Etiquette Rules That Every Traveler Must Know Before Visiting Europe

Europe is a beautiful continent to explore. It is one of the places that has been on the bucket list of almost all travelers. If you're looking for a spot to plan your next excursion where you can immerse yourself in many cultures, history, and wonderful food, then planning a European vacation is the best thing to do. 

 

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While planning a trip to this popular jaunt, the biggest challenge is understanding the cultural nuance and how people prefer travelers to behave. No matter which country you choose in Europe, you must know how everything works in this continent, the travel manners or etiquettes to look upon, or probably which jargon and slang to use to create a bond with the locals. Among these, learning about etiquettes is of utmost importance. They help to know what things to do and what not. 

 

Knowing etiquettes is not a big task. All it needs is a bit of common sense, and you can turn yourself into a polite and well-liked traveler. If you are planning a European vacation and are nervous about following the etiquette rules, read this article. We have mentioned some of the essential etiquette tips you need to know before leaving for a vacation. No matter where you are traveling to, you must take into account the following rules and become a good traveler in Europe. 

 

So, what are you waiting for? Go through these travel etiquette tips and be a responsible traveler. 

 

 

1. Don’t Tip & If You Do, Keep It To Minimum.

 

 

Tipping culture is out of control in American hospitality. However, it’s not common in Europe and is sometimes considered rude. The service providers in Europe are well paid that they neither expect nor depend on tipping. If you are on a European vacation and feel like rewarding the server for their exceptional service, then you can leave a few extra euros. Also, make sure you pay cash directly to the server rather than leaving it with the bill.   

 

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2. Give The Exact Change or At Least Close To Exact

 

Giving exact change is an unspoken agreement in Europe. Cashiers across the continent don’t like to get a big fat euro note for just a little purchase. So, always carry some change with you and provide the cashier with exact or near about exact cash. Also, when it comes to currency, always do some research before you leave for a European vacation and learn where the euro works. This is because some countries in the continent still prefer to deal in their own currency rather than the euro.

 

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3. Ask For The Check Yourself

 

 

European loves to take their dining as an experience and enjoy every second of it. Unlike other countries or continents, the food here is served in an unhurried manner. The people here prefer to enjoy their meal in a laid-back atmosphere with no distractions while having food, sipping in some wine, and having a conversation around the table. This sanctity of eating in Europe means that waiters will not disturb the customers and ask for the check. They consider it rude to bring the bill or ask for it even if the customers are done eating. So, on your European vacation, make sure that you need to ask for the bill instead of waiting for them to bring it on their own. 

 

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4. End Your Meals At 5:25

 

This is another travel etiquette rule that you must know on your European vacation. By this rule, we mean to say that you need to place your silverware at the 5:25 position on your plate once you are done eating. Traditionally, the forks and knives were placed facing downward. But in modern dining etiquettes, you can even leave them upwards. All you need is to keep in mind that you put them at 5:25. Doing so will signal that you are done. This is a more delicate and polite way to show that waiters can come and clear the place. 

 

5. Keep Your Volume Down

 

 

Most people may not notice this, but they are pretty loud. Not all have control over their voice and can be noisy. This is not considered good etiquette in Europe. People here prefer to use library noise while they are in cathedrals, museums, cozy restaurants, or other public places. So, next time when you plan a European vacation, make sure you remain conscious of how loud you speak. Always try to watch and listen to the locals and understand the way they talk. Remember, use a library voice in Europe rather than a gym voice, and you will be good to go. 

 

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6. Never Jump Right Into A Conversation

 

This is obviously not a must-follow rule on a European vacation, but keeping this in mind will go a long way and help you strike up a great conversation. The etiquette here is to never jump right into a conversation without acknowledging the other person. They find it a little rude to ask right away questions like, “how much does it cost?”, “where is the restroom?” and more. So, always try to start a conversation with a greeting and end it with a thank you. Remember this travel tip, and who knows, you might end up having good friends. 

 

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7. Dress Yourself Up A Little Bit

 

Although there’s no rule that you can’t wear leggings, crop tops, or jeans on an average day, people here in Europe love to play with their wardrobe and dress up a little bit. Even if they leave their home for strolling across the street, they love to wear a fabulous funky dress or something more trendy and stylish. So, next time when you plan a European vacation, try to pack the clothes that fit in the setting and blend in with the locals. 

 

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8. Never Carry A Lot Of Cash

 

Last but not least, never carry too much cash with you on a European vacation. There are so many obvious reasons behind this, and one of the major reasons is pick-pocketing. Pick-pocketing is quite common in Europe, which makes it risky to carry too many currency notes. Also, the locals here find bulky wallets tacky and unnecessary. They prefer making payments with credit or debit cards which is convenient, safe, and time-saving. Remember that Europeans prefer cards over cash and hence, carry money accordingly. 

 

 

These are all the etiquette rules we have for you. We hope that you find these rules helpful on your European vacation. Make sure you practice them, and you’ll surely be welcomed with open arms in this continent!