4 things I hate about Europe
This was an interesting blog discussion that I read...especially the comments people made: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/the-four-things-i-hate-about-europe/
Kate
Winnipeg 11/12/09
Send Private Message
Page:1 Next ›
Interesting reading, Kate. I have to say I was surprised by his observations. I've almost always gotten excellent service in Europe, and I find the people to be extremely polite. In general, I have found European's are not as outgoing and openly friendly as Americans. They tend to be more reserved and quiet. But I have never felt people were rude or unfriendly.
As for food, the big cities in Europe (at least the ones I've been to) have food from lots of different countries. The smaller towns, not so much. But isn't that the same in the US?
And finally convenience - the US is probably ahead in having stores open longer hours and on Sunday, but that's not a big issue with me (although it can be a pain when stores are not open for two hours at lunch time or when restaurants are closed from 2-6). Also lots of museums are closed on Monday in the US too.
Oh how could he list all that food and not mention Mexican (or TexMex) or BBQ? Really, when I came back from an amazing 3 weeks in Europe, all I wanted was chips, salsa and tacos.
Other than the part about convenience, I have to disagree with this guy. Yes stores close early in the evening and aren't open on Sundays. But then, I lived for years in Pennsylvania when grocery store had to close on Sunday, and I survived.
Other than that, I can't say for Paris. I've only been there a few days. But he should go to Germany.
When I first went to Europe, I expected service to be inferior. It's not. I find waiters in Germany to be very professional and attentive. I've never had poor service. Tip incentive is a myth created by restaurateurs in this country to get gullible consumers to buy into paying most of their labor costs, so they can show prices that are lower than you really pay.
I love the food in Germany. Their breads are far superior to anything in our supermarkets. I've seen Chinese restaurants in Germany, but I always eschew them for German food. Hardly anything can compare to a good Jäger or Zigeuner Schnitzel with Spätzle or Pommes. No one in this country can make Pomme Fritz like the Europeans. But my all-time favorite has to be Boeuf au Poivre, Pepper Steak, in France.
American "politeness" is largely superficial. I do think our "how are you-s" are insincere, particularly when they don't wait for an answer. Americans presumptuously call you by your first name, like you are their best buddy, even if they hardly know you. In Germany, it's Herr Schmidt or Frau Mayer until you form a relationship.
When was the last time you greeted your store clerk with "Good morning or "Good day"? In Germany it is customary to greet the salesperson in a shop with "Guten Tag" or, in Bavaria, "Gruß Gott". It's also customary to greet everyone in the breakfast room of your Pension with "Morgen" and they return the greeting.
This guy has spent too much time in Paris, I think.
I hate that it is so far away. I hate that I can't go more often. I hate that I will never be able to see it all. I hate that my love of Europe keeps me from exploring the rest of the world well....
Agree 100% with Denver Liz!
I also agree with Liz, 100%.
Lee’s right, and…
You mean there’s something wrong with the artificially friendly, often incompetent, and unbelievably obnoxious wait staff in U.S. dining establishments of all shapes and sizes? I thought Americans loved to know the name of the server, the fact that they’ll be taking care of you tonight (whoa), the concern for how we doin', the reassurance that there’s no problem when you say thank you (used to be you’re welcome), and repeated follow-up visits to ensure everything’s okay? I’m really not trying to beat up on the workers, but the system is bothersome beyond belief. Isn’t bring menu, take order only when asked to, bring food, check in only when asked, and bring check only when asked much better?
I couldn't possible count the number of times I've been involved in a conversation with my wife at the table at a restaurant (over here) and, had the waiter(-ress) come up and start asking us "how's everything? Would you like some dessert? Etc" without even checking to see if I was talking. Didn't butting in used to be considered rude. Now, it seems, it just working for a bigger tip.
And, I agree with Liz.
I agree with Liz too. I try to go other places too, but I definitely have the Europe fever...
I also hate that my 1.00 USD = 0.67 EUR
Since we're taking a poll:
Convenience: I agree. I hated the "blue laws" in my town when I was a kid, and I love it now that grocery stores and Walmart are open on Sundays. I also like having a few places open all night, or at least until 11 p.m. The late hours in America make it very convenient for consumers.
Service: I've had good and bad service all over the world. I do think tipping gives a good incentive, generally, for good service, despite anecdotal instances of some servers being overly anxious for a tip, to the point of interrupting our conversation.
Food: I did have a miserable BLT at an Amsterdam sidewalk café once, but what should I have expected, ordering something like that in Europe! I can indeed imagine Americans in Europe for long periods who miss the food back home. That's perfectly understandable and, having hosted 3 foreign exchange students over the years, I certainly know that Europeans over here get to missing their own home cooking, too!
Politeness: I like how, when you enter a small store in Italy or France, it's common to say hello to the owner, and get some acknowledgment back. I think they can be just as friendly, or unfriendly, as shops in New York or other American cities. In smaller towns on both continents, you're likely to find more politeness than in busy, impersonal cities. That's just the way it is, I think (of course there are always a few exceptions to every rule).
Food for thought, pun intended. How can you condemn American food servers for artificial politeness when their paychecks are based partially on hospitality? For those that prefer the more reserved European servers, would you tip them more than American servers if the European tipping culture was identical to the United States'? I certainly wouldn't. If I'm forced to pay extra for service, I'm going to pay for the person who "kisses ass" the most. Also, for those that prefer European customer service - have you ever been to Japan? That's a non-tipping culture, and anybody who claims European and Japanese service is similar is naive. Japan is clearly superior (in more ways than one). Or are you going to say that the Japanese are artificial like the Americans?
James: "...have you ever been to Japan? That's a non-tipping culture, and anybody who claims European and Japanese service is similar is naive. Japan is clearly superior (in more ways than one). Or are you going to say that the Japanese are artificial like the Americans?"
No, I'm going to say that the Japanese have "better raising" than the rest of us. Very different culture.
European waiters and waitresses are adequately friendly yet significantly more professional than their American counterparts. This is beyond question.
These discussions can border on being silly. The original article I viewed as being slightly humorous if not a back handed slap at American culture. If he had called it "differences" instead of "what I hate" I bet the reactions would have been very different. Because that is what we are discussing -- cultural differences -- not good or bad or right or wrong. Just differences. And everyone tends to react differently to the differences.
I have lived in the west almost all of my life and I could make a similar list of dislikes about southern folk, some New Yorkers, etc. When I was first engaged my father wasn't real happy about my marrying an "Easterner" -- South Bend, Indiana. It is just differences -- some we like and some we don't.
I love Liz's response and agree with it. However, I did think of one thing that bugs me about Europe -- you have to beg to get the check at the end of your meals; that is if you can find your waiter/waitress. (Where do they go after they serve you the food?) It would actually be nice if you wanted to linger -- a lot of times in the US you get the feeling that they can't wait to usher you out the door so they can get another paying customer in. However, when I'm on vacation, I don't like to spend hours in restaurants; I'm usually in a hurry to see the next thing on my list. Or if it's dinner, I'm in a hurry to get to bed because I'm so tired from all the things I saw during the day.
Cold water with meals. And ice.
I love Europe, but in my experience cold water - with ice - and in large quantities - are hard to come by. It's not because I'm cheap, I just like to drink lots of water and I like it icy. Wish it wasn't such a chore to get this routinely.
David- I AGREE!!! Icy water is one of God's good gifts. I really miss it when I travel. Also water foutains for a quick sip just about anywhere. At home I miss "sparkling" water and good public transportation.
Carroll, if you eat at McDonald, you will not have that problem. I love it. We can finish that bottle of wine at our leisure. BUT, you can also solve that problem by politely says, We need to be at the Theater at 2000, could you bring the check with coffee, or dessert, or whatever. May times they will not bring the check unless you specific ask for it. Why should they be required to read your mind?
Frank: "Why should they be required to read your mind?"
That's a stretch. Carroll never said they should be so required.
Carroll is just bugged that it's sometimes hard to run them down to get your check. That's reasonable. It bugs me to.
In June of this year we had cappuccino and snacks at a sidewalk cafe near the Tower of Pisa. We sat a good while, about 10 a.m - 10:45. When we were ready to leave, I waved to our waiter, who was standing 4 feet from me. He looked right at me, but ignored me.
A moment later he passed by our table. I tapped his arm lightly to get his attention and said, "Il conto, per favore." He nodded.
Five minutes later he was standing 4 feet from me again, just standing there looking off in the distance. I waved at him. He ignored me.
I walked over him and told him we needed to get our check. He said, in excellent English, "Oh, I only take the orders and bring the food. You'll have to get the check from that woman over there."
Grrrrr.
Four things I hate about Europe:
1) It is a long way from here 2) It takes a long time to get there from here 3) It is expensive to get there from here 4) I don't get to spend enough time there.
Chris pretty much summed it up for me!
I agree with Lee, Chris and Liz!
Now we need to add our thoughts on that blog and show them, LOL
It's funny how we sometimes have a tendency to berate our own culture! I was raised to always say "hello" or "good morning" to a store clerk or a shop owner, or be polite to the waiter/waitress in a restaurant. We are not all "ugly Americans". And, yes, I have seen rude behavior all over the world. But, I have to agree with others...I can't go to Europe too much or too often!
I agree with the part about things not being open. In the US you can get anything you want most hours and virtually every store is open into the evenings at least six nights a week.
European stores have significantly fewer hours. It forces you to plan your shopping more carefully. As someone who isn't into living by my daytimer, I prefer shopping at my convenience.
Individual opportunity was always the greatest selling point in the US.
The US has much more open access to higher education than Europe (although the elementary and secondary schools are much better in Europe).
Entrepreneurship and openess to new and better ideas has given America a lot of advances, higher standard of living and more jobs than Europe. I think we're losing our advantages now, however, and that's sad.
Perhaps better access to higher education in the US is a valid point, but it is shameful that the average young college graduate has to start out in life $80,000 in debt (for a public education) to the world’s mega-banks before the ink has even had a chance to dry on their diplomas. Many European countries have a better approach in my opinion.
Also, I'm not sure how scientifically or statistically valid this two-year old “study” is, but NYC is number 1 in the world with respect to politeness. It doesn’t look like this takes cultural differences into account, however. Asian countries are at the bottom, although I must say that Asian people seem to me to be among the most polite people I meet. Who knows, Reader’s Digest does lean a bit to the right. Interesting…
http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/2006/07/polite.php
BTW, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and meeting many immigrants (documented and otherwise) and refugees from around the world over the last couple of years. It’s amazing to see just how common the American Dream is for these folks. I’ve never met anyone from these groups who didn’t sincerely love America and the opportunity this country affords. Even though they may be marginalized in our system, they feel rich in so many ways…this is very common.
Michael, great post.
I don't understand why we need to have places opened 24 hours in the States. I also don't get why they stay open for any length of time on Thanksgiving day or other public holidays. Why can't people go do their shopping and not wait to run out for last minute things?
When I lived in Europe I sure learned how to get everything I needed BEFORE the shops closed for the weekend (Sundays), and then the half days on Thursdays I believe.
Our people here work too many hours, and don't have enough time to RELAX! No wonder we have so many stressed out folks. We have so much in America, but never have the time to truly enjoy.
One of the reasons I LOVE Europe is because of the lack of "fake sincerities", i.e. the hi-how-are-you people (which I dont even respond to here anymore and people don't even notice). Where I live in Boulder, I think its the fake nice capital of the world. People are polite in Europe, they are just more reserved. When I have needed help finding a place, one man even got out his Iphone and mapped it out for me. Europeans are polite and helpful,they are just not as rude, presumptious and intrusive as americans can be.
I also don't mind that when I am in London, places close early on Sundays. I just plan to use that day for sightseeing and picture taking instead of shopping.
I don’t believe anyone has mentioned public transportation, but Europe’s system is far superior as we all surely know. It’s hard to compare such a small continent to a very large country like ours, but we could learn a lot and rationalize our own systems on both coasts. Instead of borrowing money from China (and then promising phony high-speed rail), financing could come from higher federal gas taxes. It would be worth it to have rail, bus, tram, and metro systems comparable to Germany, France, or Spain. We could even heavily tax SUVs and non-farm/work pick-up trucks to help pay for it and kill two birds with one stone.
Our N. American world has become a place where we don't need to be as organized anymore. If we forget to buy milk on our regular grocery shopping trip, we can get it later--even at 2 am. If we forget to find directions to a place, we can do it on the spot with our iPhones. Does this give us more time to follow leisurely pursuits? Or do we have less leisure time because we don't have to be organized? Hmmm....
Page:1 Next ›