It wasn't even really the running about trying to fit in a bunch of sites/things to do/spending money thing that was getting to me. As an American whose first trip abroad was for the DH, I understand. It was everything else.
She was snobby and condescending to my friends I introduced her to here. Condescending to me in front of my friends when we were trying to have a good time.
She was loud as hell. We'd be on a bus and she would be talking loud enough for the whole bus to hear the conversation, and I believe this was on purpose.
She would pet, kiss, and talk to EVERYONE's dog... despite the fact I told her she should be careful b/c some people can get wierd about their dogs.
And what drove me insane is she didnt understand why I was quiet. I tried explaining to her that, especially when in public, I am very conscious of myself, my actions, my volume because I do not want to be THAT American... the one who only furthers the whole "Americans Abroad" stereotype.
My polish friend, bless her soul, offered to take her around Brighton while i was at work on monday and even she admitted to being embarassed by her at times. Not only that, but my american friend then had the nerve to complain to my polish friend about how I haven't taken her out to any nightclubs (after I had already emphasized they cause me to have social anxiety panic attacks).
On several evenings (10pm onwards) she would go sit on the steps of my building in her PJs, greeting and talking to my neighbors whom I dont even know (nor care to). I dont want to get insulting here, but my friend is, for lack of better words, a bit pudgy. Now, I'm not a 95lb model myself, but at her size I would not be sitting in half a tank top and short shorts with all my bits hanging out, greeting people I did not know. Not exactly the type of ambassador you want for your flat, esp. when you dont know your neighbors.
Talking to the seagulls. She is "wiccan" and had told me earlier in the trip about how she is a dominant personality and animals sense that blah blah. Then she goes to feed seagulls her chips (always a bad idea), gets surrounded by seagulls, and starts talking to them ("ah! not yet, wait your turn." "stop" "be nice") and being loud and making a huge scene and i just wanted to scream "no, they really dont sense sh!t. they are dirty birds who are about to turn Hitchcock on you for your chips, sit down for Christ's sake."
Used "pardon" with a FRENCH accent to get by people in the streets... we're in the UK you know!
Sigh, I ranted again. I'll need to double check to see if it's out of my system yet.
DH figures she found herself trapped/obligated into coming over because she booked the tickets months ago, set herself on finding an English man, met a local back home and hooked up, but by this point she had made all the arrangements months ago and was locked in. I dont really know what her deal was. It's provided me with insight into who she is, and I feel we are too different to continue maintaining the friendship, especially after the raw feelings it's left me with.
