This spring I went to Rome for my honeymoon (first time to Rome, first time getting married).

There I met an old acquaintance, the Ugly American…and this time, it was me!

Perhaps you’ve met him: he doesn’t bother adapting himself to the locale, he expects everyone to speak English, and when they decline, he thinks increasing his already-loud volume will smooth things over.

He surprised me in Vatican City. We went without a guide, on a lark–a bad idea, as it turned out. We were confused. For instance, in the morning, people line up outside the walled city. There are two lines, one for individuals, one for groups, but it’s not clear which is which. There are no placards, maps, concierges, etc. Inside, the same total lack of hinting holds. There is no way to know that you have go through the Sistine Chapel to get to Saint Peter’s church–unless you already know, of course.

Now, who am I to suggest that the Pope nail up placards on these marble walls? Who am I to expect that I can amble into a 15-centuries-old holy place without any guide and get my bearings?

I must be the Ugly American. I was fuming.

That experience made me re-evaluate the Ugly American. The Ugly American is presumptuous and rude, of course…but anyone truly interested in interface design is in a real sense catering to the Ugly American in all of us.

Why shouldn’t everyone just understand me? Why shouldn’t things just work? Why can’t a single person become a publishing phenomenon? Why not do your banking from the comfort of your den?

“Why not?” A rude question–and sometimes a useful one, too.

Tags: glances · non-GUI interface · gripes · cultureNo Comments