Anyone just back from Europe? Specifically, Paris, Rome, or Milan.

[Anonymous]

I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

Sorry to hear that. Your experience does make me wonder about other posters who plan trips down to the minute for every hour of the day - it's easy to be thrown some random blips like illness or injuries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

Lol, I do that too but not out loud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

Sorry to hear that. Your experience does make me wonder about other posters who plan trips down to the minute for every hour of the day - it's easy to be thrown some random blips like illness or injuries.

DP. Why do you assume she overscheduled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

Sorry to hear that. Your experience does make me wonder about other posters who plan trips down to the minute for every hour of the day - it's easy to be thrown some random blips like illness or injuries.

DP. Why do you assume she overscheduled?

I’m the lonely tourist in Paris. Didn’t take PP’s comment that way. In fact I’m relieved I planned so few activities. Maybe it was instinct. On our last trip to Hawaii, DS got an eye infection and it was stressful given I’d booked a $$$ snorkel trip for all of us. I’ve taken DH to doctors around the world. Even the dog got sick once and we had to send DH home to care for it (I tell DH she clearly absorbed his weak genes through proximity).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sitting on my own in a restaurant Paris at the moment. I’m not American but nobody would know that. Been treated nicely the entire trip. It’s nice as the trip has been a disaster as it’s my first mother/daughter trip with DD15 and she has been so sick that we’ve mostly been stuck in a hotel room and cancelled our planned activities. I blame the weak genes of DH.

Sorry to hear that. Your experience does make me wonder about other posters who plan trips down to the minute for every hour of the day - it's easy to be thrown some random blips like illness or injuries.

DP. Why do you assume she overscheduled?

I’m the lonely tourist in Paris. Didn’t take PP’s comment that way. In fact I’m relieved I planned so few activities. Maybe it was instinct. On our last trip to Hawaii, DS got an eye infection and it was stressful given I’d booked a $$$ snorkel trip for all of us. I’ve taken DH to doctors around the world. Even the dog got sick once and we had to send DH home to care for it (I tell DH she clearly absorbed his weak genes through proximity).

Earlier pp with "weak gene" DH and DD. I am laughing because I have developed the same instinct. Maybe you just get tired of being disappointed so keep the itinerary light. Last year we cancelled a trip to Ireland when DH had a stomach issue. This year we're staying stateside and doing short trips to metropolitan areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the climate toward Americans in those cities?

We have two trips booked this summer and I'm wondering if we should cancel. I saw one friend of a friend of a friend's social media post about their daughter being treated poorly in Cyprus during her spring break trip just because she was American. I took note of it but didn't dwell on it b/c I don't know them directly and what if her kid was being a brat?

But then the sister of my good friend posted a warning that they received terrible service in London during their spring break trip last week because they were from the US. I trust her account of things because I know her and have known her for many years.

I am in two of those cities half the year for work. If you don’t dress like an American, don’t talk loud and don’t ask for modifications of items on menu, nobody cares about Americans. Please do not ask for to-go coffee and carry it around with you. Nobody wants to know about your diet or food issues unless it’s deadly (then I would NOT eat out in Europe). Don’t hog the sidewalk, people are trying to get to/from work and other life things. If you really want respect, don’t take selfies and be on the phone the whole time. There are no Starbucks-style coffees in any cafe in Europe, ex SPT at Starbucks. Be low key and invisible and everything will be fine.

Also, do NOT go to Rome this year unless you are a die hard mega Catholic. It’s the Jubilee and is already insanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the climate toward Americans in those cities?

We have two trips booked this summer and I'm wondering if we should cancel. I saw one friend of a friend of a friend's social media post about their daughter being treated poorly in Cyprus during her spring break trip just because she was American. I took note of it but didn't dwell on it b/c I don't know them directly and what if her kid was being a brat?

But then the sister of my good friend posted a warning that they received terrible service in London during their spring break trip last week because they were from the US. I trust her account of things because I know her and have known her for many years.

Remember, customer service is not a thing in Europe. They don’t care about you and your kids. When I worked at a famous place in France, all the Americans were always complaining about bad customer service, wanting to speak to the manager, etc. We thought that was insanely rude. American exceptionalism, lol. Most Americans think they are unique, exceptional and interesting. We just don’t care. Order your food/buy your whatever with no drama and move on. That is all we ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could always just tell people you're Canadian if you're that worried. Tell them you're from BC if they ask so there's no real accent difference. But, I really think you'll be fine. Maybe don't wear a MAGA hat or talk about politics...but I wouldn't worry that much. Source: I live in southern Italy.

Time to find those Canadian flag patches to put on our backpacks, again.

[Anonymous]

Our kids were in Naples and Rome. No issues.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who posts online about terrible service is likely a nightmare customer.

[Anonymous]

Paris?? If I were treated warmly in Paris I’d become immediately suspicious. Definitely a trap.

Contempt for les americans tourists is de riguere in the city of lights.

[Anonymous]

No issues in Rome. It’s not peak season yet but, many were American tourists.

[Anonymous]

We were in Rome and Milan last week and didn't experience any issues anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If anyone gives you grief apologize for no longer paying for their defense.

Why don’t you do that PP? Reinforce the stereotype of dumb, ignorant Americans.

Totally! Just be polite and not too loud OP. Don't smile too much. Don' t dress like a clod.