, where KD 5,000 cash and additional marijuana were found. He confessed to bringing drugs from the US, which he sold to compatriots and East Asian nationals.
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KUWAIT CITY, June 6, 2010: Police have arrested two American women for shoplifting, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily. According to reports the women were caught by the CCTV camera stealing undergarments from a commercial complex in Al-Rai. During initial interrogations the women denied the charges but when they were whisked away to a police station they admitted to the charge and offered to pay the cost of the stolen garments. The offer was accepted and the issue was solved amicably.
US woman insults officer at airport
KUWAIT CITY, April 17, 2010: Securitymen at the Kuwait International Airport referred an American woman to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh Police Station for insulting a passport officer on her arrival at the airport, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily. The woman, who is Deputy Manager at a private educational academy in Kuwait, was high on alcohol during the episode.
Police hunt US citizen in armed robbery, kill threat at car shop
KUWAIT CITY, April 14, 2010: Police are looking for an unidentified American citizen for breaking into a car sales office in Salmiya, threatening to shoot the owner of the office with a pistol and stealing his wallet containing KD 200, reports Al-Shahed daily. In his complaint to the police the victim said the man was also armed with a knife in addition to the pistol. On his way out, the owner said, the man damaged two cars. He had also allegedly damaged four more cars a few days ago.
US citizen vents fury on tires of 17 cars
KUWAIT CITY, April 10, 2010: An American citizen identified as “Leon J.”, said to be working in Kuwait, damaged the wheels of about 17 vehicles owned by a company selling used cars along Belajat Street in Salmiya. The damage is estimated at KD 4,000.
According to one worker at the company, the suspect arrived at the office April 7, 2010 to buy a car worth KD 1900, and he made a down payment of KD 100. Two weeks later, he paid an extra KD 300 and told the office he was traveling to the US. However, the man assured he would complete the payment when he returns from the trip and get the vehicle.
On the contrary, he went back to the company and requested they pay back the KD 400 he gave as deposit, but they stressed the first installment was not refundable. However, they agreed to pay half the amount, which is KD 200. This provoked the suspect, who went to the company the following day carrying a knife. According to a security guard at the company, the suspect destroyed the wheels of 17 cars.
Acting on information received by the Operations Room of Interior about the incident, security officers and Criminal Evidences Men rushed to the location and lifted fingerprints, and the suspect was arrested for investigation. A case was registered against him.
American man and Filipino girlfriend caught making love on Fintas beach
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 21, 2009: Acting on information police rushed to a beach in Fintas and arrested an American man and his Filipino girlfriend for committing immoral acts, reports Al-Shahed daily.
According to sources the couple was caught red-handed in a compromising position inside a car.
My thoughts...
I love my country and I'm proud to represent America while living in Kuwait. Most Americans are good hearted people who do their absolute best to respect Kuwait and its citizens. But there is always that exception (10 %) that makes it difficult for the rest of us living here. This is what I call the Ugly American.
So Ugly Americans....get the heck out of Kuwait! We don't want you here making the rest of us look bad. Your antics even put our lives in danger. One incident could get us all kicked out of Kuwait. I hope you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I hope you get what you deserve.
