You may want to try to look like a local in Europe. But maybe you shouldn't.
Americans have flocked to Europe this year. Many arrived to find crowds, high hotel prices, and heat—lots and lots of heat, as Southern Europe faced record temperatures. Spain, Greece, and Italy all dealt with the fallout from wildfires and extreme heat, leaving many attractions closed or simply unbearable in sweltering conditions.
The New York Times reports that some American travelers may find themselves at odds with European cultural norms when it comes to the extreme heat. Climate-conscious Europeans (who pay higher energy prices) tend to use less air conditioning, when they do turn it on. The same goes for electricity-hungry clothes dryers, so many Europeans will line-dry their laundry instead. Ice, for similar energy reasons, is also used sparingly in Europe, and then only on request.
The Times article mentions several instances of American travelers finding themselves anxious that their climate habits might cause them to stick out. Should they order their drinks without ice, even though they’re parched? What about attire? Should they forego the shorts in attempts to “blend in” with the local population in major capitals—many of whom seem unaffected by the warm weather?
Traveling Authentically
Americans tend to view leisure travel as a consumption activity: travelers visit, consume local products, then go home—in a manner of speaking, they “eat, pay, leave.” But travel is ultimately not about consumption—it’s about exchange. Travelers visit to experience a new place and new people, but also for locals to experience them. If they spend their time trying to blend in with every minute local custom, they’re not bringing their authentic selves to the exchange.
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Travelers who like ice in their drinks, flip flops on their feet, and short shorts should feel free to express themselves freely when traveling (with some exceptions, which we’ll explain below). There’s little benefit from pretending you’re anything other than a tourist, for that’s exactly what you are when you’re sightseeing while traveling for leisure.
A Few Caveats
That said, there are times when it makes sense to follow local customs. A good rule is to abandon efforts at traveling authentically when doing so would be dangerous, offensive, or impractical.
Depending on where you’re traveling, the culture may call for more modest attire, particularly when visiting churches and mosques. Europeans also tend to be dressier when dining out, and some restaurants may deny entry to travelers who are dressed too casually—particularly to men wearing sleeveless shirts, shorts, or flip-flops. While it’s important to present oneself authentically, it may be less valuable than missing out on attractions at your destination.
Another caveat is not to pushback if your requests can’t be fulfilled. A request for an iced coffee outside a hotel belonging to a global hospitality brand or a large coffee house chain might be met with confusion or sometimes flat-out refusal. In those cases, just go with the flow—not having an iced coffee isn’t the end of the world, and there may be other opportunities.
Forget “Blending In”
Because you won’t blend in. Europe is a continent chock full of very old cultures, with habits and norms formed and set over thousands of years. Even travelers fluent in the local language will run afoul of idiom, or something as simple as hand gestures (some European countries indicate numbers with their hands starting with the thumb, while Americans start with the index finger).
In any country, courtesy and patience goes a long way, particularly when everyone is slightly annoyed with the hotter-than-typical summer temperatures. A pleasant demeanor, along with “please” and “thank you” in the local language is all it really takes to get on well during a European sojourn during what is shaping up to be the globe’s hottest summer on record.
While this article is useful... I wonder how many of those who could benefit from its suggestions are actually subscribing to this column? Also, I do not agree that the locals want to "experience" tourists. They mostly put up with this flood since it is economically beneficial, but about 99% would prefer the tourists to be low key!
And yes - for the US and Canadian demanding tastes - smarten up, the ice and A/C are super costly... if it's too hot, put a wet scaft around your neck... it works!
And lower your voice!! Americans are so loud, especially on their cell phones. And then ignore the chiding looks from the locals and just don't get the hint. Keep your voice low in restaurants, when walking in public, and at museums etc. You will be heard by your companion. And you will blend in...
El Corte Inglés didn't get the memo. They had a whole section of Fit Flops (fancy flip flops).