I just got back from an epic two-week EuroTrip last Friday. We explored four countries in 14 days and it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. (Kids – take this trip after high school or college when you’re still young and nimble and survive off no sleep. When you get to be my age, it takes a much bigger toll on your body…but it’s worth it at any age.) It didn’t take long after landing in Dublin to realize we weren’t in North America anymore, Toto. Anytime you leave the States, it’s a different experience. You’re most likely out of your comfort zone, and you could even be in a place that isn’t very welcoming to North Americans. (Heck, it seems like America isn’t very welcoming to Americans at times!)
With that in mind, here are a few things I like to keep in mind when traveling abroad as an American:
1 – You’re not in the United States of America anymore. Ok, I get it, Captain Obvious, but sadly this isn’t so obvious to everyone. You probably should leave your American flag cape at home along with your loud American flag hat. Save it for the 4th of July… this way, you won’t lose it. 😉
2 – Different cultures have different customs. Learn them. Respect them. It’s not another country’s job to teach you their customs. There’s no cultural crash course when you enter a new country. You know those 6 hours you just spent on a plane watching a crappy movie that was in theaters 2 years ago? Use that time reading up on the country you’re about to enter. What are their traditions? How much do they tip? Do they tip? What is acceptable clothing attire there that isn’t back home? More important, what isn’t acceptable that might be in the U.S.? In Thailand, for example, you (pretty much almost) always take your shoes off before entering a building. It’s considered rude to keep them on. I hope you packed some cute socks or got a pedi before you left. (Don’t worry if you didn’t — they’re really cheap over there.)
3 – Nothing in life is free — not even water. I know we love our free tap water that is automatically served once we get seated at restaurants here, but it’s not always like that abroad. Most restaurants don’t serve tap water, so when you ask for water, you better believe you’ll be shelling over a little extra cash for that bottle when you get the bill. Sometimes you may have to purchase a drink to get tap water. In some places you can’t drink tap water. Or maybe you luck out, and they have free tap water for you. Just don’t be surprised and offended if they don’t.
4 – Sit back and RELAX. You’re going out to eat. Meet your friends, wait to be seated (or don’t — I don’t know where you’re going to eat), and prepare to enjoy your meal. I mean savor every single bite enjoy it. Don’t scarf your delicious pork ribs. Take your time eating that ravioli. Most restaurants aren’t worried about turning your table over to bring in another party and make more tips (they might not even accept tips — search that ahead of time or read #5 below). What they are worried about is you enjoying your food and your company. So put away your phone, take your time, enjoy your meal, and strike up a conversation with the people…err, friends at your table. Buen provecho!
5 – Here’s a tip: brush up on tipping customs. Unlike in the States, bartenders and servers don’t live off of a measly hourly wage and rely on feeding themselves off tips. (See #4) Ireland, for example, doesn’t have a tipping culture. When you get your credit card receipt, there’s usually no line to add a tip. If you want to tip, go ahead and give 10%. In Germany, we usually tipped about 10% at restaurants. We also tipped our beer girls about 2 euros/beer. If you’re looking for some guidance, Conde Nast Traveler has a good guide here.
6 – Cash is king. While I rely on my credit and debit cards for everything back home, you can’t assume they’re going to have the ability (or strong and secure networks for that matter) to process a credit card. In Thailand, I used cash at most places, but cards at the resorts/hotels. In Ireland, I used my card most places. Germany was oddly very cash-heavy. We figured that in the beer tents (how can they keep track of 100s of tabs?!), but most restaurants and gift shops had around 20-25 euro minimums to use your card. Just be safe and keep some cash on you. (Also – make sure you check with your credit/debit card before you leave. Those foreign transaction fees are no joke!) We found that the exchange rate was much better in Europe than back home so I wish we would have waited to exchange money. It’s always a good idea to check the foreign currency exchange rates before traveling.
7 – To go? To go where? Taking leftover food to go is very much a thing in the States. Abroad? Not so much. Europe now has a food delivery service along the lines of Favor so to-go boxes are more commonplace, but the act of asking for one is still frowned upon. Take your time and enjoy your meal. They’re in no rush to kick you out. (…Unless you eat like a baby bird like me, and it takes you 2 hours to finish a burger. Then you might deal with the embarrassment of asking for a box.)
8. There is no ranch dressing. Don’t ask.
I could keep going, but I think you get the drift. Be smart, be respectful, be aware. Take some time to study the basic traditions, customs, and pleasantries of whichever country, city, or state you’re heading to. You never know, you may even meet some new friends or get a free drink out of it.
Cheers, Prost, Slainte!
Average Traveler | Travel Guide 