Travel etiquette tips from your country

Stefan_Key on 30/5/2017 at 21:39

Quote Posted by Ryan Smith

she didn't know what a backwards peace sign means in Britain.

Yeah, I saw that when Doug Williams (a british wrestler) did that to us when performing in France. Don't know if people understood but anyway he was booed... :cheeky:

heywood on 30/5/2017 at 22:06

Quote Posted by Renzatic

The entire nation is slowly going rhotic. I believe the only American accent that's non-rhotic these days is New Englander, and we consider them a bunch of dirty traitors for it.

R's are meant to be pronounced, people. Those who don't abide the new standard get the ferule.

Despite what the movies might have you believe, the traditional non-rhotic Boston accent is disappearing. Another generation or two and it will be all but gone, although the downeast Maine variant might hang around a while longer. The NYC/Northern Jersey accent is also traditionally non-rhotic, but also in decline, and it includes the intrusive R in a lot of words.

When I first met my in-laws, I thought talking to them was kind of amusing because because they're French Canadian, but raised in Massachusetts, and they seem to selectively apply a Boston accent to some words and phrases, and use a New York style intrusive R with other words, and throw in a little bit of French Canadian accent here and there, along with some mispronounced French words.

Harvester on 31/5/2017 at 09:20

Quote Posted by Stefan_Key

Yes, I know that's very important in France. If I'm going to France, I'm going to make sure I get the basic politeness phrases right.

It's kind of the same in Italy. When I got off a cable car in Italy, some Italian men said "goodbye" to me in English. I replied with "arrivederci". They enthusiastically replied "arriverderci" again and I could just tell they appreciated me greeting them in their own language. In the Netherlands, it's different. You can be polite to us in English (the Dutch are above average English speakers so we're able to tell when you're sincerely polite), we're fine with that. If the Dutch person understands German, French or any other language you speak, it's the same, it's the politeness itself that counts. There's no need to learn Dutch politeness phrases unless you plan on staying for an extended time.

Sulphur on 31/5/2017 at 10:41

Quote Posted by heywood

To a lot of Americans, particularly ones from German settled regions, the Scottish pronunciation of "about" sounds somewhat like "aboot" anyway.

Irvine Welsh transcribes it to 'aboot' as well, and that's from patter in and about Leith. As someone who's studied a few accents, I can't distinguish much of a difference, though of course you can find folks in and around Scotland who use the /aʊ/ diphthong in place of the long /uː/. Out of interest, anyone know the IPA transcription for how it's said in Canada?

Ryan Smith on 31/5/2017 at 10:58

Formatting is funky on this post, so bear with me :sweat:

Quote Posted by Starker

Let's see..

A big one that still keeps happening is people not taking off shoes when they enter someone's home. If you're in a country where they are commonly taken off at the entrance, it is rude at best, but if you're in Japan, you might as well spit in your hosts' face and slap their children while you're at it.

In Britain, people are encouraged to take their shoes off at the door, and being in America, my neighbors don't mind at all if I take them off or not, but having grown up in Britain, I prefer to do the polite thing and take off my shoes at the door. One thing I actually picked up as a habit from Japanese culture is bowing when thanking someone or as a greeting. I do it without thinking now.

If you're in Bulgaria, you have to shake your head if you agree and nod if you don't. Completely tripped me up when I visited.

I actually saw that on a Japanese TV show one time. That's how I learned about Bulgarian nods and shakes. A good way to save yourself from force of habit is to agree/disagree verbally.

In Finland, don't touch people. They have an almost allergic reaction to it. In some cultures, it's normal to touch the hand or shoulder of your conversation partner. Not in Finland. And stand at least half a meter away. Last time I saw an American and a Finn at a meet, they were "dancing" across the room, with the American continuing to step closer and the Finn stepping away.

I'm not Finnish but I do that sometimes because I don't like to be touched, either. Mostly due to sensory imbalances.

Quote Posted by Harvester

Yeah, I've heard about the personal space thing in Finland. I have an autistic co-worker without a sense of personal space. He's a good guy and we get along great, but he stands way too close when talking to me.

I'm autistic as well and I've been through the same experience :joke: You won't have to worry about me getting in your face. The ones who practically breathe down your neck also tend to have breath so bad, they could kill weeds with it.

Quote Posted by Yakoob

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.

I actually used to visit a Polish grocery shop when I lived in the UK. I didn't have any problems with the clerk, just a tiny bit of a language barrier. lol But the shop had some really yummy snacks, including these chocolate hazelnut pirouline-like rolled wafers. So good!

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.

I don't mind doing that so much, as long as I have a place to sit. I always give up my seat so my mom can fit in first (usually after being told to scoot over :joke: )

Also, if meeting family, expect a long stay with too much food, alcohol, coffee and cake after.

Aside from the alcohol (because I don't drink alcohol), that sounds like heaven to me. I love food and I love drinks.

So basically, I fucked up on all accounts :joke:

Quote Posted by Stefan_Key

Always say "Bonjour" when walking in somewhere, "S'il vous plaît, Madame/Monsieur" if you want something, "Merci" and "Au revoir" when leaving.

Politeness is important peculiarly in smaller towns and country-side in France.

They won't mind your accent and appreciate the efforts.

Smile.

Don't spit in the streets, don't speak your language too loud.

If I ever get to travel to a foreign country, I will not be going alone, nor will I be going without a native friend. That friend will help teach me the customs to bear in mind

ZylonBane on 31/5/2017 at 22:47

Stop trying to haggle, you savages.

heywood on 1/6/2017 at 12:27

I HATE haggling. Such a waste of time.

But if you're in Mediterranean Europe, or the Middle East, or China (and probably other places I'm not familiar with) you're a fool not to haggle.

Tony_Tarantula on 2/6/2017 at 04:12

But it's dumb in the US. Unless you're in a single location boutique, prices are typically set by somebody with a marketing degree in an office far away and the individual employees will have no power whatsoever to adjust the price.

Different rules apply of course for major end items like furniture and cars that are sold by commission.

Queue on 2/6/2017 at 14:44

Quote Posted by Tony_Tarantula

That might very well be the single best argument ever for shopping at a local mom and pop store instead of some corporate behemoth.

bjack on 2/6/2017 at 19:08

Some places you are expected to haggle in California.

1. Auto dealerships (with a few exceptions)
2. Jewelry shops
3. Musical instrument stores, such as Guitar Center.
4. Furniture shops

As for big box stores, I’ve seen rich Asian tourists haggle with counter people at Nordstrom, Sacks, and even Best Buy. Since it is common for them at home, some think it is cool here too. And you know what? They are successful at it.

A lot of places have price-matching policies. If you bring in a paper ad or pull up an internet ad showing a lower price elsewhere, the competition will usually match it or even do better. No real need to haggle much.

Now what would be super stupid would be to load up on $200 of groceries and then haggle at the checkout. ;)