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I Need Your Advice
no source ^ | 02.14.2007 | big guy and rusty 99

Posted on 02/14/2007 8:48:33 AM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99

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To: sockmonkey

Buddy of mine went to Prague several years back and said he was surprised how many people there absolutely LOVE Americans.

He didn't have to buy a beer the entire time he was there. People would hear his accent, shout "American!" and buy one for him.


41 posted on 02/14/2007 9:55:21 AM PST by Xenalyte (Anything is possible when you don't understand how anything happens.)
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert
....Avoid white sneakers like the plague; wear only black sneakers or some sort of nice walking shoe. Do not wear sweats of any kind, short shorts, ...... Keep your voice modulated; assume the people around you can understand English. Basically, make sure you are wearing decent clothing at all times, at or maybe a little under the level of office-casual.
You stole my post #26!!!!! :)
42 posted on 02/14/2007 10:05:46 AM PST by freedom moose (has de cultivar el que sembres)
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To: Xenalyte

Their are many microbreweries in Prague, I like St. Norbert the Black, but it's pricier than some.

And CK Browar's in Krakow-I could just live there..They bring this huge glass testube of beer that's about 2 feet high, and costs next to nothing. Also, they have the best food for not much cash.

I went there with 6 other people, and we all drank beer and stuffed ourselves on delicious food-the bill for all of us was less than forty dollars.


43 posted on 02/14/2007 10:14:23 AM PST by sockmonkey
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To: posterchild

Speaking of beer, wine and tobacco I have to tell you that Europe is just great. On my last trip to Europe (mostly Germany and France) my brother and I developed a great routine. Drive to a town with the women, they go shopping while we smoke Cubans and drink German beer. A good day was two Cubans and, let's see, how many beers? I forget...


44 posted on 02/14/2007 10:14:37 AM PST by Defend the Second (Let Me Get This Straight: Illegal Invasion is OK, but Legal Expulsion is Not?)
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To: Defend the Second

Spent a year on business travel in Germany. Each month the company gave me a trip 'home.' When I was there I had no residence back in the US so I would call my supervisor each month and tell her that my 'home' this month was somewhere in Europe. It was cheaper for the company and better for me. Homes included Sweden, Denmark, Malta, Turkey, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, and France. A couple trips were random 4 or 5 day hop_on_a_train_see_where_it_goes_stay_for_a_day_get_local_advice_hop_another_train
type trips. One trip to Monaco/Nice had me spending $100/day for food and drink (and no I'm not Mooresque but only weighed 140 lbs then). Loved it!


45 posted on 02/14/2007 10:23:07 AM PST by posterchild (Ad astra per aspera)
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To: MadIvan; Eurotwit; expatpat; ScaniaBoy; SF Republican; Central Scrutiniser

Care to offer any advice to Big Guy and Rusty 99 regarding travel to Europe this year?


46 posted on 02/14/2007 10:25:35 AM PST by nutmeg (National Security trumps everything else.)
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To: Defend the Second

BTW, where in Germany? Found that the best beers were the local microbrews that each town seemed to have. Hefeweizen became a favorite of mine.


47 posted on 02/14/2007 10:25:57 AM PST by posterchild (Ad astra per aspera)
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To: freedom moose

Heh! I didn't steal it on purpose! (Unlike that pickpocket I ran into in Barcelona.) I think this just proves that great minds think alike. :)


48 posted on 02/14/2007 10:26:54 AM PST by Hetty_Fauxvert (Kelo must GO!! ..... http://sonoma-moderate.blogspot.com/)
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99
I'm with Rush; see it while it's still there. She'll need a burqua even for the touristy spots in 10 years. Notre Dame'll be mosque by the time my grandchildren get there and Le Tour Eiffel a minaret.
49 posted on 02/14/2007 10:26:57 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets (When I search out the massed wheeling circles of the stars, my feet no longer touch the earth)
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99

Both kids studied in Spain for 6 months while in college. Here's some tips:

No sneakers! Only Americans wear them routinely. Wear leather shoes and sandals, etc.

No logos! Apparently, wearing things labeled Broncos, Disney World and Nike are things that mark you as an American.

No shorts! European women wear cotton skirts and lightweight dresses or linen slacks rather than shorts.

Passport cover: you can buy these at any of the travel supplier websites. It's just a leather jacket that holds your passport and that gold eagle isn't so visible to those around you if you should have to show ID.

Slow down! Americans walk with purpose and drive. The pace we walk (and we don't make much eye contact) also marks you as an American.

Skip McDonald's! Don't go to places where large crowds of Americans go. Our daughter went to Europe Jan, 2002 and our son in April, just after the Madrid train bombings and they never ate at an American brand eatery or tavern. Gather some of the local flavor instead and you will likely find that you are very welcomed in those places.

I am not suggesting that anyone should be ashamed of being an American. I am merely suggesting that when in Rome (or Madrid or Dresden) one should do as they do.


50 posted on 02/14/2007 10:28:43 AM PST by trimom
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99

There's a lot of excellent advice on this thread. The only thing that pops into my head that others may not have mentioned is to avoid public transportation (ie, Paris Metro, London Tube) during rush hours...


51 posted on 02/14/2007 10:29:14 AM PST by nutmeg (National Security trumps everything else.)
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To: evilC

Care to offer any advice to Big Guy and Rusty 99 regarding travel to Europe this year? :o)


52 posted on 02/14/2007 10:31:10 AM PST by nutmeg (National Security trumps everything else.)
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99

One way the Americans frequently get noticed is that they have an expectation of faster service in restuarants than do most Europeans. Some countries serve at slower paces than we do. Also, if it takes 15 minutes for the barmaid to return with your Budvar it's because it truly does take that long to pour.


53 posted on 02/14/2007 10:35:06 AM PST by posterchild (Ad astra per aspera)
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To: nutmeg

Try to do a home exchange/swap if you live in a desirable destination.


54 posted on 02/14/2007 10:39:04 AM PST by SF Republican
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99
My granddaughters have spent the last two summers touring Europe. Another will be going this year. These are older teens and their mother. No problems whatsoever.
55 posted on 02/14/2007 10:40:05 AM PST by Coldwater Creek
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99

I wish I could help, but I chose to go to grad school in Israel. The summer ulpan started a week after the war began... but I came anyway.


56 posted on 02/14/2007 10:43:55 AM PST by James Ewell Brown Stuart (I support the President and the war on terror!)
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To: posterchild
I was based in Baumholder (US Army base, home of the 1st Armored division) but we traveled all over Bavaria, Austria, Central and Western France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Of all of these people I liked the Germans the best.

Living with the Army I had no shortage of guys offering me advice on "Bier". That was where I first tried Hefeweizen, and it is today my favorite beer.

Quick story: At Herrenkiemsee we toured Mad King Ludwig's castle on the island, then walked down to a beer garden on the edge of the lake. Older guy behind the outdoor bar looks at my Army Captain brother and says "You American soldier, you drink free." He proceeds to tell us how during the war his unit walked 200 kilometers to surrender to the Americans and by the way, avoid surrendering to the Russians. When they encountered American tanks and soldiers in a nearby tree line, they all sat down in a field and raised their hands, hoping not to get shot or strafed. After the surrender he said the first thing the Americans did was feed them. And so for that reason 60 years later "You American soldier, you drink free." I being a fat, soft American civilian, I did not drink free. But I like the Germans.

57 posted on 02/14/2007 11:05:24 AM PST by Defend the Second (Let Me Get This Straight: Illegal Invasion is OK, but Legal Expulsion is Not?)
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99

Due to the relative unpopularity of Americans in Europe, I think she has more to fear from the Europeans heaping verbal abuse on her than a terrorist attack.

That doesn't mean that the chances of a terrorist attack in Europe are remote, but it is more likely that the Europeans will not be particularly welcoming.


58 posted on 02/14/2007 11:14:45 AM PST by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert
Why not white sneakers?
59 posted on 02/14/2007 11:17:32 AM PST by exdem2000
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To: ConservatismNow
From the antiterrorism training we got in the military: don't single yourself out, ie don't display the American flag on your clothing or baggage. Wear nondescript clothing and don't get into any arguments or discussions about United State foreign policy or anything like that. Make sure that you select a hotel room on the second floor. First is too dangerous and third is too high up. Check your car for any suspicious packages and avoid taking the same route to and from your destination. And at the hotel, ALWAYS take the main entrance. Never take a side entrance if you can help it.

Great advice, CN. Also, if your wife can speak a foreign language, tell her to use it instead of English.

I remember all the fun I had speaking German, instead of English. Especially when anti-American remarks were said in my presence. I never took it seriously, but you should have seen the looks on their faces.

Wearing nondescript clothing is important. Even down to the colors, as they could be associated to a particular country's flag.

Lastly, DO NOT engage in political discussion. Europeans have a condescension toward the US that is unbelievable. Just grin and bear it, and enjoy the sights.

60 posted on 02/14/2007 11:23:58 AM PST by Night Hides Not (Chuck Hagel is the Republican Joe Biden!)
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