A thread for deliberately bad and misleading advice.....
Aug 15th, 2005, 01:00 PM
#41
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Feel free to ask your French waiter if they can prepare your food with margarine instead of butter. By the way, in order to summon your waiter, just call "Garcon!"
If you are a small eater,
one prix fixe meal can be shared, that way you can eat two for the price of one
Feel free to ask your Italian waiter if the restaurant features low-carb pasta
By the way, in Italy, they'll try to rip you off with the restaurant cover charge per person (coperto) so let those people know you don't want to be charged for it
Another money-saving tip: when breakfast is included with your hotel charge, be sure to have some zip lock bags with you in the morning--that way you can stock up a bit and have a snack later
Always follow Rick Steves's advice on restaurants
Make phone calls from your hotel room--it's so much easier than going to a pay phone and trying to use one of those local phone cards
Don't bother with pre-arranged reservations at the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence--that way you can decide what you want to do each day
If you don't know much about wine, don't order any, it's the easiest way to look like a foolish tourist
Don't worry about that pillow or blanket on the plane, they are completely sterilized after each use
If you are a small eater,
one prix fixe meal can be shared, that way you can eat two for the price of one
Feel free to ask your Italian waiter if the restaurant features low-carb pasta
By the way, in Italy, they'll try to rip you off with the restaurant cover charge per person (coperto) so let those people know you don't want to be charged for it
Another money-saving tip: when breakfast is included with your hotel charge, be sure to have some zip lock bags with you in the morning--that way you can stock up a bit and have a snack later
Always follow Rick Steves's advice on restaurants
Make phone calls from your hotel room--it's so much easier than going to a pay phone and trying to use one of those local phone cards
Don't bother with pre-arranged reservations at the Uffizi and Accademia in Florence--that way you can decide what you want to do each day
If you don't know much about wine, don't order any, it's the easiest way to look like a foolish tourist
Don't worry about that pillow or blanket on the plane, they are completely sterilized after each use
Aug 15th, 2005, 01:26 PM
#42
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Do not drink the tap water in Europe. The US is the only country in the world with tap water suitable for drinking.
(I'm whispering now) Ladies, make sure you take plenty of those "unmentionables." Those items are nowhere to be found in European stores.
Molvania has the best looking people in the world.
(I'm whispering now) Ladies, make sure you take plenty of those "unmentionables." Those items are nowhere to be found in European stores.
Molvania has the best looking people in the world.
Aug 15th, 2005, 01:52 PM
#44
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Airport security agents everywhere have very boring days and love a good sense of humor. Always joke with them.
People in weddings in European churches just love to have tourists take photos of them during the ceremony; be sure to use a flash to get the proper lighting.
Most restaurants will be glad to bring you American-style ketchup, but you may have to tip them an extra Vermont quarter if they do.
(And unfortunately, I saw this actually happen
if 4 of you are traveling together, you can tell the B&B only two will be sleeping in the room and the other 2 will be camping in the car. Then in the morning, you can all 4 take turns using the hall shower and making a picnic out of the food put out for breakfast.
People in weddings in European churches just love to have tourists take photos of them during the ceremony; be sure to use a flash to get the proper lighting.
Most restaurants will be glad to bring you American-style ketchup, but you may have to tip them an extra Vermont quarter if they do.
(And unfortunately, I saw this actually happen
if 4 of you are traveling together, you can tell the B&B only two will be sleeping in the room and the other 2 will be camping in the car. Then in the morning, you can all 4 take turns using the hall shower and making a picnic out of the food put out for breakfast.
Aug 15th, 2005, 01:59 PM
#45
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I remembered another one, and this is a true story!
A couple went to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and they were so proud to tell me they've exchanged cash in US enough for the whole trip! And advised me to do the same before my trip to Switzerland.
I am not kidding. And he is a computer guy who knows how to search.
A couple went to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and they were so proud to tell me they've exchanged cash in US enough for the whole trip! And advised me to do the same before my trip to Switzerland.
I am not kidding. And he is a computer guy who knows how to search.
your hotel in Paris won't mind if a couple of friends spend the night in your single bed room, don't give it a second thought
Aug 15th, 2005, 02:15 PM
#47
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Waiters in Italy are notoriously slow in bringing the cheque. Don't fall for this ploy -- they're just trying to get you to order more vino. If your waiter isn't johnny-on-the-spot with your cheque the minute you finish your tiramisu, grab his attention with a few snaps of your fingers and don't leave him a tip.
Aug 15th, 2005, 03:39 PM
#53
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Rome drivers are courteous - use crosswalks with confidence.
When on a group tour you are encouraged to raid the breakfast buffet for lunch essentials. Hotel staff appreciate it - less clearing up.
When on a group tour you are encouraged to raid the breakfast buffet for lunch essentials. Hotel staff appreciate it - less clearing up.
Aug 15th, 2005, 05:03 PM
#56
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All the place names in Italy that you are familiar with will pop up just as you know them on highway signs, rail schedules, bus schedules and more. How convenient!
Reading guide books is a waste of time. You will naturally find plenty to do just wandering about.
Leicester Square is pronounced Lay-cess-ter.
Oh: and here is a real question: while strolling through Chelsea in London, I mused alound about the pronounciation on Cheyne Walk. An American woman (I am one, also) nearby offered that it was pronounced like Cheyenne, Wyoming. Shy-anne. Was she correct, or offering really bad information?
Thanks, Debbie
Reading guide books is a waste of time. You will naturally find plenty to do just wandering about.
Leicester Square is pronounced Lay-cess-ter.
Oh: and here is a real question: while strolling through Chelsea in London, I mused alound about the pronounciation on Cheyne Walk. An American woman (I am one, also) nearby offered that it was pronounced like Cheyenne, Wyoming. Shy-anne. Was she correct, or offering really bad information?
Thanks, Debbie
Aug 15th, 2005, 07:15 PM
#60
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No, Neil_Oz, dear. They were actually talking about grain and steamships.
Here's another bit of advice:
If they want you to share a table, say NO and run away. Remember what your mother told you about talking to strangers.
Here's another bit of advice:
If they want you to share a table, say NO and run away. Remember what your mother told you about talking to strangers.
