I hope I don't come across as insensitive, but I work in the airport now, and between that and living in a tourism-heavy area, I see my fair share of tourists, mostly American. I've always thought, and now, see that it is usually much better and makes things easier to assimilate with the culture and scenery in which you are traveling, rather than stick out like a sore thumb. With that in mind, I wanted to share a few tips for my fellow countrymen in how to better blend in.
1. When traveling to Ireland, it is obvious you're a tourist if you wear every piece of green you own with the novelty "The leprechauns made me drink it!" t-shirt you bought at Target last St. Patrick's Day. You're in Ireland, now, you see? We get it!
2. Those passport pouches worn around the neck. The horrible fanny pack (and by the way, if you must, call it a bum bag over in Ireland/UK or you'll be getting strange looks - "fanny" is slang for a part of the female anatomy!!!). They may be convenient, but I think it screams "I'm a tourist!!! I probably have my passport, a credit card or two and about $2000 in traveler's checks in here!!! Please rob me!!!" If you must, wear the passport pouch inside your shirt or jacket. I think that's it's intended purpose, anyway.
3. I realize that white socks are a staple of American athletic fashion, but in Europe, they're just plain tacky. If you are wearing shorts and playing basketball, okay. If you are wearing dress pants and loafers, go ahead and hang your head.
4. Baseball hats are fine if you're outside, otherwise, they're tacky and inappropriate. Seriously.
5. If you begin sentences with "Well, in the US, we do...." you're not going to get better service. You're in a foreign country. It's different. That's part of the experience, so embrace it!
6. There's no Splenda in Europe.
7. At the risk of offending, the upcoming election is a hot topic here, too. Try to avoid talking about it if possible. And, if for some strange reason you ever voted for a Bush, do not tell anyone - they'll think you're psychotic.
That pretty well sums it up. Please know that Americans still have a reputation for being some of, if not the most polite tourists, despite these petty embarassments, which is something to be proud of.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Signs
In Ireland, license plates follow a format: XX(the year the car was first registered, or to tell everyone how old the vehicle you're driving is)AA (the county abbreviation for the county in which the car was first registered) and XXXX (numbers). So, mine is 00D5something, something something, which means mine is a 2000 registered in Dublin first.
For some reason, even though I have known the county codes (most of them are the first and last letters of the county name, i.e. CE for Clare) for some time now, I still do a double take at Kerry's: KY. For a split-second, my first thought is that they're from Kentucky!
Another sign, or headline, rather, caught my eye last night. "Air Strike May Hit 90,000 Passengers." Perhaps it's because I'm American and read the words "air strike" automatically in the context of war, but I seriously thought for a moment that possibly 90,000 people might die from some sort of missile attack. Then I realized that it was in reference to the air traffic control staff going on strike in Ireland's three main airports, which could delay some flights for people. Yeah, slight difference.
For some reason, even though I have known the county codes (most of them are the first and last letters of the county name, i.e. CE for Clare) for some time now, I still do a double take at Kerry's: KY. For a split-second, my first thought is that they're from Kentucky!
Another sign, or headline, rather, caught my eye last night. "Air Strike May Hit 90,000 Passengers." Perhaps it's because I'm American and read the words "air strike" automatically in the context of war, but I seriously thought for a moment that possibly 90,000 people might die from some sort of missile attack. Then I realized that it was in reference to the air traffic control staff going on strike in Ireland's three main airports, which could delay some flights for people. Yeah, slight difference.
Friday, February 08, 2008
The cat is sitting on me
Which is why this will be short - it's hard to type with such a behemoth on your forearms!
I noticed it had been ages since I posted something. That's not so say that I haven't tried. I have about 4 saved drafts on here, all of which are too whiny and negative to put in public space but have probably provided some therapy for me in my writing them.
I have a dear friend who has been on lots of adventures in her life and has maintained enough balance in all of that to continue on a successful career path. I had, for a number of years, dubbed her my "fabulous New York friend." And then she moved again. But she's still fabulous. Anyway, she advised me ages ago that if I move somewhere I have to give it two years to really know if I can like it there. I've always remembered that, largely because she's made some big moves in her life and has found success along the way. Naturally, I'd want to follow suit. Not that I always adhered to it. In the context she advised that originally, I uprooted from DC after only 4 short months.
After moving back to Indy from DC, I was very resolute in my decision. For all its pros and cons, Indy was my home and would continue to be. Until, of course an Irishman named Tristan skipped into my life and became my husband instead of just the far-flung email pen pal I expected. Now I've been in Ireland for exactly 2 years, 7 months and 10 days. One of my cool friends from work back in Indy, KAJ, gave me a Daruma doll as a going away gift. The doll is just a head with exotically painted features except for the eyes. The idea is that you paint one eye on the doll when you begin your journey and paint the other one upon completion. I painted the one eye on exactly 2 years, 7 months and 10 days ago. In the meantime, the doll has collected dust, but never his second eye. I haven't forgotten about it or determined that he's to remain a cyclops. I just don't know if my journey is complete yet.
I had this idea that I'd get a job in Ireland, be settled and feel whole here. I've made friends, have a wonderful husband and cat and family, a comfortable home and work. I don't know that I want to move back to Indy. It's not that. I suppose I'm just waiting to paint on the second eye - even after my 2 year deadline. I'll keep you posted if some lightening bolt moment prompts me to paint the poor thing's eye on.
I noticed it had been ages since I posted something. That's not so say that I haven't tried. I have about 4 saved drafts on here, all of which are too whiny and negative to put in public space but have probably provided some therapy for me in my writing them.
I have a dear friend who has been on lots of adventures in her life and has maintained enough balance in all of that to continue on a successful career path. I had, for a number of years, dubbed her my "fabulous New York friend." And then she moved again. But she's still fabulous. Anyway, she advised me ages ago that if I move somewhere I have to give it two years to really know if I can like it there. I've always remembered that, largely because she's made some big moves in her life and has found success along the way. Naturally, I'd want to follow suit. Not that I always adhered to it. In the context she advised that originally, I uprooted from DC after only 4 short months.
After moving back to Indy from DC, I was very resolute in my decision. For all its pros and cons, Indy was my home and would continue to be. Until, of course an Irishman named Tristan skipped into my life and became my husband instead of just the far-flung email pen pal I expected. Now I've been in Ireland for exactly 2 years, 7 months and 10 days. One of my cool friends from work back in Indy, KAJ, gave me a Daruma doll as a going away gift. The doll is just a head with exotically painted features except for the eyes. The idea is that you paint one eye on the doll when you begin your journey and paint the other one upon completion. I painted the one eye on exactly 2 years, 7 months and 10 days ago. In the meantime, the doll has collected dust, but never his second eye. I haven't forgotten about it or determined that he's to remain a cyclops. I just don't know if my journey is complete yet.
I had this idea that I'd get a job in Ireland, be settled and feel whole here. I've made friends, have a wonderful husband and cat and family, a comfortable home and work. I don't know that I want to move back to Indy. It's not that. I suppose I'm just waiting to paint on the second eye - even after my 2 year deadline. I'll keep you posted if some lightening bolt moment prompts me to paint the poor thing's eye on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)