And people are usually forgiving of foreigners

other than with his/her hands?

Does seem to take the fun out of it.

-- Mal

The minute salespeople saw your cash or credit cards, their English became very fluent.

were the British tourists. The French helpfully tried as much English as they knew with me. The Brits were like "Look at the Yank trying to speak our language!"

hello and thank you and please. In most shops and establishments the younger people are happy to practice their English. Out in the countryside, however, it's a much different story, especially among the elderly.

Most of the schools in the cities have English classes now and as such, it's gaining prominence. Don't expect it, but appreciate it when it's offered.

Even if you only know a few words and mangle the pronunciation, most French people will respond in a friendly manner. And, contrary to what the OP says, most of them in big cities speak English very well. Being monolingual is unusual among educated people in most places (other than the USA).

On the other hand, if you start with English, the locals will often be offended and not try very hard to be understood. This is also true in Germany, by the way.

I was in France last year and had no problems finding people that spoke English.

I remember when my high school's French class had a trip to France, they were told that French didn't like it if you spoke English to them, but that was back in the 80s and things have obviously changed.

"Hey! Look at all the foreigners around here!"

- Please do not mention all of the American flags everywhere. We know they're there. Not everyone in the country is a flag-flailing uber-patriot.

- Want a meal that is not fast food? Ask a local for the best places to eat. Most people are proud of their local, small, family-owned restaurants.

- Please do not push or shove to be the first on or off an elevator or escalator. We generally follow 'taking your turn' protocols.

- Do not be afraid to make fun of American politicians. We do it all the time.

our "comfort zone" is a fair distance

I think the U.S.A. has the most complicated rules of any nation, like how to deal with a mugger or a cop who is holding a gun, or how to avoid trouble if you are not white, or you are LGBT.

Racism and xenophobia are still strong in many regions of the U.S.A.

Though most native Scots and Welsh people prefer to be called Scottish or Welsh. It tends to be the English that tend to equate English == British and vice-versa (except it isn't). Northern Ireland is a special case - generally you're British or Irish.

fuck em if they can't take a joke

In Germany, "Don't Stare. You'll appear uneducated or mentally ill."

Also, "don't be overly friendly" in Germany. Hey, I am half-German and I'm very friendly, so it's not in the blood.

I would add to the UK one, don't switch knife and fork hands to cut, and then back again to take a bite. The Brits seem mildly scandalized by that outrageous act.

Well, they got that one completely wrong. I attended one year in a typical French high school. Every student had to study at least two foreign languages in high school, one for at least four years. it's where I learned Spanish quite well during only one year. It involved complete immersion in class and study at a pretty rigorous pace. Every student I knew was studying English as one of their two foreign languages and could carry on a conversation with me, in English. Some students in the "philo" track had to study two modern languages and two dead languages while in high school, such as Latin and Greek. In my opinion, it's the U.S. school system that doesn't focus on teaching foreign languages in school.

In Greece, holding a hand up means "shit in your face," a nasty insult.

In Britain, holding up two fingers (the "peace sign,&quot backwards is the equivalent of the middle finger raise here in the US.
It symbolizes a woman with her legs up in the air.

I never heard about the symbolism of a woman with her legs up. My understanding is that it English longbowmen would have those two fingers caught off if captured in battle, and that holding the fingers up was their victory taunt.

what does that even mean?

OK on edit - kiwi as in a nickname, not the fruit LOL