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When in Rome...

Reaver

Reaver

Staff
Moderator
I've recently returned from a short, yet very eventful work-related trip to Rome. My first night there, I was invited to partake in what I presumed to be a local custom and had a VERY unpleasant experience. So I want it on record that I, REAVER, think that the old adage about being in Rome is complete:poop:


So therefore, let it be known that, from this moment forward, in REAVER'S WORLD the saying is: "When in Rome DO NOT do as the Romans do."

Which leads me to the point of this thread:

Have you ever been traveling abroad and had a bad experience? If so, what advice would you give a fellow traveler so it doesn't happen to them?

I thank you in advance for your posts, tips & tricks.
 
Benjamin Clayborne

Benjamin Clayborne

Staff
Leadership
Do not, under any circumstances, think that you can beat the guys playing three-card monte in Manhattan.

My only excuse is that I was 16 when this happened.
 
Kelise

Kelise

Scribal Lord
If thinking of travelling with a friend/co-worker/family member, first take a smaller, shorter holiday closer to home. Just to see if you can stand each other while in a travelling frame of mind.
 
Sparkie

Sparkie

Dark Lord
Getting lost on the south side of Chicago after seeing a White Sox game was intresting... (not to mention terrifying)
 
Sheilawisz

Sheilawisz

Staff
Moderator
Hello Reaver, I am sorry that you had a bad experience while visiting Rome!! =( Well, as you know I actually live out of my country and believe me, even after all these years it still feels strange sometimes and I have to be careful with certain things- My advice is: Always research as much as you can about the country and the especific region that you will travel to, and be careful with anything that the locals are used to but maybe you are not!!
 
topazfire

topazfire

Master
When in London, England make sure you always know where the nearest 24 bus (the cleverly numbered 24 hour bus) and the 'N' (night) bus stops are! Stay in accommodation near these routes if possible. I lived in London for 6 months when I was 21 which was an awesome age to experience that city. I missed my last tube (Underground) ride on more than one occasion trying to come home from a pub or club.

On that note - control your alcohol intake when in a foreign city for your own safety.

I work as a Travel Agent full time so this is only the tip of the iceberg for my travel tips and horror stories :)
 
D

Dark Huntress

Journeyman
We lived in Europe for five years. Of the things you should not do, and the ones I can post, is do not ever attempt a kiss on the cheek without first making sure the person is not in the process of turning their head. EXTREMELY embarrassing when the attempted cheek kiss lands on the lips...
 
Reaver

Reaver

Staff
Moderator
Dark Huntress said:
We lived in Europe for five years. Of the things you should not do, and the ones I can post, is do not ever attempt a kiss on the cheek without first making sure the person is not in the process of turning their head. EXTREMELY embarrassing when the attempted cheek kiss lands on the lips...
Click to expand...

Thanks, Huntress. Good tip. Probably explains why I got slapped so much this time. I'll file this away under POSTS I SHOULD'VE MADE LAST WEEK.
 
The Blue Lotus

The Blue Lotus

Dark Lord
DO NOT I can't say that loud enough for you to really understand it DO NOT ever go to India and walk by the vendor stalls unless you have bribe money hidden away. The vedors like to A) pick pocket B) Shove things on your wrists for you to "Try on" then scream that you are stealing. The police are all in on the scam, they expect a small pay off ( for locals, a larger one if you are white) to make the whole thing go away.

I traveled with Siva not too long ago and one tried to pull this crap on me, until my husband had a little discussion with him. AS soon as they seen his brown but decending on them like a GA thunderstom they cut tail and ran away like little babies.

I thought it was funny, because Normaly Siva is the anti agressive type. As in if the house were to be broken into he would offer to help them pack everything nicely. But, just this one time he got all angry man on someone. I feel special! :wub:
 
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topazfire

topazfire

Master
Dark Huntress said:
We lived in Europe for five years. Of the things you should not do, and the ones I can post, is do not ever attempt a kiss on the cheek without first making sure the person is not in the process of turning their head. EXTREMELY embarrassing when the attempted cheek kiss lands on the lips...
Click to expand...

And some cultures do the double kiss from left to right, while others go right to left! Awkwardness ensues!

Reaver: My father in law also has some interesting stories from serving with the Canadian Forces in peacekeeping operations. Apparently Syrian beer has quite a kick to it. I think he was trying to be polite and keep up with the locals...

And watch out for gypsies! I'm sure you saw some in Rome, but they are spread everywhere in Europe, including a celtic branch in Ireland and England.

Research and Travel Forums (like LonelyPlanet) are great - or call your local travel agent ;)
 
Reaver

Reaver

Staff
Moderator
topazfire said:
Reaver: My father in law also has some interesting stories from serving with the Canadian Forces in peacekeeping operations. Apparently Syrian beer has quite a kick to it. I think he was trying to be polite and keep up with the locals...
Click to expand...

Syrian beer is VERY strong. Just the mention of it takes me back to when I was in Damascus in 1993--a beautiful city in a beautiful country with beautiful people...the crisis there now makes my heart ache.:(


And watch out for gypsies! I'm sure you saw some in Rome, but they are spread everywhere in Europe, including a celtic branch in Ireland and England.
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I really didn't spend enough time there this time to see any gypsies, but I've heard about their antics; especially throughout the E.U.
 
Aidan of the tavern

Aidan of the tavern

Dark Lord
topazfire said:
And watch out for gypsies! I'm sure you saw some in Rome, but they are spread everywhere in Europe, including a celtic branch in Ireland and England.
Click to expand...

We were in Ireland a few years back, near the beach and out of nowhere this group of Irish (we're not allowed to say Tinkers now are we:eek:) showed up out of nowhere and set up camp just of the beach. They didn't seem like the sort who would give serious trouble but you wouldn't want to spend too long with them.

You had to walk through their camp to get to the beach, and as an obvious outsider who isn't even Irish (well a quarter) I'm pretty uncomfortable. Two young ones come up to me and start asking about the dog I'm walking. They know he is a racing kind of dog, but they hide it without much skill, and ask all kinds of questions about him. They guess what kind he is (how many people would recognise a greyhound/saluki cross?) and, because of course they do quite a bit of private dog racing, they offer to buy him. For 50 dollars. Dollars in Ireland! Even though I declined they seemed almost friendly to me after that (to the point of waving when I went past:unsure:). After they accidentally set the beach barbeque pit on fire I assume the Garda asked them to leave.
 
Jess A

Jess A

Shadow Lord
starconstant said:
If thinking of travelling with a friend/co-worker/family member, first take a smaller, shorter holiday closer to home. Just to see if you can stand each other while in a travelling frame of mind.
Click to expand...

Great advice. I planned a trip to Canada with a 'friend'. Six months later, I was praying she would cancel. She didn't. I spent five days listening to her whinge about missing her boyfriend. I merely made other friends on the tour and avoided her whilst in Vancouver. I was very glad when I went to America - alone. I find travelling alone is much easier, although it isn't always a safe option.

-----------------------------

As for advice? Travel light, but travel safe - use tamper tags on top of locks. Learn some words in the language; people will be more polite and willing to help. Make friends, but don't trust them - you don't know them. Learnt the airport system back to front, and in no time, you will be breezing through security checks and immigration without holding up the people behind you.

If able, carry big, unopened water bottles (purchased in the airport after the security checkpoint) or empty water bottles onto the plane. I need huge amounts of water and they never give you enough. This will not work between Australia and Hong Kong - it is confiscated even if you bought it past the security check point! In this case, carry empty ones and refill them on the plane.

If in Europe, keep your passport underneath your jacket and don't leave sunnies on your head. Don't get conned into buying cheap knock-off things (that goes for China also). If in China, you must haggle. If you are being harassed to buy something, be aloof but polite. If they are badgering you, be firm and walk off!

Gypsies in Europe - sometimes, you might be given a bit of paper written in Italian or English or whatever. Don't read it. Pretend you don't understand it. They will proceed to beg for things if you show that you can read it.
 
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Fnord

Fnord

Lore Master
Little Storm Cloud said:
Gypsies in Europe - sometimes, you might be given a bit of paper written in Italian or English or whatever. Don't read it. Pretend you don't understand it. They will proceed to beg for things if you show that you can read it.
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I encountered this all over the place in France and Germany. I avoided them because anyone just going up to random strangers with a piece of paper is likely not up to any good.

Be respectful of public property, especially in Germany. My friend's wife put her foot up on a bench and quickly got a stern talking-to from a German lady who was on the train with us.
 
Reaver

Reaver

Staff
Moderator
Please keep all this awesome advice and tips coming, gang! It's been very insightful and informative!

Any objections to my taking these posts and turning them into a travel book?

I'll be more than happy to share the proceeds and credit with everyone who contributes.

No? Okay...never mind.
 
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