Meeting Locals: 2004
Good travel requires connecting with people. Get creative: bring a Frisbee, look up a bridge club, assume a fake last name and get out a phone book. Connecting with locals puts a shine into your travel memories. How do you make sure you connect with the locals in your travels?
Travel as an American!
I agree with the posters who pointed out that Americans pretending to be Canadians doesn't really fool anybody. Canadian culture is quite distinct from the USA, appearances aside. Also, I cannot see how one could make genuine contact and form friendships with Europeans based on false pretenses. Europeans tend to judge Americans as individuals, rather than use politics as the key factor.Although it is true that there is far less stigma attached to talking politics over dinner/cafe/nightclubbing in Europe--that's no reason to shy away. If you're a supporter of the President, make your argument honestly and politely. The majority of locals will agree to disagree. And if you're not, point that out. Any residual political hostility I encounter dissapears as soon as I tell them I'm from San Francisco (which is about as anti-Bush as any European capital). In any case, be yourself, you'll miss out on much playing cloak and dagger games.
John
SF, CA USA Sat 12/18/2004
Undercover Americans, leave the faux-Canadiana at home
I second that Americans wearing Canadian tee shirts in Europe & sewing flags on their pack will not magically avert tension from current world views of the USA and its president.If you wear the maple leaf while continuing to add to the "Ugly American" stereotype, you may just hurt things for Canadians. That's kind of inconsiderate, dot you think? Even seems at odds with traveling in diverse cultures.
You could do better for yourself (and the rest of us) by being sensitive to the local culture. Try to blend in, and don't be too requiring - don't expect Rome to be just like Kansas or whatever. There may be no place like home, but you're not in Kansas anymore.
Anyway, why not take the brunt of criticism if some person over there has a bone to pick with the USA? What's to fear? You have a chance to stand up and represent your country as a thinking individual, and perhaps even make a friend. You can be responsible for your USA and be quietly proud of much good in your country's great history.
Just a thought. I'm not in your shoes am I.
Jonas
Toronto, Canada Wed 12/08/2004
Go, Canada T-shirts
The Go, Canadian t-shirt sales reported on CNN made me think of my own recent trip to Germany. I do not recall any moment when anyone treated me poorly because they thought I was an American. If anything, I think people were extraordinarily courteous and helpful in that regard. I recall seeing 2 American women board a train, one wearing an Iraqi Freedom sweatshirt. There was no hostility towards them and, while there is certainly some sentiment against the President (check out the book selection in any store), I did not detect any towards Americans. No political discussions, no anti-American response, no need to wear a Canadian t-shirt.
Dana
Columbia, SC USA Tue 12/07/2004
The best way to meet locals is to travel by yourself. I spent 9 weeks in Europe backpacking by myself, and met so many great people (locals and fellow travelers). Being a group of one forces you to talk with others out of necessity or loneliness. Everyone thought I was crazy, single woman travelling alone, but it was the greatest experience!
Channin
Portland, OR USA Mon 11/01/2004
Cinque Terre
My friends and I just returned from a two week excursion in Italy. It was our first trip to Europe for all four of us girls. One of our stops was the Cinque Terre where we had the opportunity to eat and hang out at the Blue Marlin Cafe in Vernazza. There, we met the very young at heart Massimo, the owner of the cafe. Massimo sat and talked with us for a while (at least two hours!), sharing his thoughts and favorite sites in Italy. He really made us feel welcome and we can't wait to go back to visit him! He runs a great business with happy and friendly employees that are ready to help.
Bella
San Francisco, CA USA Fri 10/22/2004
Friendliness on the London Tube
Well,sort of! My husband and I were in London and took the tube to Blackhorse Rd., a very distant Tube stop, to see a band at a club in that area. After the show, we walked across the street to the Tube station,only to find that the last train for the night had already departed. A local guy who got to the deserted station at the same time we did was in the same predicament and mentioned that he had to get to the Knightsbridge area - which was also where we needed to go!He seemed non-psycho,so I suggested we share a taxi and split the fare. We did, and he was a wonderful person who asked us all about our city,pointed out all of the areas of interest that we passed by, showed us the bad and good neighborhoods, etc..
Turns out he was training to be a London cabbie! What a great way to get the inside scoop on the city...and we loved listening to his Cockney accent...
Sandra
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 10/21/2004
Sweet Italy
We just got back from Italy. First time in Europe. While David and the Colisium were impressive...I can't tell you how important it was to make contact with people...at the dinner table next to you...on a bus...anywhere. We learned that on our first 2 nights. We stayed at a B&B in Orvieto (Locanda Rosati - fantastic place) about 1 hour north or Roma. They served fantastic dinners for there guests every night. It was there that we started to meet people from Germany, Belgium, Italy...everyone one was interpeting for someone else - and it set the tone for FUN and ADVENTURE for the rest of the vacation. From there we made a point of getting to even know the names of our waiters or even the people sitting next to us - everywhere. They all enjoyed the contact. I collected so many emails!!!
Lee
McHenry, IL USA Sat 09/25/2004
England & Wales
I met lovely, friendly people throughout my visit to the UK but found the English to be more reserved than the Welsh. To break the ice first, I would ask a quiet, polite question about the train or the weather. From such simple beginnings, I've had great conversations about the British educational system, the effect of war, language and art, family structure... You can have a great conversation in virtually any setting. While waiting for the train, braving a traffic jam in a crowded bus... It helps to step into quieter neighbourhoods, away from the tourist crowds. Try going to events that locals go to rather than to the tourist events. It's simple. Ask your B&B host where THEY would go if it were their day off. I found the UK to be very friendly indeed.
Jenny
Canada Sat 08/21/2004
Pen Pal
Meeting Locals, My friend and I recently returned from a two week adventure in Europe. We had a wonderful experience meeting an old pen pal my friend had established in high school. Imagin meeting up with a friend you have communicated with for 15 years but never met. Our host family was very gratious and made our stay an unforgetable one.
Jon
Bend, OR USA Tue 07/27/2004
Chicetti bars & Jewish Ghetto
We spent 2 hours with Hans & Fritz bumbling through our translation book at Hoffbrauhaus in Munich. We had better service and better food than the people on our tour group.I learned all about Swiss culture at the base of Mt. Stanserhorn from a very nice local...I don't recommed Chicetti bars in Venice(by Rialto)if you don't like anchovies, or a visit to the original "ghetto" it was quite the cultural experience but not worth the walk or money.
rheann
Corsicana, TX USA Fri 07/23/2004
How to join locals-don't put on airs
The largest barrier that I see when Americans come here is the one that they create in an effort to impress. I met an American couple on the train to Italy. The gentleman didn?t understand that the train attendant was there for his ticket, and not to bring him and his wife drinks. He continued to repeatedly tell the man what they wanted a cola in English. I intervened and interpreted for them. The man did not thank me (He said that he understood fine) and rushed back to his seat, and then asked me if I would give up my top level bed for his wife because she had a lot of things. she was overdressed with an excess amount of jewelry, and also rude. The others let them struggle, and now I know why. First, think simple elegance in dress. Solid colors or tasteful prints, clean lines, and fine details (the exception is the disco). Are you creating a visual barrier with your clothing? Second, please please do not assume that everyone here thinks that all Americans here on holiday are wealthy, and please do not expect to be treated as such. Go to festivals. Be open and friendly, but leave stereotypes at home. be a part of the crowd, not the center of attention-enjoy yourself, but don?t ruin the fun of others. if you are having problems communicating, don?t be embarrassed. Or, buy a phrasebook. Bring mugs, key chains, caps, etc. from your hometown as gifts. Most of all, if someone helps you, please be polite and say thank you, even in English.
A.C.
Frankfurt, DE Germany Thu 07/15/2004
Meeting Locals
If you want to meet the Londoners, you will most likely have to be friendly first. I heard a quote that really fit "They don't know that they like you, yet" lol
Some of the most dour looking people, turned out to be the warmest and friendlist. We were in the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich having lunch and there were two elderly women at the table next to us. They looked as if butter wouldn't melt in there mouths. But, as soon as my mother asked one of them a question, they warmed right up, talked to us and before the left made a point of coming and saying goodbye, as they were visitors to London themselves. I just recommend being friendly, polite, and courteous. We even met a Londoner that met us a few days later to take us on around "The City" for the day. She took us to Spittelfield Market, Petticoat lane for shopping, St. Paul's, and Tate Modern. There were things that we would have never seen or known about if it hadn't been for her. The city was so international that we actually didn't hear alot of english accents until we got to Greenwich on a bank holiday. We joked that all the English people left London when the foreigners moved in. lol
D. Santos
Antioch, CA USA Tue 07/13/2004
Soccer
Although Eurocup is now over, some of my best times with the locals was watching Soccer in a Bar or Pub. Always a crowd, always very animate, plenty of cheers and often disgust at calls. Superbowl excitement at every game. Was fortunate to catch two games while in England this past month, Also Italy two years ago during World Cup (Milan had a huge screen in the square in front of the Duomo). Best way I have found to get into a local party.
Paul
IA USA Wed 07/07/2004
Visit Liverpool
Just a tip for those who are looking for a friendly city to visit. Try Liverpool, England. I have never been treated so kindly by so many while traveling. It may come as a surprise but Liverpool is also a lovely city with some outstanding architectural gems and beautiful lush residential areas. Of course there is Beatle stuff and tours galore.
Mark David
Albuquerque, Nm USA Fri 06/18/2004
Use trains for more than transportation
Best success we had for meeting locals was on trains. When using Rick's suggestions we saw mostly Americans with Rick's books in hotels and restaurants. Locals use the trains and you have plenty of time to talk. It's a very natural way to make new friends.
Noel Gouldin
Plano, TX USA Mon 06/14/2004
Be An Extrovert, Make It Happen
I just returned from 3 weeks traveling through Vienna to Eastern Europe. I have taken Rick's advice on always being an extrovert when traveling in Europe (I am not naturally this way--I have to push myself). I try to stay at B&B's and connect with the owners and also the other guests at breakfast. This last trip I was on the train from Vienna to Ljubljana and said to the elderly couple next to me, "Do you speak English?"--that was the icebreaker. We then shared our lives for the next 5 hours. I still have the photos and warm memories. In Dubrovnik I initiated conversation with a French lady at the next table and that led to a nice chat and also sharing some adventures over the next few days and an invitation to keep in touch and visit her in Paris. Feels like the beginning of a lifelong friendship. On the road I really make the effort to "make things happen" and connect. There were many other wonderful stories like these from this trip, generated by the same philosophy gleaned from the pages of "Europe through the Back Door". Thanks, Rick!
Richard
Seattle, WA USA Tue 06/08/2004
Head for the Unknown Bars
The absolute BEST way to meet the locals is to go to some unknown bar. Don?t go to the ones with the flashing lights that are right on the main streets. do a little wandering around and you will be sure to find a little hole in the wall bar that serves up cheap, cold beer and has a friendly atmosphere. I study in Spain and I like to do this often... i can?t tell you how many locals i have met this way! Good luck!
Kelly
San Sebastian, GUIP ES Wed 05/05/2004
Italians do not speak foreign languages but they try hard anyway
Hi!
I spent two weeks in Tuscany (one in a small village and another one in Lucca) and found the locals very very friendly!
The owners of the house/apartment we rented were very helpful and nice!
I thought that the language barrier could be a problem, but it was not.
Even though they did not speak very good English (and any French) they tried their best!
Rachelle
FR Wed 04/21/2004
Discover Ukraine with LOVE
The world is a global village, and with time it becomes smaller and smaller, this means there are fewer and fewer places that you haven't been to.
A Mordinson Introduction offers you to take a trip to Kharkov, Ukraine. It's a beautiful city with mild climate. It has a lot of interesting places. Visiting Kharkov will be a unique traveling experience attributed to authentic culture and history of Kharkov.
If you are single, you have a splendid opportunity to meet beautiful, marriage minded and family oriented Ukrainian women and find your potential wife.
More info at http://www.mordinson.com
Darya Mordinson
Kharkov, N/A Ukraine Thu 03/11/2004