burnie

I am planning on an extended visit to Europe next year. I like to understand the locals so I can get along better, not be surprised by anything, and not offend anyone.
In your travels, what things have you noticed in regards to customs, habits or general attitudes in these countries:

France
Germany
Italy
Croatia
Switzerland
Hungary

Thank you in advance.

kerouac

Just search the site for the do's and dont's of each country and all of your questions will be answered.

mjdh1957

Who is 'us' in this context?

sofarsogood

It might "easier" to list your cultural peculiarities and we'll tell you if they are likely to cause offence.

Other than that, just be a normal human being.

sparkchaser

<i>I am planning on an extended visit to Europe next year. I like to understand the locals so I can get along better, not be surprised by anything, and not offend anyone.</i>

What is an "extended visit"?

Unless you plan on immersing yourself into the day to day life of whatever country you are in, I wouldn't sweat it it too much. You will be recognized as a foreigner/tourist and you'll be granted some amount of leeway on your behavior. They won't expect you to know how to read a train/bus schedule, how to file a police report, how to sue the garabge/recycling containers, etc.

Best bet is to grab a general guidebook and pay attention to the dos and don't.

That being said, here are a few general tips:

1. Germans don't really like Ausländers.

2. Don't assume everyone speaks English.

3. Speak slowly and clearly, but not loudly, and make sure you enunciate your words correctly.

4. The French appreciate it very much if you try it in French first before using English.

5. Nobody cares that your great grandfather came from there.

6. Pay in the local currency.

7. Germans cannot queue to save their lives. The three exceptions are: the bakery, the butcher, and the ATM. Every other occasion it is every person for themselves.

Dukey1

There are more than a few European countries in which some folks don't quite like to wait in lines besides Germany in my experience. But I agree that you probably aren't going to do anything to offend anyone if you act as any "normal" and "polite" person would.

adrienne

Where are you from?

Almost every guide book will tell you about the culture of different countries. You might want to read the Culture Shock series.

<< I can get along better >>

You'll primarily encounter people who deal with tourists. Their wages depend on you, the tourist. They will get along with you to your face, even if they talk about you later.

<< in regards to customs >>

Don't expect butter with bread at every meal. Many countries only use butter at breakfast. In Italy there is a cover charge in restaurants. In Italy you surrender your passport upon check in and get it back later. Don't make a fuss about this.

If you're a man, take your hat off in churches and in restaurants.

Don't shout.

Don't expect everyone to smile at you; it's not everyone's culture to do that.

<< general attitudes >>

No problem with attitudes (I hope you're not using the word "attitude" in a negative sense). If you are pleasant to people they will most likely be pleasant to you.

sparkchaser

<i>You might want to read the Culture Shock series.</i>

YES!

Very good series.

adrienne

<< not be surprised by anything >>

Why travel if you don't expect to be surprised by things.

adrienne

In grocery stores (in many countries) you bag your own and pay for the plastic bags.

In Italy wear plastic gloves when touching produce in grocery stores. In markets, point to what you want and say how much of it you want (Italy & France).

quokka

Adults are expected to take care of themselves, instead of complaining if they aren't spoon-fed by travel agencies/hotel receptions/tour guides/car rentals...

Avoid words like "history buff", "enthusiast", or "love" in connection with World War II history, i.e. mass murder and destruction of entire countries. This will not be met with much understanding.
"Don't mention the war" is rubbish, though - the rule should be: Don't glorify war.

Don't expect every 8 year old child to understand your English. Even if kiddie has been doing English at school for two or three years already, your American/Aussie/Scottish/Kiwi... accent will sound alien to him/her.

Don't tell everyone that yours is The Greatest Nation In The World. Others like their countries, too.

Forget about "blending in", it won't work anyway.

People smile if, and only if, there is reason to smile, but not 24/7.

sparkchaser

<i>Don't expect every 8 year old child to understand your English.</i>

A corollary to this would be to learn how to say "I am sorry but I don't speak <language>." in the language that is spoken in the country you will visit. It blows little kids' minds when you tell them in their own language that you don't speak their language.

swandav2000

Well, I do find the Germans are queuing more now -- I find normal queues and folks politely waiting their turns in the deli at the grocery store, in the pharmacy, boarding busses, and while getting onto trains.

However, I live in a small town, and that may be why I find more queues to be normal -- it may be a small-town mentality.

However, they don't queue for lift lines when skiing -- that is true (but irrelevant for your travels!).

I also haven't found it true that Germans don't like Ausländers; I've met many, many Germans who have been nice to me and befriended me here in Garmisch. Maybe what sparkchaser means is that they don't like "tourists"? As in, folks from another country who are only visiting for a few days?

s

hetismij2

Make sure you have the appropriate visa for your extended stay. Nothing like getting trouble with the authorities to find out about their local customs and attitudes. Guaranteed to surprise.
Ditto health insurance.

Go with an open mind, a large dose of patience, a smile on your face and a sense of humour. Be prepared to be surprised.

eliztravels2

Thank you for your interest in learning about and respecting cultural sensitivities. By questioning in the thread title the differences between "us" and Europeans you seem to suggest that (a) we know what your culture/nationality is, and (b) share it. Which makes me think you are American, which many Fodorites are not. A good place to start practicing a more international outlook.

For your travels, learn to say please, thank you, excuse me, hello, goodbye, in as many languages of your host countries as you can. Use them often. A smile and courteous attitude will mitigate the effects of bad pronunciation.

Good luck with your plans.

Coquelicot

In France when you are ordering one croissant, one cup of coffee, one of anything, lift your thumb. The thumb means "one." If you use your index finger, you'll get two.

ParisAmsterdam

>>> If you use your index finger, you'll get two. <<<

Per the bar scene in "Inglorious Basterds".

sparkchaser

<i>I also haven't found it true that Germans don't like Ausländers; I've met many, many Germans who have been nice to me and befriended me here in Garmisch. Maybe what sparkchaser means is that they don't like "tourists"? As in, folks from another country who are only visiting for a few days?</i>

I mean both foreigners and tourists.

Some things I have seen/encountered/experienced:

1. Parents saying we don't want foreigners teaching our kids.

2. An American couple I know was (and still is) looking for a new apartment. The wife (who has a very ethnic last name but born in the USA) sending an email inquiry and not getting a reply but her husband (who has an "English" last name) sends an inquiry and gets a response.

3. Friend who is Polish, highly educated with an impressive resume, and a teacher being told that she can't rent an apartment because she can't afford it because she's "only a Putzfrau". She shows them paystubs showing her job and pay and they still tell her "no, you're a Putzfrau you can't afford this apartment".

4. I almost got into a fight with someone because I was not fluent in German, despite my last name.

5. Overhearing restaurant staff complaining about Ausländers.

I could go on but that's not what this thread is about. I just accept that is just how it is here and get on with my day.

BigRuss

<< I almost got into a fight with someone because I was not fluent in German, despite my last name.>>

Sparkchaser doesn't seem like a German surname.

;-)

Robert2533

You've been hanging around the forum since '06, surely you've learned how to offend nearly everyone by now.