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We're taking a European trip with kids (10 and 8) and I'm wondering if you could tell me what you wish American parents knew to teach their kids about manners?
Feel free to be really honest -- "American kids do blah, blah, blah, and I really wish they understood that we don't that!"
I'm particularly interested in restaurant, hotel, museum, park manners in Europe and England. Again, for families with little kids.
To be clear: I'm working casual lessons into our travels and want to teach the kids that different countries have different cultural norms. I want them to see that Italy might do one thing, France another and America another.
If you have any book suggestions, I'm all ears.
Thank you so much,
Alley
Last edited by Alicia64; 04-04-2014 at 11:30 AM..
Reason: to clarify
Be yourself and don't let snobby europeans get to you.
Well, I'm working a variety of casual lessons into our trip. Learning about cultural norms is part of my plan. I want to be able to say something along the lines of, "Isn't it interesting that in Italy they do blank, while in France they do blank, but in America we do blank.
Well, I'm working a variety of casual lessons into our trip. Learning about cultural norms is part of my plan. I want to be able to say something along the lines of, "Isn't it interesting that in Italy they do blank, while in France they do blank, but in America we do blank.
It's more of a learning thing for me.
Alley
Not really sure what sort of big differences you are expecting. If you have manners in the US, you will have manners in Europe. If you are loud and obnoxious in the US, you will be there as well.....and it's just as embarrassing in both places.
Not really sure what sort of big differences you are expecting. If you have manners in the US, you will have manners in Europe. If you are loud and obnoxious in the US, you will be there as well.....and it's just as embarrassing in both places.
I'm looking for different norms. Not loud and obnoxious. My kids don't act like that in America.
Have been in China I know there are different norms depending on which country you're in.
I don't want to debate it -- I was just hoping people in Europe might clue me in on a few differences.
I'm looking for different norms. Not loud and obnoxious. My kids don't act like that in America.
Have been in China I know there are different norms depending on which country you're in.
I don't want to debate it -- I was just hoping people in Europe might clue me in on a few differences.
Alley
I've lived in France and Germany and have visited my family in France many times....I just don't understand what you are asking.
At best I can come up with in not wearing 'trainers/sneakers/tennis shoes' as much in Europe and not tipping...but those things aren't manners....and they aren't exactly things to base a 'lesson' on.
One thing I've noticed that's very different, and often interpreted as being rude, is in lining up (queuing) for things like the bus. Europeans line up, while Americans tend to huddle.
There are also different customs relating to restaurants. Tipping, for one. Another (that I've been told) is that Americans are too quick to put their money out on the table. In Europe, that means you're done and leaving. Not so much in America.
I've lived in France and Germany and have visited my family in France many times....I just don't understand what you are asking.
At best I can come up with in not wearing 'trainers/sneakers/tennis shoes' as much in Europe and not tipping...but those things aren't manners....and they aren't exactly things to base a 'lesson' on.
Well, like. . . I've heard that the French eat with a fork and knife. That they think eating w/ just a fork is semi-backwards or something.
That kind of thing.
Alley
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