Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I really cannot stomach it. It is a fried sausage.....sort of.....made from pigs blood.
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<I really cannot stomach it. It is a fried sausage.....sort of.....made from pigs blood.>>> And it tastes goooood!!!
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 UK fan, that is ALL yours I added a trip countdown I am so excited! So any big cultural things I should be aware of?
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 I don't know haha like random stuff: when to tip people, is it weird to ask a random stranger to take your picture? stuff like that
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmm interesting. Customs vary from country to country and region to region. Typically, tipping is used for good service, but is not always expected. Typically you tip in restaurants (but more like 10% if good service), cabs (usually £1 or euro), bell hops (£1 or euro per bag). Though a lot of people do not bother. In a lot of places, the wait staf will not come over unless you make eye contact. In some European cultures, it is considered rude for the server to interupt your meal. In Europe, one big difference is people use their knife and fork at the same time. Be aware in the mainland, queing is not done very well in France, Spain or Italy. Germans and Brits queue however. Remove hats indoors (I know many americans sadly do not). If going to Vatican, be sure not to where shorts or short skirts and cover your arms. Another critique of Americans here in Europe is they are load and always talking about how x, y, z is better in America (does not go down well). People in Europe tend to be quieter (except in Spain and Italy). I assume none of you are vegetarian? It is fine in the UK, but in Europe, the joke is they serve veggies fish. And be prepared for siesta in some places, smaller food portions and smaller drinks. Also in urban areas, it is all about walking and public transport, so much more like San Francisco than LA.
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 What's queuing? Oh we prefer to walk places anyways that's what I liked about new york you could walk almost everywhere. And we are not vegetarians
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 I'm still here!! Last year we ended up going to Disney World instead of Europe. We want to buy a house while the market in Southern California is still "low" so we decided to scale down a bit. I am still saving my pennies and hoping next year or the year after it will be Europe time for us! I appreciate all your advice though!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I understand. We keep trying to get it together to visit Japan, but things keep getting in the way.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "I am not sure I could take 3 weeks off work so it might just be 2 weeks" It always amazes me that in the US they only get two weeks off per year. I'd go bloody MAD!!!! Both of my US trips were seven weeks and I took four weeks off last year to visit New Zealand(BRILLIANT place!!!!)and four weeks off this year for Tasmania, with a week at home just to chill. Australia RULES!!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo What is the average amount of time people take off in Oz Bob? In the Uk 4 - 5 weeks are the norm. Some organisations such as the NHS offer 6 weeks to people with long service records. Now that I own my own business, I have had about 9 weeks off a year.
