France
Do's:
Belgium
Do's
Germany
Do's:
Netherlands
Do's:
Don'ts:
Switzerland
Do's:
Do's:
- Be polite
- Try to speak French (They appreciate it when you try to be like them)
- La bise (The french greet by giving a quick kiss on each cheek. Man to man is handshake man to women and women to women is "la bise")
- Try their food instead of going to american fast foods. Try something new.
- If you share the bill, share it equaly even if what you had cost less than what the other person had.
- Ask a random person for information. Parisians are rude and don't like tourists. They may purposely give you wrong information.
- Drink soda with a cooked meal at a restaurant.
- Ask for a doggy bag. Though may be given to you, it is unusual and cheap.
- Give as big of a tip to waiters. Waiters are paid. They don't only get money from tips.
Belgium
Do's
- Ask questions to show that you are interested
- Acknowledge that french fries are not french but Belgian
- Go shopping on Saturdays as most stores are closed on Sundays
- Try to taste all beers in a short period, there are a thousand of them.
- Say no to "are you Bob?". Bob refers to the person who doesn't drink to be able to drive home safely.
- Tip waiters.
Germany
Do's:
- Shake hands with everyone including children.
- Remove your shoes before entering a house.
- Carry cash on you at all times.
- Be late.
- Wait to be seated at a restaurant. It is common to sit with strangers.
- Eat with your fingers.
Netherlands
Do's:
- Tolerate differences. Say what you want but remember to always be tolerant.
- Be alert for pickpockets.
- Speak in English. The population there speaks English.
Don'ts:
- Start eating before saying "Smakelijk".
- Walk on the bike lane.
- Drink alcohol in the streets.
Switzerland
Do's:
- Greet with three cheek kisses.
- Dress neatly.
- Know that Deutsch is not understandable by Germans.
- Put your hands in your pocket while talking to people.
- Speak loudly in public.
- Hike unless you think you are fit.