1) Eating hours- in the Mediterranean countries, lunch is the biggest meal, eaten between 1-4pm. Dinner at 8 pm is considered early.
2) Tipping–some bills include a service charge. If it doesn’t, a 10% tip is acceptable. In some cafés, or bars, if you round the check–out to the nearest dollar, that will be sufficient. Tips are best to give in cash.
3) Ice–seems to be a rarity. It is not a given as in the U.S.
4) Water–you are not offered a free glass of water in a restaurant. You need to order a bottle and choose either still or fizzy. You will be charged for your libations.
5) Siesta–during the long lunch, many stores close between 1-4 pm and reopen from 4 to 8 ish. Pm.
6) Walking in the street–they are old and narrow. This requires you to walk in the gutter. This can be quite unsafe because of the speeding motorcycles and electric bikes.
7) Shopping areas–when you’re walking in these narrow streets, you would assume that no vehicles could be allowed. Then you hear the roar of a motor or the beep of a truck’s horn and know you assumed wrong. You jump up on the sidewalk and pray a tour group isn’t blocking you from doing so.
8) Bathrooms- if you are outside and need to go, make sure you have some coins because there is a charge.
9) Paper goods–the luxury of having soft toilet sheets and tissues have not caught on in Europe. It appears that paper is used sparingly. If you have a sensitive dearie–air, bring your own.
10) Bidet–what looks like a small toilet is in the bathroom, is meant to clean your privates
11) Smoking–Many Europeans still smoke cigarettes.
12) Tanning–In the U.S., most people are concerned about skin damage from the sun. In Europe, a tan is still sought after. No umbrella while lathering with baby oil.
13) Electrical in the U.S. 110-120 V, so you require a converter when in Europe, where the voltage is 220V. Besides the converter, you will need adapters because the sockets vary from country to country.
14) Train travel–is accessible, prices are reasonable and much faster and efficient than in the U.S. The stations can be crowded and have little seating. Travel tip–there are benches on the platforms. You can ask to sit at any platform until you can see your train’s information on the departure board.
15) The VAT–stands for value added tax. They include this in your purchases. If you are not an EU citizen, you can get back this money by filing papers at the airport.
Europe–How much I love the people, the history, culture, and food. To that I say WTH.
