You could be the nicest most open minded American, and everyone in Europe will still hate you. It's just in their blood to discriminate towards Americans.
the generalization "everybody in europe" is sooo damn stupid... do you know how many countries, cultures and subcultures there are?!? i've never been anywhere where people just disliked me without any reason. and i've been to over 20 countries in 3 continents.
what always works: show respect, honest interest and be nice.
"it's just in their blood" is a comment i would classify dumb and racist if you really mean it.
@Vleesball They do, but in the US it's basically expected, and any chain hotel at all basically will have it, where in Europe lots of them don't have it. It's not automatic.
Good advice. I happen to be one of those Americans who is "well travelled". To go with that I also happen to be unusually multi-lingualled, And I make it a habit to learn at least 100 words in the language of the country I'm going to visit, before I go, if the language isn't on my list of knowns. Keep your American pride in your pocket (and also off the front of your tee shirt), try to speak their language, and you will find that you are well loved over there.
i find that italians speak the least english out of all the countries ive been to but they are also the most patient when it comes to a foreigner speaking there language
I myself am from Finland where we do not dub pretty much anything, and when I travel and hear dubbed series it makes me sick, it sounds stupid and completely ruins the show :s Also, why cant all Americans be like you... Your awesome, definitely subbed ^.^
Ps. If you ever come to Finland and try to learn phrases, don't get offended when people laugh at your pronouncing :P
@NamedJesse Thank you! I'm 1/4 Finn actually, so I have relatives that still speak it, though they are quite elderly. Finnish is a crazy language! It's interesting though. I liked Finland, and would like to visit again for longer. I was only there for a couple days.
I wouldn't just say you can be hated in Europe. I would argue that Europe has bigger problems with racism than the US. Or at least Germany, Switzerland and Spain.
Paris... where you pay a lot of money to be sneered at by penniless student waiters. Bof.
Sir, I 'ave brought you ze disgusting vin-de-toilette you ordered. *SLAM* Zerving zis 'as offended my intellectual soul. So, unless Zir can eksplain, in perfeckt French, ze structural geniouz of ze Moliere, zen I will spit in your perfectly prepared salad. Bon appetit, Monsieur Barbarian.
It gets difficult to argue against all my friends and family on their catholic and christian views when they team up against me. I grew up catholic but i slowly kept doubting my religion as i grew up. Its difficult when you can not get your family to look at their religion from the outside perspective. I try to explain that being religous doesnt make you a "good" person. This is exactly what i was looking for. I just subscribed but keep up the videos!!
@Mrkevi123 Great! I appreciate it. Yes, I've been at this awhile. If you're really bored, you can see what I've said in the past. Some of my earlier videos are pretty dull though. Some of my recent ones may be too. I make no guarantees. Hehheh.
@COEXISTential Cool! Yeah it's right off a main highway apparently. Have another pint for me at Knight's Templar if you happen to go past again in the near future!
What the hell? You only have 8.5k subscribers? I seem to remember thinking you were undersubbed when I first subbed you.. like a year ago? Maybe 3k subs?
@Xerxes4242 A year ago at this time I had a bit over 4K. I had 3K in the summer of 2010. Thanks for the support! You're a name I recognize, so I know you've been around awhile. *:-)
@Zaunstar Apologies for copy pasta. "The guide awards one to three stars to a small number of restaurants of outstanding quality. One star indicates a "very good cuisine in its category", a two-star ranking represents "excellent cuisine, worth a detour," and three stars are awarded to restaurants offering "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey". A three-star Michelin ranking is rare." A 2 michelin star restaurant is like an extremely good 5 star restaurant, but still not close :D.
Awwww, thanks very much for mentioning that Erik! I'm glad she liked it so much. it was my pleasure to make it. Great seeing you in NY. I hope Germany is treating you well.
@meridianfrost Yeah, Berlin was cool! It was my first time in Berlin, or in northern Germany in general. I still have a lot , more to explore in Germany. I just got back last night. Great seeing you as well, though we didn't have a lot of time to hang out in NYC.
As a kid I was in a boychoir and had the chance to tour europe. Unfortunatly for us, our attempt to be cute by singing the national anthem of Austria while in Vienna back fired. As it turns out, Edelweiss is NOT their national anthem.
It's funny you talk about the check. In Mexico you also have to ask for the check or they won't bring it. I find this a better system for two reasons: 1) I find it rude to assume I'm done with my meal, and the check feels almost like an invitation to scram, 2) when I get the check, most times I won't order anything else, even if I felt like eating something else. It's just too much bother. This is probably good for me, but not for the restaurant's profits.
@SpinozasPsyche Well, they usually say it's no rush, etc. and only after they have already done dessert and coffee. I can see why they do it that way, and it's not necessarily a complaint. It's just different.
I lived in Bologna, Italy for 1.5 years and Romania, and completely agree with your views of encouraging people (Americans especially) to travel/learn another language. I enjoyed the, "hey ya'll we're here, where all the french bitches at??" hahahah Great vid!
I'm heading the other way for the first time next year as two friends of mine are getting married in Santa Barbara (I've been to Canada snowboarding, but ski resorts don't count as they're all the same worldwide...). Fancy doing a vid for heathen Brits like me coming to the good Ol' US of A?? ;)
Yay, travel! Be honest... did you ever lie and pretend to be Canadian?
I don't know how it is in Europe, but in Asia, I noticed that cab drivers magically found shorter routes and charged me less when I said I was Canadian. :P
@TheViciousSquare I've not yet tried that. If you have the demeanor of someone that is NOT a clueless tourist, then I think it matters less where you are actually from.
@Zaunstar In South Korea I regularly took a cab to and from the same locations, so I was able to note the difference in how I was treated. When I said I was Canadian, the cabbies took me straight to my destination for a reasonable fee. When I said I was American, they took circuitous routes and I paid more. My behavior was the same in either case, so it was my nationality they were reacting to. Can't say I blame them, given our military occupation for the last 60 years.
@TheViciousSquare I wouldn't compare them with a situation like Iraq though. We offered to leave several years ago and they freaked out. I think if anything it's more a function of American troops sometimes exhibiting bad behavior and/or being gullible and untraveled, thus easy to take advantage of. I could be wrong, and have not yet visited South Korea, so I'll keep that in mind for when I visit.
@Zaunstar I'm not comparing it to Iraq, but it is an occupation in the sense we put a military base in their capital city and have stayed there for decades. Even though I wasn't in the military, I dated some military, so I spent a lot of time on the base in Seoul. It was constantly being picketed and protested. The basic message was: Please leave. The Korean people aren't in agreement with their government on this and the cabbies apparently take it out on Americans. ;)
French people really can't understand you if you sound like an American. I myself, when in France, try to pronounce French "as French as possible" and the people there are always thrilled about how good (a-hum) my French is, even though I don't know all the words.
About "waiting forever": I don't know about all of Europe, but here in NL, we feel unwelcome if the waiter throws the bill on the table before we even started drinking our coffee. It's like saying "drink up and leave, please!"
Taking classes in a foreign language is useless without a practical motivation to use it. I can barely carry a conversation in either Spanish or German because I live on the Canadian border and my relatives stopped speaking German several generations ago (and besides, PA Dutch is to proper German what French Canadian is to proper French: it's considered a dialect and isn't really formally taught).
No money means no traveling, leading to people not giving a shit about the rest of the world. It's sad and it should change but that's why bigots are like that I find.
Well done! From a Brits perspective that was a good guide for youall :-). And just a small hint. Eating out in London costs a bomb, so you will be better of getting lunch in a local pub, cheaper and more the real uk. After all Pubs are a big part of what makes us great. :-)
@zarko1982 Oh yes, we noticed food prices in London were CRAZY for food that was NOT necessarily anything special at all. Pub food costs as much as decent restaurant food in the US. It's a bad place to get "cheap eats". We DID however really enjoy "The Square", though that meal cost a few hundred dollars.
I'd love to travel, but I hate going places where I don't know the language. That's only because I don't like being "rude" and visiting somewhere I don't speak the language (I actually don't mind people visiting and not speaking english, I actually enjoy helping them, it's fun).
By the way the ring looks fantastic. I wish I had the money to go travel, but scraping up enough to start a business isn't exactly easy for me.
@sarcleaeolist Yeah, it's hard not knowing the language, but yes, if you know a little bit and don't OVERdo it when they switch to English, then I think it works.
@Zaunstar That's something like what I ran into when I went to Quebec. I was told that they were some what snobbish about their use of French. I found the complete opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and they didn't even seem to mind my horrible French (I think can barely get the pronunciation, and I probably have a Latin accent). Although I did have trouble remembering to say "Q" as a "K".
If any Quebecers are reading this, thanks for putting up with me while I was visiting!
are you getting your "its over 9000!!!!" video ready for your glorious event? also, you could probably take over a small country, with a crocaduck army of that size....
Ah, Berlin. Love that place, it's a really fun city. There are some really beautiful places, but a good part of it is trashy, too.
If you don't mind trashy and like alternative art, you should go see the Tacheles. People either love it or hate it, but it's definitively an important part of local culture.
Of course, I prefer to just pick a general walking direction and get lost in Berlin, but I wouldn't recommend that to first-time visitors. ;)
I have always said that travel broadens the mind and it not surprising that racists and other narrow minded bigots don't get out much. It was nice meeting you London, next time I will stay in the pub longer.
Anglophone here who has been living in Europe for almost two years now. Sweden, Germany, Austria, and now the Czech Republic. Go, enjoy, be open, and you will do well my fellow Americans.
German is so so about english knowlage. You'll get a long most of the time.
But who really impressed me, are the icelanders. Every single one I talked to spoke a flawless english - even on the countryside far away from any villages.
Also it's really surprising for me again and again to see how many people all over the world speak german. I always wonder why, since german is natively spoken in only three countries.
My sister migrated to chile(with her Husband, 2 Children, 3 Horses and 2 Dogs), my aunt followed my Uncle to Canada(he was missed, she found him in the far north of canada working as Lumberjack)... i think we also have some relatives in China..
So maybe you have just met some of my relatives ;)
Gruß
Oli
I am the last of the younger Generation living in Germany...
Gah, we get it already...you're an expertly informed, world-traveled, know it all and your aptitude is uncanny for the typical, uneducated, American mongrels with whom you're forced to cohabitate the country. Get over yourself...
@omgitsrook Not a bit. I have a LOT to learn about the world and about other cultures. It doesn't make me any better than most people. It just makes me more experienced. I like most Americans and I've met many that are even more well-traveled. If I really didn't like most Americans, I would live somewhere else. I make light of American stereotypes *mostly* in jest. I'm not sure why you would take this video so personally, especially if you know my sense of humor.
Loved Germany when I was there with my rich Uncle. I really really want to go back but I'm a retail store wage slave. sigh. Guess I should have stayed in the Army. *grin*
I really like this video. It's informative as well as the good ol' Zaunstar humor. I wish my financial situation allowed me a visit to Europe (currently trying to learn Polish), but I guess good things take time to get to.
@ONESPECIES No, but I had fish 'n chips with a side of "mushy peas". WHY do you subject people to that??? Mushy peas is a really common option for some reason!!!
@Zaunstar As a Greek I found the sight of that dish rather weird. However once I tasted it in my jolly times in England, I think it blends well with all the other stuff. I suppose its good winter food. Steamy hot mushy peas with gravy... MMMmm mmm. It just opens and greases those air passages on the spot! Besides, you can't convince too many veggies to grow in England ; )
It had to be Berlin, the opposite end of the country, during a month I am as broke as it gets. :( Next time you come to Germany, go southwest please. I'll give you a tour through Heidelberg and Mannheim then. ;-)
@michael666leahcim Haha, I like your height. All men in my family are around 1.93. I'm the short one at 1.68, but weight wise I can almost keep up with you. The wrestling match is on! ;-)
@Zaunstar excuse me thats my countries language and it is still spoken here, it's for TG4 the national irish programme. Also it's not "old" irish, like an other language it has evolved, although only in certain dialectes, it's pretty much made easier. Although I will give this that i'm pretty sure spongebob is done in the "older" dialect.
@rgjmce666 Hehheh. Don't get me wrong, I like hearing interesting languages. I meant more spoken as in daily life spoken. Do many people speak it at home as their primary language?
@Zaunstar well my family don't but their are plenty of places in the west of ireland that do and apparently more people are speaking it so it isn't a dying language, which i think is a good thing. nice to keep heritage like that alive.
I think this is awesome advice to those who want to travel overseas, and these are things I would do. I mean you don't have to completely assimilate into their culture, but you want to make things as smooth as possible by doing some research beforehand. Nothing is worse than offending someone in a foreign country, especially if you don't know the language that well lol.
What you said, probably goes double for France, but they do appreciate trying rather than assuming they know English. Thanks for the mention! I had fun and it was great meeting you, the misses and sorrysonofa.
@cjeffers101 Yeah, it was excellent! Thanks for coming out to see us! Yeah, I know it's better to try a little, just not to insist when you're way out of your depth is all.
I thought the German version of 'The Simpsons' was interesting. I, usually, watch it along side the English version to pick up a little bit of German slang, or just to satisfy the curiosity as to how they translate things.
Hell, just give us west coast liberals advice on what to do when going to the southern states so we don't get lynched. That would be helpful....I'm not too worried about the europeans. They are civilized.
@BrotherAlpha Its the rebuplicans 5th worse nightmare, right behind science, book learning, sex that isnt considered shameful, and any god that isnt theirs
I found your view on European countries highly interesting, and your widely correct. Where in scandinavia have you bin, i seem to have some memory of you talking about sweden in your blogtv sessions but i could be wrong
@americandream112 Yep, I went to all four Scandinavian capital cities (depending on what you consider Scandinavia). Den, Nor, Swe, Fin, plus Estonia for a day trip. That was in 2007 with Mrs. Zaunstar,
Every time I get the chance to travel I think about Europe but then I think about sand and clear blue water. Then my ass is on the equator somewhere. One day I'll get to EU
@guidi2005 The whole beach thing is kinda "meh" to me. I enjoy traveling to meet the people and see the culture and all of that. Hard to do that in a gated resort with armed security south of the border, as a drug war rages.
@Zaunstar I've never been to such a place but I normally go to Islands which are peaceful. I travel for nature but I'll do EU one day. I just got back from wine tasting in Syria......VA :) which was fun. Hard hikes, harder play.
@guidi2005 Europe has it's fair share of beaches, too.
Spain, Italy, france and Greece all have a lot of really beautiful ones, and if you do some research, you'll even be able to find a spot, that is not infested with German, English and Dutch tourists.
Also, if you just want beaches and could care less about the temperature, germany, denmark and all the other northern european countries have a some beaches - it's just not that warm there most of the time.
Great video! I definitely want to travel outside the US one day. I am barely living paycheck to paycheck right now, but it's something I'll do one way or another. Thanks for the tips!
Im from Poland and I never watched Simsons dubbed into Polish. Lies! Ok, I just watched it on youtube... the horror. Btw. Have you ever been in Poland or you just seen it on internet?
If you're ever coming back to Europe, come to Malta, mate :) I'm a Norwegian living in Malta, and I'd be happy to show you around. If you're in Europe in the summer time, you'll find me in Norway - and you'll always have a place to sleep in either of those places, even if I'm not there :)
@steffenml Awesome! I appreciate the offer, my friend. Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity to take you up on it. I plan to be back in Europe as often as time permits.
@Zaunstar Even if you don't need a place to stay, I'd appreciate if you let me know so I can take you and the wife out for a beer :) I've followed your videos for quite a while, and it'd be awesome to actually get a chance to meet up over a drink. Maybe I can tell your wife how awesome your videos are ^^
@steffenml Hehheh, sure! That would be excellent as well. I just don't know when I'll be in Norway next, since I have a lot of other places I've never seen on the list to go see. Malta is probably lovely (nice weather, right?). I'll continue to let people know when I'm going to Europe though so maybe our travel paths will cross. I do appreciate it. I just mentioned your offer to Mrs. Zaunstar just now, and she said it sounded like a good idea to visit when you're there.
@Zaunstar Great stuff :) Both Malta and Norway are actually lovely places; Norway for the scenery and the mountains, Malta for the weather and the lovely ocean. Any way - I appreciate you keeping me updated on the whole coming to Europe thing. I'm traveling a lot with work as well, so I just might happen to be in, for instance, London while you're there :)
@Zaunstar Cool, I lived there for 2 years so I had my fun in Europe but now I'm headed to Japan for 4 years next month (im air force). Also, just wanted to say I watched your videos while I was deployed and helped me pass the time so, THANKS!.
@levelgx That's great! Japan is rising on my travel priority list. I haven't been to Asia yet at all. Gotta get there. That's awesome that my vids helped pass the time. I'm honored to have been able to help even a tiny bit with that. Makes all the effort worthwhile. I love the Crocoduck Army! *:-)
Another option if you have a car available and travel in milder climates is camping. Basic camping gear isn't too expensive (a cheap light matress is HIGHLY recommended) and in Europe campgrounds can be found around or near almost all interesting sites. Besides being cheap, a car gives you enormous freedom in terms of seeing more out of the way (read: less crowded) attractions.
You could be the nicest most open minded American, and everyone in Europe will still hate you. It's just in their blood to discriminate towards Americans.
mkf0528 1 month ago
@mkf0528
the generalization "everybody in europe" is sooo damn stupid... do you know how many countries, cultures and subcultures there are?!? i've never been anywhere where people just disliked me without any reason. and i've been to over 20 countries in 3 continents.
what always works: show respect, honest interest and be nice.
"it's just in their blood" is a comment i would classify dumb and racist if you really mean it.
Here0s0Johnny 4 weeks ago
you are dead right on the bigger country = shittier language skills. It can be very frustrating for us as well.
Shinkajo 1 month ago
I never understood this bullshit about Europeans smelling.. you're so full of shit lol.
America has the most bums after all.
Vleesball 2 months ago in playlist Meer video's van Zaunstar
@Vleesball I wasn't referring to Europeans! I was referring to my fellow tourists, many of which are Americans. *:-)
Zaunstar 1 month ago
@Zaunstar Ah sorry. I understand it now.. Europe doesn't have many hotels with airco's?
Anyway.. it's all good. Nice video.
Vleesball 1 month ago
@Vleesball They do, but in the US it's basically expected, and any chain hotel at all basically will have it, where in Europe lots of them don't have it. It's not automatic.
Zaunstar 1 month ago
Good advice. I happen to be one of those Americans who is "well travelled". To go with that I also happen to be unusually multi-lingualled, And I make it a habit to learn at least 100 words in the language of the country I'm going to visit, before I go, if the language isn't on my list of knowns. Keep your American pride in your pocket (and also off the front of your tee shirt), try to speak their language, and you will find that you are well loved over there.
METRATR0N 3 months ago
your videos are awesome man i cant believe i missed on such a guy like you. u earn another subber :)
mx780 3 months ago
Um, does your wife choose your wardrobe?
ZelphKinderhook 3 months ago
"Hey yall we're here, where da french bitches at?"
LOL'd
ultimatesaged 3 months ago 3
@ultimatesaged Oh, I found them!
Zaunstar 3 months ago
incredibly useful, though i don't think i'd travel much
i just found this entertaining so i kept watching lmao
AllHeilKitler 3 months ago
i find that italians speak the least english out of all the countries ive been to but they are also the most patient when it comes to a foreigner speaking there language
DarkTwin567 3 months ago
Comment removed
METRATR0N 3 months ago
Pippa's arse not ass ! I thought you would know that :)
Grange34 3 months ago
@Grange34 Hey, this is 'Murica!!!
Zaunstar 3 months ago
I myself am from Finland where we do not dub pretty much anything, and when I travel and hear dubbed series it makes me sick, it sounds stupid and completely ruins the show :s Also, why cant all Americans be like you... Your awesome, definitely subbed ^.^
Ps. If you ever come to Finland and try to learn phrases, don't get offended when people laugh at your pronouncing :P
NamedJesse 3 months ago 5
@NamedJesse Thank you! I'm 1/4 Finn actually, so I have relatives that still speak it, though they are quite elderly. Finnish is a crazy language! It's interesting though. I liked Finland, and would like to visit again for longer. I was only there for a couple days.
Zaunstar 3 months ago
I'mma trying to learn Norwegian. :)
It's starting as languages usually do, asking and telling people your name.
Hva heter du?
Jeg heter Piprod01.
piprod01 3 months ago
I wouldn't just say you can be hated in Europe. I would argue that Europe has bigger problems with racism than the US. Or at least Germany, Switzerland and Spain.
Skywalkersc 3 months ago
Paris... where you pay a lot of money to be sneered at by penniless student waiters. Bof.
Sir, I 'ave brought you ze disgusting vin-de-toilette you ordered. *SLAM* Zerving zis 'as offended my intellectual soul. So, unless Zir can eksplain, in perfeckt French, ze structural geniouz of ze Moliere, zen I will spit in your perfectly prepared salad. Bon appetit, Monsieur Barbarian.
USERNAMEfieldempty 3 months ago 2
It gets difficult to argue against all my friends and family on their catholic and christian views when they team up against me. I grew up catholic but i slowly kept doubting my religion as i grew up. Its difficult when you can not get your family to look at their religion from the outside perspective. I try to explain that being religous doesnt make you a "good" person. This is exactly what i was looking for. I just subscribed but keep up the videos!!
Mrkevi123 4 months ago
I cant believe i never heard of your channel before!! Keep up the vids!! I will definitly tell my colleagues to subscribe also.
Mrkevi123 4 months ago
@Mrkevi123 Great! I appreciate it. Yes, I've been at this awhile. If you're really bored, you can see what I've said in the past. Some of my earlier videos are pretty dull though. Some of my recent ones may be too. I make no guarantees. Hehheh.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Stonehenge is awesome (of course I used to live just around the corner) :D
COEXISTential 4 months ago
@COEXISTential Cool! Yeah it's right off a main highway apparently. Have another pint for me at Knight's Templar if you happen to go past again in the near future!
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Already had another pint at the 'Templar this last Thursday :D
COEXISTential 4 months ago
What the hell? You only have 8.5k subscribers? I seem to remember thinking you were undersubbed when I first subbed you.. like a year ago? Maybe 3k subs?
Xerxes4242 4 months ago
@Xerxes4242 A year ago at this time I had a bit over 4K. I had 3K in the summer of 2010. Thanks for the support! You're a name I recognize, so I know you've been around awhile. *:-)
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I hope you aren't comparing a 2 Michelin star restaurant with a 4 star restaurant!
CssFrozen 4 months ago
@CssFrozen Hm, I thought they were roughly equivalent. I heard that from a couple sources, I think. Is that wrong?
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Apologies for copy pasta. "The guide awards one to three stars to a small number of restaurants of outstanding quality. One star indicates a "very good cuisine in its category", a two-star ranking represents "excellent cuisine, worth a detour," and three stars are awarded to restaurants offering "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey". A three-star Michelin ranking is rare." A 2 michelin star restaurant is like an extremely good 5 star restaurant, but still not close :D.
CssFrozen 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Two stars: Excellent cooking and worth a detour. First class cuisine of its type.
Three stars: Exceptional cuisine and worth a special journey. Often extremely expensive, and with an extensive wine list.
Essentially, you're right, because restaurants here can go up to 5 stars - so the rough equivalent Michelin rating would indeed be 2 stars.
DJMarcO138 4 months ago
Check out Taipei, if you have the chance- I love it here. :)
LeonhardEuler1 4 months ago
Awwww, thanks very much for mentioning that Erik! I'm glad she liked it so much. it was my pleasure to make it. Great seeing you in NY. I hope Germany is treating you well.
meridianfrost 4 months ago
@meridianfrost Yeah, Berlin was cool! It was my first time in Berlin, or in northern Germany in general. I still have a lot , more to explore in Germany. I just got back last night. Great seeing you as well, though we didn't have a lot of time to hang out in NYC.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
As a kid I was in a boychoir and had the chance to tour europe. Unfortunatly for us, our attempt to be cute by singing the national anthem of Austria while in Vienna back fired. As it turns out, Edelweiss is NOT their national anthem.
RationalismDefined 4 months ago
I'm all for people leaving the the safe harbor of their birth nation behind and gallivanting around the world is search for foreign snatch, but...
France? FUCK THE FRENCH!!!!!
yarg-yarg-yarg-yarg BILL O'REILLY!
TheRedneckAtheist 4 months ago
@GravitysWings Yes, I don't exactly have a "camera crew" following me though. If I did, that would be really awesome. Heh.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
vielen dank fuer ze video herr zaunstarr!
hagenttzd 4 months ago
It's funny you talk about the check. In Mexico you also have to ask for the check or they won't bring it. I find this a better system for two reasons: 1) I find it rude to assume I'm done with my meal, and the check feels almost like an invitation to scram, 2) when I get the check, most times I won't order anything else, even if I felt like eating something else. It's just too much bother. This is probably good for me, but not for the restaurant's profits.
SpinozasPsyche 4 months ago
@SpinozasPsyche Well, they usually say it's no rush, etc. and only after they have already done dessert and coffee. I can see why they do it that way, and it's not necessarily a complaint. It's just different.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I lived in Bologna, Italy for 1.5 years and Romania, and completely agree with your views of encouraging people (Americans especially) to travel/learn another language. I enjoyed the, "hey ya'll we're here, where all the french bitches at??" hahahah Great vid!
TheBmoreBrandon 4 months ago
@TheBmoreBrandon Thanks! Yeah, learning about other cultures is lots of fun.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Just avoid Paris.
gregrutz 4 months ago
I'm heading the other way for the first time next year as two friends of mine are getting married in Santa Barbara (I've been to Canada snowboarding, but ski resorts don't count as they're all the same worldwide...). Fancy doing a vid for heathen Brits like me coming to the good Ol' US of A?? ;)
CountSpanku1a 4 months ago
@CountSpanku1a Maybe I should! The problem is, there are probably tons of things I take for granted that I wouldn't think of. YOU should do a video!
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Yay, travel! Be honest... did you ever lie and pretend to be Canadian?
I don't know how it is in Europe, but in Asia, I noticed that cab drivers magically found shorter routes and charged me less when I said I was Canadian. :P
TheViciousSquare 4 months ago
@TheViciousSquare I've not yet tried that. If you have the demeanor of someone that is NOT a clueless tourist, then I think it matters less where you are actually from.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar In South Korea I regularly took a cab to and from the same locations, so I was able to note the difference in how I was treated. When I said I was Canadian, the cabbies took me straight to my destination for a reasonable fee. When I said I was American, they took circuitous routes and I paid more. My behavior was the same in either case, so it was my nationality they were reacting to. Can't say I blame them, given our military occupation for the last 60 years.
TheViciousSquare 4 months ago
@TheViciousSquare I wouldn't compare them with a situation like Iraq though. We offered to leave several years ago and they freaked out. I think if anything it's more a function of American troops sometimes exhibiting bad behavior and/or being gullible and untraveled, thus easy to take advantage of. I could be wrong, and have not yet visited South Korea, so I'll keep that in mind for when I visit.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar I'm not comparing it to Iraq, but it is an occupation in the sense we put a military base in their capital city and have stayed there for decades. Even though I wasn't in the military, I dated some military, so I spent a lot of time on the base in Seoul. It was constantly being picketed and protested. The basic message was: Please leave. The Korean people aren't in agreement with their government on this and the cabbies apparently take it out on Americans. ;)
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MultiAhka 4 months ago
(cont.) Otherwise, good video. I think it can be useful for American travelers, to prevent them from all-too-heavy culture shocks :-)
Rettequetette 4 months ago
French people really can't understand you if you sound like an American. I myself, when in France, try to pronounce French "as French as possible" and the people there are always thrilled about how good (a-hum) my French is, even though I don't know all the words.
About "waiting forever": I don't know about all of Europe, but here in NL, we feel unwelcome if the waiter throws the bill on the table before we even started drinking our coffee. It's like saying "drink up and leave, please!"
Rettequetette 4 months ago
Taking classes in a foreign language is useless without a practical motivation to use it. I can barely carry a conversation in either Spanish or German because I live on the Canadian border and my relatives stopped speaking German several generations ago (and besides, PA Dutch is to proper German what French Canadian is to proper French: it's considered a dialect and isn't really formally taught).
cyanmanta 4 months ago
No money means no traveling, leading to people not giving a shit about the rest of the world. It's sad and it should change but that's why bigots are like that I find.
Nagneto 4 months ago
Well done! From a Brits perspective that was a good guide for youall :-). And just a small hint. Eating out in London costs a bomb, so you will be better of getting lunch in a local pub, cheaper and more the real uk. After all Pubs are a big part of what makes us great. :-)
zarko1982 4 months ago
@zarko1982 Oh yes, we noticed food prices in London were CRAZY for food that was NOT necessarily anything special at all. Pub food costs as much as decent restaurant food in the US. It's a bad place to get "cheap eats". We DID however really enjoy "The Square", though that meal cost a few hundred dollars.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I can't remember the last time I've done anyone with gusto. My wife has gotten really huge, is my point.
Mualkoth 4 months ago
I'd love to travel, but I hate going places where I don't know the language. That's only because I don't like being "rude" and visiting somewhere I don't speak the language (I actually don't mind people visiting and not speaking english, I actually enjoy helping them, it's fun).
By the way the ring looks fantastic. I wish I had the money to go travel, but scraping up enough to start a business isn't exactly easy for me.
sarcleaeolist 4 months ago
@sarcleaeolist Yeah, it's hard not knowing the language, but yes, if you know a little bit and don't OVERdo it when they switch to English, then I think it works.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar That's something like what I ran into when I went to Quebec. I was told that they were some what snobbish about their use of French. I found the complete opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and they didn't even seem to mind my horrible French (I think can barely get the pronunciation, and I probably have a Latin accent). Although I did have trouble remembering to say "Q" as a "K".
If any Quebecers are reading this, thanks for putting up with me while I was visiting!
sarcleaeolist 4 months ago
are you getting your "its over 9000!!!!" video ready for your glorious event? also, you could probably take over a small country, with a crocaduck army of that size....
gotohellgooglization 4 months ago
@gotohellgooglization Ugh... yeah over 9 thousaaaaaand. No!
Zaunstar 4 months ago 3
Pippa does have a nice ass.
TheOJDrinker 4 months ago
Ah, Berlin. Love that place, it's a really fun city. There are some really beautiful places, but a good part of it is trashy, too.
If you don't mind trashy and like alternative art, you should go see the Tacheles. People either love it or hate it, but it's definitively an important part of local culture.
Of course, I prefer to just pick a general walking direction and get lost in Berlin, but I wouldn't recommend that to first-time visitors. ;)
TheCuriousWays 4 months ago
I have always said that travel broadens the mind and it not surprising that racists and other narrow minded bigots don't get out much. It was nice meeting you London, next time I will stay in the pub longer.
TheZamario 4 months ago
@TheZamario Yeah, ya big slacker! You were hardly there long enough to talk to. Hehheh.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar i would love to travel but i am factory worker
botard75 4 months ago
Anglophone here who has been living in Europe for almost two years now. Sweden, Germany, Austria, and now the Czech Republic. Go, enjoy, be open, and you will do well my fellow Americans.
tsruikk 4 months ago
the restaurant star rating is the same, the michelin star is just an entire different ( and more elite) category
schmendriks 4 months ago
German is so so about english knowlage. You'll get a long most of the time.
But who really impressed me, are the icelanders. Every single one I talked to spoke a flawless english - even on the countryside far away from any villages.
Also it's really surprising for me again and again to see how many people all over the world speak german. I always wonder why, since german is natively spoken in only three countries.
WarChicken78 4 months ago
@WarChicken78
I am German...
My sister migrated to chile(with her Husband, 2 Children, 3 Horses and 2 Dogs), my aunt followed my Uncle to Canada(he was missed, she found him in the far north of canada working as Lumberjack)... i think we also have some relatives in China..
So maybe you have just met some of my relatives ;)
Gruß
Oli
I am the last of the younger Generation living in Germany...
ZielWasserVermeider 4 months ago
@WarChicken78 I learned it because I thought it might make it easier to learn Swedish eventually. It didn't.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Gah, we get it already...you're an expertly informed, world-traveled, know it all and your aptitude is uncanny for the typical, uneducated, American mongrels with whom you're forced to cohabitate the country. Get over yourself...
omgitsrook 4 months ago
@omgitsrook Not a bit. I have a LOT to learn about the world and about other cultures. It doesn't make me any better than most people. It just makes me more experienced. I like most Americans and I've met many that are even more well-traveled. If I really didn't like most Americans, I would live somewhere else. I make light of American stereotypes *mostly* in jest. I'm not sure why you would take this video so personally, especially if you know my sense of humor.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Ahhh Berlin...
The first parliament we borded.. Arhhhh!!
Gruß
Oli
ZielWasserVermeider 4 months ago
Loved Germany when I was there with my rich Uncle. I really really want to go back but I'm a retail store wage slave. sigh. Guess I should have stayed in the Army. *grin*
petehjr1 4 months ago
I really like this video. It's informative as well as the good ol' Zaunstar humor. I wish my financial situation allowed me a visit to Europe (currently trying to learn Polish), but I guess good things take time to get to.
Good luck and have fun in Germany!
JTrizzleFizzle 4 months ago
@JTrizzleFizzle Thanks! Yes, I'm having a good time here so far, even though it'll be mostly work stuff until I get a free day on Thursday.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Where dah crocastan bitches at?
Bluedragon094 4 months ago
i loved watching "married with children" dubbed in german!!
gr8z0mbiejesus 4 months ago
What do the British think of Pippa's ass?
radicalbacon 4 months ago
@radicalbacon Probably the same as everyone else, but it's best not to assume...
Zaunstar 4 months ago
Don't ask for directions in Scotland :P
"Aye! I gots some directions for ye; ye can turn around and piss off!"
An answer that had me on the floor of the bar I was in when the barmaid said it xD But it went horribly wrong....I dated her for 8 months o.o
LichQueenKathie 4 months ago
In Barcelona, people don't speak SPANISH very well, either.
PT109Boat 4 months ago
@PT109Boat "I'm so sorry: he's from Barcelona."
BoozyBeggar 4 months ago
A friend of mine had a T shirt from Europe that read "No Kangaroos in Austria". Apparently a few of your countrymen have been a touch disappointed.
grenangle 4 months ago 6
@grenangle Many of my countrymen are morons. *:-(
Zaunstar 4 months ago 4
This is the best thing to know in Russian. ^__^
Я не знаю русский пожалуйста говорит в английском. (I don't know Russian please speak English. XD) The things you learn from Russian class. XD
MistressArte 4 months ago
@MistressArte Yep, looks about right! I checked google translate.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Yea the hard part is conjugating I don't even know how to do that in English T___T
MistressArte 4 months ago
What I wanna know is, did you have a sheperd's pie with gravy and peas or not?
ONESPECIES 4 months ago
@ONESPECIES No, but I had fish 'n chips with a side of "mushy peas". WHY do you subject people to that??? Mushy peas is a really common option for some reason!!!
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar As a Greek I found the sight of that dish rather weird. However once I tasted it in my jolly times in England, I think it blends well with all the other stuff. I suppose its good winter food. Steamy hot mushy peas with gravy... MMMmm mmm. It just opens and greases those air passages on the spot! Besides, you can't convince too many veggies to grow in England ; )
ONESPECIES 4 months ago
Hablo Espanol.
LordSlag 4 months ago
I'd love to travel to Afghanistan one of these days in hopes of some heroine revenue . . . Help Zaunstar!
Bleachfanoftheyear 4 months ago
@Bleachfanoftheyear Bah! Find your own drug smuggling routes! Whoops, did I say that out loud? Just kidding, feds!
Zaunstar 4 months ago
sweetness
BrantFortunate 4 months ago
Love London so much!
TheSH1N1GAM1 4 months ago
Okay fine, you've convinced me. I won't wait until I'm 70.
LJonYT 4 months ago
It had to be Berlin, the opposite end of the country, during a month I am as broke as it gets. :( Next time you come to Germany, go southwest please. I'll give you a tour through Heidelberg and Mannheim then. ;-)
FelidaTheG33k 4 months ago
@FelidaTheG33k That would be excellent! *:-) Thanks.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@FelidaTheG33k well, stuttgart would be even better since its swabia and not baden :P :-D
michael666leahcim 4 months ago
@michael666leahcim Oh hell no! I may not be a native Badenser, but I am willing to defend Baden to the blood! Let's meet up and fight it out. ;-)
FelidaTheG33k 4 months ago
@FelidaTheG33k and all people here are like.. wtf are they talking about?! :D but somehow it fits the title of the video :D
i am 1.90m and 100kg... so sure, we can fight :P
michael666leahcim 4 months ago
@michael666leahcim Haha, I like your height. All men in my family are around 1.93. I'm the short one at 1.68, but weight wise I can almost keep up with you. The wrestling match is on! ;-)
FelidaTheG33k 4 months ago
No -- you haven't lived until you've seen Hogan's Heroes dubbed into German in Germany. :-) Go figure!
rchuso 4 months ago
@rchuso Whoa... mind warp...
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar or spongebob squarepants in irish
rgjmce666 4 months ago
@rgjmce666 What? Who would bother to translate into old Irish?
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar excuse me thats my countries language and it is still spoken here, it's for TG4 the national irish programme. Also it's not "old" irish, like an other language it has evolved, although only in certain dialectes, it's pretty much made easier. Although I will give this that i'm pretty sure spongebob is done in the "older" dialect.
rgjmce666 4 months ago
@rgjmce666 Hehheh. Don't get me wrong, I like hearing interesting languages. I meant more spoken as in daily life spoken. Do many people speak it at home as their primary language?
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar well my family don't but their are plenty of places in the west of ireland that do and apparently more people are speaking it so it isn't a dying language, which i think is a good thing. nice to keep heritage like that alive.
rgjmce666 4 months ago
I think this is awesome advice to those who want to travel overseas, and these are things I would do. I mean you don't have to completely assimilate into their culture, but you want to make things as smooth as possible by doing some research beforehand. Nothing is worse than offending someone in a foreign country, especially if you don't know the language that well lol.
ilackedtheheart 4 months ago
I am all for travel as long as they have modern plumbing. That is my big stickler.
finderfinder100 4 months ago
What you said, probably goes double for France, but they do appreciate trying rather than assuming they know English. Thanks for the mention! I had fun and it was great meeting you, the misses and sorrysonofa.
cjeffers101 4 months ago
@cjeffers101 Yeah, it was excellent! Thanks for coming out to see us! Yeah, I know it's better to try a little, just not to insist when you're way out of your depth is all.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I thought the German version of 'The Simpsons' was interesting. I, usually, watch it along side the English version to pick up a little bit of German slang, or just to satisfy the curiosity as to how they translate things.
Wolfseisenhut 4 months ago
Hell, just give us west coast liberals advice on what to do when going to the southern states so we don't get lynched. That would be helpful....I'm not too worried about the europeans. They are civilized.
unclexbob 4 months ago
lol "Mrs.Zaunstar"
How cute.
louie540x 4 months ago
Congrats to you and the misses!
Tommyr 4 months ago
Whyy everything I needs to know about rude foreigners from all over the globe I can learn at my local American walmart!
The bills a lot cheaper to and I can tell them to go home, well shucks for all the dang nabbit good it does anymore gar dangit!
LOL!
Curas1 4 months ago
When you say, "Mrs. Zaunstar" is sounded like, "Mrs. Onstar". It sounded like you really, really liked your car's navigation system.
BrotherAlpha 4 months ago 11
@BrotherAlpha Its the rebuplicans 5th worse nightmare, right behind science, book learning, sex that isnt considered shameful, and any god that isnt theirs
deathman1021 4 months ago
Thanks for the travel tips! Helpful.
SuperDESTROYER71 4 months ago
@Zaunstar have you ever been to Macedonia? I went this summer for three weeks and it was the best three weeks of my life.
jabblesfan1 4 months ago
@jabblesfan1 Macedonia! Not exactly at the top of my list for travel plans, but I'm sure it's lovely!
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I found your view on European countries highly interesting, and your widely correct. Where in scandinavia have you bin, i seem to have some memory of you talking about sweden in your blogtv sessions but i could be wrong
americandream112 4 months ago
@americandream112 Yep, I went to all four Scandinavian capital cities (depending on what you consider Scandinavia). Den, Nor, Swe, Fin, plus Estonia for a day trip. That was in 2007 with Mrs. Zaunstar,
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Scandinavia = Sweden, Denmark, Norway.
Fenno-Scandinavia = Sweden, Norway, Finland
Nordic countries = Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland.
Estonia might want to be classed as Nordic, but they're not part of the Nordic council, and are not classed as a Nordic country.
QueenTox 4 months ago
@QueenTox Wow, that's worse than the whole United Kingdom - Great Britain - England thing! Thanks for clarifying though.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
HA i speak 4 languages! Bow down to my awesomeness language-peasants!
SEThatered 4 months ago
@SEThatered I would indeed be a language peasant, by that measure.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@SEThatered I speak Russian, Spanish, English (of course) and French. So I guess I'm equal to you in language-nobility.
gilless429 4 months ago
@SEThatered Latin doesn't count. Gratz if you know 4 without Latin.
Frikgeek 4 months ago
Every time I get the chance to travel I think about Europe but then I think about sand and clear blue water. Then my ass is on the equator somewhere. One day I'll get to EU
guidi2005 4 months ago
@guidi2005 The whole beach thing is kinda "meh" to me. I enjoy traveling to meet the people and see the culture and all of that. Hard to do that in a gated resort with armed security south of the border, as a drug war rages.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar I've never been to such a place but I normally go to Islands which are peaceful. I travel for nature but I'll do EU one day. I just got back from wine tasting in Syria......VA :) which was fun. Hard hikes, harder play.
guidi2005 4 months ago
@guidi2005 Then head to the med.
I recommend Croatia, it's warmish in the summer(85+), and not very touristy, YET.
The people are friendly and plenty of them speak decent English as well.
Still not sure, just do a google image search of Croatian beaches.
ultrademigod 4 months ago
@guidi2005 Europe has it's fair share of beaches, too.
Spain, Italy, france and Greece all have a lot of really beautiful ones, and if you do some research, you'll even be able to find a spot, that is not infested with German, English and Dutch tourists.
Also, if you just want beaches and could care less about the temperature, germany, denmark and all the other northern european countries have a some beaches - it's just not that warm there most of the time.
WarChicken78 4 months ago
It was indeed a pleasure to meet all of you in London.
Atalantius 4 months ago
An American who's visited Europe 6 times!!!! You freak of nature, you ;)
DeeDemonwitch 4 months ago
@DeeDemonwitch When are you coming here???
Zaunstar 4 months ago
I actually wanna be in the Crocoduck Air Force instead.
BionicDance 4 months ago
Great video! I definitely want to travel outside the US one day. I am barely living paycheck to paycheck right now, but it's something I'll do one way or another. Thanks for the tips!
shango02005 4 months ago
Im from Poland and I never watched Simsons dubbed into Polish. Lies! Ok, I just watched it on youtube... the horror. Btw. Have you ever been in Poland or you just seen it on internet?
Kretek 4 months ago
@Kretek I have been to Krakow and Warsaw, in 2009. I enjoyed both! Very different types of cities though from each other.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
"You haven't lived until you've seen The Simpsons dubbed in Polish"
Words to live by
BillHicks420 4 months ago
enjoy your time in Berlin, its an awesome city :)
andrsdtz 4 months ago
Pippa's ass FTW!
luisdez81 4 months ago
If you're ever coming back to Europe, come to Malta, mate :) I'm a Norwegian living in Malta, and I'd be happy to show you around. If you're in Europe in the summer time, you'll find me in Norway - and you'll always have a place to sleep in either of those places, even if I'm not there :)
steffenml 4 months ago
@steffenml Awesome! I appreciate the offer, my friend. Maybe someday I'll have the opportunity to take you up on it. I plan to be back in Europe as often as time permits.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Even if you don't need a place to stay, I'd appreciate if you let me know so I can take you and the wife out for a beer :) I've followed your videos for quite a while, and it'd be awesome to actually get a chance to meet up over a drink. Maybe I can tell your wife how awesome your videos are ^^
steffenml 4 months ago
@steffenml Hehheh, sure! That would be excellent as well. I just don't know when I'll be in Norway next, since I have a lot of other places I've never seen on the list to go see. Malta is probably lovely (nice weather, right?). I'll continue to let people know when I'm going to Europe though so maybe our travel paths will cross. I do appreciate it. I just mentioned your offer to Mrs. Zaunstar just now, and she said it sounded like a good idea to visit when you're there.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Great stuff :) Both Malta and Norway are actually lovely places; Norway for the scenery and the mountains, Malta for the weather and the lovely ocean. Any way - I appreciate you keeping me updated on the whole coming to Europe thing. I'm traveling a lot with work as well, so I just might happen to be in, for instance, London while you're there :)
steffenml 4 months ago
How did you like those late night commercials on tv in Germany lol,
levelgx 4 months ago
@levelgx Hm, haven't been up that late in Germany yet. Maybe tonight...
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar Cool, I lived there for 2 years so I had my fun in Europe but now I'm headed to Japan for 4 years next month (im air force). Also, just wanted to say I watched your videos while I was deployed and helped me pass the time so, THANKS!.
levelgx 4 months ago
@levelgx That's great! Japan is rising on my travel priority list. I haven't been to Asia yet at all. Gotta get there. That's awesome that my vids helped pass the time. I'm honored to have been able to help even a tiny bit with that. Makes all the effort worthwhile. I love the Crocoduck Army! *:-)
Zaunstar 4 months ago
@Zaunstar
If it's about Japan you might want to visit the youtube page of TheJapanChannelDcom.
There are also a lot of hints where you can get english-friendly srvices and tonnes of other stuff about Japan.
Highly recommend it.
Even if you don't visit Japan, there are still plenty of interesting stuff like "japanglish" ;)
SEThatered 4 months ago
Another option if you have a car available and travel in milder climates is camping. Basic camping gear isn't too expensive (a cheap light matress is HIGHLY recommended) and in Europe campgrounds can be found around or near almost all interesting sites. Besides being cheap, a car gives you enormous freedom in terms of seeing more out of the way (read: less crowded) attractions.
LynxChan 4 months ago
@LynxChan Yes, that can definitely be done, if you're into roughing it, or maybe youth hostels if you have that option too.
Zaunstar 4 months ago
"where them french bitches at?"
989ZEUS 4 months ago
@989ZEUS The French bitches are in the trunk of my car.
Zaunstar 4 months ago 18
@Zaunstar That one really made me LOL!
shango02005 4 months ago
@Zaunstar that sounds like the beginning of the next human centipede
989ZEUS 4 months ago