So is this really gonna be a bad thing folks? No jokes
please - I've heard enough of them on this page. Remember,
even if I love my country, I am traveling outside it because
I want to expand my mind. I'm going all over Europe this
summer - should I expect a lot of animosity? Should I try
to hide the fact that I'm American - some guidebooks I've
read recommend this. Do I really have to leave my jeans and
baseball cap home?
[There are 18 posts - the latest was added on Wed 19 May, 13:47]
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You already have the right attitude and remember there are
obnoxious people from every country - it isn't solely
Americans. I've travelled with heaps of really nice
Americans.
And take the jeans and baseball cap - don't worry about it,
just have a great time. If you were going to a poor
country, then I think it's best to leave brand names at home.
But there's nothing wrong with wearing clothes that reflect
you!
You should try to travel with a desire to learn from others
and with an open mind. People will judge you by your
character not by the cut of your pants or the country from
which you come. To do otherwise is the antithesis of what
makes the United States work in spite of its enormous
social challenges. Frankly, I am proud to be an American
and I offer not apologies, but I am also proud to be a
member of the world community which we all are a part of.
Have a great trip and let your travels open your world,
mike at www.footloosetravel.com
As an American I've never had problems anywhere I've
travelled, it's often been an asset, even in places you
wouldn't expect it - (eg Syria). No matter where you go in
the world if you respect local customs (though Europe is
not very different than the US in almost all ways) and are
not a obnoxious idiot you'll be fine. If you do act like an
asshole people will dislike you (and rightfully so) no
matter where you are from.
On another matter, leave the jeans home because they are
heavy and take forever to dry. Casual cotton pants are the
way to go.
Enjoy your trip.
I agree that the fact you are asking the question means you
are aware enough not to be obnoxious. However, as a
non-american can I offer a couple of gentle hints? The thing
that makes americans stand out in europe is that they are
generally louder than the locals. You probably don't even
realise it, because it's normal back home. So try to speak
a little quieter in public places. Another thing is asking
personal questions, which is usually not done to new people
you might meet in europe - don't ask such things as age or
religion or income unless the other person brings it up.
Don't presume people speak English, and Never shout at
someone who doesn't understand you.
On the other hand, why should you hide where you come from,
unless you are planning a trip to Serbia or nearby? Even
then, you have the opportunity to give a personal viewpoint
and make the point that every person in a country doesn't
necessarily agree with every government policy.
What I'm saying is watch how people behave in groups and
public places in countries you visit, never mentally
condemn anything because its different from back home, and
try to fit in a little with the local etiquette.
Hi Sid!
Don't let anyone intimidate you. There are so many
American travellers in Europe in summer, you are sure to
blend right in, especially in the larger cities.
I run a small hostel called the Treehouse Backpacker Hotel
in a small Austrian village in the Alps. My guests (mostly
Australian, American, Canadian) stand out, but only because
they are English speaking. Our teenagers here in Gruenau
dress American, (Levi's and such) so why shouldn't you? I
also find that the locals that vistit our bar are EXTREMELY
loud. They sit right next to each other a shout even when
there is no music playing!
Just relax and enjoy yourself and you will have a great
trip. I've lived in Austria for over 6 years now and
travelled heaps and never had a problem. If you would like
more information just email me, or call 43 7616 8499.
All the best!
Sincerely, Heidi
You could do what many Canadians do, and put a little
Canadian flag on your pack... it supposedly works!
mike
Forget putting the Canadian flag on your stuff, unless by
American, you mean a North American from Toronto. When
people find you're really from the US, they'll think you're
an idiot. Listen to the advice about LOWERING YOUR VOICE.
It's embarrassing for me and other Americans to hear an
obviously American voice booming across a restaurant, when
everyone else is talking quietly. Don't try to pass
yourself off as a local, but do try to blend in somewhat.
Wearing active sportswear in a nice restaurant, for
instance, may be considered insulting. Do some research
before you take the trip. If you learn at least the polite
phrases in the languages of the places you'll be visiting,
it really breaks the ice. Finally, don't worry about this
too much. I've met very few Europeans who would be rude to
an American who was being polite to them. (And some of
those would be rude to anyone!) Be polite, expect
politeness in others, and you'll have a great trip.
I agreet with Tim - if you aren't an bastard, then you have
nothing to worry about. Don't feel that you have to conform
to what locals wear - if you feel comfortable in jeans & a
baseball cap, then go for it! The only time I've ever had
problems with American travelers is when they're
ethnocentric & obnoxious. So, just keep an open mind
andhave a great trip!
Do your research as you are obviously trying to do and go
and watch what others do and try to blend in.
I have travelled to America and other places and find
Americans to be fine but like any race there are some you
are not proud of at any time. We met some very rude
ignorant people from Europe on our last trip and I am sure
if you treat people as you would like to be treated you
will benefit from your travels......enjoy yourself and get
addicted like me!
Hey Sid, What crappy guidebook recommended you pretend not
to be American?
if you're a nice person hunny then it is you're duty to go
forth and break down those stereotypes, there are loud
people in every country.
The only things I would add are:
1. Remember that other countries have different ideas of
what "customer service" means, if it's in place at all. Try
not to expect service providers (restaurants, retail
stores, transportation) to initiate (or even to follow up)
as much as they do here, leave that deeply ingrained "The
customer is always right" consumer mindset at home,
act patient (i.e., not too demanding), and you should be
okay.
2. If at all possible, try to greet people in their language
first. It might be a good idea to learn how to say, "Do you
speak English" in the language of each country you will be
visiting. If you are sincere, open, and polite, most people
will respond in kind.
everything that they've said is true - you will never enjoy
yourself if you are feeling selfconscious all the way, and
if you are not rude and unpleasant to people then u will no
problem at all. BUT im a londoner, and the most annoying
thing i have ever seen was on a tv program following groups
of tourists in the city. this american teenage girl had
been told by some ignorant s**t that in england people eat
chipmonk and squirrel (!! - i do not lie!), and so she
brought all her own food for the holiday. she was so
stoopid and condescending about everything - complaining
that stonehenge wasn't near the sea and moaning that the
roman statues in bath were just boring lumps of rock. it
is attitudes like that which are likely to create
animosity, not nationality... ~ j
YES you will be treatened as a complete idiot.Trying to
correct that is VERY hard.
NO you can┤t hide where you come from, you can only try
living with it.
DO NOT SHOUT.Try to behave.
PLEASE try to get rid of the idea that the world is America
and the rest of it is your backyard.
STUDY some history of Europe before you come here to tell how
the thigs should be.
I┤ve been travelling around the world but, do to my
experiences, I still haven┤t been manage to think differently
of you guys.SORRY. Maybe YOU can make the revolution in my
small head.
We are very different people but there is a small change of
getting along pretty well...
Don't make the mistake of sewing a maple leaf on your pack.
I'm a Canadian but I'd never do that. Sure it would mark me
as "not American" but it also marks you as a tourist and
makes it impossible to blend in. I met up with Americans
and travelled with them in England and Ireland and had a
blast... while some American tourists give the country a bad
name there's a lot of great American tourists (mostly older
than 18) who do you guys proud so don't sweat it too much.
About being loud... it is true that Americans are often
loader which makes you stand out but other nationalities,
like the Germans, are just as load so don't take it as an
America-bashing thing... the rest of us are just a bit mroe
timid.
as long as you leave your cap and sandals at home you should
be fine
I saw that chipmunk & squirrel show and that girl was an
embarrassment to the nation. We wore our "American" clothes
in France and the French thought we were English (I guess
b/c we're not loud people?). The English brats who stayed
in the room next door were the most rude crowd I've ever
encountered and I found it ironic with the English are
polite and Americans are obnoxious stereotypes. It's kind
of sad in a way that everyone is starting to look the same
to me, all wearing the same kinds of clothes, but perhaps
this is in part due to us, the travelers. From what I've
learning living here over the pond, be proud to be an
American b/c it's something very special -- but of course
people are usually proud of where they come from so respect
that and them and let's all just be friends. Cheers!
Just make sure that when you meet Aussies you don't ask us
if we have hot or cold running water in Australia - true I
was asked this by an American in London 2 years ago. By
the way - if you go to Venice - don't ask if the streets
were there before they flooded it. Again another
Americanism. I couldn't quite work out if they were serious
or not. And one last thing - enjoy yourself, be open to
new experiences and try and speak the language of whatever
country you are in even if it is just to say please and
thank you.