how to not scream AMERICAN in a foreign country

sew a canadian maple leaf to your backpack...everyone loves the canadians

Don't wear clothes like these even at the beach

I was publicly snubbed in Croatia for being "an Amerikan". I was sitting alone at a cafe in Dubrovnik drinking a coffee and reading a local paper when two twenty-somethings walked up to me and asked if I was an American. I answered truthfully...and they tossed there own coffees on me and walked away. This was in 2005. I was wearing a black leather jacket over a crew neck sweater with old levi jeans and a pair of dark leather driving shoes

Envy can be a terrible thing.

My question...Why are you so afraid of being made as an American? For 42 years I traveled with and for the US Navy and never had a problem. No matter what you do you will be made. As long as you don't act better then them you will have a fine time (The Ugly American). Contrary to popular belief. Most people of other countries like us, just not our government. Of course they don't like their government either...
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Agreed

Chuck Spears whats that writing in your sig and what does it mean

Θέλω μια ελληνική υπογραφή επίσης.

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I was publicly snubbed in Croatia for being "an Amerikan". I was sitting alone at a cafe in Dubrovnik drinking a coffee and reading a local paper when two twenty-somethings walked up to me and asked if I was an American. I answered truthfully...and they tossed there own coffees on me and walked away. This was in 2005. I was wearing a black leather jacket over a crew neck sweater with old levi jeans and a pair of dark leather driving shoes

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I have been lucky enough to have had nothing but positive encounters overseas.

What did your hair look like? Many Americans associated with the military or tactical trades have a head that looks like it. Don't shave, let the hair run a little wild. Bonus points if you can pull off one of those silly mousse duck ridge doos' that all the soccer lads like.

silly mousse duck ridge doos' that all the soccer lads like.

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i think i maybe getting old. But what the heck is that

Chuck Spears whats that writing in your sig and what does it mean

Quote:
Θέλω μια ελληνική υπογραφή επίσης.

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Umm... my one year of Greek (Attic) is insufficient to translate, but I think it says something like:

"The greeks want my autograph too."

Someone whose greek is better than mine might be able to translate better.

Hey, it's not like we're in the backyard of some forgotten part of hell. For instance, no-one cares here if you are local, American or martian, as long as you're being polite. There are plenty of those who scream "tourist", whatever the language they speak, and those are detested - loud speaking, arrogant behavior etc.

On the other hands, there are, for example, a lot of pretty girls (pimped up, like make-up, push-ups, short skirts, figure-expressing clothing etc) here, people are usually polite and when trying to speak shady Russian someone might get banged up in some back-alley. But you're all welcome, and when you do come to this part of the world, drop me a line.

MakAttak said:

Umm... my one year of Greek (Attic) is insufficient to translate, but I think it says something like:

"The greeks want my autograph too."

Someone whose greek is better than mine might be able to translate better.

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Not bad, pretty close. Comes out to "I want a Greek signature too."

Μολὼν λαβέ is pretty good, but I need a different Laconic phrase in my sig. I'll come up with one soon. The current one is just a place holder.

cool


thanks Chuck

Not bad, pretty close. Comes out to "I want a Greek signature too."

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Ahh, Θέλω first person singular, ελληνική is an adjective. Got it. Some of that greek is coming back now...

Always good to see interest in the Classics. Helps me justify it as my undergrad degree.

I've noticed that several posters mentioned smiling as something not to do. Why should a person avoid smiling? Is it considered rude in European countries?

I lived in Venezuela for 23 months. Spent most of my time in middle to lower class neighborhoods, and in some cases in absolute slums. Other than being called a spy or Yankee once in a while or the rare occasion that someone batted me with a folded newspaper I never really had a problem.

Something that I learned:
Be courteous/nice/friendly to others. Whether it was the professor or gang member my companion and I were friendly and courteous to everyone, and as a result everyone generally accepted us even though I couldn't help but stand out as a foreigner.

Otherwise I would simply recommend being aware of your surroundings.

I've noticed that several posters mentioned smiling as something not to do. Why should a person avoid smiling? Is it considered rude in European countries?

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Not rude. The original poster asked how not to appear American: Americans smile in public far more than most other cultures. As such, the advice is to appear to be like the locals and avoid smiling.