A question for Europeans and Asians

[aristobrat]

The figures were incidental to the point he was making. And having said that, I'm done trying to make my point that I agree with him in that I think his point is still valid, which is that it typically takes longer and costs more to travel between major cities in the US than it does in Europe.

 

[aloofman]

The figures were incidental to the point he was making. And having said that, I'm done trying to make my point that I agree with him in that I think his point is still valid, which is that it typically takes longer and costs more to travel between major cities in the US than it does in Europe.

I could tell that it was just a typo on his part, but writing it wrong DOES make it look like he doesn't know what he's talking about. Clearly it confused some people. Just because you like what he said, doesn't mean it wasn't a goof.

 

[jng]

It was mentioned in this thread that foreigners tend to talk to you more than say Europeans. It never occurred to me but I experienced it first hand the other day and arrggghhh.

I decided to flee Munich for a few days and took a train to where I lived 2 years ago. Anyway, this guy sits down next to me and starts talking to me in English and asking me about the book I'm reading. I ask if he's German and he says he is but after about 5 mintues I realize: he's of German ancestry maybe but actually Canadian and about as dumb and embarrassing as an American. For a whole hour, he sat there complaining about Germany and Europe and all the "stupid" rules they have and other things they do, like people can reserve seats on trains (he was kicked out of his) and dogs can go into stores and restaurants.

So yeah, foreigners talk to you. And Canadians can be a dumb and bad as Americans. That's what I learned.

 

[Queso]

For a whole hour, he sat there complaining about Germany and Europe and all the "stupid" rules they have and other things they do, like people can reserve seats on trains (he was kicked out of his) and dogs can go into stores and restaurants.

Er...those are good things as far as most of us are concerned. Another example of the culture gap

 

[bartelby]

Dogs going into stores and restaurants?

Maybe Guide dogs.

 

[Queso]

Dogs going into stores and restaurants?

That's just the UK really. When Bart's on the Continent they let him in everywhere. He's been to France, Spain and Italy and we've never had a problem.

 

[foidulus]

Americans are:

- loud
- wear flip flops
- tend to gather in the middle of sidewalks blocking traffic
- baggy pants
- big sneakers WITH baggy pants
- hoodies
- unkempt hair that doesn't look stylish, rather just boring
- english?
- touristy looking like they wear cameras around their necks or walking around in hiking shorts and loaded backpacks.

are you a girl? German girls don't wear shorts, esp. hiking shorts I've noticed. It's either caprees or skirts in warm weather. Short skirts a la Abercrombie also strikes me as American.

For me, it's clothes and the noise. That's how you spot Americans.

Oh yeah - they're fatter.

Meh, you Europeans seem to think you see a lot less Americans than you do though. I've been to 13 countries in Europe, and save for the Vatican City invariably someone has come up to me and asked me questions in the native language of the land(usually ask me for directions) and I don't go out of my way to look European or American, in fact I probably match some, but certainly not all, of the steorotypes you listed. However I haven't been outed as being American by anyone without me volunteering the information.

 

[foidulus]

It was mentioned in this thread that foreigners tend to talk to you more than say Europeans. It never occurred to me but I experienced it first hand the other day and arrggghhh.

I decided to flee Munich for a few days and took a train to where I lived 2 years ago. Anyway, this guy sits down next to me and starts talking to me in English and asking me about the book I'm reading. I ask if he's German and he says he is but after about 5 mintues I realize: he's of German ancestry maybe but actually Canadian and about as dumb and embarrassing as an American. For a whole hour, he sat there complaining about Germany and Europe and all the "stupid" rules they have and other things they do, like people can reserve seats on trains (he was kicked out of his) and dogs can go into stores and restaurants.

So yeah, foreigners talk to you. And Canadians can be a dumb and bad as Americans. That's what I learned.

You mean like those ignorant Germans who came up to me in France and started speaking German? Or how about those Germans(and English) who get really soused in the Czech Republic and make asses out of themselves.

Please, get over your holier than thou attitude, Germans can be as bad as Americans, face reality.

 

[Bjerre]

Well here in Cocoa Beach Florida, we get a lot of British tourist (thanks to Disney, the cruise ships, and NASA), but about once every two years you hear about a British tourist that looked right instead of left and was killed. In fact, at my dad's restaurant there was a British couple who was leaving in there car, they looked right and both were killed when a truck hit them.

 

[aristobrat]

For a whole hour, he sat there complaining about Germany and Europe and all the "stupid" rules they have and other things they do, like people can reserve seats on trains (he was kicked out of his) and dogs can go into stores and restaurants.

As a dog-loving American, I thought it was the coolest thing how you could take you dog pretty much anywhere in public with you. That's probably another easy way to spot an American. I'm sure I wasn't the only one snapping pictures of dogs in places that Americans would normally freak out if they saw 'em.

The guy who made our train reservations was smart enough to get reserved seats (with tables for our laptops, too .. yay!), but it was pretty nerve-racking to get on an train and see someone in your seat. Both times it happened to us on DB, the people in our reserved seats moved without any fuss. Whew!!!!! In America, that's not always a situation that ends so easily!

Dogs going into stores and restaurants?

Didn't see any in food places while in Germany (they were parked out in front, waiting patiently), but saw a lot in regular stores and on mass-transportation. Yay!

Sorry to picture-crap the thread, but since I didn't bug any Germans on any of the trains we were on, I'll just be obnoxious now. heh

 

[Brianstorm91]

Americans

Take photos of EVERYTHING :|

And I also agree, our sixth sense comes in handy.

 

[aristobrat]

Take photos of EVERYTHING :|

That's me!

Hey, I'm doing you Europeans a favor. With as many pictures of Munich, Berlin and Prague that I took and have shown to my American friends, I'm sure at least 5 of them feel like they don't need to bother seeing those cities first-hand, which means 5 less Americans to bother you!

But seriously, European trips are so expensive for me that I doubt I'll be able to see the same place twice. Pictures are a great way for me to keep the memories of the cool crap I saw somewhat fresh in my aging head.

 

[EricNau]

[Americans] Take photos of EVERYTHING :|

I've never met an American that could possibly take as many pictures as any of the Germans I know.

 

[OwlsAndApples]

I thought saying any place in the UK with -ham on the end would be a clear indicator...
In my experience American tourists are friendly and always ask for directions...but sooo loudly

 

[EricNau]

As an American, I'm quite sure it would be easiest to spot an American in a restaurant.

For example, some differences (and I'm basing this mostly on my experiences in Germany):

In America, two different parties never sit at the same table, while in other countries, it's not uncommon in a crowded restaurant. ...We're usually shocked and confused at this.

We order water, attempting to save money (ha!)

We usually ask if the tip is included (of course it never is )

We ask to take our unfinished food home! ​

 

[silbeej]

It is quite obvious that everyone's way of life is different, and that Europeans and well, mostly everyone can make fun of Americans, i'm American and i can think of plenty of reasons to make fun of us. The question i have, for those outside of the USA, would you find it offensive if Americans, or anyone come to think about it, tried to fit in with your culture when traveling. Like ordering a "pint" instead of a "regular beer" or trying to adapt to sayings like "cheers" and "mate". I find taht these are amongst the common ways that tourists can be picked out, and when i can afford to do some traveling, i don't want to be branded as a common American, when i respect everyone else's way of life. I like to take photos of cool stuff, and probably would be carrying a backpack.

 

[GoodWatch]

It is quite obvious that everyone's way of life is different, and that Europeans and well, mostly everyone can make fun of Americans, i'm American and i can think of plenty of reasons to make fun of us. The question i have, for those outside of the USA, would you find it offensive if Americans, or anyone come to think about it, tried to fit in with your culture when traveling. Like ordering a "pint" instead of a "regular beer" or trying to adapt to sayings like "cheers" and "mate". I find taht these are amongst the common ways that tourists can be picked out, and when i can afford to do some traveling, i don't want to be branded as a common American, when i respect everyone else's way of life. I like to take photos of cool stuff, and probably would be carrying a backpack.

Of course this whole discussion is moot. The typical ‘European’ doesn’t exists, and neither does the typical Yankee (pun intended). Europe consists of many different countries and indeed cultures. We Dutch maybe perceived as liberal, tolerant and easy going but to our neighbors we are tight with money, rude and too keen on drugs and low moral standards (although this could be a good thing ). Please let every individual be him- or herself. I’ve traveled to the US on several occasions and the people I met (the down to earth ‘men in the street’) were very hospitable and gave us the time of our lives. But perhaps this was because they were my wife’s niece, her husband and their neighbors. The negative vibes towards the US that exists among some Europeans isn’t directed towards its people but towards its administration.

We have a lot to learn from each other. I love frogs’ legs and snails as much as I love a good hot dog. Both are stereotypes. We just have to except the way we are and reach out despite our often rigid governments.

 

[annk]

Of course this whole discussion is moot. The typical ‘European’ doesn’t exists, and neither does the typical Yankee (pun intended). Europe consists of many different countries and indeed cultures. We Dutch maybe perceived as liberal, tolerant and easy going but to our neighbors we are tight with money, rude and too keen on drugs and low moral standards (although this could be a good thing ). Please let every individual be him- or herself. I’ve traveled to the US on several occasions and the people I met (the down to earth ‘men in the street’) were very hospitable and gave us the time of our lives. But perhaps this was because they were my wife’s niece, her husband and their neighbors. The negative vibes towards the US that exists among some Europeans isn’t directed towards its people but towards its administration.

We have a lot to learn from each other. I love frogs’ legs and snails as much as I love a good hot dog. Both are stereotypes. We just have to except the way we are and reach out despite our often rigid governments.

Amen. Wise words.

 

[Queso]

We Dutch maybe perceived as liberal, tolerant and easy going but to our neighbors we are tight with money, rude and too keen on drugs and low moral standards (although this could be a good thing ).

You forgot that you all drive way too recklessly too

 

[Jaffa Cake]

You forgot that you all drive way too recklessly too

It's not the motorists you have to worry about, it's the cyclists...

 

[Queso]

It's not the motorists you have to worry about, it's the cyclists...

Especially the ones doing 160 on the French Autoroutes

 

[GoodWatch]

Especially the ones doing 160 on the French Autoroutes

And that is without wearing my special race clogs!

 

[jng]

Please, get over your holier than thou attitude, Germans can be as bad as Americans, face reality.

What's up your ---? Reread my post, I wasn't comparing Americans to Germans, but rather commenting on the fact that it's just just Americans who are silly, Canadians also. And therefore anyone can be silly. It just happens that more often than not, they're American

Besides, you're taking everything here way to seriously. Stereotypes are based on truth. And we're stretching it yeah. But loosen up and laugh with (instead of laughed at).

I've never met an American that could possibly take as many pictures as any of the Germans I know.

I thought the Asian's won that category?

Of course this whole discussion is moot. The typical ‘European’ doesn’t exists, and neither does the typical Yankee (pun intended).

Yeah but we're not necesarily talking about the typical American so much as the stereotypical American. There's a large difference, esp. in numbers.

We have a lot to learn from each other. I love frogs’ legs and snails as much as I love a good hot dog. Both are stereotypes. We just have to except the way we are and reach out despite our often rigid governments.

Snails are delicious. Tried them for the first time 2 years back and thought it was going to be gross but turned out to be delicious!

Still can't even look at Beef Tar Tar though...

 

[GoodWatch]

Still can't even look at Beef Tar Tar though...

[Let me enlighten you. Tartaar (as we call it), is minced premium sirloin stake and this can be either cooked or served raw on a white bun, with salt and freshly ground pepper, diced raw onion and a hard boiled egg. I’ve been enjoying this delicacy for 30 years now and I’m still among the living. Try it, you will love it! The other, but typically Dutch, treat is raw herring. Deeeeeeeelish!

 

[jng]

But it's BLEEDING! I can't do it. Snails I love. but they're dead and not bleeding. The cow is bleeding!