Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
May 27th 2003, 10:32 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
On Tue, 27 May 2003 15:46:13 -0700, "Marc"
wrote:
>I'm sure you will have some other suggestions and comments but here are
>mine.
[----]
Great post with some wise advice - sounds as if it comes from the
heart.
wrote:
>I'm sure you will have some other suggestions and comments but here are
>mine.
[----]
Great post with some wise advice - sounds as if it comes from the
heart.
May 27th 2003, 10:46 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
I'm sure you will have some other suggestions and comments but here are
mine.
I just read yet another post in which somebody expressed concern about
standing out as a tourist.
I am always puzzled about this concern. Why would one be concerned about
appearing to be precisely what one is? Is there something shameful about
being a tourist? Here are my observations and suggestions.
This strikes me as a peculiarly American concern. It is very difficult for
me to imagine a Frenchman, or a Czech, or a Japanese being concerned about
appearing to be a tourist. I see such tourists in San Francisco and Marin
frequently. No one seems to take undo notice of them. I don't see mops
throwing stones at them.
Of course one might always be concerned about seeming vulnerable in a
dangerous area of a large city. But being vulnerable and being a tourist
are not unavoidably connected. Also, this is just as much a concern for
locals.
Now I will admit that the stupidest tourists I have ever seen, or more
correctly heard, have been Americans. But that may be because English is
the only language I speak fluently. It may be that if I went on a French
speaking tour that I would find that there are just as many foolish French
tourists.
I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
The more important question seems to me to be "Are you a good tourist?" So
here are my tips for being a good tourist. If you think about it these tips
are probably just as good for being a good employee, friend, neighbor or
party guest.
Make some effort to understand why you are there and act accordingly.
It seems to me that one of the most common causes of obnoxious behavior is
forgetting ones purpose. Some examples include a man who went to a museum
to demonstrate his knowledge rather than to increase it; a woman on a train
who wished to demonstrate that her standards of hygiene were superior to the
local railroad's. She did this my complaining loudly and repeatedly about
them and demanding that her brow beaten husband do something about it; Then
there is the person who is travelling for exposure to new things but balks
at any experience that is unfamiliar. In the case of Americans you will
usually find them staying at the Hilton and dinning at McDonalds.
Be courteous.
At a minimum this means taking a few moments to learn the local courtesies.
I never enter a country without trying to learn to say "please", "thank
you", "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" in the local language. In my experience
it is almost always appreciated even when I have botched it. Learn the
tipping standards in each country and don't be cheap. If you want to save
money do it by staying home not by cheating some poor waiter who may make
less in a day that you spend on a coffee break. Every tour book has a few
paragraphs on local customs. Don't skip over it.
Be as self reliant as possible.
Buy the maps and books study them a little. For me this greatly increases
my enjoyment. Learn the currency and approximate exchange rate. If you are
in a city for a few days and using public transport try to learn the routs.
You're standing in the bus stop anyway staring at the map. Might as well
try to make some use of it while it is in front of you. Try to learn the
numbers. This is hard for me, but even a little bit helps here. Locals
will expect that you need some help, but don't impose on them more than
necessary.
Be humble.
Don't assume that you are the one who is right if a disagreement occurs.
After 15 years I still cringe at the memory of a few words I said in a
restaurant in Isla Mujeras, Mexico. I was sure the waiter was being
stubborn. Of course I soon realized I was the one who was wrong. This also
means asking for help when you need it. I met a couple in Czech Republic
who had traveled miles and hours out of their way because they were afraid
asking for help would appear foolish. Only the intervention of a Soldier
driving in front of them and who was sure they must be on the wrong road
prevented them continuing on. This also means accepting what comes your way
as a result of your choices. My wife and I once found ourselves at a Rail
Road station in the middle of the forest in S. Bohemia. We were 4
kilometers from the nearest town, our intended destination. There was no
alternative but to walk. As it turned out it was a great experience and we
have a lot of fun telling the story of the adventures that followed.
Be helpful to others.
Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter those
who need your help. I have some Japanese friends today because I helped
them carry some heavy luggage through the streets of London on a hot July
day in 1967. My wife and I have attended some charitable affairs that we
ran across in Mexico, Poland and Czech Republic. What a blast and what a
great opportunity to meet locals outside of the normal tourist experience.
In all three cases we were the only Americans there. The people practically
fell all over us to make us feel welcom, to express their gratitude and to
give us suggestions. Now we look for these things when we travel. There
are almost always some sort of charitable event every month in every city.
Things like Kiwanis or Rotary or Red Cross dinners raffles that sort of
thing.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
mine.
I just read yet another post in which somebody expressed concern about
standing out as a tourist.
I am always puzzled about this concern. Why would one be concerned about
appearing to be precisely what one is? Is there something shameful about
being a tourist? Here are my observations and suggestions.
This strikes me as a peculiarly American concern. It is very difficult for
me to imagine a Frenchman, or a Czech, or a Japanese being concerned about
appearing to be a tourist. I see such tourists in San Francisco and Marin
frequently. No one seems to take undo notice of them. I don't see mops
throwing stones at them.
Of course one might always be concerned about seeming vulnerable in a
dangerous area of a large city. But being vulnerable and being a tourist
are not unavoidably connected. Also, this is just as much a concern for
locals.
Now I will admit that the stupidest tourists I have ever seen, or more
correctly heard, have been Americans. But that may be because English is
the only language I speak fluently. It may be that if I went on a French
speaking tour that I would find that there are just as many foolish French
tourists.
I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
The more important question seems to me to be "Are you a good tourist?" So
here are my tips for being a good tourist. If you think about it these tips
are probably just as good for being a good employee, friend, neighbor or
party guest.
Make some effort to understand why you are there and act accordingly.
It seems to me that one of the most common causes of obnoxious behavior is
forgetting ones purpose. Some examples include a man who went to a museum
to demonstrate his knowledge rather than to increase it; a woman on a train
who wished to demonstrate that her standards of hygiene were superior to the
local railroad's. She did this my complaining loudly and repeatedly about
them and demanding that her brow beaten husband do something about it; Then
there is the person who is travelling for exposure to new things but balks
at any experience that is unfamiliar. In the case of Americans you will
usually find them staying at the Hilton and dinning at McDonalds.
Be courteous.
At a minimum this means taking a few moments to learn the local courtesies.
I never enter a country without trying to learn to say "please", "thank
you", "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" in the local language. In my experience
it is almost always appreciated even when I have botched it. Learn the
tipping standards in each country and don't be cheap. If you want to save
money do it by staying home not by cheating some poor waiter who may make
less in a day that you spend on a coffee break. Every tour book has a few
paragraphs on local customs. Don't skip over it.
Be as self reliant as possible.
Buy the maps and books study them a little. For me this greatly increases
my enjoyment. Learn the currency and approximate exchange rate. If you are
in a city for a few days and using public transport try to learn the routs.
You're standing in the bus stop anyway staring at the map. Might as well
try to make some use of it while it is in front of you. Try to learn the
numbers. This is hard for me, but even a little bit helps here. Locals
will expect that you need some help, but don't impose on them more than
necessary.
Be humble.
Don't assume that you are the one who is right if a disagreement occurs.
After 15 years I still cringe at the memory of a few words I said in a
restaurant in Isla Mujeras, Mexico. I was sure the waiter was being
stubborn. Of course I soon realized I was the one who was wrong. This also
means asking for help when you need it. I met a couple in Czech Republic
who had traveled miles and hours out of their way because they were afraid
asking for help would appear foolish. Only the intervention of a Soldier
driving in front of them and who was sure they must be on the wrong road
prevented them continuing on. This also means accepting what comes your way
as a result of your choices. My wife and I once found ourselves at a Rail
Road station in the middle of the forest in S. Bohemia. We were 4
kilometers from the nearest town, our intended destination. There was no
alternative but to walk. As it turned out it was a great experience and we
have a lot of fun telling the story of the adventures that followed.
Be helpful to others.
Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter those
who need your help. I have some Japanese friends today because I helped
them carry some heavy luggage through the streets of London on a hot July
day in 1967. My wife and I have attended some charitable affairs that we
ran across in Mexico, Poland and Czech Republic. What a blast and what a
great opportunity to meet locals outside of the normal tourist experience.
In all three cases we were the only Americans there. The people practically
fell all over us to make us feel welcom, to express their gratitude and to
give us suggestions. Now we look for these things when we travel. There
are almost always some sort of charitable event every month in every city.
Things like Kiwanis or Rotary or Red Cross dinners raffles that sort of
thing.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
May 27th 2003, 11:00 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Great post Marc. Your Isla Mujeras story reminds me of a similiar experience I
had in Sienna. Like you, I think I've learned and been a little more humble from
that experience.
Again, a very well stated post. Thanks!
Doug Burke
had in Sienna. Like you, I think I've learned and been a little more humble from
that experience.
Again, a very well stated post. Thanks!
Doug Burke
May 27th 2003, 3:04 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Marc wrote:
> I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
> annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
> shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
> room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
> is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
When travelling in America, I frequently found that in Museums, Art
Galleries etc if I stood back to take in the whole of an exhibit, a bunch of
people would invariably push in front with their noses almost pressed to the
glass.
> Be helpful to others.
> Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter those
> who need your help.
People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
> I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
> annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
> shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
> room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
> is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
When travelling in America, I frequently found that in Museums, Art
Galleries etc if I stood back to take in the whole of an exhibit, a bunch of
people would invariably push in front with their noses almost pressed to the
glass.
> Be helpful to others.
> Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter those
> who need your help.
People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
May 27th 2003, 10:40 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Following up to Marc
>I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
>annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
>shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
>room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
>is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
I'm fed up with slagging off the French, The Americans and so on. Its
the Germans turn!
Right, day before yesterday evening, in restaurant on
Skye. Two Brits and a German, planning to climb Black Cuillin next
day. Typical quiet UK seafood restraurant, shrine to food type of
atmosphere, suddenly mobile goes off, Germans converses loudly in
English (unlike us, he has languages!) "blah blah blah the British
Empire blah blah blah" Everybody is *now* listening. Hes speaking to
his wife it seems.
"Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer the mountain"
Cue spluttering, open mouthed Brits, faces hidden behind napkins etc.
His UK escort had to turn round and say to reataurant "*please* talk
amoungst yourselves".
Well, it amused me.........
Moral? Dont use mobile in restaurant?
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I was
>annoyed by a German tourist. He lagged behind in each room then always
>shoved his way to the front of the tour group when it stopped in the next
>room. The back of his bald head ruined about 6 of my photos. I suspect he
>is just as annoyingly self-centered at work and at home.
I'm fed up with slagging off the French, The Americans and so on. Its
the Germans turn!
Right, day before yesterday evening, in restaurant on
Skye. Two Brits and a German, planning to climb Black Cuillin next
day. Typical quiet UK seafood restraurant, shrine to food type of
atmosphere, suddenly mobile goes off, Germans converses loudly in
English (unlike us, he has languages!) "blah blah blah the British
Empire blah blah blah" Everybody is *now* listening. Hes speaking to
his wife it seems.
"Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer the mountain"
Cue spluttering, open mouthed Brits, faces hidden behind napkins etc.
His UK escort had to turn round and say to reataurant "*please* talk
amoungst yourselves".
Well, it amused me.........
Moral? Dont use mobile in restaurant?
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
May 28th 2003, 1:47 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
In article , [email protected] (Marc)
wrote:
> I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I
> was
> annoyed by a German tourist.
That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
of one's own volition is permitted).
The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
remarks about her, in Dutch.
At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
you!
> Be helpful to others.
> Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter
> those
> who need your help.
An excellent point (among others).
wrote:
> I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I
> was
> annoyed by a German tourist.
That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
of one's own volition is permitted).
The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
remarks about her, in Dutch.
At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
you!
> Be helpful to others.
> Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter
> those
> who need your help.
An excellent point (among others).
May 28th 2003, 3:15 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Rarely do I hit the print button unless I find some specific info that will help
me in planning a trip. This time I printed the post because it has something to
say to me and other travelers -- something I don't want to forget.
John
Marc wrote:
> Here are my observations and suggestions.
me in planning a trip. This time I printed the post because it has something to
say to me and other travelers -- something I don't want to forget.
John
Marc wrote:
> Here are my observations and suggestions.
May 28th 2003, 3:26 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
"Geoff McCaughan" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I frequently found that in Museums, Art
> Galleries etc if I stood back to take in the whole of an exhibit, a bunch
of
> people would invariably push in front with their noses almost pressed to
the
> glass.
I have had that experience myself. Just trying to get back a few meters
form a large work.
> People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
> than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
> Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
> but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
I was on a late night walk in Telch two years ago and a large truck pulled
up and asked for directions. As it turns out I couldn't understand him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
"Geoff McCaughan" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I frequently found that in Museums, Art
> Galleries etc if I stood back to take in the whole of an exhibit, a bunch
of
> people would invariably push in front with their noses almost pressed to
the
> glass.
I have had that experience myself. Just trying to get back a few meters
form a large work.
> People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
> than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
> Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
> but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
I was on a late night walk in Telch two years ago and a large truck pulled
up and asked for directions. As it turns out I couldn't understand him.
May 28th 2003, 4:03 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
In article , Geoff McCaughan
writes
>People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
>than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
>Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
>but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
I was once in Blackpool, Lancashire, not 50 miles from where I lived,
and was in charge of a school party.
We were in The Pleasure Beach (an amusement park) and two French girls
came up to me and asked where something was (I forget what.) As I was a
French Teacher, I answered them. You should have seen the school pupils
who were with me. I think it did more for convincing them that French
was worth learning than anything I said before or after that day.
--
Marie Lewis
writes
>People ask me for directions, usually when I've been in the country less
>than a day. While taking a walk in the early moring of my first day in
>Prague a car stopped and asked me for directions. They did speak English,
>but I had no real idea of my surroundings.
I was once in Blackpool, Lancashire, not 50 miles from where I lived,
and was in charge of a school party.
We were in The Pleasure Beach (an amusement park) and two French girls
came up to me and asked where something was (I forget what.) As I was a
French Teacher, I answered them. You should have seen the school pupils
who were with me. I think it did more for convincing them that French
was worth learning than anything I said before or after that day.
--
Marie Lewis
May 28th 2003, 4:07 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Something similiar happend to us. We (my wife and I) were in line to buy
something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind us
says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the guy
said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
Doug Burke
[email protected] wrote:
> In article , [email protected] (Marc)
> wrote:
> > I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I
> > was
> > annoyed by a German tourist.
> That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
> Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
> of one's own volition is permitted).
> The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
> such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
> young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
> remarks about her, in Dutch.
> At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
> straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
> looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
> So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
> you!
> > Be helpful to others.
> > Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter
> > those
> > who need your help.
> An excellent point (among others).
something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind us
says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the guy
said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
Doug Burke
[email protected] wrote:
> In article , [email protected] (Marc)
> wrote:
> > I will confess that on a tour of beautiful museum in Krakow last year I
> > was
> > annoyed by a German tourist.
> That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
> Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
> of one's own volition is permitted).
> The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
> such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
> young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
> remarks about her, in Dutch.
> At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
> straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
> looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
> So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
> you!
> > Be helpful to others.
> > Just because you are the tourist does not mean you will not encounter
> > those
> > who need your help.
> An excellent point (among others).
May 28th 2003, 4:08 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
In article , [email protected]
writes
>That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
>Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
>of one's own volition is permitted).
>The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
>such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
>young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
>remarks about her, in Dutch.
>At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
>straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
>looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
>So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
>you!
I was once in nightclub in France and on my honeymoon. The comedian
(!) who was the presenter of the cabaret found out that we were English
and on honeymoon. he made lots of smutty jokes about us and we kept
quiet.
Later, he wanted everyone to sing and said that if anyone did not, he
would make them sing a solo.
In spite of the fact that I did join in, he picked me out, plus another
man from a different table.
So then, at the microphone, I spoke to him in French (I am fluent in
French) and he was covered in confusion.
Then he asked the man to sing. He did. He had a magnificent voice and
sang "Granada" to tumultuous applause. It was not that comedian's
night.
--
Marie Lewis
writes
>That reminds me of a funny story. A couple of years ago I was at Kilkenny
>Castle in Ireland, where you have to take a guided tour (no walking about
>of one's own volition is permitted).
>The tour guide was a rather irritating, dictatorial, ignorant know-all as
>such guides can sometimes be; in the group was a Dutch family with
>young kids who entertained themselves by making (presumably sarcastic)
>remarks about her, in Dutch.
>At the end of the tour, the guide said her final words...then looked
>straight at this family and spoke a few sentences in fluent Dutch. The
>looks on their faces were worth the ordeal of the tour.
>So the moral of this one is: don't presume the locals can't understand
>you!
I was once in nightclub in France and on my honeymoon. The comedian
(!) who was the presenter of the cabaret found out that we were English
and on honeymoon. he made lots of smutty jokes about us and we kept
quiet.
Later, he wanted everyone to sing and said that if anyone did not, he
would make them sing a solo.
In spite of the fact that I did join in, he picked me out, plus another
man from a different table.
So then, at the microphone, I spoke to him in French (I am fluent in
French) and he was covered in confusion.
Then he asked the man to sing. He did. He had a magnificent voice and
sang "Granada" to tumultuous applause. It was not that comedian's
night.
--
Marie Lewis
May 28th 2003, 4:17 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
"The Reid" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Hes speaking to
> his wife it seems.
> "Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer the mountain"
> Moral? Dont use mobile in restaurant?
> --
> Mike Reid
Or moral drop the pomposity.... Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer
lunch.
news:[email protected]...
Hes speaking to
> his wife it seems.
> "Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer the mountain"
> Moral? Dont use mobile in restaurant?
> --
> Mike Reid
Or moral drop the pomposity.... Tomorrow I will do my duty and conquer
lunch.
May 28th 2003, 4:55 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Marc
"Doug Burke" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Something similiar happend to us. We (my wife and I) were in line to buy
> something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
> something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
> exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind
us
> says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
> the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the
guy
> said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
> do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
> Doug Burke
I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
Your post is interesting because the French speakers in your story seem to
have an expectation that one should present exact change. I have never
heard of such an expectation.
I have had a few cashiers in several countries complain that i have
presented a large note. "Don't you have any smaller notes." But that
happens at home occasionaly. But in Europe they consider some denominations
"large" which seem small to me. $20.00 for example.
"Doug Burke" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Something similiar happend to us. We (my wife and I) were in line to buy
> something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
> something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
> exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind
us
> says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
> the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the
guy
> said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
> do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
> Doug Burke
I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
Your post is interesting because the French speakers in your story seem to
have an expectation that one should present exact change. I have never
heard of such an expectation.
I have had a few cashiers in several countries complain that i have
presented a large note. "Don't you have any smaller notes." But that
happens at home occasionaly. But in Europe they consider some denominations
"large" which seem small to me. $20.00 for example.
May 28th 2003, 6:29 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
On Wed, 28 May 2003 14:34:12 -0400, Doug Burke
wrote:
>I tend to do the note thing too in lieu of finding coins.
When I do this I quickly find myself with a pocket full of heavy
and valuable coins.
>Sometimes to pay in
>coins I just hold out my hand and the clerk takes what she needs.
The first thing I do when encountering a new coinage is to sit
down and lay the coins out in order of value. Then I try to see
the system. For instance, silvery coins with dark plugs in them
tend to be the the more valuable. The smaller-value coins will
generally rank in size in order of value. It takes only a few
minutes to grasp the system, making it easy to learn to use
change to pay for things.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
wrote:
>I tend to do the note thing too in lieu of finding coins.
When I do this I quickly find myself with a pocket full of heavy
and valuable coins.
>Sometimes to pay in
>coins I just hold out my hand and the clerk takes what she needs.
The first thing I do when encountering a new coinage is to sit
down and lay the coins out in order of value. Then I try to see
the system. For instance, silvery coins with dark plugs in them
tend to be the the more valuable. The smaller-value coins will
generally rank in size in order of value. It takes only a few
minutes to grasp the system, making it easy to learn to use
change to pay for things.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
May 28th 2003, 6:34 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Marc wrote:
> Marc
> "Doug Burke" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Something similiar happend to us. We (my wife and I) were in line to buy
> > something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
> > something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
> > exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind
> us
> > says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
> > the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the
> guy
> > said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
> > do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
> > Doug Burke
> >
> I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
> pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
> sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
> is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
> accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
> honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
> Your post is interesting because the French speakers in your story seem to
> have an expectation that one should present exact change. I have never
> heard of such an expectation.
> I have had a few cashiers in several countries complain that i have
> presented a large note. "Don't you have any smaller notes." But that
> happens at home occasionaly. But in Europe they consider some denominations
> "large" which seem small to me. $20.00 for example.
I tend to do the note thing too in lieu of finding coins. Sometimes to pay in
coins I just hold out my hand and the clerk takes what she needs.
In Europe I find that I collect less change than when home in the US. I think
this is because most states in the US have this ridicules practice of adding on
the state sales tax to the purchase price. So that $1 item now costs $1.04 (in
my state anyway). In most of Europe what one sees on the sticker is what one
pays.
Doug Burke
> Marc
> "Doug Burke" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Something similiar happend to us. We (my wife and I) were in line to buy
> > something at an Arles, France shop. I get to the front and hand the clerk
> > something like a 5 Euro note for a 4 Euro purchase (I can't remember the
> > exact amounts but there wasn't a lot of change coming back) The guy behind
> us
> > says something to the clerk in French and the clerk responds. Upon leaving
> > the shop my wife (who speaks fluent French but we're American) says the
> guy
> > said "Americans never have exact change" and the clerk replied "They never
> > do". I wish my wife would have spoken up.
> > Doug Burke
> >
> I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
> pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
> sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
> is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
> accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
> honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
> Your post is interesting because the French speakers in your story seem to
> have an expectation that one should present exact change. I have never
> heard of such an expectation.
> I have had a few cashiers in several countries complain that i have
> presented a large note. "Don't you have any smaller notes." But that
> happens at home occasionaly. But in Europe they consider some denominations
> "large" which seem small to me. $20.00 for example.
I tend to do the note thing too in lieu of finding coins. Sometimes to pay in
coins I just hold out my hand and the clerk takes what she needs.
In Europe I find that I collect less change than when home in the US. I think
this is because most states in the US have this ridicules practice of adding on
the state sales tax to the purchase price. So that $1 item now costs $1.04 (in
my state anyway). In most of Europe what one sees on the sticker is what one
pays.
Doug Burke
