10 Most ANNOYING Habits of American Tourists in Europe
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2024
- Ever wonder why Europeans roll their eyes at some tourists? Well here are some of the ways that American tourist sometimes are the reason why those eyes are rolling.
Are you heading to Europe and want to be a good tourist? Well it is good to know the things that annoy the locals when you travel. Here we have some of the most annoying things for Europeans that tourists do when they visit Europe.
Filmed in Europe
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I'm in Germany now....one thing I've learned real quick is stay out of the bike lane next to the sidewalk.
At least the ding a bell compared to in the U.S. where they yell "on your LEFT!!!"
@@JustinCase780what’s wrong with that
I learned that lesson on my first day in Germany, in Frankfurt, when I was walking with a large group of people and a dude on a bicycle screeched to a halt and yelled at me. I thought he was going to pass out!
I had a local point out we were walking in a cycle lane, on an eight lane road that was closed to vehicles during a cycling event. The cycle lane had portakabins and other stuff blocking it in various places as well, so clearly wasn’t intended to be in use that day. 😂
Do you yell from out off your carwindow as well? @@M_SC
I have experienced annoying tourists from all countries. Chinese tour groups are the worst.
I find them pretty bad in Austria. I don't know whether it's the quaintness or fairytale vibe, but they seem to lose all social niceties and will push past you to get a better picture or stand right in front of you taking a photo to take their photos. It seemed worse in Austria-Salzburg especially.
@@MsTimelady71as someone who visited China 4 times, they don't lose it. It's normal behaviour in China. I think it's because they're so many people, they always have to fight for everything.
They're bad but better than Weathy Russians in Egypt/Turkey or the British in Spain.
The worst part is that they always move in a massive herd of 100+ people, quacking away like ducks and taking photos of quite literally everything, even the most mundane objects. I don't like their lack of manners, being loud, spitting and littering like they were at home.
@@BalloonInTheBalloon Try to go to East Asia/Thailand
Americans bringing up how they "saved your @ss in World War 2" is beyond rude. Most European countries suffered infinitely more than the US, and hearing some American claiming credit for something his grandparents might have done 80 years ago is just boorish.
American has never won a war. WW11, they arrived 5 minutes before the war ended. Oh, they did win the civil war.
Also, the Soviets had a death toll 17 times higher than them. So it's one sided dumbness as well.
Yea, and that wasn't free. The UK had to pay for it, giving the us nearly all their airbases around the world and they also paid for it financially. The US doesn't do anything for free.
True though.
So true
American living in Italy here. Americans do lots of annoying things as tourists, but if you get to know the locals you'll discover there are a few countries with even worse reputations. Americans are seen as clueless, but a couple of other countries are seen as condescending, treating the locals as if they're servants, and that's a much bigger sin.
being loud in restaurants, on a speaker phone or playing loud videos on your phone are rude no matter what country you are in! Be considerate of others around you no matter what country you are in!
As a Canadian, I approve this message. 🇨🇦
Except in China
“No one wants to hear about your constipation problem in Portugal!” 😂
Guilty of the speaker phone
Holding my phone up to my ear is unnatural for me
No indeed LMAO!
No one anywhere 😭
The real question is: if constipation is my problem is Portugal the first or last place I’d want to be?
@@bordaz1 It is even dangerous! With a Portugese diet, you will become an😊 explosion hazard!
I’m American and most of these annoy me about Americans in America.
Why I moved to Europe years ago 😂😂
Me too. That is why I avoid cruises! I don’t wish to be trapped on a boat with the people whom I see back home!
Exactly. People around the world get annoyed by American tourists, try living where they're all from.
Yes times a million. It’s not “Americans”, it’s a type of tourist. Travel around the U.S. to tourist hotspots and you’ll find all of these traits from Americans and non-Americans. Some people just don’t get it, some people do. The sweeping generalizations and stereotypes are good for limiting how hard your brain has to work. All cultures have annoying traits.
Facts!
Last summer, I went to Ireland and Northern Ireland. I was invited to drink with the locals in both Belfast and Dublin, and had the greatest time. I did follow all the rules of being a good tourist, and it paid off with one of the most memorable vacations ever.
Another one is this: Not only assuming the local (restaurant, hotel staff, etc.) speaks English, but that the local will understand “American English”, at a fast pace, and which is loaded with colloquialisms, inflections , small talk, and other aspects that only a native speaker can possibly keep up with.
Yes!!!!!
The nationality who I find get really annoyed if you can't speak English is Danes.
@@bugsygooAbsolutely, it’s at least as anglophone as South Africa, Australia and America 😂.
The Brits are sometimes very guilty of that.
This.
Americans and brits needs to slow down and ”dumb” down their language abroad. Especially when it comes to slang.
I remember being in the south of France and some Americans where complaining that the TV programs where in French
That's wild
😂That's funny, they had to be joking.
😅😅😂😂 I believe you happens all of the time in my country.
I live on a Greek island and we have tourists from all over the world. We see American tourists as very nice here. They usually try to be respectful and even if they can be loud and say terribly dumb things, they usually spread a positive vibe and don't do it on purpose.
Just come to Greece and enjoy our beautiful country and culture, please. We'll be happy to have you and share with you ❤
I love Greece. I've never have had a bad experience in Greece. I can't wait to get back there. :)
You are very nice. 👍
Thank you. I want to go.
I enjoyed Greece, the people & the culture enormously! I’d love to return.
Greece is the friendliest country I’ve visited. Such warm, generous people. We were regularly invited into people’s homes, fed, offered rides.
Loud people bug the daylights out of me. So rude! It seems every time I'm on a tour with Americans, one is bashing where we are, the people, ... everything. Just stay home! Assuming you can pay with dollars bugs me.
The time, Americans carrying cash is gone I think. Assuming to be able to pay with card is the new thing.
In a restaurant or on any public transportation, don’t play anything on your phone out loud. This goes for tourists and for people in any city everywhere. You’re not the center of the universe; don’t act as if you’re alone when you’re in a crowd.
I visit the local library and you would be surprised at the ppl who lay their phones on speaker in the library!
Also, at my job, coworkers play phone audio on speaker too in shared staff spaces or play audio on the computer (news reports, audio from RUclips or from other social media!).
I have earbuds with me everywhere I go so ppl do not have to hear my audio. The other day I was eating lunch in break room and a coworker was watching RUclips on phone speaker. I wanted to turn off my earbuds and crank up LED Zeppelin’s Black Dog or Immigrant Song! 🎶
@@beigenegress2979 It drives me crazy. Adults behaving like children whose Mama needs to tell them how to behave.
@@StamfordBridge Exactly! Trust, I have Led Zeppelin “on deck.” Just not prepared to have coworkers mad at me for blowing their 🧠 out with some choice, loud Led Zep!
Merci ❤
one exception to the "talk the local language": when you're at a SUPER busy tourist attraction/restaurant, don't try to communicate with the few phrases you just googled. reason 1: they speak the international tourism language english better than you the local language reason 2: they don't always have time to appreciate your effort, they just want to work/communicate efficiently
The problem Mark, is any inconsiderate rude jerk is never going to watch a video about this anyway
As you say, disrespecting monuments is a universal behaviour. When I was in New York recently, I again saw tourists posing by the Ground Zero pools, to be honest more than what I witnessed 5 years previously. I’m not saying everyone needs to stop when they walk past a war memorial. Thankfully we live in free societies, but at places like Ground Zero or concentration camps or similar sites, some people need to take a good hard look at themselves.
yes or as I see here in Copenhagen people placing stickers from their country and carving out their name on old churches like "I was there" a few years ago we had a church spire restored and cleaned it's from 1680 and have a spire with an outside staircase on it , I guess people think they achieved something when they climbed the staircase so they find it ok to destroy our historical building and leaving it to the Danish taxpayers to pay for it getting restored again
@@veronicajensen7690People seriously do that? Sadly, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I am
A few days ago a bunch of "protesters" vandalized Stonehenge by spraying orange paint on it. This was meant to be some profound protest against fossil fuels (what do they think paint is made from?).
In Canada, respect the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's not to be sat on, featured in silly poses, and not to be danced on (someone is actually buried there).
I hate it when people write on walls or monuments, or carving it out even worst
Something that will make us groan in Ireland is being asked what we do for a living almost as soon as conversation is opened. This is generally not something that we would ask until we know someone better and even then rarely in a social setting. We just don’t consider it that important and enjoy socialising with people of varied backgrounds without any kind of judgement.
Us Australians do that and I hate it! It's like we need to ascertain someone's social standing to see how long we should engage with them.
Good insight. And obviously we’re just trying to be polite in the best way most of us know how. But having socialized like that for most of my life it’s got pretty tiresome. But I don’t think Irish folk are quite ready for my teacher-style icebreakers either; how do strangers in Ireland chit chat?
As my Greek family says...Americans live to work. We do need to be more conscious about that. Thanks for commenting!
as for Americans, we tend to define ourselves by what we do or did if retired... finding out what you do allows for a line of inquiry and conversation... and sadly we won't have much else in our lives to discuss that won't offend people.. religion, politics, etc.
@@bugsygoo It can definitely have that feel to it alright, especially when being asked straight off the bat. I do understand that it is generally just curiosity with tourists though. I’m from Dublin but live in a pretty rural part of the west of Ireland. We get a huge amount of tourists here. Outside of tourism and related businesses I suppose it’s quite hard to understand how people make their living here without having your feet on the ground for a while. Basically most of us will travel to the cities.
1:15 the young chap is cutting his spaghetti. A crime in Italy! He is facing a lifetime ban
🇮🇹Sacrilege! 🤦♂️😂😂😂
Take it easy Pipo. It's just food
It´s not that strict in Italy. May be 50 years ago it was stricter, but today you also can take a spoon and a knife, if you want.
🤌
@@flukos79That statement alone might get you deported from Italy.... "It's just food"... Blasphemy!
“New York City is cool. Orlando is…Orlando.” 🤣
New York is the most noisy city, terrible
I always find "excuse me, do you speak english" is great. Usually people respond with "I speak a little" and then proceed to speak better English than me (I'm irish)
I just came back from Amsterdam. If you try to take a selfie while standing in the bicycle lane, you're taking your life in your hands!
It's also the quickest way to increase your Dutch vocabulary.
Well, sure, I mean, it's the same as a street. You shouldn't just stop your car in the streets and take pictures...
Well, there is a reason it's called "bicycle lane"
In Nordic countries, being loud is especially frowned upon. People think we are introverted, and while that might be true, it is mostly about respecting other people's comfort. It's similar to East Asia, especially Japan, where being loud in public spaces is considered very disrespectful to others. Additionally, small talk and excessive compliments can be annoying. We are usually friendly and appreciate genuine compliments, but spending the whole day with an American who non-stop engages in superficial chit-chat and constantly says "wow, that's so awesome" or "wow, that's so great, wow this is the most amazing place I ever seen in my whole life" can be frustrating because we know it's insincere. To us, this behavior is kind of annoying, just as being mostly silent and not engaging in small talk is considered weird and annoying by many Americans.
Accurate! I am in the U.S. and "wow that's so great" isn't necessarily insincere, we just have an enthusiatic attitude :)
@@suem.1392 The problem with this enthusiastic attitude is that you're enthusiastic about different things every second minute.🤣
Are you from Sweden?
Excessive compliments? From Americans? We’re overworked and hate each other.
It’s probably not insincere though. For you it’s a Thursday but for them it’s a once or twice in a lifetime trip to a foreign exotic land.
As a German I wanna say, I love Americans and never had bad experiences with them and I never find them annoying, even if they are loud. 😂
1945
Troll.
As a Greek-American growing up in NY, NJ, and now living in OH, I learned some of the Greek language from speaking with my Yiayia (grandmother) and father. Also, back in the 70's, we used to fly to Greece when I was a kid, then teen (does anyone remember Olympic Airways Boeing 707's), so I learned basic Greek while spending summers there as well. Fast forward to recently, where I took my teenager to Greece the past 2 summers, in order for her to see where her roots are from. I had not been to Greece since the early 80's before that, and both my Yiayia and dad had passed many years ago. Although my Greek was even more basic and 'broken' now, and my Greek accent probably horrendous, the locals were SO gracious and appreciative when I tried speaking it! Especially when I told them that we were there to show my daughter where her great grandparents were from! I was treated like royalty! Even the employee at the local cell phone company gave my daughter a greatly reduced rate for a month of unlimited voice, text, and data service! One cab driver in Athens didn't want any money, and gave us a free tour as well! And we got lots of extra food and desserts we never ordered 'on the house'! I didn't purposely 'play up' my Greek heritage, but was/am genuinely proud of it, and trying so hard to speak Greek, and recall the more challenging words, made the locals appreciate us more! The hospitality I received was beautiful!
To be honest i'd call you an American, if you are already born in the US your children/grand children would 100 percent be American.
I'm Dutch, my wife Nepali and our children because growing up in the Netherlands, are Dutch. not Nepali-Dutch as my wife is now she has done the integration course but my children (culturally) are Dutch. It seems odd to me to call yourself ...-American, my grandmother is a German, but i do not call my self Germano-Dutch. (even though i do speak German and still have relatives living there and i travel there frequently).
Also wherever i travel i learn the language, it's polite first and a lot of times the menu prices do differ.
@@Tripserpentine I disagree. It's not odd at all. My long line of ancestors come from Hellas (Greece), and even my Ancestry DNA type tests (I took 3) indicated a 99% Greek ethnicity. The United States is not even 250 years old, whereas Greece and Hellenism date back several thousand years, at least. Millions of people hyphenate their ethnicities to point out either their ancestry line, and/or their current country of residence. They can be proud residents of both. Just like you can have 2 children and love them both equally.
@@AudiophileTubes what's the obsession with ethnicity and DNA tests? The last time people where that into ethnicity over here we lost our Jews and Gypsies.
That is also partially why the Dutch (and many other European countries) only wave their flag when there is football (round ball) going on.
Also Greece is not even a hundred years old, in Hellenic time the city states where in a constant state of war with each other and only united when an outside invader came in (Persians/Romans). after that wen''t back to the division of old. (same goes for Germany, Italy, France all these nations are no more then 150 years united,
the US is older then Germany, Italy and Greece.
The Greeks i know talk about their town or Island not about the entire country.
Same for me Yes i am Dutch but i am not from Holland, neither am i Hollander I am a Tukker, which is a regional culture. That is how Europeans see themselves. We are from regions, towns and localities. nationalism is something from the late 19th and early 20th century. My local dialect ( the language i speak to with my parents) cannot be understood by the people on the other side of my country. which is just 200 Kilometers. ( 3 hours drive max).
Same goes for Greece, Cypriots speak different then Athenians, Mykonians and people from Lesbos all speak in different dialects.
@@AudiophileTubes so yeah lawfully i am Dutch, but culturally I am Twents.
So yeah i find it odd, sorry.
Greetings from the Netherlands,
Groetjes van uit Nederland (Dutch)
Groetn oet Tweant. (Twents, greetings from Twente).
Tbh from european perspective you are not considered "greek-american" but "american with greek ancestors".
Being greek is not only about greek antic history. Greece contemporary culture is currently existing and alive, can you understand greek's inside jokes about greek politicians ? About greek popstar ? What's the reputation of athenian peoples in Greece ? Or Thessalonian people ?
Can you tell instantly in wich year the greek football team wins the euro ? Where were you during the euro crisis who strike deeply the greek economy ?
You probably have some ideas very, very uncommon in Greece but completely banale in USA. Like "healthcare is communism", "gun should be legal", "poor peoples are lazy", "public transportation are useless because I like to use my car", "the metric system is bad", etc.
You can be proud of your greek heritage, but you should go in Greece and works there for one or two years, you will realise how different the actual greek mentality is from the american one, living in Greece is absolutely not like travelling in Greece.
Thanks Wolt, this is so important!
One of the anecdotes I always tell people is about JFK on Air Force One travelling to Berlin (I think this was on the same visit when he famously announced 'Ich bin ein Berliner' during the Cold War).
JFK was on Air Force One and looking in the mirror, taking so much time to get his hair perfect. At one point an aide said asked him why he was bothering with his hair so much, to which Kennedy replied: 'It's not me getting off the plane, it's the United States of America getting off that plane.'
I tell this anecdote in so many settings and in so many situations. When we're abroad we're ambassadors for our nation or group of people. It's important to remember that and to be the best of ourselves, to be aware of everything from where we stand in the street to the things we say.
Beautifully said!
Bravo!
ein Berliner is a jam doughnut 🤣
@@michaeldianewynne8414 I see from the app, this isn't the only place you've opened your mouth without knowing what you're talking about.
@@michaeldianewynne8414 There are worse things to be.
Worst thing I ever saw from tourists-not just Americans- was a group selfie picture with big smiles in the gas chamber at Dachau. Like WTF??
Indeed. Not just Americans, but where inappropriate behaviour is concerned it is mostly Americans. I saw a large group of them climbing up and posing for photos on the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Someone told them what it was thinking they might not know and one American swore at him.
When I was at Terezine a few years ago there was a girl taking selfies in the "bathroom" mirrors. It was just gross.
Talk about ignorant-wow.😩
I visited Dachau last month. There was a high school field trip with the students laughing and horsing around in the crematorium. I was speechless.
No way!!
Excellent video! I lived in Germany for 18 years. One thing I thought is important, when speaking English to locals, enunciate clearly, drop slang and metaphors.
As a local in Norway one thing that annoys me is people making stone pyramids in our national parks. It’s unsightly. It makes damage to archeological sites. It damages nature. And it’s illegal. Why do tourists have to make lasting impressions at the places they visit?
I’ve NEVER understood speakerphone in public. Like what?? 😂
It's obnoxious
Recently we were in a fairly empty phone shop, and yet it was hard to hear on the phone. Because we weren’t annoying anyone I put hubby’s phone on speaker. It was low enough he could put it to his ear but loud enough the guy helping him could help answer the questions that had buzz words they use in it. Solved his hearing problem because of the background noise, and helped too!
@@redhatbear1135 you should consider headphones. I only pull mine out when I run into the problem you described.
@@JW-mb6tq No need for me to use headphones, unless you mean noise cancelling. Aboard a plane they give me headphones because the noise levels are too high for hearing aids to work.
As for hearing in the phone shop headphones would have made it worse to hear the associates explanation there.
@@redhatbear1135 Ah I get you now. My hearing loss is terrible in loud environments. I have found that with a really good set of earbuds I can make calls great. As far as the rest of the time, I don’t wear my hearing aids. I just pretend I am, listening 🤭
These tips are less how not to be an annoying traveler but really how to be a less annoying person.
When I was riding the train in Munich, the only people talking were two Americans. They were like two cars away but I could hear them.
Mark in Central America when dining at a sit down restaurant, a few adult individuals will talk on phone with no airbuds and often use their phone speaker. Often they will play cartoons for their children during the meal, again with no headphones.
"Orlando is Orlando" 🙂
I cracked up when he said that 😂
Me too! 😂
Florida man lives there....
TBH, in the last few years I’ve noticed that American tourists are angels compared to the Chinese tour groups….
They’re just new at it, the kind of wealth required to travel abroad is unachievable to most, and those that are able to probably couldn’t until recently. I have small children who travel a lot but still chafe at uncomfortable and different. Hopefully we can all grow wiser over time.
Totally agree.
@kilgore_trout_37 clearly you haven't spent too much time in China. 😀 ,it's not that they are new at it. Spend some time learning Chinese culture...you will be shocked. Just Google Chinese toilets and Chinese Defecate on the street. China is ugh different
Ever see Chinese tourists at a buffet? Hell on earth lmao. Though I get it, that's how they do things back home since everything is just so crowded and there's not enough for everybody. Still bothersome to run into tho.
One other thing that annoys me (and I think most other Europeans): treating shop clerks, waiters/waitresses, bus drivers, nurses and other service personnel as if they were servants/slaves. We do not have wage slaves in Europe, and a manager can and will NOT fire his employees if they do not obey every of your bizarre whims. And don't even think of insulting them - personal insults are the point when I personally quit talking to customers and simply walk away to satisfy the needs of a more deserving customer.
No one gets fired in the US either, just because a rude customer demands it.
I am Peruvian and my spouse is American, due to his job we had been in different countries around, and I must say un polite people doesn’t have a specific nationality because you find them all around. However, many times in some countries waiter’s and waitresses take care better of Americans in comparison to Europeans, because in general they get more consideration and rewards (TIPS) from them for a good service, in comparison with others.
BTW in American people doesn’t get fired because a customer demand it either, here they also have rights.
I worked in a luxury airport lounge. Foreign people sometimes looked down their nose at me. Not saying that was always the case but sometimes they did. Is there the idea that we work for slave wages and we should kiss 🍑 because I am not that person.
I think wage slave is the wrong term. That suggest their wages are very low and working conditions are poor and they have no choice.
@@Botoburst Well….
The biggest mistake American tourists in Europe make is listening to their music at full blast through their SPEAKERS. WEAR HEADPHONES! I'm an American, and I HATE that. It drives me crazy EVERY TIME.
I commuted to work for 20 yrs on light rail & this was one of the few (but pervasive) irritations.
@@chrisytblair Why am I not surprised?
the biggest mistake many American tourist do in my opinion is eating burgers while in Europe instead of trying the local food, I do however think it's certain age groups, I see most of the more adult people trying more local food
@@veronicajensen7690 If I try local food and find out I'm allergic, I'm sticking to burgers to be on the safe side the remainder of the trip. I'm not taking any chances.
@@ColtonRMagby You are allergic to anything but burgers? Try Mettbrötchen, just pure meat anda bun.
I live in Ireland and travel quite a bit. I love your videos. One thing you left off this list is queue jumping. Standing patiently in line to be pushed past by late arrivals who feel they must be “up front”. You can see this with non European tourists who are not used to queuing in their own country. It has happened to me quite a few times. The most memorable was when two American ladies did this to my husband and I in Mykonos where we had been standing in line for 15 minutes (in very hot sun) waiting on a tender back to our cruise. When we pointed out politely there was a line and people had been standing for a while, they said “so” ! and stayed firmly at the front!
Our women can be like that sometimes. Especially if they are physically attractive. They think rules don’t apply to them. It’s like that here too with a lot of things
I’ve travelled europe a lot and I honestly think americans get an undeserved bad reputation as being ”annyoing tourists”. Most americans I have meet have been very pleasant and not rude at all. Ofc there are exceptions but I think there is a stereotype of americans that is really unfair. I think that stereotype will die out with time
I'm in Amsterdam right now and hate when Im walking and people just stop in front of me or bump into me or go super slow in the middle of the sidewalk and don't let you around them. Super annoying
I agree!
Agree. You have to just push through the groups.
just git!
Alright, so about the European background thing. I think I can speak for most Europeans here. We don't have a problem with you being proud of your Irish heritage, or your Spanish heritage or whatever. You can call yourself Irish American all you want. We don't want to take that pride away from you. What we do have a problem with are people who are trying to make being Irish American the same thing as being Irish from Ireland. Like mentioned in the video. You don't know how it is to live through the Greek economic crisis for example. We have a problem with people who try to ignore the fact that they are Greek American, Irish American,... And connect it with the "motherland" as if their whole family's lifestory in the USA never existed. It comes off as super disrespectful. To us, you're American. Sure, Irish American, and you can be proud of that. But don't act like being Irish American is the same as being from Ireland itself. Because it isn't. We will welcome you with open arms if you say that you're from the USA, and have Irish, French, Spanish,... heritage and that you came to the country of your forefathers to I don't know, reconnect and learn. We respect that, and we understand. But coming here and acting like you know it all is what makes us mad. If you're proud of your heritage and you genuinely show interest to learn more about your family history, that's good.
greek IS VERY DIFFICULT.
Dear boiling, it's none of your business how Americans view themselves. There are over 350, 000 million people living in the USA. This is how they communicate a part of their background with other Americans! It's none of your concern. It doesn't have anything to do with modern "European" politics.😊
@kathygreen3171 350 million, you are telling me wrong. Lol
O.k. Norbert over 341 million. Those are the people that are officially here. There are actually many more!!@@norbertkuhn4072
Or as my Wife says, just be a decent human.
Not just Americans for this one, but "selfie entitlement" is one of my biggest pet peeves. Had some guy and his photographer trying to block off a football-field-sized area in front of The Prado in Madrid so he could take a picture of himself. I try and make allowances for people to get pictures, within reason, but I had no patience to sit and wait for these kinds of entitled people. Walked on my way right through his "shot" to where I was originally heading. SMDH.
Yes! This is a daily thing for me where I live. If I didn’t walk right through the shot…well I couldn’t even walk there. Goes to the point that there are people “living” here and time doesn’t stop because someone else is on vacation. Also, please don’t ask someone that’s by themselves to take a picture of you/your group. Really. May seem like no big deal, but it is. If someone offers, great. There’s lots of people who would love to be interrupted everyday to take a picture of someone else. Others are going through their own life and maybe just need a moment in the same beautiful place you are visiting.
Here in NYC you see tourists do that too often; trying to block an entire sidewalk to take a photo.
While also we Europeans use English as lingua franca when we travel in Europe, native speakers of whatever variation of English often seem to over-estimate the level of proficiency of people working in restaurants, hotels, etc. once they notice that the other person speaks "some" English.
Plain, basic English vocabulary and grammar, which may even sound a bit rude to your own ears, can often be helpful. For example: Most people who know a bit of English know that "rich" means that you have a lot of money. But in combination with food, e.g. a "rich" dessert, it usually makes no sense at all to your waitstaff.
Locals usually have quite brief interactions with waitstaff (unless, of course, at the "regular bar" or similar): Hola, tortilla con jamón y una copa, por favor. That's it. No stuff like "I'd love to have a slice of that wonderful tortilla and I'm dying for some ice-cold beer". You can leave out the emotional tsunami. Possible exception could be Ireland. But you won't have that much of a language barrier there, hopefully. For non-fluent non-native speakers of English it just adds unnecessary stress to the situation and also the possibility that they won't get your order right if it's drowned in a sea of chatter.
And another thing: Some people seem to get off on hyper-customizing their food orders. While it's not uncommon to ask to swap one side dish for another, regarding the whole menu as a box of Lego bricks that you can mix and match at your own discretion, usually won't work well.
During my vacation in paris, I have learned an extremely helpful lesson: Approaching locals in their native tongue opens gates and doors. That's why, before I go on my trips to foreign countries, I learn the basic phrases like hello/thanks/bye/do you speak english etc. in the language of the country I'm about to visit. They will react different if you just assume they know english and talk away.
I live in Europe. I'm from the States. My best friend is from Ireland. He used to run a bookstore for the American military. He is a typical Irishman, one that has a sharp sarcastic wit. When customers would find out he was from Ireland, they would often say something like 'oh, I'm Irish'. His response was always 'oh yeah, where in Ireland were you born?', knowing they weren't from Ireland at all. They always would say something like 'oh no, I was born in Dayton, Ohio', or something like that. His response was always the same..... 'you're not truly Irish then, are you?'
as a Scandinavian I just learned a new thing "Wisconsin Scandinavian", I had no idea there was such a thing
I mean, that seems pretty rude itself. I live in Scotland, so I can understand why it annoys people that Americans think their ancestry from 100+ years ago has any relevance, but it doesn't cost anything to just say "Oh, that's nice," and move on.
Irish DNA is Irish DNA.
Surprising question I’ve been asked is “what made you come here on holiday?” It always make people happy to hear that I think their country is beautiful. I have been to many places, where people will not pick as a destination.
Seems like an odd way to put it. I'd tell them that nobody/nothing made me come here. I chose to come here (and then list reasons).
I love this!!! The more time you spend in other countries the more you start to see when some tourist are annoying locals.
Thank you for not just singling out Americans. Of course there are rude Americans, but I have personally witnessed a lot of rude behavior by people from all over the world!
I live in Bermuda and also Texas. The thing that strikes me when I travel to the USA is how loud restaurants are how many parents allow their children to run around and scream in restaurants.
Plus having several loud t v's blaring on the wall .
Its common sense to respect the local culture of the country people are visiting.
The respect thing goes both ways. When I went to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii to respect my uncle who lived through the Pearl Harbor attack there was a group of Swedish people who were laughing and acting inappropriately. I had to remind them that they were not at Disneyland.
u were right.
I’ve never been, but I’ve actually heard this before. I guess a lot of foreign tourists are not respectful at this particular memorial.
I've always found it hilarious when "Irish-Americans" and/or "Italian-Americans" romantically think of themselves as being Irish or Italian --- until they visit Ireland or Italy and find that they're actually AMERICAN, and not Irish or Italian at all.
So true. Fortunately, as an American Italian I do speak the language, and can pass a bit better, However if asked , I state than I am American with Italian origins.
The "best" will still be convinced they're Irish or Italian or whathaveyou… and that they're even more Irish than the people living Ireland (or Italy, or…)
Yes I’m a fellow American and I am confused by this attitude as well. I understand it if maybe your grandparents came from Europe and maybe you still speak/read the language. But I think it’s rather insulting when your ancestors came over 100-200+ years ago and you don’t speak or read the language at all, and the only thing you have from your ancestors is the same religion….if that…
@@EJ1443 TRUTH!
I think that they prolly already know and are well counsojs about that expectiallh now that you have all this Internet sheet… the worst are the ones that claim to be something they aren’t…. Imagine the sadness
Anti-Americanism can come out of the blue. In Southampton, England, I was chatting with a university professor and his wife and admiring their garden, when the wife blurted out that I was so unlike most Americans. Just hearing American laughter on a public bus, she said, made her nauseated. It's hard to know how to respond to something like that. I just ignored it and went on. The best policy, I've found, is to behave as if you are an ambassador for your country: be polite, be complimentary, respect the culture, avoid controversy.
Its not anti American , its just how we talk . It shows she was comfortable around you.
How's American laughter?😅 I just visited Seattle and Anaheim? Seemed normal😊
Thanks for all you have covered in this video. Always helpful.
You will 100% get treated better in Paris if you speak polite French. Just Thank you, Please, hello, goodbye goes a long way.
There needs to be a video of annoying things Europeans do when traveling the U.S. it works both ways... I can think of at least 15.
I live in a seaside town in the UK. We don't get many foreign tourists, but almost all of the habits you mentioned I see every summer from Brits. The worst are the complaints that things aren't the same as where they come from. The ones that do that also tend to be abusive and condesending to locals, barstaff, servers and anyone else they feel isn't givign them the five-star treatment. You kinda wonder why they didn't just go to Butlins?
Totally agree with you, spot on. Thanks.
Hey Mark, great video
Is not only in Europe but in the US too. I live in the Wash DC area and the behavioral traits you point out are in full manifest by out of town visitors in the nation’s capital.
I will say talking local city tours is probably the best. All my tour guides have been locals and understand the frustration of a group crowding the sidewalks.
Excellent instruction guide!
I don't think people are complaining so much as it's people are simply pointing out the differences. I notice I do that a lot. But I can see how it can be interpreted as "complaining".
I’m American and these reasons are part of why I prefer traveling abroad over traveling in the US.
I like staying inside.
yes, junk food is one of America's most successful exports, with all the bad stuff that goes with it
This Channel should be required reading on every university international relations course. For a travel channel its informative, balanced and realistic!
Excellent video. Thank you!
To be fair, the 'everyone speaks lots of languages is BS' sort of fades away when the Netherlands enters the chat. They generally do speak English, French, German and more.
No not really lol. They primarily speak English and Dutch. A minority speak German and French and even then its typically not to fluency.
I was at the Brussels Midi train station and the information desk clerk, spoke German, French, English, Flemish and Dutch, without missing a beat. And he was only in his twenties.
Well Brussels is officially a bilingual city, so you'd expect people working on such a job to speak both of the official languages and you'd also expect them to speak English. And we're talking about someone who's working on tourism here, it's not like all the belgians speak five languages fluently.
Not really. The Dutch speak outstandingly good English but any other languages they speak will not be at that level usually. Not even German. I am English and speak Spanish as I studied it at university and have lived there. I have met a few Dutch people in Spain speaking Spanish. None of them have spoken Spanish as well as me. They are very confident and willing to just speak but not very accurate. Their best foreign language is always English which they learn and hear on the TV and internet since childhood. Their other foreign languages they speak as well or badly as anyone.
@@MsTimelady71 That is very impressive. I'm not denying it. But Flemish and Dutch are not different languages. That's a bit like saying he spoke English and American.
Every single trip I've taken outside the US someone (at least once) brings up our politics. All I can think is "Dude, I'm on vacation! shhhh." My favorite though was in 1998 Rome. These two old fellows couldn't figure out what the big deal was that our President had a mistress. It was a "who cares" for them. Viva Italia!
That's because most of their politicians have been corrupt and had mistresses. Not scandalous for them anymore. The Italian way.
Good man Wolter, no messing about, straight into it.
Many thanks for another great video! just saw a short scene from Vilnius in it too - best wishes from Lithuania!!
It's so true that if you make an effort to speak the language, they really appreciate it. I'm actually going to be staying with someone in Rome next month who doesn't speak a word of English. I really hope to learn more Italian from them
Whereever you go you have to learn six words in the local language. Basic courtesy, and you will get along. these are: Hello - Goodbye - Yes - No - Thank You and Beer. That should be manageable.
Don't forget the essential survival phrase: "Where is the bathroom?" 😂
@@labtechsuperstar Brilliant
You forgot wine
@@pburke5274 yes. That’s very true.
I learned a lot from this video! Thanks!
Last time I encountered US tourists it was in a silence area in a train. They were VERY loud. I politely pointed out to them that maybe they were not aware they are in a silent area where talking is not allowed. Their response was something like, so what and who are you to talk to us. They then proceeded to talk even louder and started filming me. Sigh. Fortunately not all Americans are the same.
I’m glad you mentioned the Italians and Spaniards in the same sentence as Americans regarding loudness. I’m from London and I find them to be worse sometimes because they travel in groups, so their loudness is amplified. Main culprits are school groups (who also travel with teachers with no spatial awareness) and multiple couples that travel together. I find them loudest on public transport.
If you've ever dined in a crowded tapas bar in Spain, the decibel level can be insane. Ditto in Mexico, where my family could not hear each other over the noise of families children and babies.
Yes they are, the Mediterraneans. You'd think they would have respect for others.
well .i am italian but twice in london i was alone...no noise from me !
English are loud as well when drunk
and when they are sober or sleepp its no better
Two things annoy me about tourists coming to the US:
1) It’s slightly annoying when a tourist mistakes the part of the US that they’re in or once visited with everywhere else in the US. Don’t tell this Boston area guy that everyone in America is always friendly and smiling 😠
2) I’ve encountered it a few times from British tourists, but talking about you, or something you’re doing, or believe in, etc; in front of you. It’s happened a few times when two British people talking amongst each other and commented about something I did or said when I was RIGHT THERE 😡.
Great video backgrounds. Esp appropriate for this message.
Hi Mark. I live in the historic part of Philadelphia and much of what you shared here are my gripes about the tourists in my neighborhood .
there were a couple of american girls at a norwegian restaurant. I had to move my seat. their voices traveled! and loudly, expressed surprise that the meny was in...norwegian. lol, c'mon..
Theirs was a typical native English speaker attitude...when they go to non-Anglophone countries they invariably expect locals to adapt to them rather than the other way round...and they often do so in non-touristy places as well.
The loudest are always the ones with the emptiest heads.
This video should be called the 10 most annoying habits of tourists from any country in any other country,.
I work as a tourist guide in Austria and I really have to say with all sincerity that Americans are usually very considerate guests. Every tourist is sometimes guilty of the things you mention (great video), but in my experience Americans try harder than lots of other nationalities to adjust and be respectful.
I truly enjoy working with all my guests and a good guide will help you with clues about how to avoid setting off negative feelings in the local community by pointing out narrow passages, bicycle lanes etc.
Just use common sense, treat people the way you'd like to be treated and you'll be fine.
lol love some of the side comments you've been making lately! i definitely laugh out loud!
and i've gotta say, there's not too much that bothers me in general let alone tourists. i live at the jersey shore and i go into nyc often enough. haha the tourists aren't the ones driving like idiots. but i find they are, generally, friendly and happy people. they smile. that means that when they approach me, i'm definitely more willing to stop and chat or help. so as a traveler, i think that's something to keep in mind. first impressions count and if you look sour or just mad at the world, people may not want or feel comfortable helping you or chatting with you.
I think that there is a percentage of American tourists who think everything is like Disneyland, don’t seem to quite understand that these cute medieval towns and cities are still living/working spaces and are not just about tourism. Many of the things you mentioned and stopping suddenly in the street, travelling at peak times, wanting to eat when restaurants are normally shut, wearing college sweatshirts that might as well have ‘mug me’ written on them,etc,etc. I’m sure most are fine but this can really p*** off many locals. Although as a Brit I’m aware that we have our own set of bad habits as tourists (in France, Spain,etc, people usually assume that I’m German - not quite sure why!).
Not just Americans. I've found Asian tourists much more invasive and think everything is a theme park. And will get in front of others trying to take pictures. Americans are not the worst travelers anymore.
@@MsTimelady71 for chinese tourists usually from the mainland, this is a big issue, to the point that their government launched a campaign years back in order to educate their would-be tourists on how to appropriately behave abroad.
@@markb1170 Swedish media also made an albeit slightly racist comedy skit of an educational video directed towards Chinese tourists on how to respect local customs. This was in response to a news report on some Chinese tourists who arrived at their hotel several hours before their check-in time and made a scene because the hotel staff wouldn't let them in then and there and the whole thing ended up with police being called.
@@MsTimelady71Giethoorn, a small village in the Netherlands, gets totally overrun by Chinese tour groups. They even enter people's houses thinking it's an open air museum. There are now signs telling tourists to keep of people's lawns just in Chinese.
Working at a major resort, he helps to know Hello, Bye and Thank You in multiple languages (10+)
So TRUE!!! I just moved and DAMN!!! My Neighbors are SO LOUD in the POOL and their room!!!
If you think American tourists are bad, you haven’t met Chinese or Russian tourists. Have you ever seen a group of Italian or Portuguese tourists? They are loud and have zero regards for their surroundings regarding noise level. American tourists are actually considerate and polite in comparison.
All of these annoyances apply in the States as well.
I'm definitely with you on the duck face comment. When I went to Auschwitz, I saw a couple taking a selfie at the gates, doing a duck face. I was like "OMFG! Are you serious?!?!?!?"
Thank you for the great tips! Heading back to Europe in 10 days heading the Brussels for the first time.
Rude people are of every nationality, we all know this too be true. Tourists in general should always make an extra effort to avoid being obnoxious. Great tips as always Mark!
In the NYC borough of Queens where I live there’s a big Greek-American community so when I was learning the Syrataki dance at a restaurant in Greece recently, I was asked by the local dancers where I was visiting from & I told them. The shout “QUEENS” went up & suddenly I was the most popular person in the place-everybody has a cousin here. They kept me on the floor dancing for quite a while! 😂
Great story. My first apartment was at 21 street and Hoyt Ave. Right at the Park. Rent was $450.00 per month, I had a room mate. Living in Colorado now.
Some tourists passed away recently in Greece. Can you do a safety awareness video? I think many people still ignore basic safety measures and overestimate their physical condition.
We have several videos on safety while traveling. RUclips search Wolters World Safety.
The safety rule for hiking is don't go alone.
I recently returned from Italy and one thing I found was that if I wanted to experience and enjoy an authentic Italian meal there'll usually be a long table filled with very vocal locals sharing food and wine. It can get pretty loud in a room with stone or brick walls. That's not a complaint though. It's great to see such a sense of family or community.
You are sooooooo right about people blocking doors and stairways, and not just with luggage, just themselves. I've been to Europe 5 times, an I have seen this in all 17 countries I have been to. Mostly in Ireland...with he french tourists, and in France.
I don't know, I recently came back from a few parts of Europe. Rude Americans are definitely not there main concern.
Living next to Stalin II is definitly the bigger problem
I'm a Berliner, and I get so angry and shocked everytime I witness the behaviour of many tourists at the Holocaust Memorial. And I don't care what the artist said 20 years ago. He didn't get to create this for himself. He is not German, not a Berliner, and doesn't speak for all Jews. When you visit this place and start making sport, selfies or a picnic, you are disrespectful towards what this memorial stands for. Additionally, this place offers a powerful, somber experience if you engage with it. But that's not possible if you are there to have fun or take pictures for your Tinder profile. Not only that, you also take the chance to have this experience from other visitors too with your silly and disrespectful behaviour. So please show some respect for what it stands for and for the other people around you who might want to experience what this place is about.
I couldn't believe the behaviour of some teenagers around the Holocaust Memorial when we went: jumping from stone to stone and so on. That said, I profoundly respect Germany for acknowledging its past--something we Brits could take useful lessons from. I'd far rather the Memorial existed, and a minority of people failed to get the point (which is inevitable), than that that block of prime land got turned into offices and hotels.
I lived for 3 years in Berlin, but I could never go see the concentration camps or holocaust museum because I knew that I would completely fall apart, crying in public like a baby. I did not want to embarrass myself or make others uncomfortable. I cannot understand why or how anyone could be so callous as to do the things you have seen!
Don't get me started on people taking selfies at Auschwitz.
I'm sorry you feel that way and you aren't tolerant yourself to accept that different people take in that place differently. As far as I remember, there deliberately aren't any rules as to how to behave at the Berlin Holocaust memorial. Yes, there are ethical boundaries. But in a monument that was built to be physically experienced, I think we can be more tolerant than this.
@@durbodill There is no reason to be tolerant towards ignorance. Also, being physically experienced doesn't mean acting like a fool.
All valid point! What annoys me the most is when people sneeze and cough without covering their mouths and when they do not respect other peoples personal space. Good manners work no matter where you travel.
Trying to speak the local language brought to mind a funny story from years ago. My husband and I were in a large public square in Rome and trying to find our way to a restaurant we'd heard about. We stopped a couple about our age and my husband, who speaks Italian, asked the wife for directions. She stumbled around in Italian, the four of us becoming increasingly confused, when I turned to my husband and said, in English, "just ask her how to get to this particular street." At which point she burst out, in English, "Oh my God! You're Americans! So are we!"
Assumption, as they say in the Army, is the mother of all screw ups. :)