Originally Posted by uk1

To add to this. One of the most frustrating things that compound this problem is that a high percentage of posters and opinions originate from the US. This compounds with the impression that when they seek advice about Europe and where to go and where to eat etc they almost invariably take their a advice from fellow Americans many of whom have taken their advice from other Americans in preference to advice from Europeans.

This behaviour is best illustrated when they go to the South of France. They all go to the same places. A great example is Eze which cannot be prized out of their itinerary. Vienna it's Figlmullers. We can all name them. They all share the same mediocre "secrets" but always from other Americans who previously visited for a couple of hours and took their advice in the same way. They almost always ignore advice from Europeans as though we are less informed. If you try to help and suggest, then the weight of many single-visit Americans all weighing in always outvotes local expert knowledge. You suggest somewhere different that's better ..... then all the Americans all say the same thing and so it goes on. That is why they all have the same range of poor and very narrow experiences and that is why many people have negative stuff to say.

The worst at helping perpetrating the worst is Rick Steves who the Americans seem to idolise and worship and is almost always invariably clueless. He reminds me of Chevy Chase. He has a knack at sending people to the worst places of all completely mispronouncing whatever it is but leaves Americans with the smug look on their faces that they now know and share a secret that no one else knows. It is predictably pathetic.

This incestuous behaviour in a great part explains the misunderstanding the OP highlights and help perpetrates the myth as they think they are all seeing the best that " everyone else " recommends.