Gringos Gone Wild Spring break often brings out the worst in insensitive Americans

'Spring break!" These two words when exclaimed by my peers conjure up images brighter than a psychedelic fruit basket.

Spring break has transformed into an American cultural phenomenon. Movies are made about it. TV shows. Books. MTV lives for it.

For me, spring break is different.

I've traveled internationally since I was a toddler. I view each trip as a great opportunity to experience other cultures while representing my own. For the past eight years, my family and I have traveled to Puerto Vallarta for spring break and we have forged great relationships with some of the locals of this quaint city.

The past couple of years, however, I've noticed a blatant disrespect of the local culture from American college students spending spring break there.

Imagine for a minute that you work in a hotel in downtown Seattle and a gang of rambunctious foreigners crowd your lobby and begin making fun of American culture, spitting on the ground and tossing beer bottles in the planters.

Maybe you're more patient than I am, but I'd be irate. Unfortunately, I have encountered this scene more than once in the usually serene lobby of the resort my family frequents.

Cultural insensitivity is a major problem among America's youth. Could some of it be attributed to the current war in Iraq? We've become a society so engulfed in American pride and identity, flexing our national muscles like President Bush is often so quick to do.

American pride can be a good thing that unites our country, but it can also lead to ultra-patriotism or jingoism, resulting in insensitive and rude behavior by American tourists.

I've seen the effects of this "patriotism" take on a unique "us vs. them" twist during my international travels. Along with the lewd actions in the lobby, I've witnessed many American teens talking down to resort workers, making fun of the language and yelling things like, "Buenos Deez, Buenos Nachos and Grassy Ass."

Puerto Vallarta maintains a welcoming aura unmatched anywhere. According to go2vallarta.com, "Tourism is the heart of the local economy and residents, along with their government, take great pride in presenting a friendly, welcoming world-class destination."

In 1963, John Huston's film "The Night of the Iguana," starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner, increased awareness of Puerto Vallarta. The publicity started the flow of tourists and changed the focus of Puerto Vallarta's economy from fishing to tourism.

As Americans look for a peaceful retreat, Puerto Vallarta's economy is dependent on tourism. Because of this, many locals have had to tolerate shameless behavior from some American tourists.

Hotel workers don't dare stand up to rude travelers for fear of losing their less than $10-a-day wage.

Puerto Vallarta locals should not have to tolerate rude and insensitive foreigners. This is their home and they are welcoming us.

Spring break has become such a phenomenon that even the U.S. Department of State has taken note. In February, the department released a media note titled "International Travel Safety Information for Students." But nowhere does it ask tourists to respect the locals.

Yes, Mexico is a good time — who can resist cheap booze and the party atmosphere? But there are more important aspects to traveling than just partying.

Students, most in search of the next best party, often ignore the amazing Mexican culture.

Who is to blame for cultural insensitivity? Parents? "Girls Gone Wild?" The media in general? Students themselves?

I don't have an answer. But undoubtedly, awareness and respect have been replaced with ignorance and unacceptable behavior.

American youth, it's time we grew up. We need to realize when visiting foreign soil that we are more than college students. We are representatives. Is cultural insensitivity how you want your country to be represented?

Leonceo Angsioco is a UW senior. E-mail: NEXT@seattletimes.com