Embarassing things Americans do while visiting Europe...

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(so I can avoid them - I'm visiting next month)

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Pronounce place names wrong, very loudly. If I'm not sure I ask(quietly), or point or whisper.

― Plinky (Plinky), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Shhhhh.....don't talk so loudly & leave the backpack at home. It's a dead giveaway.

― Miss Laura, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

leave the words 'street', 'road', 'avenue', etc., off place names and ask for directions to "o'connell", or "grafton". it's mucho annoying.

― angela (angela), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Misspell embarrassing ha ha.

Yes, just being loud, generally. And thinking Liverpool St is in Liverpool, Oxford St is in Oxford etc. Leicester Square is not in Leicester nor is it pronounced 'Li-ses-ter' (it's Les-ter). But going to Leicester Square is pretty dud in itself. Go to Leicester instead.

Don't go on about how old a 19th century building is.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:54 (twenty-three years ago)

wear a Creed t-shirt.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:55 (twenty-three years ago)

I dont think they do anything embarrassing! They expect a certain level of servility from shop assistants but that's a bona fide CULTURAL DIFFERENCE and besides I dont work in a shop anymore.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 11:56 (twenty-three years ago)

surely the classic is sitting down in pubs and waiting to be served? also tipping the barstaff in a pub at 20% (not that they'd mind that much).

― toby (tsg20), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't refer to the fact that you love 'Europe' like it's one country you can see in a fortnight. We don't think of it as 'Europe' very much - it's just Britain. Or even just England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland. Or better still, just London or Yorkshire. Americans say 'Britain' and 'Europe' much more than we do. This might be different for people in mainland Europe - you'd have to ask them.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:02 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, please don't ever act like Scotland/Wales/Ireland are just part of England - it's like us calling you Canadian!

― Plinky (Plinky), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't buy and wear a beret that says "Rusty" on it.

― Andy K (Andy K), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:08 (twenty-three years ago)

The worst thing Americans do is when loads of them walk into a pub at once and queue always standing behind one another like they're waiting to get into Madam Tussauds or something, and then muttering under their breath when you walk up to the vast space left at the bar and get served. This has happened to me twice.

Oh, and complaining that it always rains here. This is not so much embarassing as FUCKING ANNOYING. Mostly because they're right.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:10 (twenty-three years ago)

On the underground, don't stand on the left-hand side of the escalators. Don't stand around the entrance/exit to the tubes either. And, of course, be careful abt bumming a fag.

Oh, and don't follow N's 'advice' and go to Leicester, either.

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:23 (twenty-three years ago)

go on and on about how they won two world wars and one world cup...oh wait a minute...

― blueski, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Blueski, I direct you to my earlier advice.

― Plinky (Plinky), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:26 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't assume that the American that you've just run into in a foreign country actually wants to talk about anything, let alone your job, whether the ex-pat misses America, and how 'bout these funny people over here and their weird ways?

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:27 (twenty-three years ago)

dress garishly.

― michael wells (michael w.), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:35 (twenty-three years ago)

If you visit Oxford or Cambridge, don't ask where the university is. You're probably already in a bit of it.

― RickyT (RickyT), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Thanks for all the advice. I'm so embarrassed about misspelling 'embarrassing.' Oh, what a silly American I am... I'm actually going to be in Paris (thus, my PARIS HOT SPOTS thread) in case you were interested... Anyway, Michael, please define "garishly."

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:40 (twenty-three years ago)

"like an australian's nightmare".

― michael wells (michael w.), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:52 (twenty-three years ago)

You can come visit me then, though I'd be a poor guide to the hot spots. That said, avoid the Moulin Rouge like VD. You'll only come out poorer and dissapointed.

― Miss Laura, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 12:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Ditto for the film.

― lol p xx, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 13:14 (twenty-three years ago)

(Haha I like how 80% of the advice was UK-centric!)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 13:18 (twenty-three years ago)

WIN TICKETS FROM THE PIG IN A POKE GAME. WEAR A COAT THAT SAYS "RUSTY: THE EUROPEAN TOUR"

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 13:22 (twenty-three years ago)

being annoying != not knowing custom

― boxcubed (boxcubed), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 13:23 (twenty-three years ago)

What they call FANNY PACKS in America are strictly verboten.

If you're in Paris, do try to start out trying to speak French, and don't be offended if the Frenchie switches over to English. S/he isn't being rude.

Get a good street map and don't feel ashamed about using it - in places like Paris or London everyone who lives here needs them too.

― suzy (suzy), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 13:33 (twenty-three years ago)

When doing something completely mumndane don't have a big long converstaion with fellow americans about how it is done ever so slightly different here from in America.

example from my life, stood behind 4 americans in a queue to buy cards. i ahve no idea what the minor differences were - too dull to remember - nevertheless they were all remarked on 4 times
[to shopworker]"so do I give you the cash now"
"yes"
[to friend]"I give her the cash no"
[from friend]"now"
[to friend]"yes now"
[from friend]"give her the cash then"
[to friend]"so I get a receipt now do you think"

Waiting 10 minutes for someone to buy a card used up all of my disproprtionate annoyance for that day, and so I was polite to bad drivers on the way home.

Also (and this isn't an american thing, but a tourist thing in general) it's a person with spraypaint on, standing still, not a human statue. Do not pay the person attention. Do not giggle. Do not stop, look, and block the road. Do not encourage the mentalist. Definitely, under no circumstances give money. Neither use of the ability to stand still nor use of the ability to be sprayed with paint deserve any renumeration.

But the secodn one is just me

― Sofa King Alternative (Sofa King Alternative), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 14:03 (twenty-three years ago)

If you don't speak French, learn the following phrase (in English) very carefully: "Do you speak English?" You'd be surprised how many more people do when you bother to ask.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 14:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Sofa King, I share your pain.

I think anything but being an egotistical prat who thinks everything is so damned quaint (which covers most points here) is fair game.

― Andrew (enneff), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 14:28 (twenty-three years ago)

whats this thread on? when you are a tourist act like a tourist is supossed to, theres no fun in not trying to be embarassing and away from gaffes

― vic (vicc13), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 14:47 (twenty-three years ago)

I dont think they do anything embarrassing!

You're too kind.

Advice for Eurofolks when meeting Americans: do not assume that every one of them voted for/agrees with Bush. Unless you like the assumption that you voted for/agree with Thatcher or Le Pen or Fortuyn or whoever.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 15:31 (twenty-three years ago)

In Ireland: Calling Guinness "guy-ness". Also taking the pint of guinness when it's 3 quarters fall and being left to settle on the bar and unfinished and even more disgusting than usual.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 15:34 (twenty-three years ago)

"Calling Guinness 'guy-ness'"!

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 15:49 (twenty-three years ago)

ask if ppl speak american!! (actual overheard comment in a hotel lobby: "don't you speak english? frawn-says? god how many languages ARE there??")

― jones (actual), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 15:59 (twenty-three years ago)

If you visit England try to see more than just London. Which is more than most Londoners ever do.

If you want to walk along the Thames, walk along the South side. Yes, all the pretty buildings are on the North but they're hard too see properly from only 10ft away (that's approx 4.5 metres -- not meters)
And don't worry about going South of The River Thames. Most people who warn you not to go there have never been themselves.
That said, don't go too far south... (if you see 'Elephant and Castle' turn around. Quickly.)

London's skyline is not as dramatic(?) as some American cities' so if you're looking for a landmark Centre Point, The BT Tower (formerly Post Office Tower) and The London Eye are usually easy to spot.

Don't shop exclusively at the GAP, Disney Store, The Hard Rock Cafe or eat solely American fast food. Redundant. Redundant. Redundant.
Also, don't presume that everyone here eats fish & chips every day or that every fish & chip shop is good (as a rule, avoid those which are open 24hrs & also serve kebabs or 'giros' as Americans call them -- be careful because a 'giro cheque' is what we call a 'welfare check').

Don't call pounds "quids". Sorry, sounds retarded.
Don't call everyone you meet "mate" or end every conversation with "cheers". "Thanks" & "Thank you" are understood all over Britain.

Say "pardon", "excuse me" or even "come again?" but try to avoid "WHAT??". That really grates.

― Android (Android Elvis), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 16:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't say 'pardon' - it's really naff. Say 'sorry?'

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 16:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry?

― Android (Android Elvis), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 16:38 (twenty-three years ago)

HINE?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 16:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Aren't many of these things simply rude, as opposed to stemming from ignorance? I would tend to assume that someone who, like Sarah, bothers to ask what sort of behavior to avoid, would err on the side of politeness, and wouldn't shout "what" loudly or ask who speaks "American." It seems that rather than bitching about impolite, "American" behavior, posters might suggest to Sarah subtle points that she might overlook. For example, the first time I ever tried to work a BT payphone (in a crowded train station), I felt like a damn fool, but how was I to know in what order to dial and to madly shove coins down the slot? And yet the passersby snickered (and, rudely, did not offer any help).

That said, I don't understand why tourists who carry around guidebooks don't bother with the pronunciation gazetteer.

(Sarah, if you're a total boor and need to be told, in painful and tiresome detail, not to be unspeakably rude in public, please accept my apologies.)

― Benjamin, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:10 (twenty-three years ago)

I would like to make it clear that I think most Americans I have met are perfectly charming. I was just saying things not to do if you don't want cruel people to laugh at you.

Asking if people speak 'American' could surely be ignorance and not rudeness?

Don't BT payphones have instructions on them, Benjamin?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:14 (twenty-three years ago)

The Victoria Station payphone debacle was years and years ago, but as I recall, there weren't any instructions to be found. And people can be so cruel. Didn't they have to catch a train? Or a terminal disease?

The whole "American" language thing, if it's not in reference to Mencken, sounds like it would come from the mouth of someone rudely frustrated with his own inarticulateness: "Doesn't anyone speak AMERICAN around here?"

― Benjamin, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I apologise for my nation's rudeness. I would have helped you. Unless I'd seen you standing on the left of the escalators earlier.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:31 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't see how the "what" thing constitutes rudeness, either: I mean, over here it's maybe informal to say "what" but not rude or obnoxious. (Formal version would be something like "what was that?") So that's certainly not knowing rudeness, it's just ignorance of the pretty minor detail that outside of the U.S. that's a considered a boorish way of saying that.

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:31 (twenty-three years ago)

what's the tip for helping someone use the phone?

― lawrence kansas (lawrence kansas), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:40 (twenty-three years ago)

In Cleveland, or London?

― Benjamin, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:43 (twenty-three years ago)

not necessarily embarrassing, but they do often comment on how compact it is (this applies more in Britain than in much of the rest of Europe, obviously) and how you can commute from eg the Peak District to Manchester or Sheffield, but you couldn't do the equivalent (Appalachian mountains to Detroit, whatever) in the US. Americans sometimes sound patronising to British ears when they say this, but I think it's something they secretly envy - certainly they tend to be struck by how integrated Britain's urban and rural parts are, compared to the US (Texas being bigger than the British Isles, etc).

― robin carmody (robin carmody), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:50 (twenty-three years ago)

leave thier military bases all over the place

― Queen G (Queeng), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 17:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Resolve disputes between Spain and Monaco.

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Help out with the pesky hun.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:12 (twenty-three years ago)

let the flower of democracy bloom

― lawrence kansas (lawrence kansas), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Guides on how Americans should blend in in the UK always say, "Talk about the weather, ha ha, British people do this all the time, it's some kind of politeness ritual." Yes, we do spend lots of time moaning about the rain. However, as hinted above, Americans complaining about our weather will rapidly smash straight through the other side of the boundaries of polite conversation.

Most UK payphones do have instructions on them now. I don't know about the rest of the continent.

I can offer no clues on how not to appear rude to Parisians as I have never managed it. I know it's such a stereotype that they hate people speaking English but will also refuse to help people speaking French in an English accent but it seemed true. Maybe it's just that my French is incomprehensibly shite, but still, I spent seven years learning French and have Actual Qualifications in it and I never got more than grumpiness in Paris, whereas in places I've been where I've barely spoken the language at all people seemed overjoyed if you even say "thank you" and pronounce it atrociously. I'm sure they laugh/swear at me once I've left too, of course...

― Rebecca (reb), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:24 (twenty-three years ago)

let the flower of democracy bloom

Is this a euphemism for farting inappropriately?

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:27 (twenty-three years ago)

there are so many inappropriate farting (literally) moments to be had in Eurpoope. Cathedrals! Museums! All of those "square" things everywhere.

Actually the most embarrassing thing some Americans do is to put Canadian flag patches on their backpacks to avoid trouble. Its pretty insulting to all concerned. In fact I only do it in Canada (where otherwise I'd be beaten senseless by dastardly Canadia/ens).

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 18:34 (twenty-three years ago)

I second the escalator advice.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Remember that we all know all other British people, so yes we are very familiar with your neighbour's cousins the Johnsons from Scunthorpe, Bill and Liz.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:38 (twenty-three years ago)

yay I second the beating flag-wearers senseless adv- oh wait that wasn't advice

― jones (actual), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:43 (twenty-three years ago)

nor is it pronounced 'Li-ses-ter' (it's Les-ter).

Haha! That's the oldest ugly-American-tourist cliche in the book!

― Jody Beth Rosen, Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't see how the "what" thing constitutes rudeness, either: I mean, over here it's maybe informal to say "what" but not rude or obnoxious

It's rude and obnoxious no matter where you are!

― Kris (aqueduct), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:49 (twenty-three years ago)

when in london don't start yelling about how you want a real taxi, not one of those stupid tourist taxis (a family friend's favorite 'when-i-moved-to-england-and-looked-like-an-ass' story, although i don't know if it's true).

― Maria (Maria), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 19:53 (twenty-three years ago)

No, JBR, it has to be pronouncing Thames "Thames"

― Aaron A., Wednesday, 16 October 2002 20:10 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't find "what?" at all rude. I appreciate its humble candor.

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 20:16 (twenty-three years ago)

i was made fun of for saying "what?" in america, by some UK folk. luckily, they were friends, but they explained that with my "american" accent it was a grating word, and that it basically just sounded like i was dim and not paying attention.
now that ive typed that, it really pisses me off!

― amy (amy), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 20:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Get completely stoned on potent Dutch weed in Amsterdam coffee shops and then wonder around the red-light area making very loud comments along the lines of 'this is f***ing wierd man, I don't believe this country'.

― stevo (stevo), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 21:25 (twenty-three years ago)

I prefer "wh-wh-whuut?"

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 21:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Maria: that is very funny and doesn't have to be true

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 21:37 (twenty-three years ago)

re Paris, if you don't speak French prefacing something w/a "Madame/Monsieur, s'il vous plait, est-ce que vous parlez anglais?" will do wonders. If a person is rude to you anyway just because you are American, IGNORE IT, it is his/her problem and not yours.
Don't wear running shoes, jeans, and a t-shirt/sweatshirt everywhere unless you really want to stand out. All in all don't dress like a backpacker unless you're on a backpacking trip around and thus have to, if you're going just to Paris for a visit, pack some decent looking clothes.
Other advice.. if a random guy in the street follows you saying "Mademoiselle" and tries to strike up a conversation, IGNORE. Don't get lost alone in Les Halles late at night. Watch out for groups of older children - pickpockets - standing around on Metro platforms & blocking the Metro doors as you try and get on/off, partic. at Les Halles.

I guess the biggest things that made me feel like fellow Americans were rude were talking very, very much louder than everyone else, and getting extremely drunk and then being very, very much louder than everyone else. Going out w/express intent of getting smashed, in Paris, it's just not done..
Sorry to go on so long. I remember often being quite mortified by other Americans' behaviour, which isn't fair! after all it's the first time out of the country for a lot of people, not because no one has interest in seeing other countries but because that's a huge trip that requires a lot of planning & outside of college years, we have practically no vacation days at all.

― daria gray (daria gray), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 22:58 (twenty-three years ago)

haha, if you're in st. petersburg, stay away from big groups of small children and women. they mugged my dad.

― Maria (Maria), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 23:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Nitsuh, 'what' is fine, but 'Whaaat!!?'
may not go down so well.

― RickyT (RickyT), Wednesday, 16 October 2002 23:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Ah, something an american I knew did that annoyed me intensely, but was done with absolutely no intent of malice whatsoever(which I think was the idea):-

Sofa King:We're off to the pub
American:Oh OK

Althoguh "oh ok" was meant to just mean "sure" "fine" or "uh-huh" far to often it came across as "I approve of your decision, you may proceed, for I am almighty and nothing may be done without my permission"

― Sofa King Alternative (Sofa King Alternative), Thursday, 17 October 2002 07:39 (twenty-three years ago)

Something that bugs me either in or outside america: if you find a story/joke/quip funny, then feel free to laugh/snigger/"heh". DON'T say "That's funny". I know it's funny, I'm telling the fucking joke.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 17 October 2002 09:01 (twenty-three years ago)

ah andrew, that's no guarantee.

― angela (angela), Thursday, 17 October 2002 09:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes, well, my argument may have a few holes in it, but that's due to THE RAGE!

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 17 October 2002 09:45 (twenty-three years ago)

that's funny.

― angela (angela), Thursday, 17 October 2002 09:52 (twenty-three years ago)

heh

― Sofa King Alternative (Sofa King Alternative), Thursday, 17 October 2002 10:05 (twenty-three years ago)

shout:
"bus driver you've got four hungry Americans just dying to go to Burger king"

instead of saying:

"one pound please"

― chris (chris), Thursday, 17 October 2002 10:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Don't go into the Stockholm tourist board and ask them "Do you have the same problem with your Vikings as we do with our niggers?" I'm told this actually happened, although you can never discount urban myth.

― Tag, Thursday, 17 October 2002 10:16 (twenty-three years ago)

In France, making an effort with the language is absolutely vital. I well remember the guest tent at the mammoth comics convention in Angouleme. I went up to the barman and said some simple phrase like "Deux bieres, s'il vous plait" or some such, and he was very friendly and spoke fluent English. Anyone came up and said "Two beers please", he'd just be all "Ah, je ne comprend pas monsieur". It was very funny. I didn't always get the chance to observe at such length as in this case, but I think this is a representative attitude.

Don't try the same thing in England, based on the kind of research American comic writers do - you will find that conversational gambits like "Cor blimey it's a right pea-souper today, bloke" only get you blank looks.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 17 October 2002 11:30 (twenty-three years ago)

It's the VICE magazine Swedish vacation!!

― Daniel_Rf, Thursday, 17 October 2002 11:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm American and have only been to Rome, but here's what helped me:

Learn all the polite phrases and words...Please/thank you, pardon me (both in the 'may I start a conversation with you' sense and the 'may I pass by' sense), after you, no I insist, that's fine with me, could you help me please, I would like (x) please, that's enough, that's wonderful/delicious/etc, how much is the bill....things like that. Usually if you start off with something like that and then ask if they speak any English, they're more than polite.

When packing, don't even think of taking any white shoes (or any athletic shoes at all, really) or t-shirts with writing or logos on them. You'll be in one of fashion's capitals, so avoid the t-shirts altogether. Dress as you would for an office job and you'll be ahead of most US tourists. (The trick here is to find comfortable shoes that still look good.) Take an extra bag or pack your bag only half-full and plan to buy some clothes there if your budget allows. You'll likely find a sale or something nice and clothes are much better souveneirs than tourist crap.

Take a medium-large fashionable tote-style handbag and use that instead of any hideous backpack. Do get a good guidebook. The Rome version of this book was great for me. I got the deluxe edition, which came with a leather cover, which was nice because it hid the obvious "I'm a tourist" aspect to reading a guidebook...it looks like you're just checking your dayplanner. It also comes with laminated business card-sized maps of the metro and handy phrases, and a big pull-out map.

Ooh, sorry I went on, I'm just excited for you.

― teeny (teeny), Thursday, 17 October 2002 14:08 (twenty-three years ago)

A maple leaf badge goes a long way. "It's OK, they're Canadian".

― Tag, Thursday, 17 October 2002 14:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Oo, Americans attempting UK slang and saying "hey bloke" = so annoying. Do not ever attempt to use it in the vocative. Then again I'm sure my thievery of your own slang is also, like, so not convincing, dude, I mean, yo, 'sup?

I suppose the Parisian equivalent of the "Oh OK" story is to watch your "d'accord"s and "ca va"s so when someone asks if you want to go for a drink or whatever you say the one which means "ok, that'd be good, thanks" and not the one which means "actuallly I'm ok as it is". I will not say which way round I think they are because I might be wrong and you'd be better asking someone who knows French.

― Rebecca (reb), Thursday, 17 October 2002 14:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Do not listen to my pernickety countrymen - most of this stuff is endearing and leads to the win-win situation where the American gets to feel relaxed and the European gets to be patronising!

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:23 (twenty-three years ago)

The best of all possible worlds!

― James Blount (James Blount), Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:33 (twenty-three years ago)

isn't that this whole thread?

― Dave M. (rotten03), Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:39 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, please don't ever act like Scotland/Wales/Ireland are just part of England - it's like us calling you Canadian!

Just who are you trying to insult here?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 17 October 2002 16:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I realize a lot of Americans act dumb while visiting Foreign countries, but does anyone really engage in these dumb acts knowingly? The first few minutes I arrived in London I found myself standing on the dreaded left side of the Escalator. Why? Well, I rarely encounter escalators here--I am not knowledgable in the ways of escalator etiquette. Right away I was whisked to the right side and from then on I never dared to stand on the left side. So--next time you see an American being dumb on the escalator, instead of steaming about it, why not just tell them to stand on the right side? Also, is it really something to get annoyed about when someone pronounces something wrong? Once again, it wasn't done on purpose and if the person were told of the correct pronounciation they would surely never do it again. I guess it is quite difficult for me to sympathize with people who live in cities that are teeming with tourists--there are very few tourists around these parts, and especially very few foreigners.

― Mandee, Thursday, 17 October 2002 17:33 (twenty-three years ago)

If I had a nickel for each time a tourist from Europe stood on the left side of the elevator here in Toronto I'd be rich. Despite it being labeled more often then not at the base of the thing.

So its not an American thing there.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 17 October 2002 17:40 (twenty-three years ago)

I certainly don't get annoyed at the way people pronounce English words. Some of my best friends are AMerican blah blah blah(But "what?" does grate on MY nerves.)

I regularly champion the right of every one of us, no matter where we're from, to have the chance to slaughter their fellow man's language as long as they don't mind sounding a bit of a twit.
Once met some friends in Freud's for a coffe and my mate ordered "a cafe mo-char". I thought he was joking but he really didn't know it was pronounced "mocha". Some people tittered but really, what's the big fucking deal? Lots of French people brutalise English on a daily basis but no-one has a pop at them because ... well, they're French. Japanese people have problems with 'r'/'l'. Oh, how we laughed.

Andrew Farrell's "Hey bloke" observation had me in stitches. The "That's funny" one also. Classic!

BTW -- Watch out for pickpockets in Rome. Notorious for it.

― Android (Android Elvis), Thursday, 17 October 2002 20:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Andrew Farrell's "Hey bloke" observation had me in stitches

That one's Martin Skidmore's. And I've just realised that I forgot to show the book with his name in it to Starry before she left as proof of his fame. Gah.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 17 October 2002 22:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, standing on the left-hand side of an escalator is dumb in New York City too. That's just a dumb thing, not a dumb-American-abroad thing.

Dumb/obnoxious things I saw other Americans do when I did my tour-of-Europe several years ago:

one middle-aged couple at coffee shop at the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, insisting on paying for their food in American dollars

an annoying American yuppy couple at the Roman Forum, arriving just as it was closing for the day and screaming at the poor Italian shutting the gate

peeing in the streets in countless French towns

some dumb, drunk fratboys from Penn State making fun of the little old lady standing outside a public restroom in Blois, France

"you mean I've got to fucking squat over a hole to take a shit here? what a fucking country!" (overheard in a men's room in Rome)

re: being loud -- I think this is because our "normal" tone is louder than the normal tone of Europeans, so it isn't so much intentional rudeness as it is ignorance

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 18 October 2002 04:22 (twenty-three years ago)

"peeing in the streets in countless French towns" - like the French don't do this.

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 18 October 2002 04:29 (twenty-three years ago)

it's like the "americans trying to talk like cockneys" thing. OK for the natives to do, but american tourists doing it look like assholes (or just drunk frat-boys, same difference).

or maybe it's just my thing ... peeing in the streets is gross.

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 18 October 2002 04:32 (twenty-three years ago)

re: being loud -- I think this is because our "normal" tone is louder than the normal tone of Europeans, so it isn't so much intentional rudeness as it is ignorance

I don't think being loud is the norm here, although I wish some people would be quieter -- it's just one of those fratboy/middle manager traits that the rest of us have to put up with.

― Jody Beth Rosen, Friday, 18 October 2002 04:46 (twenty-three years ago)

i didn't say that "being loud" was the American norm, i said that the normal speaking tone of Americans is louder than the normal speaking tone of Europeans. two different things.

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 18 October 2002 04:51 (twenty-three years ago)

yeah, another thing ... ethnic Americans going to their "mother land" (Italy, Ireland, Poland, China, whatever), expecting it to be just like their grandmothers told them it was like, and being disappointed when they discover that Italy/Ireland/Poland/China/whatever is a modern country with modern stuff and not just like "The Quiet Man" or whatever.

though my Polish cousins do seem to like ska a little too much for comfort (the polka connection, maybe?)

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 18 October 2002 05:01 (twenty-three years ago)

The escalator thing is ignorance too, there aren't any signs here anywhere to that effect... I get rude looks consistently when scuse-ing my way up or down.... I think the left-side lingerers figure if they're going to RIDE up why get hassly about it. I can symapthize with that. They just need to move over and get out of my way.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 18 October 2002 05:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Honest to god: We have had Americans ask if we ate with fork 'n' knife. This was a decade ago but still... Oh I am not a big fan of Americans (or other non-Belgians/French) who will say "Murshee boo-coup." ;-)

― nathalie (nathalie), Friday, 18 October 2002 05:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Are Euros in such a hurry that they need to sprint up escalators? I usually walk up them too, but if some oblivioid is blocking the way I just enjoy the ride.

― nickn (nickn), Friday, 18 October 2002 06:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Earlier this year on the L.A metro, an american girl approached me and a friend, after hearing our accents.

Girl: "Nice accent. Where are ya'll from?"

Me : "I'm from England, he's from Australia"

Girl: "So....what language do ya'll speak in Australia?"

Friend: "Um..English"

Girl: "WOW! I never knew that....what about you?"

Me: "In England, we speak English..oddly enough"

That was a true story

― kinski (kinski), Friday, 18 October 2002 07:29 (twenty-three years ago)

A maple leaf badge goes a long way. "It's OK, they're Canadian".

Tag, not anymore, while I was away the Canadian prediliction for plastering their flag over every bag they carry (not to mention clothes) generated a large amount of ire and piss-taking.

― chris (chris), Friday, 18 October 2002 07:42 (twenty-three years ago)

don't say 'cheers' after everything
(like the 'quid' thing) it's a bit like me
(having been *born* in liverpool,
but never having spoken with a scouse accent)
saying 'la' at the end of everything when i'm in l'pool
and effectively asking for my head to be kicked in.

― piscesboy, Friday, 18 October 2002 07:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Is it OK for me, as an Australian, to say 'cheers' and 'mate' as I normally do here if I'm in the UK?

― Andrew (enneff), Friday, 18 October 2002 08:23 (twenty-three years ago)

"you mean I've got to fucking squat over a hole to take a shit here? what a fucking country!"

I think to be fair the fratboys have a point on this one. Not that you get pit-toilets in Europe that much anymore.

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 18 October 2002 08:40 (twenty-three years ago)

"Not that you get pit-toilets in Europe that much anymore".

You do in Romania, and the things down there were undiscussable.

― Tag, Friday, 18 October 2002 09:23 (twenty-three years ago)

... and you do in Japan as well.

― nathalie (nathalie), Friday, 18 October 2002 09:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Annoying things? When they constantly talk about whats bigger and better about the US... talking really loudly in a big group on the tube about which historic landmark they're off to see next...

But hey, they aren't all that bad.

― Paul Rigel (rigel), Friday, 18 October 2002 09:33 (twenty-three years ago)

The escalator thing is ignorance too, there aren't any signs here anywhere to that effect

Well there are here. It says 'PLEASE STAND ON THE RIGHT' all the way up (and down).

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 18 October 2002 15:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Whatever happened to "Keep left unless overtaking"?

― toraneko (toraneko), Friday, 18 October 2002 15:59 (twenty-three years ago)

Well maybe they saw walking up/down escalators as analogous to driving.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 18 October 2002 16:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Exactly, and don't you drive on the left hand side of the road over there too?

― toraneko (toraneko), Friday, 18 October 2002 16:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes - but I mean driving=walking. We do both on the left here. (yes, I know overtaking ≠ standing, but they probably didn't think the analogy through that far)

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 18 October 2002 16:18 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm not explaining myself very well, but please say you understand what I mean.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 18 October 2002 16:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes I do. And no we don't think it through that far. We just haven't had it drummed into our branes. The signs don't matter actually, since rules Americans aren't familiar with simply don't exist for us.

Something else embarrassing that I do when specifically visiting the UK is to almost bump into nearly everyone on the sidewalk (sorry, "pavement") because of the walking on the left thing. It's terrifying at first.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 18 October 2002 17:18 (twenty-three years ago)

I walk on the right because I am constantly overtaking.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 18 October 2002 17:22 (twenty-three years ago)

It is important to remember to tip big when you meet interweb mentalists.

Andrew, what book is this?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 18 October 2002 21:26 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

Do you know what really annoys me about Americans. The children. They are soooooooooo rude when in England. Example- This little skinny one (Draped in a U.s bloody t Shirt) was bawling his eyes out because, according to his mum "Honey, the Queen is busy today, peharps you will have tea with her tommorow." TO Husband "I cant believe they dont do bookings for tea with thequeen. Honestly, there is nothing for tourists in London!"

― Phelonias Phillip Harthwittington, Tuesday, 6 January 2004 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

That last line is classic. Apparently, some Erpians don't understand ironic humor!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 21:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Whatever. Look, what else does the Queen have to do? Run the dogfights in her backyard?

― NA (Nick A.), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Exactly. It's time for that chick to earn her keep! get it "keep" hahahahahaha

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

You want her to be a goalie?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 22:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Martin - it was probably "Saviour"

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Tuesday, 6 January 2004 22:18 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

One thing that really gets me about the americans is their stupid bloody steryotypes of us Europeans. I mean, for Christs sake, every time they see a man in a kilt they have to look up it just to be a typical yank. When in pubs (yes you Americans, they are called pubs), they never order beer or pop, its always, "One ale, mate and a soda". In Britain they are called beer, just like America, unbelivable uh. Finally, Americans are just, well, plain thiefs. I mean, they are just Europeans that have had the class, dignity, honour and morals removed and instead have been replaced with, sleaze, sex and drugs. America itself is a country of no history, no honour and most of all no class, visibly opposite to the cultured, rich history, classy island of Britain. Rule Brittania!

― PPP, Saturday, 28 February 2004 11:40 (twenty-one years ago)

You misspelled "Britney"

― sdfsdf, Saturday, 28 February 2004 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040215/040215_earnhardt_vmed5p.vmedium.jpg

― daria g (daria g), Saturday, 28 February 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, Americans do have weird stereotypes about Europe. For instance, Americans think that all Europeans live in quaint old houses or centuries old buildings converted into charming flats dripping with history and charm. In fact, most Europeans live in soul-less, sterile post-war apartment blocks with all the charm of Dayton, Ohio and no parking! Hardly anyone lives in an old house. The few old inhabited structures aren't dripping with charm, that dripping is actually septic runoff.

― Skottie, Saturday, 28 February 2004 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

What's wrong with calling it a "soda"? I've never called it "pop" in my life.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I love the juxtaposition here:

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Substitute 'have' for 'be'

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

ALL Americans have such crazy stereotypes about Europeans! OMG!

― kirsten (kirsten), Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

haha

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

scream that America has no need for a Robbie Williams at FAPs, from what I remember. Bringing up Stereophonics too.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 28 February 2004 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Not everyone in the Europe wears a baseball cap like they do back home. Remember that. Especially if you're over 35.

― dog latin (dog latin), Sunday, 29 February 2004 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

This is very true, d.l. In order to fit in, Americans should consider adopting the more European look of a propeller-beanie!

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/535full.jpg

― Skottie, Sunday, 29 February 2004 15:45 (twenty-one years ago)

If National Lampoons European Vacation has taught me anything, it's that the European haberdashery of choice is a beret with your name embroidered on the front.

― NA (Nick A.), Sunday, 29 February 2004 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Dog Latin's baseball cap comment is, of course, OTM. But at least in Germany, you do see a surprising number of kids wearing them, boys anyway. They're called Base-Caps, which sounds more like some kind of cocaine paraphernalia.

― Skottie, Sunday, 29 February 2004 15:59 (twenty-one years ago)

"Get completely stoned on potent Dutch weed in Amsterdam coffee shops and then wonder around the red-light area making very loud comments along the lines of 'this is f***ing wierd man, I don't believe this country'."

I thought this was the reason Americans went to Amsterdam.

― earlnash, Sunday, 29 February 2004 16:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I kind of think that all slang, even American slang, should be used very sparingly by Americans visiting another country. On a train to Budapest, my friend and I got stuck in close quarters with two guys and a girl from some university in Texas, and the guys kept flagging down the man who brought us our food and blankets by leaning out the door and saying, "Hey, bro!" or "Dude, we need some more Fanta up in here." The man looked so offended, and it was really embarrassing.

― kirsten (kirsten), Sunday, 29 February 2004 16:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Of course, that would be offensive on Amtrak!

― Skottie, Sunday, 29 February 2004 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I just remembered something! This isn't really fair because 1) I'm not sure the woman in question is actually American, although she appears to be and 2)I can only imagine this happens everywhere, every time a movie is being filmed in public, but...
There is this one scene in Amelie where there is this woman who is obviously a tourist (ugly sunglasses, pasty skin, shorts, I think) and a little kid or two standing in the background and just gaping at the actor, and the woman is shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand, and while this might not be top on the list of annoying tourist activity, it's just really funny and irritating that she's there.

― kirsten (kirsten), Sunday, 29 February 2004 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't get this. Isn't saying that an American shouldn't wear a baseball cap like saying an Indian shouldn't wear a turban when they come to visit? "Har har look at that silly Indian! What an idiot!"

― oops (Oops), Sunday, 29 February 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Is having to wear a baseball cap in your pledge of allegiance or something?

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

why should people have to alter their basic, standard form of dress to avoid offending others. that's offensive.

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

This is a good point. Now some Americans may not want to look American when they travel. Those people should avoid baseball hats, nike airs, t-shirts with slogans, and generally worrying about whether any of the aforementioned items have ever been washed. On the other hand, simply "looking" like an American isn't really fair on the list of annoying things Americans do abroad. Europeans are obvious traveling in America. Europeans are obvious in Europe outside their own country, for that matter.

― Skottie, Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think that looking like a tourist is something that has to be done consciously - I think its a state of mind, how you carry yourself. I think I succeed in looking like a native - wherever I go, people ask if I know where they can get drugs, so I guess I'm blending in pretty well.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

They shouldn't. When I was traveling in Europe, it seemed that people often assumed I was from whatever country I was visiting because I packed a lot of black clothing and skirts, but my friend wore a lot of logo t-shirts and jeans and sneakers, and she wasn't treated any differently than I was, because she was courteous and polite and always conscious of the fact that she was in another country and shouldn't act as if she was hanging out with her college friends. People were very friendly to both of us. It's all how you compose yourself.
x-post

― kirsten (kirsten), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

double x-post, actually.

― kirsten (kirsten), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

kirsten is otm.

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Sunday, 29 February 2004 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

since when do Europeans not wear Nikes, anyways?

― hstencil, Sunday, 29 February 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

a quick glance at Nike's last 10-Q shows European sales second only to US sales, and much larger than Asian or Latin/South American sales. Perception vs. reality?

― hstencil, Sunday, 29 February 2004 21:10 (twenty-one years ago)

many places just by how your face is makes you an obvious foreigner.

― A Nairn (moretap), Sunday, 29 February 2004 21:58 (twenty-one years ago)

or your awkard sentence structure is makes you an obvious foreigner.

― NA (Nick A.), Sunday, 29 February 2004 23:51 (twenty-one years ago)

A small but useful tip:

While in England, I discovered that a good way to get prompt service in a busy pub is to take your £5 note and fold it in half lengthwise, then put your hand on the bar with the banknote sticking upwards from between two of your fingers. Otherwise the bartender might think you're just standing around at the bar without any intention of buying drinks.

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Monday, 1 March 2004 00:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you know what really annoys me about Americans. The children. They are soooooooooo rude when in England.

fwiw, the scandinavians were the ones w/ the rudest (and LOUDEST!) kids. and yes, i saw this while i was in england.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 March 2004 01:05 (twenty-one years ago)

i also like the fact that european shop assistants aren't as servile as their american counterparts. few things are as annoying as american shop assistants/whatever who follow you around with fake-ass smiles and are always like, "how can i help you?!?" as if they were fucking puppies.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 March 2004 01:08 (twenty-one years ago)

It's worse when they are actually fucking puppies.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 13:17 (twenty-one years ago)

you're better than this n

― gareth (gareth), Monday, 1 March 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know if I am, gareth. But thanks, I think.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 13:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Isn't saying that an American shouldn't wear a baseball cap like saying an Indian shouldn't wear a turban when they come to visit?

It is incredibly insensitive to other culures that conflates the choice to wear a baseball cap with an item of clothing worn primarily for religious reasons. These are not equivalents. So, the answer to your question is 'no'.

― run it off (run it off), Monday, 1 March 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

But what if you follow your favorite baseball team religiously?

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Follow it IN YOUR HEART.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 1 March 2004 14:39 (twenty-one years ago)

[Wasn't that exchange between Gareth and N., above, great? It was like some scene from a John Ford western. Two old gunslingers meet up again, past their prime, in a wild west saloon, Bucky is gambling and drunk.
"You're better than this, Bucky"
"Don't rightly know if i am... but thanks, podner."]

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Monday, 1 March 2004 14:44 (twenty-one years ago)

*tries to imagine western with N and G:

the good, the brown and the ugly?

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 1 March 2004 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

?? who is who

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

You have to ask? I'm embarassed for you.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

You can't spell ner ner.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

If I visit Europe spelling will be my downfall.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Keep a cheat sheet in the band of your baseball cap.

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Or in your fannypack.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll just tape a list to the back of my Nike t-shirt.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.thecolumnists.com/mcfadden/mcfadden104art1.jpg

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

It would be so lovely if all American tourists dressed like that!

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I agree. There should be a constitutional amendment requiring us to dress nattily when abroad.

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:34 (twenty-one years ago)

And look - they're not even interested in the obvious tourist attractions.

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:36 (twenty-one years ago)

this is better, n

― gareth (gareth), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:38 (twenty-one years ago)

No, they just can't find it and will soon ask a bored Parisien "Hey buddy, oo ay le Iffal Tower." He will shrug and walk towards it.

― Pete (Pete), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Is Gareth N.'s Jedi Master or something now?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I was kind of imitating Mary!

― N. (nickdastoor), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

"Forget the Eiffel Tower, honey. We can see skinned cadavers at the Fragonard Museum, right over there!"

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

But what if you follow your favorite baseball team religiously?

Then your conflation is not only insensitive but makes a joke out of it by taking a metaphor literally.

― run it off (run it off), Monday, 1 March 2004 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Ah, well that clears that up then.

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

The point was that you shouldn't criticize and American for wearing a baseball cap just like you shouldn't criticize a Hindu for wearing a turban. I didn't mean to equate the two in every possible way. Perhaps I should've used Indians wearing a sari as the example. Whatever. Damn pedants.

― oops (Oops), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

http://franceweb.fr/zumba/Flamands/eyck1.jpg

This thread is insensitive to the Flemish.

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

http://franceweb.fr/zumba/Flamands/eyck1.jpg

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

The point was that you shouldn't criticize and American for wearing a baseball cap just like you shouldn't criticize a Hindu for wearing a turban.

One is just dorky looking, the other is a religious garment.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

a dorky looking one.
get off the turban thing. bad example.
Should Texans not wear cowboy hats when the visit the North cause Northerners think they look silly and unsophisticated?

― oops (Oops), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

you shouldn't criticize an American for wearing a baseball cap

The point wasn't a criticism. Look up thread and you'll find this:

Not everyone in the Europe wears a baseball cap like they do back home. Remember that. Especially if you're over 35.

― run it off (run it off), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

As far as I can tell, nobody in Europe wears a baseball cap.

http://www.dancefloor.com/IMA/europeFC.jpg

― Nemo (JND), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

the thread title is "embarrassing things....", innit? why should anyone be embarrassed for doing something they do all the time, something that doesn't bother anyone else, simply because the 'natives' don't do it? I don't advise someone from Pakistan to come here wearing jeans, a Lakers t-shirt, and a baseball cap. And if I said, "not everyone wears a sari like they do back home", don't you think it'd sound a little snobbish and rude?

― oops (Oops), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I think you've got a bee in your bonnet over this one M. Oops. Nobody has really been giving baseball cap wearers a hard time except in your imagination.

― run it off (run it off), Monday, 1 March 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

If you wear a baseball cap ANYWHERE then you deserve to be punched in the nuts.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I say this as a proud god-fearing American apple pie etc.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Apple pie sucks too. Don't eat that.

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it okay to wear a baseball cap to a baseball game? Not that I've ever done it, but it seems okay to me.

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Or is that like going to a show and wearing a t-shirt with the name of the band that's playing?

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:13 (twenty-one years ago)

It's ok if it says "BEER"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Hm. That seems a little bit frat-boy to me.

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:19 (twenty-one years ago)

what about trucker hats?

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Do those even exist anymore?

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:26 (twenty-one years ago)

go to abercrombie and fitch!

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Although it is fun to go to Abercrombie and Fitch or Gap and see if you can touch the back wall and get back out without any sales associates greeting you. You should try it sometime!

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh, I don't know where my post before that last one went. It just said "No, thank you."

― kirsten (kirsten), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

One time I was in an Abercrombie & Fitch and the clerk was vacuuming the moosehead on the wall.

― Skottie, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 05:28 (twenty-one years ago)

The new stores have self-cleaning mooseheads.

― Dickerson Pike (Dickerson Pike), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 09:16 (twenty-one years ago)

walk around major cities making only those observations which can be shoehorned into a tidy blog entry reconfirming a broad stereotype of said cities

no wait maybe its the scots who do that

― amateur!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 09:24 (twenty-one years ago)

we don't have blogs, in scotland.

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 12:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Hindus don't wear turbans

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Unless dressing up as Guru Nanak for Hallowe'en.

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 13:19 (twenty-one years ago)

im special

― , Sunday, 14 March 2004 04:54 (twenty-one years ago)

i wish there was somebody to talk someone who is british right now, but i guess im outta luck. i wanna debate about whos country is cooler. please e mail me or instant message me pleez

― , Sunday, 14 March 2004 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Is it embarassing to have an on-camera orgy with young Italian men while competing to be a supermodel?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,113912,00.html

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Sunday, 14 March 2004 05:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I would think that was part of the job description of being a supermodel (m or f, btw)

― Skottie, Sunday, 14 March 2004 16:35 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

The most embarrasing thing an American can do in Europe is think all Europeans live in tiny villages by a babnbling Brook. I say to the americans- "If thats the stereotype you believe of Europe, get out of my Continent you deluded bitch". I blame America fully for all of the worlds problems- The Cyprus divide Americas idea, Nucking Japan Americas idea, sparking the terror attacks on Spain Americas idea. Please America, dont believe all you here on TV, THe Sinmposons and South Park are painting unfair pictures of British life. An know, we dont all have bad teeth.

― PPP, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

"Nucking Japan" WAS unforgiveable! Go tell that to your Sinmposons!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

contrary to popular belief, we all know that those are FUCKING CARTOONS!

― Ask For Samantha (thatgirl), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

An know, we dont all have bad teeth.

I used to think you all could spell. This was unfair of me, thank you for letting me see the light.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

we spel wit our teeth.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I hear "biscuits" and "chips" are made out of human blood.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah...so what?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I wish.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

It's good for the leg muscles. Which in turn are good for unicycles and penny fathings. Which in turn are good for...

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

did the marx brothers have something to do with nucking japan?

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 1 April 2004 06:50 (twenty-one years ago)

It wouldn't surprise me.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 1 April 2004 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

1. Assuming everyone hates America and Americans.

2. Assuming everyone loves America and Americans.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Thursday, 1 April 2004 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Last year, during a trip to Paris, I went into a fromagerie and asked for some Cheddar. Fireworks ensued.

― george, Thursday, 1 April 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

COOL! I love fireworks.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 1 April 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

cheese flavored fireworks no less!!

― amateur!st (amateurist), Saturday, 3 April 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Saying that they are going to "Europe" when they really mean "France" or "Luxembourg" or "France and then Luxembourg".

― adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:33 (nineteen years ago)

-- N. (nickdastoo...), October 16th, 2002.

― adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:35 (nineteen years ago)

"How much is that in real money?"

― andy --, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:41 (nineteen years ago)

My mother in law offering me a dollar to pay for parking at Heathrow -

"You mean this is REALLY no good here?"

― adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:44 (nineteen years ago)

1.00 EUR Euro = 1.21112 USD United States Dollars
1 EUR = 1.21112 USD 1 USD = 0.825681 EUR

I miss those "real money" days.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:47 (nineteen years ago)

My elderly aunt gave me a bunch of .23 US postcard stamps to bring to England so I could keep in touch... I just thanked her and let it go.

― andy ---, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:52 (nineteen years ago)

Embarassing things Americans do while visiting Europe...

Europeans?

― Dan (Just Saying) Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:53 (nineteen years ago)

"Let's have a look at what this idiot did... in America"

― Alan Gordon Partridge, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:54 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.cyber-cinema.com/original/eurotrip.jpg
http://www.darkhorizons.com/2006/last/holiday.jpg

xp ahaha

― adamrl (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:54 (nineteen years ago)

I actually get a kick out of ugly-americanism... it's just so intrinsically american. Crocodile Dundee hats and pale blue Wal-Mart shorts all around! Fanny packs full of mysterious change!

― andy ---, Tuesday, 17 January 2006 23:57 (nineteen years ago)

exist

― Lovelace (Lovelace), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 00:08 (nineteen years ago)

Father illegitimate children in wartime Norfolk.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 00:28 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.bloggerheads.com/images/bush_queen_protest.jpg

― literalisp (literalisp), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 00:42 (nineteen years ago)

From the Granta Submission Guidelines:

Enclose either a current email address or an SAE and postage: International Reply Coupons if you are outside the UK (US stamps do not work from the UK. Sorry to state the obvious, but no one seems to be aware of this).

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 11:13 (nineteen years ago)

My mother in law offering me a dollar to pay for parking at Heathrow -

"You mean this is REALLY no good here?"

she sounds ace

― Sororah T Massacre (blueski), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 11:29 (nineteen years ago)

Are Euros in such a hurry that they need to sprint up escalators? I usually walk up them too, but if some oblivioid is blocking the way I just enjoy the ride.

yes. yes, we are in a hurry. we are not on holiday, we live here and are trying to get up the escalator with a purpose in mind at the end, and we want to spend as little time in the stinking tube as possible. this is a city, the pace is fast. also some of us, y'know, LIKE MOVING. if you don't, that's fine, stand on the right and we won't get in your way. in return, please don't get in ours.

Well there are here. It says 'PLEASE STAND ON THE RIGHT' all the way up (and down).

otoh those signs are stupid as they imply there is no option other than to stand on the right; ie you must not walk up the left. they should say 'PLEASE DON'T STAND ON THE LEFT'.

i like tourists, generally. it pisses me off when they stop in the middle of the pavement/doorway or walk up the pavement r e a l l y s l o w l y four abreast with their arms linked or stand on the left, but non-tourists do those things too. mispronunciations are sweet, and i don't mean that to be patronising and i know it goes in every direction - for the longest time i thought arkansas and arkansaw were two different states. i get a massive kick when i see obvious tourists taking pictures of my beautiful city. it is fucking depressing, though, when they stop me to ask a question and i stop, all smiles and wanting them to love london as much as i do and be helpful so they will love the people here, and they ask me where the nearest fucking pissing sodding bloody shitting mcdonalds is. FUCK OFF TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM if you are going to behave like that. seriously, fuck you.

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:11 (nineteen years ago)

it is fucking depressing, though, when they stop me to ask a question and i stop, all smiles and wanting them to love london as much as i do and be helpful so they will love the people here, and they ask me where the nearest fucking pissing sodding bloody shitting mcdonalds is. FUCK OFF TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM if you are going to behave like that. seriously, fuck you.

-- emsk (vomit.quif...), January 18th, 2006.

― roffles, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:24 (nineteen years ago)

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:25 (nineteen years ago)

OTFM!!!

But then again, this used to piss me off in NYC, as well. Like, DUDE!!! I am not on holiday. I actually work here, now get out of my way while you gawp at the pretty buildings.

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:29 (nineteen years ago)

i wish dave q was still here

― roffles, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:31 (nineteen years ago)

yeh, this is tourists in general anywhere, not specifically americans in europe.

heheh do you remember that spoof news story thing about when they were going to introduce lanes on oxford street, and if you were walking too slow in the fast lane you would get fined?

xpost - if people don't like our poor little pisshole, why the fuck have they spent thousands of their dollars/euros/whatevers coming here? who's the SUCKER?

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:33 (nineteen years ago)

Stand ing on the left? You must be on vacation (in D.C.):

Recent offenders include 21 fifth-graders from Westview Elementary School near Muncie, Ind., seven New York State Police troopers in gray dress uniforms and the Eichel family of Chapel Hill, N.C.

― Mike W (caek), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:34 (nineteen years ago)

I have had a rumour that Dave Q is coming back you know...

― Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:36 (nineteen years ago)

That wasn't a news spoof, Emsk, that was an ILX thread! (And Ed was going to run trams down the middle of the street.)

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:37 (nineteen years ago)

no no it was a spoof thing, there were people phoning in to radio london or whatever and fighting about it and everything. it was some new pr company being launched and this was the way they did it to get attention etc. i was gutted when i heard that cos i totally wanted it to be real. i'm sure it got its own thread though!

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:39 (nineteen years ago)

They totally nicked that off our thread! It was OUR IDEA that we had ages ago!

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:43 (nineteen years ago)

you might well be right...

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 12:59 (nineteen years ago)

where is that thread kate? i can only find this one

Indignant Bicyclists (and pedestrians!)

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:26 (nineteen years ago)

No, this one:

Would London be a better place if they'd never got rid of the trams?

(I think?)

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:31 (nineteen years ago)

then i think sadly they didn't nick the idea from ilx -

http://walking.about.com/od/holiday/a/pavementrage.htm

plus google "operation tugboat" and it comes up with loads more.

and i was def still living in shepherds bush when it was going on as the only reason i heard the radio phone in thing was that that was the only station the radio in the bathroom in that flat would pick up, so 2000 would be about right...

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:39 (nineteen years ago)

Damn... we did come up with it on our own, though. I never heard the radio show. I would wholeheartedly have approved, though!

I mean... "meep meep" - I might just start saying that instead of the current "EH! EH! EH!" alarm sound that I sometimes forget I make out loud.

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:49 (nineteen years ago)

you need a harpo marx style horn.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:50 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.kino.de/pix/MBBILDER/MITWIRK/Z0127058.JPG

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:51 (nineteen years ago)

knocking over Stonehenge

― latebloomer: virtuous, pure and masculine like only an American male can be (lat, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 13:54 (nineteen years ago)

it was everywhere, not just on the radio! i'm SURE i must have had a conversation with you about it at the time as i was really looking forward to it happening, though i was a bit confused about how it would work when you wanted to get out of the fastest lane and into a shop.

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:03 (nineteen years ago)

My mother in law offering me a dollar to pay for parking at Heathrow -

"You mean this is REALLY no good here?"

If the dollar was good enough for Jesus Christ then it ought to be good enough for these people!

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:04 (nineteen years ago)

...the only reason i specifically remember that radio show was that some woman phoned in saying something like "well i think it's disgraceful! people should have the right to walk at the speed they want to!" and i got angry going "yes! exactly! and that INCLUDES the people who want to walk at a speed higher than half a fucking mile a fucking hour! you daft bint!" and splashing water everywhere.

― emsk ( emsk), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:06 (nineteen years ago)

Next time, borrow some money from her and pay it back in Euros.

x-post

― filled the fjords of my brain (kate), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:07 (nineteen years ago)

Daria, Martin, teeny et al are right, learn some basic phrases and even if you just say Bonjour and then switch to English it will go a long way. Remember your p's & q's in English or French of Swahili for all I care ALWAYS.

And don't be loud, and don't complain or whinge. I travelled all through Europe all last summer with a ton of tourists and the ones that most got on my nerves were the morons who were constantly bitching, usually about things being different than America. I even had a group of fat Americans in Ireland complain that the mini-van was not big enough for them, and they would need more vehicles. Get a grip. I am so sure the tour operators need to get one vehicle per person because you can't stop eating.

The idea is to try to be quintessentially diplomotic: as in humble and conciliatory to the fact that you are in another country and don't know what the customs are. But Paris is pretty normal as long as you are not a totally rude pig, despite the reputation the French have for being rude.

And being in one country for one day does not make you an expert on a place or a country. I heard lots of loud conversations from apparent American "experts" because they had been in Naples for two days, they knew all about it.

Just be nice and play nice and though it's sweet that you have even asked this question, try to remember that you really shouldn't care all that much about what other people think. It is nice that you are trying to break the stereotype though.

― Sassmaster, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:16 (nineteen years ago)

my sister and dad are going to london in a couple weeks. big sis asked what she should avoid doing - i stressed the standing on the right side of the escalator thing, and not stopping to ponder in the middle of the sidewalk. i think my dad is going to look for a bar thats playing nascar races on the tv. anyone know of any? i told him that was lame, but he practically teared up.

― POOP BITCH (Mandee), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:19 (nineteen years ago)

But then again, this used to piss me off in ~~NYC~~ Aspen, as well. Like, DUDE!!! I am not on holiday. I actually work here, now get out of my way while you gawp at the pretty ~~buildings~~ mountains.

Locals in pissed at tourists shocker.

― gbx (skowly), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:20 (nineteen years ago)

The capital of Europe is Epcot, isn't it?

...as in humble and conciliatory to the fact that you are in another country and don't know what the customs are.

I think a lot of spoiled Americans think of vacation as travel & relaxation, and not as visiting & learning.

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:20 (nineteen years ago)

Locals in pissed at tourists shocker.

There are probably still bumper stickers in my hometown, stuck on stop signs and things, that read "Privacy is priceless...tourism isn't". And this is a town of 3000 people, you'd think they'd be glad just to have someone new to look at.

― Laurel (Laurel), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:32 (nineteen years ago)

DIY UNKLE - vacations should be about travelling and relaxing, but that doesn't mean leaving basic manners and etiquette at home. Show some fucking class and respect for other people and you will do fine the world over. The "stereotype" (and in some cases fact) is that American tourists/travellers/vacationers have no class or respect for other people and/or cultures and that's why foreigners hate them.

― Sassmaster, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:38 (nineteen years ago)

Oh, I'm surely not defending them.. I'm saying their completely ignorant and think of the world as their playground....

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:44 (nineteen years ago)

I feel the same way everywhere I've ever been in the US. Except I got called out for standing 2 abreast over July 4 in DC by a Brit (who then announced loudly to no one in particular about the "mo-rons and more mo-rons" around him). And in some sense he was right, I guess especially as we were en route from metro to train station (which is also huge mall/theater complex), but I still wish I had taken the opportunity to point out that this was July 4 weekend AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM WAS ON FUCKING HOLIDAY (CELEBRATING GUESS WHAT)!

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

"their ignorant" .. great typo!

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Wednesday, 18 January 2006 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

Clearly it is not just Americans that are guilty of being ignorant and rude on holiday - there seems to be a general theory that on holiday you can completely turn your brain off and wander around like a lost cause and act like a total prat...if you want to do that I suggest you go to an all-inclusive RESORT where you can beach yourself in a deck chair and have someone shove food and beverages into your mouth on a regular basis adn be surrounded by other people who are doing the same instead of going to a metropolitan city where as it has been pointed out here the majority of people are not on holiday and are trying to get shit done.

Sorry DIY UNKLE I did take your comment out of context, it did sound more like a defense the way it was worded, but in retrospect I see how I made the mistake. (you were just theorizing on the assumptions of the American tourist as opposed to making a judgement on the validity of said assumption)

― Sassmaster, Wednesday, 18 January 2006 15:54 (nineteen years ago)

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