14 Mistakes Americans Make in Europe
Most American tourists are friendly, kind, and eager to learn about other cultures. But there are certain traits that make Europeans shake their heads when dealing with Americans.
This was written about Americans because I am one. I don’t know if other cultures commit the same faux pas, but I believe we can all learn from each others’ mistakes!
Here are some common mistakes many well meaning Americans make, and ways to avoid “faux pas”, while traveling in Europe.
1. Assuming that everyone speaks English.
If you don’t speak the language, the best thing to do is to first apologize for not speaking their language, then ask if they speak English. Try to learn a few phrases whenever you are going to a foreign country. Hello, goodbye, thank you, please, excuse me, and where is the toilet are my go-to phrases.
2. Assuming restaurants will have a menu in English.
Be prepared for menus only in a foreign language. Download Google Translate on your phone and be sure to select the language for the country you’re in before you venture out. (it works without wifi) Learn to use the feature that uses your phone’s camera to read the script and translate it to English.
Tip: European restaurants that offer English menus cater to tourists and are not usually the best.
3. Assuming you can use American dollars everywhere.
There was a time when people in other countries would accept American dollars and even covet them! Today, if anyone accepts dollars from you it will probably be at a ridiculous exchange rate, not in your favor. Tipping in dollars in Europe is not appreciated. Always try to have some cash in the currency of the country you are in.
4. Tipping too much.
Tipping is a big part of American culture but it’s importance is not necessarily shared by the rest of the world. In most European countries workers are paid fair wage so that they aren’t dependent on tips. Usually 5%-10% is customary for great service.
5. Wearing whatever makes you comfortable.
I read many comments on social media about travel clothes. Many times the advice is “Wear whatever makes you comfortable.” Keep in mind that Europeans dress up more than we do. Athletic wear, sloppy clothes, loungewear, sweatsuits, cut off jeans, all make it easy to spot an American. An older French woman once told me how disgraceful it was that Americans were trying to enter the holiest places in Europe in “disrespectful” clothing. How did she know they were Americans? They are very easy to identify by their “comfortable” clothing.
6. Asking a waiter to provide separate checks to each person in the party.
This is acceptable at home in the US, but it is not a common practice in Europe. At best the waiter may let you split the bill evenly with everyone paying the same amount. When traveling with friends, download a free app like “Splitwise” or “Settle Up“. Both are excellent for sharing expenses.
7. Ordering what is on the menu but with substitutions.
Unless you have an allergy, it’s best to select something on the menu that you will eat as the chef intended. In some countries it is an insult to the chef to alter his creation. It helps to look up the menu on line before you go to the restaurant so that you know what is in the dishes.
8. Ordering a steak medium rare or medium and being served an extra rare steak.
Be aware that many countries in Europe serve meat very rare. Their concept of “medium” or “medium rare” is different from ours. If you don’t want your meat served blood red, order it well done.
9. Ordering a coffee and receiving a shot of espresso.
A friend came to visit me in Paris. We went out for coffee. She ordered a “coffee”. The waiter asked if she wanted any particular kind of coffee. She said “no, just a regular coffee”. When he brought her an espresso, she was very surprised and told the waiter she “didn’t order that”. He took it away in a huff. Moral of the story: a coffee is an espresso. If you want a coffee like what you would get in the US, order an Americano or whatever it might be called in the country you’re in.
The French take their manners very seriously.
10. Speaking to someone without first greeting them.
I am so guilty of this! Americans often blurt out whatever they want to say without first greeting the person they are speaking to. At first it feels odd to constantly be saying “Good Morning” in a foreign language to everyone, but in Europe it is expected.
11. Touching merchandise in a store or produce at a street market without asking.
Americans are accustomed to feeling clothing in a store, or picking up produce at a market. It’s best to ask permission before touching merchandise in Europe.
12. Assuming that a hotel offers air conditioning just because their website says they have air conditioning.
Having air conditioning doesn’t mean it is turned on! Most places don’t turn on the A/C until a certain date, no matter how hot it is outside. If there is a heatwave on April 15 and they don’t turn the air conditioning on until May 15, you are out of luck. Many places have A/C but the temperature is restricted. I once stayed in a hotel in Munich that turned the A/C off at midnight in the middle of summer! I complained and they thought I was crazy! Europeans feel that Americans are obsessed with A/C.
13. Assuming your cold drink is going to come with ice.
This is another little American trait that Europeans don’t understand, the need for ice. Many restaurants don’t offer it, or they might bring you a cube or two if you ask.
And last but certainly not least…
The number ONE complaint I hear about Americans from all Europeans… “Americans are so loud!”
I can always tell if there is a group of Americans, especially American women, anywhere near me. They scream! They cackle! They are soooo loud! They don’t know it but the others around them are raising their eyebrows at each other with that knowing look, saying silently “Ugh, Americans!” In a small restaurant in Paris recently I listened for two hours to an American women tell the entire restaurant about her travels, her children, her political views, etc, etc. It was horrible.
14. Try to be aware and tone it down when in Europe.
I asked my Parisian friend for her impression of American tourists. Thinking she would give me a long list of complaints, she said “Americans are among the best tourists, really. Nice, smiling, funny.”
I’ll take it. Merci, mon ami.
Planning a trip or have a traveler on your gift list? This article is for you!
