Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Without any political statements or anyhting like that...


If you have a passport, speak only English (and a little Spanish and Latin), could I as an an American make a road trip beyond the UK into Europe and be safe and have fun.

I'm just a regular person who like to have fun, play games, drink beer, etc. I'm not responsible for George Bush, or Barack Obama, or Nixon or whoever. Would I be safe???

Sure just don't go around shouting America #1
English will do in most countries except maybe France and maybe Germany.

Americans are well known in Europe, from what I hear.
You'll be fine if you act like a polite tourist, and try to respect the locals.

Take Dakka with you, as knowing where the game shops are might be handy. A safe refuge, as it were.

There are often 'results' of 'surveys' of perception on Reddit and similar. Read up, and don't do that.

I've travelled in several countries (Germany, Poland, Spain, France) without speaking more than a few words of the local language (I always try and learn hello/yes/no/thanks) and had very few problems communicating with the locals.

I've found that especially in France, you get a much better reception if you've made a tiny effort (and in France you often get ignored if you start a conversation in English, but if you start it in French they'll usually reply in English).

So yeah, you'll be fine

It all depends on you! :p

Speaking as a dutch native who has traveled through most of Europe and a part of the States I can safely say that most countries are quite safe.
(Normal touristy dangers like pick pocketing and such are always a problem no matter where you go).
Almost all of the places I have been are very hospitable and friendly.
The only problem I can foresee is the "culture shock" that a few people cannot really handle, being safe is all in your own attitude.

Thanks! Hope I can do it someday

Absolutely fine. Having travelled around Europe a fair bit generally anywhere 'west' or 'north' you will have absolutely no trouble to find people who speak English. Certainly enough for basic 'where is the toilet' style questions. As you go east, even from old east-Germany really, and the more Southern parts of Spain and Italy, English speaking is less prevalent although I think there are more speakers now than 10 years ago and asking anyone who looks 30-35 or younger will get the best results.

I would recommend buying a Lonely Planet/Rough Guide for each country you visit, to get the most out of it (although realise that might be a bit dated now in the digital age!), and just in case there are areas to avoid.

Know what you mean about political issues attached to being American, although these days I think it's better. When I was doing a lot of travelling (in other, poorer areas of the world) ten years or so ago I bumped into some Americans who had sewn Canadian flags onto their backpacks. This was just after the invasions of Afghan/Iraq, so there seemed to be a fair amount of ill-will about. A friend of mine who worked on the Paris-Dakar rally had to paint Irish flags on their vehicle and take off the Union Jack as the locals (who in the past had always come out with food and drinks to greet them) were instead throwing bricks. Fething politicians! But, I think things have calmed down a bit since then - certainly within the EU you should be fine.

But, I would say in no uncertain terms that travelling is something you should definitely do - actually, everyone should do if given the opportunity. It broadens your horizons wonderfully, and will also make you more appreciative of what you have back home too.

Herzlos wrote:

I've found that especially in France, you get a much better reception if you've made a tiny effort (and in France you often get ignored if you start a conversation in English, but if you start it in French they'll usually reply in English).

Haha yes that's very true! I would definitely try and learn a few lines of French, the locals pretending not to know any English and giving a large gallic 'shrug' with upturned hands (even though they understand you perfectly well!) I think is something of a national pastime there

Europe is really, really safe. Even places like Istanbul in Turkey are very friendly, modern, and safe.

It's true that French people prefer to be spoken to in French, but it's not that obnoxious when you consider that most of us English speakers prefer to be spoken to in English.

I reckon most Europeans see America as being sort of like a big, mostly friendly dog with muddy paws. Kinda adorable but a little scary at the same time, and perhaps a little too enthusiastic

Honestly, though, if you don't bring up politics, only awful crusty gakkers will bring it up with you, and the worst you'll get is some snark, I expect. Most people are friendly and polite, and violent crime rates are really very low in most EU countries.

When in Naples train station do not bellow "Jeeeerrrryyyy........does that have backpack capabilites?" across the foyer in a broad American accent whilst having an expensive camera hanging around yr neck and you'll be fine.

<deleted for unintentional offense>

So, wait, you're not going to go now?

Did we make out like Europe was unfriendly or something?

Also, if you only speak English and want to make a road trip from beyond the UK into Europe, you can always head west to Ireland. Part of the EU, the eurozone, and English speaking

No way man! Nothing here AT ALL was meant anything like that! (in sincerity( I have been awake and thinking to long today. Signing out!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Da Boss wrote:
So, wait, you're not going to go now?

Did we make out like Europe was unfriendly or something?

Also, if you only speak English and want to make a road trip from beyond the UK into Europe, you can always head west to Ireland. Part of the EU, the eurozone, and English speaking

Yes, I have family in Ireland. That's the furthest East I have been in the world

Unless Hawaii is further East than Ireland??? A question for the philosophers!

from what i've heard, the're is a strange hobby around europe. When an american tourist is sighted, it comes in play and it sounds like 'grape'

Hey, Jasper, no worries. I didn't take offense. I was just surprised that our posts had apparently caused to to not want to come to Europe.

Wallygator- I'm not following your joke?

What I meant was nothing as it came across in the deleted post.....you must understand that as Americans (those of us that are products of the Cold War, anyways), we are basically raised in the educational and media system to believe that the English, Australians, and perhaps Israelis are our most important allies and our best of friends in the world, whether that is true or not. The deleted post was actually an off-key attempt to compliment Australians, and it was poorly put, and I apologize for it.


I mean, you have to admit, Australians are a mother frakkin friendly bunch!

Europe as a whole is a friendly, sophisticated modern area with democracy, the rule of law, educated people (many of whom speak good English), loads of good architecture and art to see and great food and drink.

You need a bit of streetwise like anywhere, and being polite is always a good thing.

It helps if you get a phrase book and learn at least the absolute basics -- Please, Thank You, Do you speak English? -- in the local language.

I've found learning to order beer and say thank you has been enough in all the countries I've ever visited, and I've been to a fair few. It shows you are willing to have a go, and also means that you can practise it a lot. Europe is a great place to tour - you have a huge mish-mash of cultures and nations very close together, each with their own architecture, food, quirks and languages. Roads are decent too, and there are so many beautiful places to visit, you won't be short of things to do.

Most Europeans are aware that their foul, guttural tongues sound savage and uncouth to English speaking gentlemen, and they know we are not deigned to learn the series of grunts and groans they class as languages, so they speak English.

On a serious note, how do you think the British and Irish have got along in Europe all this time? Neither are known for speaking French/Italian/German Spanish or any of the plethora of other languages regularly, but we muddle on.

Like Eggs said, as long as you just try, people are really friendly, I have been all over Europe and you always meet nice people who speak English, as long as you just try a little, please and thanks is usually enough really, but there are no shortage of English speakers.

Especially in Holland and Scandinavia for some reason, I have spent plenty of time in Denmark, Norway, and Holland with work, and I think I literally met about 4 people who didn't speak English in the months I spent there, our infinitely better educated European cousins seems to all speak it, and I heartily recommend a visit to one of them rather than just the big four (Germany, France, Spain, Italy)

I love Holland especially, loads of breweries, and good humored people who chuckle when being gently mocked about their gargantuan size by a hairy British dwarf.

I used to work in holland too. Highly recommend it. I bought a house in Bulgaria a few years ago. They nod for no and shake their head for yes. As you can imagine, negotiations were... Tricky.

You should go to the Slovak Republic. Nothing bad ever happens there.

OMFG.....Matty back

KK

South Korea
Japan
Thailand
Philippines
Uzbekistan
Spain
Portugal
Israel
Egypt
Sinai
Kuwait
Iraq
UAE
Afghanistan
Panama
Brazil
Germany
Canada

well to name a few. Your going to find someone who speaks English or school taught English.

Always remember. Your a tourist but your also an "Ambassador" of the US A in a way. Don't flash a lot of money. Always keep your wallet and passport SECURED!!

No point. None of them even have a proper football team. What're you going to watch while you're drinking your bud light?

You should be fine. Try and get a phrasebook or two, just for the basics, but on the whole, from my experiences (France and Belgium several times, and Italy), you shouldn't have a problem finding English speakers, especially if it's someone selling something (most shop attendants I've encountered in Europe spoke enough English to flog their wares to the unsuspecting tourist).

If you do go, make the most of it. There's so much to see in Europe, but aside from the landmarks, you'll also want to get a piece of the culture as well. Eat in local restaurants if you can afford it, sample as much local food as you can (you've not had pizza until you've had an Italian pizza!). I also love European architecture, so look out for that if you're into that kind of thing, it's very different to a lot of what you'd see in the UK (or presumably the USA). Places like Rome literally have history around every corner and every building.

Pro-tip: watch Hostel if traveling to eastern European countries.

 Cave_Dweller wrote:
Pro-tip: Don't watch Hostel if traveling to eastern European countries.

Corrected your typo.

Yeah, I dont think Cave_Dweller has traveled much...

Anyway, speaking of Australians, it might just be a thing in Italy, but prepared to be confused for them... btw, thats apparently not a good thing, seems that Aussies have earned themselves a reputation as being violent drunkards and a nuisance in parts of Europe... confused Italian bartender freaked out when he mistook the American accent for Australian, once his mistake was corrected he calmed down and served drinks appropriately.

Herzlos wrote:
I've found that especially in France, you get a much better reception if you've made a tiny effort (and in France you often get ignored if you start a conversation in English, but if you start it in French they'll usually reply in English).

This was my experience exactly. A little respect for their language and a touch of formality seems to go a long way. Just starting off with a proper bonjour or bonsoir can grease the skids a little.

If you think about it (assuming you don't speak French), how much would you like to have a random Frenchman (the women are a different thing, heh) come up to you and start unloading a bunch of questions on you in French?

 Cave_Dweller wrote:
Pro-tip: Don't travel to eastern European countries.

There, fixed.

Getting around europe shouldn't be to bad. Especially countries like Germany that have a large US military presence.

Just popping in to say that if you're going to the Netherlands, or well any country in that area, try and not call it "Holland". ...Really, it hasn't been called that for hundreds of years, and tends to grind the gears of the Dutch (well at least my Dutch friends). Actually just generally try and not be too ignorant of a country's culture/history, just as some may take offence to certain things (ie personally it bothers me when American media refers to a posh London accent as the "British" accent. ...Though ah yeah, to the rest of the world the UK is London ...with a bit of the Midlands on the side).

Unlike us lazy Brits, you may find that people from Europe actually bother their butts to learn more than one language. Now I'm not saying that that's commonly English, but the proliferation of American media throughout the world means that people tend to know the basics of English all over (I mean the Israelis got so mad about it that they've told their politicians to quit making their speeches in English).

Luckily the Euro's been adopted by a large number of European countries too, and the border control between EU countries isn't as strict as between non EU ones.

Maybe watch some British Channel 4 travel programs as well. Youknow if you feel like seeing a documentary about how best to drink so much that you go blind or which national monuments to have a piss on. ...Uh, though using Sin Cities as a travel guide may give you varying results (plus it was on Bravo).