Just thought you might want to know

Kindness adds to the world like a pebble rippling a pool. You never know who it will touch. My husband to this day hands over a little cash to clearly "starving students" touring Europe. 40 years ago he didn't have enough money for a toll road (and his Vespa scooter wasn't allowed to use the tunnel bypass). We're talking pocket change here. A kindly older gentleman saw his problem, paid his toll and handed him part of his lunch. My husband always says to anyone he gives a bit of cash to "remember to repay me by helping someone else when you can".

Glad to read your post.

As I have stated many times on this board, my daughter and I went to Europe summer of 2005 for 8 weeks - 8 countries.

We made a point of asking people what they thought of "American".....not one said they did not like American...nor did they have any negative comments to make. Instead, they had good thinks to say about Americans.

We had Germans thankful that the Allies got rid of Hitler. People in France were so grateful for what the Allies did during WW2.

Before going to Europe, I believed they hated Americans from what I read. This is not the case. The REAL Germans, France, Dutch, Belgiums, Swiss, Austrians and Czech like Americans.

We have our faults just like any other people.

"Proud to be an American".

As has been said many times, it is never the PEOPLE that hate or dislike, it is the GOVERNMENTS. Our administrations often do appallingly short-sighted and insulting things in the eyes of other governments. Most people in other countries dont really care about Americans, as they have their own lives to live and their own stupid politicians!

Susan, when you do call them in Munich, don't be surprised to be treated like a visiting King & Queen. They'll not only escort you around their city, they'll probably invite you over for dinner and vino. Germans are very gracious hosts and they will go out of their way to please you. Sounds like they spoke good English. Have a great time making memories!

As some of you know, I used to be a tour director. Part of that time was taking foreigners on tours of the U.S.

The one feedback I constantly heard was how friendly American's were--more than they had expected.

So much of what people around the world see of us are news stories of our government and our exported TV shows.

It's not until they get here that they see what real Americans are like. Time and time again I heard "this is not what I expected."

They were shocked that:

1) All Americans don't carry guns
2) There aren't shoot outs in the street every day.
3) Not all women look like the women in Baywatch.
4) Americans don't only eat fast food.
5) Crime isn't rampant and they aren't going to get mugged everywhere.
6) many items they wanted to buy were much cheaper here
7) Everything is so big.
8) Americans were so hospitable--more than they would find in their own countries.
9) And believe it or not--that in some restaurants you could get more coffee for free.

I take advantage of that American reputation for chattiness when in Europe. It works better there than here, for some reason. When it seems appropriate, I just start talking to the person next to me on the train or at the B&B, etc. Some people let it be known that they aren't interested, but most seem willing or eager for a conversation. I made a fantastic discovery in England last year when I was on a train with a lot of rugby fans. I asked the man sitting next to me if he was a rugby fan and the conversation about sports took off from there. I talked some about American sports and he told me about his sports interests. The rest of that trip, I talked sports with the men I met. On another train trip I talked with a woman about her experiences in England during WWII.

I almost hate to sound all "rah, rah, rah!" for Rick Steves, but really, what attracted me when I first read "Europe Through the Back Door" was this very concept. If you take the time to venture off the "tourist" path, travel lighter, stay in smaller local places, and most importantly, take your time to TALK to locals and fellow travellers...good things happen. As Americans, I think we have a cultural trait that actually helps us in travels..that being we have few taboos about approaching, questioning, and talking to complete strangers. Really, few cultures (Think about it) will do this, even though the outcome is almost always positive. Glad to hear these stories.

Frank's post touches on the fact that a lot of how people preceive the US is based on the movies and television shows we export. My favorite converation was with a young person (female) who was planning a trip to California. When she heard I was from Seattle, she asked me if she came up to Seattle, could she see the "Frasier" television show being taped. I laughed and told her that I didn't know if they let the public watch their tapings, but if the did, she would have to be in California to watch it. That was an amazing concept to her. The show was "set" in Seattle, but wasn't actually taped there. She was even more amazed when I told here that if she did come to Seattle, she could drive 1 1/2 hours and see the town where they taped "Northern Exposure" a show that "took place" in Alaska. Ahh, the magic of television.
As a post script, I have found that most European do think Americans are very friendly and smile a lot. Because of that, I have found people will approach us and strike up a conversation as soon as they know we are Americans. They enjoy talking to us as much as we enjoy talking to them and they just assume that we will be approachable.

Remember the couple we read about in the news earlier this year, the one that had been druged by a "nice" Italian offering him a coffee? He fell into the train track and was killed. I can see how easy it is to be trusting, because I think it is cool to talk with locals and I may buy someone else a coffee or accept one from someone else. So, I guess you have to be aware, and careful, but still try to be friendly and enjoy the experience of locals.