I am looking for any tips for developing conversation/friendships with the locals without coming across as an "ugly american". I have heard taking small gifts for your hosts is one idea, but what about the children? What would be a good gift for the children? I was thinking about the kids meal toys that come with children's fast food meals. <BR> <BR>My sister & I will be traveling to Germany/Austria/France/Switzerland and who knows where else this summer. We will be doing alot of driving on our own. <BR> <BR>I look forward to any and all comments.

I think items with American logos are the best. People often recommend T-shirts with the name of your city or town, etc. Things with American logos often still have an appeal to people overseas just like people here like things that are foreign.

<BR>You want to meet locals? Why not travel with Servas? It's a wonderful way to meet local people all over the world. We've done it alot and 98% it's just great. Servas has been around since the 1940s and the main USA headquarters are in New York city. They have a web page....don't know the URL but just do a search using the word Servas and you'll get the web address right away. We always recommmend them to everyone.....we made many, many friends in Europe this way.

Hi Nancy, <BR>being German, I can definitely assure you that you wonīt need to bring along presents to make friends and get in contact with people in Germany. In my opinion I would be rather embarassed if somebody would give me a T-Shirt just to have a conversation. Thatīs very unusual for us. Germans love everything from the States and the people as well.Weīre used to be in contact with Americans since a lot of towns had big US Army barracks since the second world war which are now mostly gone.Refering to my city I can tell you that most of the people miss the GIīs very much and everybody has nice stories to tell about the time. <BR>Just be open,a lot of Germans are able to understand and speak your language and furthermore will like the opportunity to refresh their rusty English. <BR>If you have any further questions donīt hesitate to contact me. I wish you a lot of fun on your trip! <BR> <BR>Miriam

Hi Nancy, <BR>being German, I can definitely assure you that you wonīt need to bring along presents to make friends and get in contact with people in Germany. In my opinion I would be rather embarassed if somebody would give me a T-Shirt just to have a conversation. Thatīs very unusual for us. Germans love everything from the States and the people as well.Weīre used to be in contact with Americans since a lot of towns had big US Army barracks since the second world war which are now mostly gone.Refering to my city I can tell you that most of the people miss the GIīs very much and everybody has nice stories to tell about the time. <BR>Just be open,a lot of Germans are able to understand and speak your language and furthermore will like the opportunity to refresh their rusty English. <BR>If you have any further questions donīt hesitate to contact me. I wish you a lot of fun on your trip! <BR> <BR>Miriam

Nancy, <BR> <BR> I LOVE your attitude! I think you've taken the biggest step allready in that you want to meet people and strike up friendships. We've found that a couple things that have really helped us. <BR> <BR> 1. Get off the beaten down tourist track. If you had to talk to 100 tourists everyday how apt would you be to try and establish a friendship with tourist # 101? BY getting into the smaller towns etc., where "real" people are living and working you have a much better chance to find people more inclined to talk. <BR> <BR> 2. Take the initiative yourself. This is much easier if you know at least a smattering of German. Even enough to say "Hi my name is Nancy, I love your beautiful country. Please excuse my terrible German, etc." Try to strike up conversations, especially on trains and public transporation and you'll be making friends in no time. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

When my friend went to China he took a couple bags of colored balloons with him. Whenever he was in a park or something he would blow the balloons up and give them to families with children as they passed by. <BR>Maybe you could learn how to make balloon animals, they seem to be loved both by kids and adults.

Hi Nancy, <BR>I'm German and I totally agree with Miriam. You don't have to bring presents to make friends - first of all no balloons! <BR>I live in Berlin and there are a lot of student clubs and places where young people love to stay. Stay away from tourist crowded sites when you want to meet residents. <BR>Many people speak english, we learn english at school. Don't hesitate to make the first step. Be open, just be like in the states. You will have a great time. Enjoy it! <BR>If you have any question, mail me. <BR>Sabine

As an spanish person, I must agree with Miriam and Sabine. You donīt need to bring presents (itīs different, of course, if you are meeting friends), in fact, I could feel a bit annoyed if a total stranger comes up to me with a present. <BR>Just be yourself, be open, and you wonīt have any problem. <BR>Enjoy your trip.

I have to say that I do agree 100 percent with my European colleagues... <BR>Don't give any present, just be yourself! <BR>I may even add that this could be pretty badly considered in France and lead to misunderstandings. Ah, ces Francais! <BR>

I disagree <BR> <BR>Bring gifts and lots of them. We will take anything....clothes, food etc .. <BR> <BR>I don't think anyone will get the wrong idea if you say 'Here is a gift for you'

Although I'm an Americam, I'll be your friend for $100 cash.

Nancy-it was hard to tell whether you meant gifts for children of your hosts which is one thing, or gifts as ice-breakers which is totally different-which seems to be the interpretation people are giving you a bit of "flak" about. <BR> <BR>If you are staying with someone with kids-I think some small thing in the form of a hostess gift might be appreciated, but a tee shirt is a bit much maybe. Depending on the kid (age, sex, etc. a NBA hat or something always seems to be hit with our friends' kids). But another idea if you are unsure of the gift idea is to bring postcards from your city in the US to give folks something to glimpse of your home town-or I have also given little Seattle magnets out to friend who I know like them