Etiquette & Customs : 2008
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.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
We've just returned from Austria/Germany and stayed in small hotels and pensions. It is customary to greet your fellow guests when you arrive and depart. It's a wonderful way to be connected, and leads to interesting conversations.
Susan Emily
Prince George, BC USA Thu 10/30/2008
Frebch culture
Contrary to popular opinion, the French are not arrogant, nor haughty, nor dismissive of Americans. They are friendly, gracious and unfailingly courteous. Most Parisians speak English, at least that was our experience, but I also learned a bit of French before we went and they seemed to appreciate that. One of our travelling companions expected American culture in France and was disappointed in that part of the trip. Her loss.
Hint: Bonjour is pronounced "bone-jhoor", not "bonjer". Merci is "mare-see", not "mercy", and they are said frequently. Every time I heard those I cringed, and the speaker got what they deserved. let yourself be French. It's wonderful!
Tom Iarossi <email>
San Diego, CA USA Wed 06/04/2008
High School French class- 20 years later!
I did just fine with high school French in Paris. I said hello and thank you alot and smiled at everyone. I knew the words for "I do not understand" and "I have need of" as well as food names.
I always began a question with "I speak only a little French but I would like to try" said in French, of course and I found people to be very patient. One waiter corrected my French, but complimented my accent!
ARL
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 05/29/2008
Water in German restaurants
It is not customary to get water automatically with your meal when dining in a German restaurant. You have to order it. But if you simply order water "Wasser" you'll receive a bottle of sparkling water and will be charged for it. Germans just love their bubbles in water. You have to ask specifically for "Stilles Wasser" (bottled water with no bubbles, also for a charge) or "Leitungswasser" (tap water, usually free) if you prefer that over the bubbly version. The latter might get you a bewildered look from the waiter, though.
Beatrix <email>
Calgary, Canada Sat 03/29/2008
Paris
A good book to have with you....read it before you go to Paris... is "Savior Flair" by Polly Platt...it is a hoot! But also full of good tips to not insult the local Parisians! It has been out for a few years so you can probably get it used from Amazon or Powells in Portland or Alibris (both good for used books)
mollie <email>
camano island, WA USA Wed 02/06/2008
Ugly Sneakers Make You Stick Out Everywhere
I just wanted to respond to some of Karen's comments about what she learned on her European travels in 2007 - mostly that some of her comments apply to any cosmopolitan city in the Western World. For example - in response to 1 &2 I live in NYC, and women here have a uniform - black, black, black and maybe jeans. Also, it's not sensible shoes that are not in fashion, it's ugly shoes that are not in fashion. There are all sorts of comfortable and attractive alternatives to running sneakers. Wearing running shoes in NYC makes you stick out like a tourist too.
Also - not every Italian speaks English, but unlike many other European countries, they are much more likely to try to help you anyways and not treat you like dirt.
UES Lawyer Girl
New York, NY USA Tue 01/22/2008