Ryan Smith on 30/5/2017 at 13:23
So a friend of mine on Twitter posted a selfie recently and I noticed that being from America, she didn't know what a backwards peace sign means in Britain. That got me thinking: what are some things you often see people do that would probably offend someone in your country?
I know that in America, it's not polite to slurp while eating noodles but over in parts of Asia, it's actually very polite.
henke on 30/5/2017 at 13:34
Things to not do when visiting Finland:
-Talking to strangers.
-Making extended eye-contact.
-Smiling in public.
-Sitting next to someone on public transport if there are other seats available.
Yes, you can come over and visit, but please don't bother us. We're very shy.
I'm only semi-joking.
Harvester on 30/5/2017 at 13:36
In the Netherlands, we don't care if you can't speak Dutch. We're happy to talk to you in English and I'll even give German a shot (unfortunately, I cannot speak French myself). But if you should make fun of my Dutch accent when speaking English or my lack of fluency in German, you're on your own and you shouldn't expect me to remain friendly.
EDIT: anecdote time: I once had to give directions in German and I didn't know what the German word for roundabout was, so I struggled to explain it. The lady said: "Hast du kein Deutsch gehat im Schule?" (didn't you learn German in school?). Verpisst dich, German bitch!
Ryan Smith on 30/5/2017 at 13:39
@henke That third one, I might have a problem with. :P Maybe if the smile isn't too broad?
I totally feel you on the last one. I get pretty uncomfortable sometimes when there's someone sitting next to me and there's other seats open.
@Harvester - That's something I can relate to, being a novice at speaking Serbian. Serbian is a very tough language for me and I was being tutored by a friend who was a native speaker. Fast forward several months and he started talking down to me, saying I will never learn the language, just because I was struggling with it. I quickly ended the conversation and our friendship along with it. And that was it. Nobody likes to be treated like an idiot. I feel your pain there with the German lady.
Tony_Tarantula on 30/5/2017 at 14:00
Quote Posted by Harvester
In the Netherlands, we don't care if you can't speak Dutch. We're happy to talk to you in English and I'll even give German a shot (unfortunately, I cannot speak French myself). But if you should make fun of my Dutch accent when speaking English or my lack of fluency in German, you're on your own and you shouldn't expect me to remain friendly.
EDIT: anecdote time: I once had to give directions in German and I didn't know what the German word for roundabout was, so I struggled to explain it. The lady said: "Hast du kein Deutsch gehat im Schule?" (didn't you learn German in school?). Verpisst dich, German bitch!
There's a reason the angry German woman stereotype exists.
Can't speak so much in a tourist climate, but one major difference exists in professional context that I've noticed. Americans have some odd compunction to fill absolutely every silent space in the air with conversation. It's also expected to talk about absolutely everything, all the time.
In most German work environments this is considered to be extremely disruptive and rude. The norm is to focus on work topics only, and to just get the work done during the day (lunchtime excepted of course).
Also I know this isn't just Americans (this applies much more so to Chinese tourists), but people waving around selfie sticks with no situational awareness can fuck right off.
icemann on 30/5/2017 at 14:09
For something I experienced twice on the train today:
* People not waiting for people to get off the carriage before attempting to shove their way onto the train. On both occasions I had to push a person out of the way so I could get off.
For other things not to do:
* Play music on speaker mode / headphones unplugged. It's extremely annoying.
* Talk at such high volume that other people can't even hear each other talk. Stupid.
Is it just me, or are people getting worse on public transport as time goes on?
Nicker on 30/5/2017 at 14:48
In Canada you should know that we don't actually say "eh" or "aboot", unless we are referring to the first letter of the alphabet or rugged, high-topped footwear.
If you are on a tour with commentary that is in a language you don't speak, STFU!. That meaningless gabble is actually a valuable service that your fellow travelers paid for. Also, don't try to out history your guide, it's rude. And don't pester them with questions unless they invite them. They have a patter which is designed to convey the maximum amount of critical information at precise points in the tour. Don't fuck with their groove.
Don't tip with left over foreign currency you brought from some other part of the world. The garbage can is over there... On the other hand, feel free to unload the local change cluttering your pockets, on some worthy person employed in the tourist trade. Don't bother counting it, it's just monopoly money, after all.
Also, bible tracts disguised as money are not appreciated. The receiver has either already assured their place in eternity or they will interpret your cowardly attempt at proselytizing as proof that your heaven if full of duplicitous cheapskates and should be avoided.
Yakoob on 30/5/2017 at 17:51
Really cool topic idea, Ryan! I am trying to think of examples specific to Poland but can't think of anything... except maybe the sort-of reverse to the topic: don't expect politeness in stores. Many clerks have a tendency of being court, even rude. Yes, I got called out for taking too long to count the change. Things like that.
On trams/buses it is customary to give up your seat to elders or women. Yes, people actually do that here. Well, more than the US at least.
Also, if meeting family, expect a long stay with too much food, alcohol, coffee and cake after.
Quote Posted by henke
Things to not do when visiting Finland:
-Talking to strangers.
-Making extended eye-contact.
-Smiling in public.
-Sitting next to someone on public transport if there are other seats available.
So basically, I fucked up on all accounts :joke:
Renzatic on 30/5/2017 at 18:06
Quote Posted by Nicker
In Canada you should know that we don't actually say "eh" or "aboot", unless we are referring to the first letter of the alphabet or rugged, high-topped footwear.
The vast majority of Canadians I've ran into over the years sound like they're speaking a Minnesotan accent with a slight twist. Though there are a few Canadians out there with accents so thick, I couldn't immediately recognize them as Canadian when I first heard them.
