WHEN TRAVELING ABROAD: How Can I Avoid Looking Like An American...

...while traveling in Germany next week? (*Other* than keeping my mouth closed and NOT trying to speak German.)

For the most part, I want to blend in. I suppose that looking like a *tourist* is unavoidable (camera, city map in pocket, museums, etc etc...) but I really do want to avoid all the tell-tale signs that shout "HEY! LOOK AT ME! I'M AN AMERICAN!"

Are my concerns valid? Am I being paranoid? Does the average German hate Americans?

Should I carry my passport with me at all times? Or should I carry just a color photocopy of it and keep the actual passport in the hotel safe-deposit box? Any other international travel tips to share?

-- Allen

that they can't see your concealed weapons.

Carry your copy of "America, a Guide to Theocracy" with you? ;)

Hey hope you have a great time. Oh, all those great German beers!

North Americans tend to look a bit schleppy when they travel. Don't wear runners, sweats etc.

You might need your passport to cash travellers cheques, but other than that you should be ok. Just to be sure, ask at the hotel. They will know how often you'll need it.

Don't be what they think are the worst traits in Americans...boorishness, rudeness, etc. I know I don't have to say this to you...you're smart and you wouldn't think of being the "ugly American", so to speak. But some Americans, sadly, ARE that way.

Get yourself a Tshirt with a big, fat, red maple leaf on it. Secondly, most Europeans understand that there is a big difference between American citizens and the actions of our government. Most love Americans, but hate our government. While this has probably changed for the worse after the last election, you will find that most Europeans are pretty sophisticated and in the know about what happened vis-a-vis BBV and other election issues.

Also, I think that if you make your anti-war, anti-Bush views known, you won't have many problems.

and when anyone asked me where I was from I said New York and they would practically cry - they love New York. I don't know where you are from - but use the closest big city as starting point. Also, you can wear a Kerry button or something that tells them you're the kind of American they like. Also, almost all Germans speak English and like to.

on your bag or pack or jacket or whatever. I don't know if that still works. But you know, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Just don't act like you own the place and that everybody should speak English. In fact, I'd use as much German as you can muster.

The funny thing is that, in those few places where Americans still fear to tread (I can only think of Cuba), Germans seem to have taken on the role of proxy Americans - they roam the streets loud, boisterous and drunk. So don't let them intimidate you with their continental suavity - it evaporates after a stein or two and a couple of plates of weisswurst.

Very few people will hold your citizenship against you, those who do are idiots anyway.
I would say that being overt will go down a lot better than the (ultimately doomed) attempt to fly another flag. Be your nice, charming self and be prepared for questions.

Have a great trip :thumbsup:


And by all means try to speak a few words German - the attempt counts.

We wore a lot of black, didn't say too much, and tried to be polite when we did open our mouths. At least one person thought we were from the UK. I'm not sure *how* he reached that conclusion, but we were clearly not the typical loudmouthed American tourists in neon shortpants and polo shirts.

If there are people in Europe who are gong to give you, as an individual, a hard time because of what your government does, my opinion is "fuck 'em."

As Americans do we feel it's right to harass, for example, someone from China because we don't agree with the way their government does things?

No, we don't (for the most part).

And we should be able to expect the same from people in other countries. If they want to harass you for something you didn't have anything to do with, ask them how they'd like it if they came to the US for a vacation and had to listen to crap like that.

If they don't stop at that point, it would not be rude of you to tell them to piss off an walk away from them.

Relax, and enjoy your trip. You don't have to justify yourself to anybody.

Redstone

Be a polite guest. Let them know that we're not all republicans.

and trust me, they understand that we're not all right-wing nutjobs. Most of Europe still likes Americans, if not America. And, you'll find that most of them are far from happy with their own government, so they understand that a government is not necessarily a reflection of its people.

Otherwise, I agree with the "don't act like a jackass" type advice. Nobody likes that, no matter where you're from. And once they find out you're anti-Bush, they'll probably engage you in a long convo. It seems to me they love to hear from the "sane Americans."

the Europeans have mastered the art of the 'indoor' voice. Loud talk is a giveaway that your American.

Avoiding phrases like this will certainly help. ;-)

Wear leather-soled shoes; Europeans like to be able to spot Americans by their tennis shoes. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Try out some German. I love the German people because they are so kind and helpful when you attempt to speak their language. No fooling; no matter how badly you are fumbling and stumbling through a sentence, they will invariably say something like "You speak German very well, please continue." Despite their reputation for polite, frosty reserve, the Germans are actually very fun-loving and enjoy meeting open-minded Americans.

Here's a hint to make some German friends quickly: When asking directions from a German, ask where the town or city's Fussgangerzone is; it's pronounced 'Fooss-gaynger-tzona'. It refers to the no-cars-pedestrians-only area most cities and towns have. Few Americans know the word, and your new friends will be suitably impressed that you do.

Enjoy! :-)

The Germans I've met are very appreciative if you attempt to learn about their language and culture, even if you're not fluent.

when they relieve me of my frustration and I apologize for butchering their language they laugh and are always quite willing to help me :o

while you're at it. kills two birds.
i don't think the germans hate tourists, cause they are huge tourists themselves.
what you really want to hide from is the other americans. some of them are desperate to find people to speak english and make fun of the locals with. hide from them. seriously, they're hard to get rid of.

... but I heard once that American sneakers/running shoes and bluejeans were a dead giveaway.

Go with comfortable loafer walking shoes and khakis instead.

Lose the Yankees cap, too.

... REAL Americans.

Have a great trip! :hi:

dark clothes, soft voice, don't try to pretend to be canadian-anyone in their right mind isn't going to right off the bat hate you for being american. (unless of course you flaunt the neon colored fanny pack, the HUGE camera and the southern accent)
i'd say if you're going to carry valuables around, just be aware of what you do with your bag.
trust your first instincts. be confident.
definitely attempt to speak the language.
and look into easyjet or ryanair if you're flying anywhere around the country. very very cheap flights.
and if you need a place to stay for free: placetostay.com (here you'll find hosts, i travelled to europe over a year ago and only paid for 4 out of the 40 days i was there and met scads of people)
have fun!

They understand that sometimes the people and the government disagree vehemently, although there's less of that understanding after the beginning of Bush's second term. If you start out with some of the suggestions - like dress up a little, try to speak whatever German you can, and always ask in German before addressing someone in English - you won't come across as offensive to a regular person. There may be some jerks, but those you can't do anything about. People will know you're American, but you won't be "one of THOSE".

You might also consider wearing a political button. Whether it's something as innocent as a peace sign, a donkey, a "No W", whatever you have instead of a Canadian flag. You can still be an American, but you can make it clear where you stand.

Where are you going in Germany? By the way I am horribly jealous of you :-)

... with several day-trips (auto/train) to the surrounding area.

http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/english/index.html

Know enough of their "foreign" language to order a drink and a meal, buy a train/bus ticket or make a purchase. And leave a nice tip for good service, even if the gratuity is included in the bill.

said her tour group didn't have any problems w/being Americans.

...just wear a shirt that says "I'm an American who hates Bush" or something to the effect.

That always fools those Europeans!

Oh, and carry around a loaf of bread under your arm.

We've done Europe a number of times. Only idiots and malcontents will hold your citizenship against you.

Don't be a dumbass and go into a Moslem neighborhood at night screaming "I'm American!"

The best tool we've ever used is to be a tourist, but not an ugly American. Treat people the same way you do here.

Also, even the most butchered, but honest attempt to speak common phrases in the local tongue goes a long way. People recognize and apprediate the effort.

The worst thing you can do? In my experience of observation, the worst is to attempt a Maurice Chevalier accent when a French person doesn't speak English or try a German accent in the same position in Germany.

I think the people I've seen try that idiotic move are the same ones I've seen in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico ask, "But how much is that in American dollars?"

You are going to a civilized country, after all. Its not like you're going to Texas or something.

When teaveling abroad in the continental style
It my belief one must attempt to be discreet
And subsequently bear in mind, your transient position
Allows you a perspective that's unique.

Without fear of contradiction, "Bon voyage" is always hollered
In conjunction with a handkerchief from shore
By a girl (guy for you) who drives a Rambler and furthermore is overly
Concerned that she (he) won't see you anymore.

Trains and planes and boats and busses charachteristically
provoke a common attitude of blue
Unless you have a suitcase and a ticket and a passport
and the cargo that they're carrying is you.

A foreign affair, juxtaposed with a stateside
and domestically approved* romantic fancy
Is particularly attractive, due to circumstances knowing
It will only be parleyed into a memory.

* Please, it's a great melancholy tune. no political comments for just this once, guys.

"I say, feck YEW,jorge boosh!":bounce: :smoke:

I was in Europe last summer, and when peole found out that I was American and wasn't going to vote for W they were very supportive and very nice. Also, very surprised to find out we haven't all gone insane.

inviting us to their homes once they found out we HATED Bush. Same in Mexico.

Essentially, if you go anywhere and be extremely polite and friendly, try the language, and speak quietly, 99% of everybody will like you no matter where you are from.

Everybody in Brazil wears sneakers and jeans, so there was no problem with that. Same with Mexico, although many people told us that Central/South Americans tend to pick you out by your (nonleather) shoes. Europe may be different -- don't know.

Those are a dead givaway. As a sweatshirts from American universities.

Most Euros I know tend to dress in muted colors, so you may want to leave the flourescent green Zubaz at home. Another dead givaway is light-colored trousers: don't wear anything lighter than khaki, or else you'll look a bit odd.

Also, regardless of where you are (except Australia, possibly), be mindful of the volume of your voice. Compared to most of Europe, Americans are LOUD. VERY loud. So even if you're speaking German, people could still tell you're an American by your volume alone.

I would leave your passport at the hotel, and make a copy for carrying around. Also, your American drivers license can be used as ID, too, so you may want to keep that, too.

And most Germans do NOT hate Americans. They hate the American GOVERNMENT, of course, but they do differentiate between them.

(FULL DISCLOSURE: I'm a former ex-pat and lived in the UK briefly in the early 90s). :hi: