12 Mistakes Tourists Shouldn’t Commit When Vacationing In The Land Of Europe

Europe is one of the most incredible continents to explore in the entire world, perhaps the best. Be it the historic Colosseum or the modern Atomium, Europe covers all areas of the spectrum when it comes to art, culture, architecture, food, etc. As a result, people from other developed countries also come to countries like France, England, Switzerland to live a more attractive life and experience the vivid culture and lifestyle in places like Paris, Prague, London, Munich, Zurich, etc. , Etcetera. It also includes transcontinental countries like Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. These countries are also known for their distinct cultures.

When visiting the lands of Europe, you always need to make sure that you are following important rules and regulations. are certain Things Not to Do in Europe Which you should consider and not forget on your trip.

12 things not to do in Europe

Riding in Europe is very dangerous but some precautions and things have to be kept in mind before boarding this ride. Listed below are some things that define what not to do in Europe.

1. Don’t litter
2. Do not wave to the waiter
3. Do not use bicycle lanes for walking
4. Don’t skip the first line of the German national anthem
5. Don’t assume everyone knows English
6. Avoid making too much noise
7. Don’t leave a larger tip than necessary
8. Avoid jaywalking
9. Avoid the Nazi salute in Germany
10. Avoid late night taxis
11. Avoid wearing shoes when entering someone’s home in Poland
12. Avoid drinking alcohol in public places

1. Don’t litter

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Many countries in Europe have bottle recycling systems. For example, Germany has the Pfand system which has brought about an amazing change for the better. In this system, eight to twenty-five cents are added to your receipt when you purchase plastic bottles, soda cans, or glass bottles of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, which are then refunded at another store. Is.
The store must accept the bottles, even if it is not the store that sold you the bottles in the first place. The Pfand system is a wonderful idea implemented to bring environmental change for the betterment.

2. Do not wave to the waiter

In European countries, especially France, a certain etiquette must be followed when dining in a restaurant or relaxing in a bar. Usually, the waiter shows you to your seat or you can choose a table of your choice. Sometimes, when the joint is very crowded, it may take some time for the waiters to reach your table to take your order.
Instead of waving at them, you can either gesture by making eye contact or you can simply make a slight wave of the hand to indicate that your order is yet to be taken. Waving hands at them is considered very rude and disrespectful.

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3. Do not use bicycle lanes for walking

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Bicycles are a very efficient means of transportation in many countries throughout Europe. It is cheap and good for the environment and easily navigable and well-connected cycle lanes also help the visiting professionals to reach their workplace on time. Thus, riding on a lane meant for bicycles is a serious offense and can be very dangerous for both the cyclist and you.

This can lead to injuries which will ultimately hamper your joyful holiday mood. You may also risk getting cursed at by angry cyclists and face the wrath of their shrill bells.

4. Don’t skip the first line of the German national anthem

When you’re in Germany, do yourself a favor by learning at least the first verse, if not the entire German national anthem. If the national anthem is sung as part of tradition at a sports game or event, make sure you stand and sing at least the first verse, otherwise you may offend nationalist Germans.
The German national anthem is called Deutschlandlied. It is an anthem written by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben in the year 1841.

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5. Don’t assume everyone knows English

Since World War II, Europe has been divided into East and West, and these divisions are not only the result of linguistic and ethnic differences, but they also have an impact. Although English is one of the most widely spoken languages, some Europeans (despite being bilingual and trilingual) are not expected to know the language.

In public places like restaurants, museums, cafes etc. you may find waiters or attendants conversing in English. Still, there are public places where attendants do not know the language.

6. Avoid making too much noise

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Foreigners often get a bad reputation for being too noisy in quiet places in Europe, especially rural areas. It is one thing to go out for fun at night and make as much noise as you want in a bar or night club and it is another thing to do so in quiet areas and disturb the harmony of the community.

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7. Don’t leave a larger tip than necessary

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If you are traveling to Europe for the first time, this is for you! In countries like the US, it is customary for waiters to leave at least 15 to 20 percent of the bill as a tip for the service provided, but this is not the case in various countries in Europe. In some countries, the rate is not as high.

Avoiding traveling more than necessary would be a great precautionary measure, especially if you are traveling on a budget. Ask the locals to find out what amount is enough to tip the service staff at a restaurant or café.

8. Avoid jaywalking

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If the traffic signal lights for vehicles have not yet turned red, do not even think about crossing the road. It doesn’t matter if there are no cars on the road, cross the road only when the lights are red.
Most countries have a system where a signal is placed on the footpath at a zebra crossing and has a button that pedestrians have to press to cross the road. If you are caught strolling, you may be fined. The fine is usually 5 EUR, although this varies in each country.

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9. Avoid the Nazi salute in Germany

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This is a very essential thing which comes under the list of what not to do while traveling in Europe. One of the most offensive things you can do in Germany is the Nazi salute, which is prohibited regardless of context. Avoid doing this even if you are doing it as a joke.

They can impose heavy fines on you or even sentence you to five years in prison or be deported straight back to your country, prohibited from ever returning to Germany.

10. Avoid late night taxis

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When you need a vehicle late at night in a European country, opt for services like Elocab, LeCab, Uber, etc. Although countries like England, France and Switzerland have good local cab services, you may have difficulty catching or even finding one in most other countries.
Additionally, these cabs charge double the day fare and it is best to avoid unnecessary expenses if you are traveling on a budget.

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11. Avoid wearing shoes when entering someone’s home in Poland

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Like many eastern countries, people in Poland also follow the tradition of wearing slippers or walking barefoot in their home premises. If you are invited as a guest to someone’s home in Poland, make sure you take off your shoes when entering their home if you do not want to appear insensitive to their social customs.
You may also bring in a lot of dirt and mess up their floors, which is another reason why they themselves avoid wearing shoes indoors.

12. Avoid drinking alcohol in public places

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While drinking in public is completely legal in some countries, such as Germany, other European countries, such as Poland, object to drinking in public. So much so that it is considered a crime and if caught you will have to pay a fine.

If you want to drink you can always go to a bar or restaurant.

read ahead: 31 Festivals in Europe That Will Add Fun to Your Euro Tour

Europe is a continent full of wonders. If you choose to visit the different countries spread across the continent then there is no dearth of activities to keep your body and mind busy. You will meet different cultures, races, languages ​​and people that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Just make sure to keep in mind all the things not to do in Europe mentioned above. This will help you ensure that no unfortunate incident comes in the way of your trip to Europe.

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