We all spend a lot of time debunking myths and stereotypes about Europe, but have you ever found yourself right in one?
I can think of two examples right away:
I stepped in dog poop in France.
I had way to much to drink at a pub in Ireland.
How about any of you?
The Ireland one you mention is kind of lame as there have been Irish pubs in the USA for many years.
Yes, in Canada too. But I really overdid when I went to one over there! My point wasn't so much the pub itself, it was the drinking to excess.
Both things could have been avoided if you had had your wits about you.
Despite being very well-informed regarding cafe protocol, and careful in using my rudimentary French, we came across the stereotypical rude Parisian waiter. It was a hot day and we were tired, but the waiter took our presence as an affront, ignoring us as best he could, snatching menus from our hands, and making fun of my request for a Coke Light which I desperately needed. We gave up and left after he took orders from a couple of other tables that came in after us.
Prior to a trip to the south of France I read a book regarding French Values. One was they do not ask one another what they do for a living. Well, at dinner, the French host first question "What do you do for a living." LOL
Left many eating establishment in and out of Europe due to perceived poor service. Even got a free meal in Park City Utah. Yes, we tried to pay.
Well, we DID get approached for the gold-ring scam -- five times in one afternoon. Fun to watch!
First one - nope. That happened in Boston in Massachusetts.
Second one -nope. Nowhere.
In Rome, I was pickpocketed by a Roma family of thieves, on the 64 bus yet!
That's the only one that comes to mind right away - it's far easier for me to think of cliches I did not encounter, or things I wasn't warned about that turned out to be problems.
We have indeed gotten (briefly) trapped in traffic circle ala 'National Lampoon's European Vacation' while driving in the UK.
I have a reverse-cliche!
I spent the summer of '04 in Berlin doing language study. My mom had backpacked through Europe in the mid-70s, had been a flight attendant in the late '70s-early '80s, and had been to France and Italy on a few trips in the '90s. She INSISTED that no one in Europe wore jeans - and I believed her! And it wasn't even my first trip TO Europe! But to Berlin I went, with just a pair of khaki pants. And it was a cold, rainy summer. I cursed my mother every time I wore those khakis while all my classmates wore their jeans.
I tried to purchase a cola and one other item (gum or something) with a 50 kroner note in Oslo. The clerk just looked at me and said, "Don't you have a credit card?
"The clerk just looked at me and said, "Don't you have a credit card?"
I was in Oslo last month - my first visit to Norway - and I was quite surprised at the reaction to me handing over "real money" at some bars and stores. It did seem the norm to use plastic.
How about stereotypes about Americans and Canadians?
I like the ketchup one - our family does use a lotta ketchup. When we are in London next Spring I will be more aware.
“I stepped in dog poop in France.”
Is stepping in dog “poop” in Tuscaloosa or Tel Aviv not a cliché or stereotype but doing so is in France?
Continental, I've never heard anyone talk about dog poop in Tuscaloosa-there are too many other more accurate and entertaining stereotypes.
Selkie..... Big Ben. Kids!! Parliament !
Tuscaloosa....that brings to mind automatically the "crimson tide"
Fred, as well it should. And of course, their coach, the most hated college football coach in the nation, but who actually is changing the lives of some young men who would probably otherwise end up in jail by teaching them respect for authority, discipline, and the importance of getting their degree.
The dog poop thing, our RS guide several times gave us a warning to look out for land mines; which is the slang for dog poop. I think it's a reference that the French aren't that mindful of picking up after their dogs.
https://www.thelocal.fr/20171003/paris-crackdown-on-incivilities-see-number-of-fines-soar-by-118-percent
@ cala...I was pretty shocked when Nick lost that championship game which is most likely the reason why his name is mud.
Tuscaloosa....that brings to mind automatically the "crimson tide"
"While shooting elephants in Africa, I found the tusks very difficult to remove. But in Alabama, the Tuscaloosa.." - Captain Jeffrey Spaulding (Groucho Marx).
On my first visit to Italy, I unwittingly used an innocent hand movement that was evidently interpreted as slightly offensive. Twenty plus years later, I still keep my hands in a neutral position while talking to Italians out of concern for repeating my rookie mistake.
Last fall at a restaurant in London, a waiter commented after we'd eaten that he'd mistaken us for Americans at first, but realized we must be Canadian because we didn't ask for ketchup. I didn't realize that was a stereotype of Americans over there, but apparently it was to him.
Aha! That explains while at so many pubs in London the server came back and with a big smile plopped a ketchup bottle on the table. As it happens, we never touch the stuff.
And this year in France, on at least two occasions, the servers proudly presented us with a glass of ice to add to our bottled water!
So yes, stereotypes of Americans.
DougMac, I think your Groucho reference was entirely ir-elephant!
Forgetting to look the correct way for traffic in Liverpool l. Never venture outside without coffee in the morning!
Often stereotypes have some truth to them, if not then why travel anywhere? People travel to experience a different culture with certain characteristics, and "characteristics" is synonymous with stereotypes. Viva la difference.
When I travel to Morocco I want to see their culture, which of course has some unique qualities to it. Are some of the stereotypes true? Yes, to an extent, and that's what makes each destination so interesting.
Even in the States I enjoy the way people talk and go about their lives in a different manner than in my neck of the woods. Yes, I have come across the textbook stereotypes and if you come to WV you will see some of exactly what you might expect.
Edit: Norma, never stop being you.
Had the stereotypical rude treatment in a cheese farm just outside of Munster the other day. The place advertised tastings. We go in, ask if they speak English (in French, of course), and are met with a chilly "non." OK, does she speak German? Non. Ok, we try to muddle through in French, pointing to the poster advertising tastings, pointing to the cheese, making the universal gesture for a little taste, only to get the blank stare. Another customer came in and we left, and went and spent 30 on cheese on the next farm up the road, where they only spoke a little German but were happy to let us taste and buy.
To be fair, the amount of really rude experiences I've had in France can be counted on one finger and I've been all over the country many times, but sometimes you just have to roll your eyes and move on!
I did step in dog poop in Paris. More than once. But not recently. The city uses very efficient mechanical street sweepers and vacuums on the sidewalks now. On my last visit, a month ago, I thought that the dog population had declined significantly. Maybe their old owners are gone too. On the other hand, it's far easier to get stepped on by self-absorbed selfie photographers and smart-phone kamikazes. Just like everywhere else I know.
