r/AskReddit • u/danielsoft1 • 5h ago

"those little differences" Americans who visited Europe, what was surprisingly different for you?

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149

u/Veneboy 5h ago

Tipping is very optional and the waiters and waitresses are awfully nice and friendly.

6

u/FI_by_45 5h ago

You haven’t been to France

13

u/Veneboy 5h ago edited 1h ago

I have multiple times and no complain, specially if you make at least a tiny effort to speak in their language and avoid using English at all cost.

15

u/ofnuts 4h ago

Even if you use English. Just say hello, and talk like a normal person to another normal person, not as a masters to their servant.

1

u/zoapcfr 1h ago

Just say hello

This is where American's fall over from what I've seen. When talking to a server, they tend to just demand what they want, with no hello/bonjour, and French servers often aren't afraid of showing offense to that.

When I've been to France, I've always greeted them first and they've always been polite and friendly in return. Also, one of my favourite memories of getting served in France is when I tried to use my limited understanding of French to buy something, and he replied in English, so we both carried on speaking each other's language.