The times when Russian tourists took water for compote, which is intended for the abamination of hands in the restaurant, it seems to be held. However, today, even the most advanced travelers do not - no yes and come to see, not knowing certain traditions. Moreover, often curious situations arise not in exotic countries, but in almost native Europe. We decided to eliminate third-party gaps and, by connecting the sophisticated stars sophisticated by part of foreign travel, amounted to a guide on behavior in European countries.
Great Britain
The British has a special attitude to the queues. They obediently line up with each other and form live chains even in some kind of non-obvious places at first sight. There is even a joke: the British to form a queue, just one person. Moreover, to the queues and culture of behavior in the Motherland, Shakespeare and Robbie Williams are related to some eater. For example, it is not customary to stand above the soul from the buyer, which is currently paying at the checkout. Usually, the rest of the line is lagging behind him for a couple of steps. Approximately the same as on passport control at the airport. This tradition does not apply to supermarkets and fast food. And the British really do not like to say "no" and try to do neutral "maybe", "will be visible", "let's see" and so on. Therefore, you will have to show wonders of diplomacy to get a concrete answer from the prisoner of the English Queen.
Czech Republic
When a Russian man is trying to explain to gestures that he needs one train ticket, one wine glass, one souvenir magnet, then he raises the upward finger. Czechs are used by a thumb - as in the hitchhock. The inhabitants of Prague and the surroundings themselves are recognized that it is precisely along the reference finger that they often calculate the Russians. This is noticeable to those who want to fully merge with the European environment and play in a prosperous resident of the European Union.
Italy
Most of the rules of behavior in the country "Dolce Vita" are associated with the adoption of food. Still: Fanatical attitude towards guilt and snacks - the business card of the inhabitants of Italy. You should start with coffee, the second is perhaps popular in Italy beverage after wine. Coffee types (or rather, ways to prepare) here are many. Therefore, in the bar or restaurant, you should always check exactly which coffee you want. Asking just Caffe, be prepared for the fact that you will bring the usual black espresso. And cappuccino after twelve day, it is possible to spoil your reputation at all and to give a person with a bad taste: The Italians drink coffee with a milk foam cap only for breakfast. Another gastronomic problem is a sequence of dishes. The usual scheme "Salad-Soup-Hot" scheme in Italy does not work. The first dish (not counting the infinite snacks of Antipasti) they have a paste, the second is fish, a bird or meat with a side disk. Salad can be ordered between them, but no way before Macarona. In addition, if you are a pretty citizen, dinner or dulling alone, be prepared for the unhealthy attention of hot Italian guys: in the south of the country, they believe that a woman (and especially foreigners), who came to the restaurant alone, only and is waiting for a banquet in the company of local Alessandro , Massimo and Stefano.
Germany
In fact, contrary to all prejudices and social stamps, the Germans are excellent guys, very friendly and with a subtle sense of humor. But to get close to them and see these, of course, valuable qualities, in the German territory it is better to play in local rules.
In Germany, everything obeys a special deity, the Supreme Priest called "Order". To retreat from the established system - to break the psychological pattern. Therefore, here, for example, unlike the same Italy, it is almost impossible to ask the bus driver to carry you a couple of stops for free or try to give money for a ticket personally in hand to the shofer. Because it does not comply with the rules. And contributes to the Pedantic Germans chaos. Therefore, the bus is only with a pre-purchased ticket, across the road - only on the green light, and at the table - only with a knife (whatever it is in a plate) and fork. By the way, during the joint drinking of alcohol, the Germans are friendly raising glasses and look at each other in the eyes.
Yes, and also: under the Germans, you should not demonstrate wonders of wastefulness. Their desire for order and, as a result, to the quality of life it fully implies the purchase of a kindly expensive car or house in a good area. But jeans for 200 euros and boots for 500 - for the Germans absurd and transjarce. This, of course, does not mean that it is necessary to arrive in Germany solely with serious intentions, and the streets of shops and boutiques are bypassed for a kilometer. Not. Buy how much your soul. The main thing is, do not hurry to demonstrate checks with your German buddies. May not understand and write to frivolous.
Scandinavia
Contrary to universal ideas about the harsh peoples of the North, the inhabitants of the Scandinavian countries are very friendly and open to communicate. In Norway, Finland and Sweden, society is extremely democratic, all people communicate with each other on an equal footing. There is not even adopted by a polite form of "you" (although in local languages it is present). Therefore, even if you came to Scandinavia at work and communicate with business partners, feel free to tell them "you". Otherwise, people will think that you are trying to intentionally keep the distance and donate the nose. Because on "You" Finns, Norwegians and other Northerners call only the president and very ancient ancient antiques-Aksakalov. Everyone else (including, for example, university teachers) is accepted "poke" there.
France
The myths of arrogance and some snobs of the French are partly true. Especially if it concerns their native language. Despite the fact that Paris, for example, is quite a tourist city, the French are reluctant to speak in the international language of communication - English. Therefore, in order to arrange a waiter, a receptionist in a hotel or a neighbor for apartments, learn at least a couple of welcome phrases in French. In general, the French are famous connoisseurs of light life and fun. And very love about and without reason to show a sense of humor (not always, however, understandable to foreigners). So finding it in France, be prepared for the exercise in wit, everything is in a row - from the conductor in the train to the seller in a perfume shop. We will demonstrate the speed of the response and successfully in response - and your rating in the eyes of picky French will rise by a dozen points.
General place
The common European rule that is useful to lonely traveling to citizens: Do not be offended if you, a fragile girl with two inexperial suitcases, no one strives to help climb the bus. Or is not inferior in transport. Or does not hold the door to the outlet of the subway or the store. European men are not at all soulless booms, as it may seem at first glance. They, on the contrary, would be happy to come to the rescue, but due to universal feminization (which has yet been touched by the insignificant, because it is not decided to offer such services to unfamiliar ladies. But if they politely ask them - happy to respond and will touch you touching you.