I’m a Brit; Here’s the Top Mistakes Travelers Make When Visiting Europe

As a British citizen who has also lived in the U.S., I’m in a privileged position to see the tourist mistakes that Americans make while traveling in Europe. If you want to move on from a typical tourist to a traveler exploring new countries, avoid doing these ten things.

1. Renting Cars in Major Cities

“Don’t rent a car if you’re going to stay at (in) a major capital; it’s not worth it,” advises the first continental cousin. “It’s much better to use public transport and get an occasional Uber.” European cities mostly have advanced, efficient public transport. Furthermore, you will experience a richer form of the culture.

2. Only Seeing Capital Cities

I have a particular affinity for warning Americans that London is about as English as New York. As cool a city as my capital can be, a long weekend will suffice. We have far more civilized cities to enjoy, such as Bath or Durham — and this goes for all European countries. A commenter agrees, “Much like the U.S., many other big cities have their own distinct style and a lot to offer.”

3. Accepting Street Flowers

Sadly, with huge cities comes opportunities for people on the fringes of society, such as undocumented visitors. They have a series of money-making scams and guilt-based grifts you must be wary of, such as giving you flowers or herbs. “Once it is in your hands, they start asking for money. They even gave a flower to one of my kids and then wouldn’t take it back,” warns a tourist. “Just set it on the ground and walk away.”

4. Telling Where You Are Staying

Liam Neeson cannot be there to save us all in Europe. For obvious reasons, never reveal to strangers which hotel or district you stay in. Someone visiting Rome speaks of a scam where people try to attach a wrist bracelet on tourists for supposed cash. However, they will use these bracelets to mark someone and source their hotel — never accept these gifts.

5. Not Minding Canals

The Dutch often lament the number of tourists coming to their egalitarian, high-tech city centers. However, densely populated cities with many canals come with health risks, and far too many tourists fall into canals. “Wait, that’s not part of the normal tourist program for Amsterdam?” jokes a commenter. A Dutch local sets them straight, saying, “Falling in canal no; obstructing the bicycle path, very much.”

6. Disrespecting Bike Lanes

American cities are mostly automobile-friendly, pedestrian-exclusive places, though this has been improving more recently. While Britain plays catch up, most European cities are a cyclist’s dream. However, stand in the bike lane at your own risk! “If the paving is red, you’re on a bike path,” jokes one Euro-cyclist. “If it’s not red, you might still be on a bike path.” You’ve been warned — kind of.

7. Telling Your Name To Strangers

The tourist scammer relies on people’s better nature, namely the guilt of not treating locals nicely. Never reveal your name to a street peddler, notes one contributor. “They will rush to personalize something and then cause a scene if you won’t buy it,” says the tourism hawk. “Guilt is a helluva thing for these guys.”

8. Dressing Like A Wealthy Tourist

Unfortunately, in some poorer areas of Europe, dressing like wealthy tourists is a flag for any city’s unsavory elements — jewelry, expensive shoes, or sunglasses will make you look like an easy mark.

9. Ignoring Customs or Local Laws

In Germany, it is illegal to mock national socialism in the form of a raised arm salute. This insult can be filed with taking selfies at the Holocaust museum, writing narcissistic remarks in the Anne Frank Museum visitor log, or denying the Holocaust — which is “illegal in 18 European countries,” according to a commenter.

10. Choosing The Closest Restaurant to Attractions

Another tourist sage gives American holidaymakers sound culinary advice, wearing people to avoid “restaurants in touristy areas that have signs out front with pictures of the meals and the price featured prominently.”

These are invariably not the best place to eat — food factories focused more on profit than quality. Another member takes it further, saying to keep walking “if the menu is translated to several languages that aren’t spoken in the country.”

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