Preparing The Family For a European Vacation

The big day is coming — you and your family are all packed and ready to take Europe by storm! The only problem is, new countries mean new customs and new opportunities to make embarrassing social errors. Customs vary between countries and regions ,but it helps to remember the way we do things at home isn’t always the way they are done elsewhere. Check out the following tips to help you avoid a possible tourist faux pas.

Expect to Make Friends in Unlikely Places

Dining etiquette is different all over the world. Take Germany, for example, where it is perfectly normal to be seated at a table with complete strangers in a restaurant. It is common practice in many parts of Germany and, while most tourists are used to sitting at their own table in restaurants, refusing to be seated with strangers is actually considered rude. Go with the flow and enjoy the local customs — you just might make some new friends along the way!

Plumbing Issues

America is blessed with modern plumbing and sewage systems. Some parts of Europe, not so much. Take Greece, for example, where the sewage system is not equipped to deal with an influx of paper products. In most places frequented by tourists visitors are encouraged to place their used toilet paper in the trashcan rather than the toilet. Although this practice may seem appalling to someone not used to it, causing an overflowing toilet may not make for the best vacation memories.

Meals

Many southern Europeans tend to follow the Mediterranean lifestyle and eat their evening meals much later than Americans. If your family were to go out for dinner in Spain or Greece at 6 p.m., you might just be the only ones in the restaurant as locals tend to eat around 8 or 9 p.m., if not later. Going to dinner in these countries at an early hour is a surefire way to get yourself labeled as a tourist.

Family in Europe with coffee © Famveldman | Dreamstime.com

Meals in Europe are also about more than just the food. They are a social experience and can last for hours. If you are planning to share a meal with a local, make sure you set aside plenty of time.

Coffee Etiquette

If you plan to spend some time in Italy and wish to partake in some traditional espresso, by all means, enjoy! Just don’t expect the typical coffeehouse experience we have come to know in America. While you are welcome to sit down at a café and enjoy your coffee in a relaxed and timely manner, you will pay more for your espresso than if you grabbed it at the counter and sipped it quickly before moving on with your day. Greece, on the other hand, takes a whole different approach to coffee. The Greek coffeehouse, or cafeneion, is more like the typical Mediterranean dining experience. Locals spend hours in coffee shops, sipping their beverages and socializing with friends and family.

Knowing the ropes in the country you are visiting is key to making your trip as successful as possible and avoiding those potentially embarrassing moments that often give tourists a bad name. When you know and respect a country’s local customs, you will find your experience that much more rewarding and the locals will go the extra mile to make sure you enjoy your trip. If you don’t know the local customs or flub them on occasion, don’t let it ruin your trip — learning as you go is part of the fun of traveling!