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Backpacking Europe How to be a Good Traveler |
When traveling it always important to remember that you are a guest in the home of another
culture. This is far too easy for people to lose sight of. Its important to identify aspects of
another culture and not trounce all over them as travelers are prone to do. For example,
Europeans are publicly a quieter people than Americans. It is uncommon to hear people
shouting to each other across a busy area or place. This is something done all the time in the
US, so we don’t think anything of it. But if you do so in many places in Europe you’ll look rude
and like a fool.
Here’s the story of “That F-ing Guy.” I was once in a train station at night with a Californian I
was traveling with. We had just got off the train and there were many other back packers there
in the train station along with many other people. One of the back packers, The F-ing Guy, was
also among the crowd. He was easy to identify, all statements he made were well above the
normal vocal levels of the crowd and contained the word “fuck” in some form or fashion. Of
course, as usually and unfortunately is the case when it comes to such sightings in Europe,
his language was good old fashioned American English.
He didn’t seem angry, I don’t think he was even drunk. I’m not sure what he was thinking, he
seemed completely oblivious to those around him, the locals the “Oh geez, another American”
look in there eyes, the other back packers embarrassed to be from the same place, and the
Canadians looking for giant neon arrows to point at the Canadian flag patch on their
backpack. I’m not sure if this guy was trying to be the center of attention or what, but he
certainly stood out, as eloquently as taking a dump at the dinner table. He would become
known as “That F-ing Guy” to me and my traveling companion for the course of our journey
together.
You’ll encounter one of these guys I’m sure. The Europeans tolerate it, most other
backpackers are embarrassed by it. It makes us all look bad. All I’m saying is please don’t be
this guy, people are laughing at you.
On another note, always try to be friendly. I have not come across a culture yet where this is
taboo. The way it is done will vary widely. The rules of doing so are different anywhere you
go. I’ve found though, that if it is clear to the person that you just want to be friendly, any rule
is acceptable. Awkward maybe, but people are happy to have it. And this makes us all look
good.
culture. This is far too easy for people to lose sight of. Its important to identify aspects of
another culture and not trounce all over them as travelers are prone to do. For example,
Europeans are publicly a quieter people than Americans. It is uncommon to hear people
shouting to each other across a busy area or place. This is something done all the time in the
US, so we don’t think anything of it. But if you do so in many places in Europe you’ll look rude
and like a fool.
Here’s the story of “That F-ing Guy.” I was once in a train station at night with a Californian I
was traveling with. We had just got off the train and there were many other back packers there
in the train station along with many other people. One of the back packers, The F-ing Guy, was
also among the crowd. He was easy to identify, all statements he made were well above the
normal vocal levels of the crowd and contained the word “fuck” in some form or fashion. Of
course, as usually and unfortunately is the case when it comes to such sightings in Europe,
his language was good old fashioned American English.
He didn’t seem angry, I don’t think he was even drunk. I’m not sure what he was thinking, he
seemed completely oblivious to those around him, the locals the “Oh geez, another American”
look in there eyes, the other back packers embarrassed to be from the same place, and the
Canadians looking for giant neon arrows to point at the Canadian flag patch on their
backpack. I’m not sure if this guy was trying to be the center of attention or what, but he
certainly stood out, as eloquently as taking a dump at the dinner table. He would become
known as “That F-ing Guy” to me and my traveling companion for the course of our journey
together.
You’ll encounter one of these guys I’m sure. The Europeans tolerate it, most other
backpackers are embarrassed by it. It makes us all look bad. All I’m saying is please don’t be
this guy, people are laughing at you.
On another note, always try to be friendly. I have not come across a culture yet where this is
taboo. The way it is done will vary widely. The rules of doing so are different anywhere you
go. I’ve found though, that if it is clear to the person that you just want to be friendly, any rule
is acceptable. Awkward maybe, but people are happy to have it. And this makes us all look
good.
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