No matter in which part of Europe you might find yourself, you can always tell the Americans apart from the crowd. Yep, we do stick out, and not always in a good way. On the European continent especially, we’ve certainly got a bit of a bad reputation as being loud, pushy, even downright rude.

But, this hasn’t stopped Americans from flocking to Europe at any given opportunity. It could be the attraction of our Old World roots, the availability of cheap flights throughout the year, or maybe we just love to spike our social media “likes” by posting pics of ourselves in front of beautiful architecture. Whatever reason we have for traveling there, there’s no doubt that Europe presents plenty of opportunities to perpetrate a cultural faux pas.

Fortunately, there are some unwritten travel etiquette laws that most countries on the continent share, and it’s important that you abide by them when traveling there. So, here’s where you get to be a well-informed and culturally sensitive traveler in Europe!

Keep It Down!

In bars, restaurants, and public places, some of us Americans who can get pretty loud compared to Europeans. A safe way to avoid this bad behavior is to always be conscious about it. By being concerned about whether other travelers at the Buckingham Palace tour overhear what you’ve had for breakfast and how it didn’t agree with your stomach — TMI, anyway! — you can adjust your volume levels to European standards. Another way to be a bit more considerate when it comes to volume is to just observe how other Europeans talk in cafés, restaurants, and bars and try to emulate that when you’re out and about.

Don’t Be in Such a Rush

As Americans, we love to get directly to the point. So as you stampede into an unsuspecting vendor’s store after landing in busy Rome and start asking questions right away, don’t forget to take a few seconds to be polite. By just saying “Excuse me, please” in the native language before you dive into your inquiry, you can build a healthy and happy bridge of communication with your hosts. So whether it’s asking for directions, checking where the toilets are, or just inquiring about the prices of souvenirs, it’s always good to open with an excusez-moi or a discúlpame, por favor so that you come off as a polite and unobtrusive traveler.

Small Talk Can Sweeten Your Day

Back home stateside, many stores would be more than happy to cut the small talk and get down to giving you what you want and getting you out the door. But small talk is an art in Europe, one that you need to know, at least to some extent, in order to score some much-need traveler brownie points with the locals.

Always make sure to throw in a “Hi, how you doing today?” in the local language and you’ll immediately be breaking some ice. Europeans appreciate your taking the time to greet them in this fashion, and so a well placed bonjour comment allez-vous? or a hallo, wie geht es dir? will help establish a healthy line of communication. Who knows, you might even get some great local tips and recommendations.

Hands off the Produce!

If you’ve ever visited a farmer’s market in any U.S. town, you’re probably used to sniffing, touching, and carefully examining your fruits and veggies before purchasing them. In fact, you may even be encouraged to do so by most of the vendors there. But, when you’re in Europe, getting so intimate with produce cannot only draw some serious stares, but even result in some verbal abuse.

So what should you do when in a market in Italy, France, or Spain? All you have to do is tell the vendor how much you need and when you hope to consume them, and the vendor will pick the best fruit and veggies for you accordingly. This is something that European vendors take great pride in, as they consider it their job, and understandably they get very upset when tourists get their grubby hands all over the merchandise.

Of course, there are some markets where, if you ask politely, you can pick your own, and you’ll be given a small bag to do so. In larger supermarkets, you might see plastic gloves available so you can touch and examine the produce yourself, so remember to use them.

Check, Please!

To Europeans, dining is an experience to be savored. So whether it’s a small lunch, a post-lunch snack, or a fancy dinner, there should be no distractions from the food on your plate, the wine in your glass, and the good conversation with those around the table. In fact, most Europeans find it annoying that Americans walk around while eating something hastily. (New Yorkers, you know what we’re talking about!)

The sanctity of eating in Europe also means that, unlike in most restaurants in the U.S., the waiters will not disturb your meal to bring you the check; you have to ask them for it and indicate that you’re done. It’s also interesting to note that, in places like Italy, even fancy restaurants will require you to pay at the front desk after your meal because the servers just don’t want to intrude on your dining experience.

Carry Change in the Right Currency

Want to know how to really tick off a cashier anywhere across Europe? Just present a big fat 50 euro note when all you’re getting is a bottle of water! Don’t be that tourist with bad travel etiquette. Just make sure to carry some small change with you and you’ll be more likely to be greeted with a smile at checkout.

It’s also important to remember to do some research about the currency used in the country you’re visiting. You should know where the euro is accepted and where it isn’t. Even among countries in the European Union, some still prefer to use their own money. Countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden all still use their own currencies. All it takes is a little bit of research to know whether you’ll need more Hungarian forints or Danish krone for your trip.

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One Last Tip… About Tipping

In a nutshell, tipping is often not necessary and certainly not expected through much of Europe. Servers and other service providers in Europe are quite well paid compared to their U.S. counterparts, and their salaries do not need to be supplemented by tipping.

In some European countries, there is a service charge that’s already included in the bill, so locals hardly see the need for a tip, even though they will occasionally throw in a bit extra to round off a bill. If you do feel you need to reward exceptional service, just make sure to pay cash straight to the server. However, keep in mind that, in some places, an overly generous tip might be considered an insult.

When touring Europe, just don’t stand out as “that American” and ruin it for the rest of us. Follow these simple travel etiquette tips and you’ll soon be that guy/gal who attracts new friends in some amazing places. Good luck and bon voyage!

Can you think of a European etiquette rule that we left out? Tell us about it in the comments below!