Bad manners

Keep your voice down when in public places. I often am offended and embarassed when in a restaurant, museum, etc. and am surrounded by Americans WHO SEEM TO BE CONSTANTLY SCREAMING AT EACH OTHER. IN ENGLISH OF COURSE.

Beginning a conversation without the basic courtesies - good morning, good evening, etc.

France -

Voice tone is important. The Parisians in particular a very quiet in general in public. I have often been on the Metro stopped waiting for a signal during rush hour and the only thing you can hear in the full metro car is the sounds of an MP3 player.

When entering a store or anywhere you are greeted - it is rude to not greet back.
The same with departure.

Money is often placed in a dish rather than in ones hand - don't expect to hand someone the money to pay - and don't insist upon doing so.

One of the greatest things you can do in any of these countries is to realize that there world works differently than in America. A common experience is to hear Americans complain about this or that while still in a country, instead of accepting the differences and acknowledging how unique the world is. It puts a bad taste in ones mouth hearing Americans in their discontent at a table nearby assuming people don't understand you. It is in poor taste and offensive.

I would echo the keeping your voice down suggestion. I have also heard Americans complain loudly when something they view as normal - e.g. ice in drinks, water on the table, doesn´t automatically happen.

Just accept the differences really.

It seems some people want to go "some place different" as long as everything is exactly the same as at home.

In general, in Europe, people are offended if you ask them "what they do." This is regarded as prying and intrusive. The business sphere and the social sphere are much less blurred than they are in the US or Canada.

In Greece, outside of tourist areas, don't expect strangers to smile back at you. A smile directed at someone implies you know them and vice versa, which clearly you do not. Not rude, just different. Also don't use the OK hand sign. In some places it refers to ah, well, intimate relations would be a good way to phrase it.

Like Doug mention previously, try to learn a little of the launguage. People usually appriciate the effort, or you'll at least get them to crack smile by hearing you mispronounce things.

Definitely keep your voice down.
No burping, no talking to someone at the other end of the table.
If you don't know a person well enough, call him/her by the last name plus MR/ MRS/MISS .

Marie,

I agree with you about not smiling. I think it's the same all over Europe. They don't really smile, not even in store or restaurants, unless they know you.

Agreed with every earlier post. The two that I insist anyone traveling with me not violate:

1) Learn just a few words, at least, of the local language: Yes, No, Please, Thank You, 'good day / hello', Excuse me.

2) Greet people and greet back in their language.

This is something that bothers me that most Americans seem to do (even though I am american too, I dont do this even here, I think its a bit fake) and that is to say "How are you?" as a greeting. If you do that in Germany or France or Austria, it is considered a bit odd, since it is intrusive and only a "friend" or someone they are acquainted with would ask such a thing. Even though when most Americans use it as a greeting and never wait for a reply (which is why I think its so fake..lol) Foreigners may feel as if you are truly being nosy into their lives....

Yes, I know what you mean. Its one of my biggest pet peeves when someone says "How are ya" and then I try to answer only to find out they didnt want me to!

I was standing in line to change money Schipol airport a few years ago. This 18 year old kid on his first trip to Europe was ahead of me. When it was his turn he casually said to the cashier "How you doing" as he was counting out his money. The cashier lost it! She started screaming at him "who cares how I'm doing, I don't know you, why do Americans always say that!". The poor guy was so mortified he just walked away, I really felt bad for him....welcome to Europe:)

Some difference I've noticed from spending a lot of time with the Spanish concern feet. My Spanish hosts were mortified that our family like to walk around the house barefooted. One time my husband and I were outside skimming leaves off their pool water. Our exchange daughter later told us that her parents were in the house, absolutely shocked that we were doing this without SHOES on (with our swimsuits). They would be MUCH more comfortable naked on the beach than barefooted at home! Also, they don't put their feet up on coffee tables or the chair across from them on a train. It is rather curious and random what each culture thinks is mannerly and correct. No matter how hard you try to be polite (like leaving a French person's bathroom door open so the next person can come in..oops, NO! That's the WRONG thing to do...always close it!)it's almost impossible for a foreigner not to make some kind of faux pas in another country. So just do your best! (and good luck!)

Do any of you ever watch Samantha Brown?
I've heard her say more than once in Europe, "Shut Up."
This is often a slang here in the USA, but in other countries, they may think of it as it's real meaning!! Not good to use slang words in Europe.

So true Michael.

In response to Michael's post about the 18 year old (and I'm betting he didn't say "how you doing?" but rather "how ya doin'?") this was a valuable lesson learned at a young age and one his mother should have taught him, anyway. On his next trip to Europe I doubt he would ask perfect strangers how they were doing, I mean, doin'.

Norma, I hope you're being tongue & cheek. Whereas I'm not into the whole "How are you doing" greeting (I was once almost fired from a job when I answered that question truthfully to one of my bosses years ago), the cashiers response was way over the top-something she could have been fired for. Once when on vacation in Orlando Flordia, I was at a gas station and a British tourist couldn't figure out how to use the self-service pump. Instead saying "excuse me could you show me how to do this", he screamed at me "ooooy how do I use this bloody thing!". I could of just ignored him, and let him figure it out for himself, but I decided to be a "good ambassador" and show him how its done-even though he was wearing a Manchester Untied jersey:)

Hi Lillie--Every time we ordered something in Italy my husband said we wanted "two" and held up his index finger and middle finger, forming a V with his thumb in between the two fingers. In Italy, use your thumb and index finger to form "two;" my husband's "V" sign means the equivalent of "up yours" in Italy. I was mortified every time he did it, but since he does it that way at home, it was a hard habit for him to break!

Along those same lines I am trying to figure out what to pack for clothing so I don't stick out like a sore thumb, any suggestions?

Audry: If you search this site (search box upper right) you'll find 1000+ answers to your question on what to wear. But I'll save you the time, here is the collected and infinite wisdom of the Helpline in one sentence: the 1000+ answers vary all the way from "dress conservatively, dress up a bit more than you would here if you want to fit in" all the way to "don't worry about fitting in, you gotta be you." Okay, Helpline repliers, have at it, one more time with feeling....