Etiquette & Customs : 2005
It is customary to greet shop keepers in France with a friendly, "Bon Jour." (And it's rude not to.) When visiting someone's home in Scandinavia you are expected to remove your shoes - so be sure to wear clean socks! Experienced travelers have learned these - and many more - valuable lessons about customs and etiquette through their travels. Please share your knowledge, experience and tips here.
When I lived (or traveled) abroad, I always said "the States" or "Seattle". Most people knew what I meant. Studying in Russia with Canadians in the early '90's taught me not to use "America". The funniest thing I found is that people would respond to me, "I just met someone else from Seattle," and that person would actually be from a small town about an hour away. If you live near a well-known city, you could always use that! As far as being lectured... I've been lectured by older Russians and Poles for a variety of things. I think it's quite common in Slavic countries when there's a generation gap (me being in my 20's). I try not to take it too seriously and just chalk it up to experience. While in the diner car on a train from Warsaw to Berlin, my friend and I moved a vase with a fake flower in it to the side a table so we could play a small travel board game. Wow! We got a HUGE lecture from the waiter for distroying the table setting. He wasn't bothered at all by the toddlers running up and down the aisles in the same car for hours. We just moved the vase back, smiled and put away our game.
Seattle, USA Thu 12/29/2005
Be Laid Back
Just be polite and use the local expressions for "please", Thanx" and "pardon" often. Don't take "lectures" seriously (do your kids pay any attention to YOURS?). After all, travel is like golf- once you get serious about it, life becomes miserable!!
Paul n Sara
USA Sun 12/25/2005
America
We had a funny experience in India this summer. Many times, when speaking with locals, we were asked where we were from. When we responded "United States" there was much puzzlement and questioning looks. So we said "United States of America" and then they all nodded and responded "Oh- America! America!"
USA Sat 12/24/2005
America
A few years ago I endured an angry finger wagging lecture from a policeman in Milano who was supposed to be taking a statement from me about a stolen passport. He lectured me at length about my use of America for my country of origin. When he finished I told him he obviously knew where I meant since he stopped to lecture me for using the wrong word and furthermore, I had never ever heard any Italian say he wanted to go to anyplace but "Amerika!"
Charles M. Luther
USA Fri 12/23/2005
Americans
One comment I have heard many times about Americans is our use of the words America and Americans -- in some countries they seem to think we have unjustly usurped the names and ignore that there are other countries in the Americas.
Mark Hill <email>
Washington, D.C., D.C. USA Fri 12/23/2005
RESTAURANT CUSTOMS
I agree that sitting at a table with nationals really adds fun to dining in European countries. It is much easier to get to know them; they are far more open in asking and answering questions. We have dined at large tables with nationals many times.
In June, 1945 we walked into a restaurant in Trieste to find all seats taken except two at a table with a man and a woman. When I asked to sit with them they agreed in Italian.
As we attempted to speak in each others language, I asked what his occupation was and he couldn't tell me in English. However, after attempting several methods he shouted "Quincy" and we all laughed. And we all knew he was a (coroner) medical examiner.
After that, nearly everything each of us said brought laughter even though we couldn't always understand much of the conversation. We all parted having spent a pleasant meal together.
M.A.C.
DALLAS, USA Wed 12/21/2005
Cultures
A good book about French customs and attitudes and why they so differ from American ones, is:
"Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong"
Knowing why people do what they do can go a long way towards helping you avoid feeling "dissed" and maltreated.
USA Sat 12/17/2005
Relations between the sexes
After college I worked with a group of Americans in Germany. We were all English teachers. 6 guys & 6 women. Within just a very few months all the women had German or other European boyfriends. The guys only very rarely got a date. We naturally inquired why that was. In many conversations about it, the answer seemed to always come round to something like: "American men are scared of their own shadows, they donŽt know how to approach a woman, they don't know how to flirt, they are not romantic enough." Boy, I took that lesson to heart! On the other hand, I've seen that European men don't compare so well in the "husband" department. They usually don't lift a finger at home. After a holiday meal with my German uncle, cousins, etc., I jumped up to help clear the dishes and otherwise clean up. My uncle and the other men gave me a look like I was breaking a fundamental commandment. My Aunt and the other married ladies were totally charmed and commented on this welcome innovation. Definitely some fundamental differences in Europe in these areas!
California USA Sat 11/26/2005
expressions
I guess this kind of goes with the non-literal "how are you" that we Americans do---among our friends here, we will say "see you later" or "talk to you later" with no actual time reference of when "later" is. When my European in-laws were here, they were very confused by this---as one of my friends was leaving our house, I told her I would see her later, and my in-laws wanted to know if she was coming back that night---they took it quite literally. It's interesting to discover how our common, kind of meaningless expressions take on a whole different connotation when heard by people who do not use those expressions the way we do.
M
USA Wed 11/23/2005
re: restaurant customs
I have been in restaurants in Switzerland and Germany where we actually sat at the same big table with other people we didn't know. Although we seem to think Europeans can be formal and "stuffy" about some things, this table seating arrangement was very informal and really fun.
M
USA Tue 11/22/2005
restaurant customs
In Paris, and probably most cities in Europe, one custom Americans should get used to is sitting at tables close to other diners in restaurants. I have heard lots of people on this site and others that review restaurants, complain about how they were forced to sit right next to another table, when others were free farther away. This is a fact of life over there. I think we all will save ourselves many bad scenes if we accept dining in close proximity and go with the flow. ....and we may find out that our dining mates are friendly!
BettyG
San Francisco, CA USA Tue 11/22/2005
Some folks need to step back for a moment...
Re: the post from Clare --
No judgments were being made (at least by me) as to whether asking a person whom you don't know "How are you?" was good or bad. This is simply an example of a perception that is often held by some cultures outside of North America, where these sorts of greetings are taken literally.
The difference between the happy traveler and his miserable counterpart is that the former accepts cultural differences as just being different and rolls with the punches, whereas the latter takes offense and cannot understand why the other culture could perceive things differently.
For better or for worse, cultural differences are a fact of life, and it makes ones travels much smoother if you simply accept those differences for what they are, without attempting to justify or defend either side. If the French baker believes "Ca va?" posed by a stranger buying a croissant to be shallow, let him -- I will simply adjust because when I am abroad, I am on his turf, not mine. "Right" or "wrong" is relevant when you're simply abiding by the local version of etiquette.
I have spent two years of my life traveling abroad, and accepting differences in etiquette for what they are, free of judgment, has been key to my ability to glide easily between cultures with few problems. They may perceive things differently than I do at times, and some may even hold beliefs that I find to be utterly unfathomable at times, but that does not mean that I will seek to "correct" them during my visit. A seasoned traveler adjusts and deals with it; a poor one whines about the differences and doesn't understand why we don't all view life through the same lenses. You can guess which one has a better trip.
RW
CA USA Tue 11/22/2005
Stereotypes
Thomas, thanks for your post.
I think Americans are sensitive because, if you read the various travel message boards, you'll see that all kinds of stereotypes are attributed to us as a whole. We're called loud, insensitive, fat, lazy, superficial, wasteful, materialistic, violent, lousy dressers, etc. Some Americans are guilty of one or more of these "sins" of course, but certainly not all.
We are often admonisted on travel message boards to respect European customs. Yet, we often don't see respect for our own. Anyone familiar with American customs would know that "Hello, how are you" is simply a social greeting here in the U.S. Yet, it's often criticized as being superficial. People from European countries don't have to agree with us on this, but they should give it the same respect that they in turn demand.
Yes, some Americans are guilty of perpetuating the stereotype that French people are rude and arrogant. I did not find this to be true during our recent first-time vacation in Paris -- and have told my guilty friends and acquaintenances otherwise. We'll never forget the kindness shown to us by two Parisians in particular.
The first was a man who helped us determine if we were on the right Metro platform. He did not speak very good English, and he had trouble understanding my very bad French. Yet he was bound and determined to help us. Between his bad English and my bad French -- and plenty of hand and facial gestures -- we were able to communicate.
The second was a waiter in a bistro who did not laugh at me when I asked, in my bad French, for a "table for God" instead of a "table for two." He gently corrected me in English, then led us to a prime table so we could people-watch (we didn't ask for it).
Happy travels!
Joanne
Washington D.C., USA Mon 11/21/2005
Stereotypes
Holy cow! I didn't mean to offend anyone by relating the fact that a common stereotype about Americans is that we are "superficial." I have had many an enjoyable conversation w/ Europeans (over a nice glass of beer)about who has what stereotypes about whom. I do my best to dispell the persistent stereotype that Americans are superficial (and un-read, materialistic, loud, and lacking any knowledge of history.) Europeans are similarly gobsmacked to hear the stereotypes we have about them. They are shocked to hear the commonly spouted stereotypes that Parisians are rude, Germans are Cold & arrogant, Italians are compulsive rear-end pinchers, etc., etc. In the end we generally have a laugh and agree that stereotypes almost always wilt once you get to know an individual one-on-one. Which is the whole point: people are people. Put your best foot forward, be friendly and polite, and don't be too sensitive about the stereotypes that you hear. (Choosing NOT to reinforce a BAD stereotype is not the same as being a spineless chameleon or having a double standard (?). It may make it easier for the next American coming down the road.) You will certainly hear stereotypes and talk of same if you are lucky enough to sit at a big table and share food and wine with people from different countries. By the way, just to avoid another blast of e-mails: Europeans also think that Americans are very friendly, have great senses of humour, have beautiful teeth, are generous to a fault, and have an enviable sense that anything is possible. I am always pleased when Europeans tell me about how friendly/generous/helpful they found people to be when they traveled to the States. Life is short. Look to the positive.
Thomas <email>
Vienna, Austria, Mon 11/21/2005
So on the one hand, we are urged not to inquire what someone does for a living, and then at the same time, told not to be offended when someone just as impertinently solicits political opinions of tourists whom they have just met.
The general rule is to be sensitive, and to pick a topic that does not make one's conversational partner uncomfortable. If the topic that discomforts one's partner should be politics or religion as opposed to the means whereby they make a living, the remedy is to change the subject, not to blame one's partner for being overly sensitive, still less give patronizing lectures on what they are 'supposed' to find sensitive, or insensitive, as the case may be. May I suggest that double standards make for bad etiquette.
As for the American greeting "Hi, how are you?" being considered superficial by Europeans, may I dare to disagree. Are we also to understand (for example) that the standard French greeting "Bonjour, comment allez-vous?" (Good day, how are you") is a mark of superficiality? And in the same vein: bonjour, by which a shopkeeper supposedly wishs his clients a good day, how is this so different from American staff being trained to wish clients a nice day, as in "have a nice day"???? A nice day or a good day please, stop axe grinding, both were designed to be polite pleasantries.
That polite phrases - on both sides of the Atlantic - are not meant to be taken literally, is inherent to the nature of pleasantries, not a sign of superficial character. For heaven's sake (no pun intended) - consider the Austrian greeting "Gussgott" which, being a variation of "God bless you", might just as equally be taken to indicate superficiality, since presumably one doesn't have much more invested in whether God blesses a casual acquaintance, than one does in the state of their health or welfare. Yet surely few Europeans, and definitely no Austrians, would take 'Gussgott' as a sign of superficial character.
Therefore, please, enough, stop using etiquette as an excuse to make ridiculously founded criticisms of supposedly 'North American' customs that, ultimately, are simply meant to oil the wheels of life, just as European ones are.
Au revoir - which means, "Hope to see you again" - oh, wait, when a North American says it, oh, how superficial.
And oh, how double standards are crass.
Clare
CA Sun 11/20/2005
Cultures, Customs and Generalizations
Husband and I just returned from our first trip to Paris. We observed that Parisians are much more formal than most Americans, but that was ok, we learned the culture and some "tourist French" before we arrived and didn't have any problems.
We chose to live as much like Parisians as possible, given the short time of our trip. We stayed at a B&B accommodation -- an apartment in the heart of Paris -- with a lovely couple.
Instead of eating dinner in bistros, we shoped in the local markets for our food (cheese, bread, rotisserie chicken or fish, wine, olives) and ate in our room after a day of sightseeing. This experience, and our hosts, taught us a lot about French food, cheese (France produces over 500 different cheeses!) and wines. We learned the tipping rules before our trip so that we wouldn't find ourselves in awkward situations.
We heard more loud French, English with British accents, and German spoken on the streets and in bistros than loud American accents. One morning we were awaken at 2:30 by loud French-speaking people clapping their hands and singing at the top of their lungs. The Parisians also spoke loudly on cell phones -- a practice I find just as obnoxious in Washington D.C., London, and other major cities.
Slurping typical of Americans from the East Coast? Sorry, but I have lived on the East Coast of the U.S. all my life and slurping at meals is considered just as rude here. It's not tolerated in most homes and restaurants. Please don't stereotype an entire group of people for the actions of an ill-mannered few. That's not the key to understanding other cultures and other people.
Finally, thanks to all for your travel advice. We look a lot of it to heart before our Paris trip. We look forward to a trip to Tuscany and Rome next year.
Joanne
Washington, DC USA Wed 11/16/2005
More generalizations...
What a fun topic. Although IŽm not an expert on the subject, after living in Vienna for 2 years now, IŽll try to add my 2 cents worth anyways. Yes, knowing how many cheek kisses to give when greeting a woman is always amusing. I agree with everything Junia says. Basic good manners should get you by with no problems. My experience is that Europeans are very welcoming and friendly. Some specific observations that IŽd add are as follows: Awkward moments might be avoided if travelers learn not only how much to tip, but also how to tip, before arriving in a new country (In Vienna, for example, you donŽt leave your tip on the table, but give it directly to your server when paying.) Speaking of restaurants, etc., customer service is not always as speedy-fast as in the States. Relax! As my wife says: "In a European CafeŽ, you can sit at your table all day, but you have to actively work to flag someone down so that you can pay." Also: It goes without saying that (although slowly changing) Europe is still full of smokey coffee houses and restaurants. Politely asking the couple at the next table NOT to smoke will likely get you an amazed look and an under-the-breath mutter about crazy American health nuts. More places have non-smoking rooms these days (ask) but it is spotty unless you are in a country that has recently passed smoke free regulations.... Yes, Americans tend to have normal speaking voices that are louder than normally found in Europe. (I donŽt know why.) Very often you instantly know that there are other Americans in a place right when you walk in the door. Toning it down a bit might help the traveler to avoid sticking out like a red flag... If staying as a guest in a European home, be conscious of energy conservation and recycling. TheyŽve got it down to an art! Half hour steaming hot showers are a luxury not to be taken for granted. Etc... Puntuality is valued in Northern Europe; attitudes about punctuality are a little (or a lot) more flexible in Southern Europe. These are all huge generalizations, of course. My experience is that Europeans generally really like Americans and appreciate our easy-going, friendly style. However, if you stay here any amount of time, youŽll hear it said that Americans are friendly "but superficial." Austrian friends have explained that our "Hi! How are you?" form of greeting is taken literally and Europeans wonder how a total stranger can really care how theyŽre doing. Be that as it may, one way to avoid being "superficial" is to follow-through on what you say: If you say "IŽll call you", really call them. If you say "IŽll send you a postcard", be sure to really send them a postcard. Bringing a pack of thank you notes to Europe is also a good idea if you anticipate taking advantage of the abundant hospitality and want to make a positive impression. I love living over here and appreciate the wonderful way IŽve been received by the locals. They are thoughtful and generous. I think that first-timers coming to Europe will not be disappointed. Be yourself and show basic good manners and your trip will be a success!
Thomas <email>
Vienna, Austria Sun 11/13/2005
Take Note...Generalizations
I agree with the posters who have pointed out that Europeans who come to the US do not necessarily take a crash course in American manners, and like Europe, various parts of US in the States have very different sets of what is proper. The only thing that I typic notice about Americans when I see them in Vienna is that they en general are louder. Unlike some Europeans, though, most Americans are not terribly pushy, like we in Austria see from peoples from other EU nations. And if you have your hand in your lap during dinner, I doubt that any of us will typically make note. Now the slurping that I hear from peoples of the east coast of America is always frowned on. If you en general have nice manners, that should translate no matter where you are unless you are at a somber state dinner, etc. and then you would have staffs to tell you what to do and when. Come visit us and relax. The majority of people are fine just the way they are.
Junia
Vienna, Austria USA Fri 11/11/2005
greetings
In most European countries, people greet each other with a kiss-on-each-cheek thing (women and men, and women and women--men shake hands like they do here). In Switzerland, people do three kisses--right cheek, left cheek, then right cheek again. It gets confusing for me, as my husband has relatives in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and I never remember how many kisses each different family is supposed to get!
M
USA Mon 11/07/2005
more tips and an idea
To add a little to Corinna's comment about not asking a European what he does for a living---also do not ask how much something costs (like your new local European friend's Mercedes, for example)---most Europeans I met did not discuss money (earned or spent) openly.
And this is just a thought, but...instead of taking a crash course in European etiquette, why not brush up on our own good manners and courtesy and be a good example of well-bred Americans? This isn't to say we can't learn as we go in Europe with their customs, but I think we should remember that our customs aren't bad, just different, and Europeans should respect us as we respect them. I still eat with my left hand on my napkin on my lap, and my European in-laws know that this is how I was taught in the U.S. and they are fine with it---they respect my customs and I respect theirs. Above all, if you do mess up and appear rude, an apology can go a long way.
M
USA Mon 11/07/2005
Etiquette Tips
to redeem myself for my lengthy posts which strayed somewhat from the topic at hand, I'd like to offer a few etiquette tips to American travelers heading to Europe:
~ it is considered impolite to inquire "what do you do for a living?"
unless the information is offered to you or naturally comes up in a conversation! This is quite different than from the USA where this is often one of the first questions asked after meeting!
~ DO Not be affronted or feel defensive if asked your political opinions! Europeans are not singling you out because you are American or to bash your admisistarion and its foreign politics! Europeans live to discuss politics, in beer gardens, in coffe houses, around the dinner table with grandma and the kids, in the wine pubs - you get the idea. . . we do it to everyone and to eachother with much passion and are very outspoken about it - which can seem confrontational to Americans. If you are uncomfortable doing so, just say so and it will be respected.
~ DO NOT criticise the sport of soccer or the local soccer team - THIS could really get you into hot water ;-)))
~ DO Not assume that Europeans know anything about American Football or Baseball
~ and yes, it is considered offensive to keep a hand in your lap while eating or to keep your hands in your pocket while speaking to someone! (not any different than in the Middle East)
~ Europeans usually do not start eating until the host/hostess wish "Good Appetite" (Guten Appetit/Bon Appetit, etc) - being sensitive to this custom can earn you instant brownie points as an American since we tend to be generous in assuming that you are not aware of this :-))
~ Europeans are much more frugal with water usage, recycling and power usage and frown on "wastefulness". Kmowing and respecting this can be especially helpful when staying in small Bed & Breakfasts or rented rooms in private homes.
Hope this is useful to someone,
Corinna
Corinna <email>
Austria & USA Sun 11/06/2005
Dave
Dave,
it sounds as if you have had a bad experience, I am sorry if you did.
My point was not to claim that Europeans are more polite or cultured than Americans, but to be a bridge between our cultures.
I always take delight in giving American tourists a helping hand, a kind word and good tips.
I was thrilled to hear over and over again this past summer from US travelers how happy they were to have come to my beautiful country and how welcome they felt.
The only "ugly" American tourist moments came when I stumbled upon a tour group that sat barefoot in the back of a church, eating lunch and talking loudly while a baptism was in progress up front.
The young parents were mortified. I approached the Americans and gently explained what I mentioned in my last post. They looked totally stricken, quickly cleaned up there act and after the ceremony apologized to the priest and congregation. Their apology was accepted and they were invited along to the feast in the vineyards following the service and got to know half of the population of my town and many of our customs first hand, they were absolutely thrilled and grateful.
Had I not lived in the USA and have many wonderful American friends I would have most likely been merely affronted, but because I know your culture quite well, I sensed that they did not mean to be rude and instead took the opportunity to turn the situation around into something positive instead.
So, my main point remains that if you keep in mind that you are not visiting a museum but a culture and lives in progress, that if you take the time to learn how to say thank you and please in the local language, you will most likely have very positive experiences along the way.
Corinna <email>
Austria & USA Sun 11/06/2005
Learn a few phrases.
I've been to Europe several times and I always find people to be friendly when you are polite and friendly too. Learning a few phrases in the local language is always helpful. Don't worry about your pronunciation. If you are polite and sincere, people will appreciate that.
Eugene
Mexico Fri 11/04/2005
Dave
Corrina, what you describe as an "expression of respect towards each other" in Europe seems to only to people who are of the same background as you and who speak like you. Furthermore, it would be nice if Europeans followed their own advice when they travel to other continents. Many European travellers to this country are behave rudely.
New York City, USA Fri 11/04/2005
European Etiquette
What might appear to many Americans as "stuffy" formality is in matter of fact an expression of respect towards eachother, as we Europeans live much closer, physically & emotionally, to eachother.
If you look closely, you will find the same concept practiced here in your Native American cultures!
In my opinion it harks back to our fundamental differences: Americans thend to value individualism, whereas Europeans put more emphasis on "we", their communities and common culture.
You needn't obsess about which fork to hold with which hand unless you are invited to a formal affair.
If you are invited to a private home, take the time to ask around what would be polite (as taking your shoes off), other than that, just be observant and watch how the locals around you interact, inform yourself about basic local customs, almost all travel guides have a small section on this topic.
The most offensive behaviour of Americans towards Europeans is most often nothing more than the "Disney World Syndrome" - I paid "admission", now I want my money's worth. .
Keep in mind that we Europeans live, worship and work in all those layers of history that might seem nothing more than tourist attractions to some American travellers.
Like I said: it's all about respect.
Happy Travels!
Corinna <email>
Austria & USA Fri 11/04/2005
cutlery use and table manners
Most Northern Europeans use their cutlery quite differently than Americans. They tend to hold the knife in the right hand at all times and the fork in the left hand at all times. After cutting food, they simply swivel the wrist, fork tines pointing down, and place the food into their mouths. When you think about it, it's a much more efficient way to manage your plate than what we do, which is cut the food, then switch the fork from the left hand to the right before taking a bite.
Jill
Rochester, NY USA Thu 11/03/2005
French etiquette
Another thing that I noticed in Paris is that in small shops and boutiques you really should ask before you touch or handle the merchandise. This appeared to be the case at produce markets as well.
Doberry
Ms USA Wed 11/02/2005
French Etiquette, Part Deux
To correct a point made below, it is more appropriate in France to begin your transactions with a "Bonjour, monsieur" or "Bonjour, madame" (the sir/madam portion of the salutation is important), while avoiding the use of the "Ca va?", "Comment allez-vous?", etc. queries that would be used in the US.
More often than not, the French and other Europeans find these "How are you doing?" questions to be insincere and false, unless you happen to know them. (The common reaction would be for the person to wonder why you are asking about their lives if you don't really care for the answer -- they take the question literally, and don't regard it as just part of a greeting, as we would.) If you become a regular at a place or manage to develop some rapport, then the "ca va"'s would be appreciated, but it's best to avoid them until then.
Incidentally, this is different from what you would find in Quebec, where "Bonjour, ca va bien?" ("Hi, how ya' doin'?", or literally "It's going well?") and "Bonne journee!" ("Have a nice day!") are both the norm. The language may be French, but the Quebecois variant on la politesse is much more North American than it is European.
RW
California USA Tue 11/01/2005
table manners
Europeans I've seen always have their fork in one hand and their knife in the other when they eat--I found out that they actually think it is bad manners to keep one hand on your napkin on your lap (the "proper" way I was taught here). And they have a way of using the knife to push the food onto the fork that I've never seen done here. They also use their bread to "mop up" whatever is left on the plate--something that I had been taught was not proper. I will never forget trying so hard to be very (American)proper at my wedding reception dinner with my European in-laws, only to find out later that just about everything I thought was proper, was not according to them!
M
USA Tue 11/01/2005
French Etiquette
The French have very particular rules on etiquette and manners. Obviously you'll never learn them all in a short visit, but showing that you're trying to helps tremendously.
Here are some quick rules:
1. Learn to say hello, please, sorry, excuse me, thank you, and goodbye.
2. When entering a store or restaurant, or approaching someone to talk to them, always start with a bonjour. Never just go in and get right to the point. The French say hello and ask how the person is doing before getting to what they actually need to ask or say.
3. OBSERVE the locals. Like I said, you will never master everything, but trying is what counts. In a restaurant you will notice that they rarely ever use their hands to eat. If they order a hamburger, it gets cut up and eaten with a knife and fork. Lettuce leaves in a salad are never cut, they are folded. Your hands should remain where people can see them, never in your lap.
If you really want to be prepared to visit a place and fit in, read about it before you go!
I suggest Savoir Flair! 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French by Polly Platt. Also, French or Foe? by the same author. I read these before I lived in France for 8 months and it helped me out a lot. I didnt get any culture shock and was prepared on how to handle everyday life.
The French are not rude. If you make an effort to understand their way of life, they will go out of theirr way to help you.
Abby <email>
Tallahassee, FL USA Tue 11/01/2005
Basic Greetings
One of the most valuable travel lessons I have learned is to learn the few basic words of greeting of the local language of where you are travelling, and use them in nearly every interaction. Hello, Please, Thank you, and goodbye (or good day) melt walls between you and the locals, and in many places is expected in the course of a conversation. The French begin nearly every inquiry with "Si Vous Plait", literally, "If you Please"; the Germans as well, "Bitte". I think we Americans tend to ignore this when trying to speak very slow basic English to communicate and we come off as rude. Practicing with the desk clerk at your hotel (ask him/her if you are pronouncing it correctly) has the added benefit of getting excellent service and tips on the area.
Paul <email>
IA USA Tue 11/01/2005