5 Things Which Europe Is Not

We all see movies in which rich American teenagers take a year off after high school (or in college) to find themselves and for this purpose alone they "go to Europe". We are hardly ever shown what they do there, but one can only imagine that it is not museum-hopping. Rare are the occasions in which we get to see the other side, the Europeans, gazing at them as the teens stumble out of a bar right in the middle of the locals' rush hour to work.

If you want to avoid being that much-hated foreigner, remember what Europe is not.

Europe is not:

1. A big country

Seriously, Europe is not a country. It is a continent. This means that it's comprising of several countries (think it's about the same number of states as the U.S.). It has several languages and different customs. Do your research, start with Wikipedia and read about half an hour a day a few weeks prior to your vacation or your European year. Learn a few basic facts about the places you'll be visiting (population, climate, customs, geography, important sights, cuisine).

2. A big bar

Europe is the hub of many civilizations, don't treat it like the Vegas Strip. Sure, you may be tempted to get wild if you are spending time with your friends in a foreign country, but save yourself the embarasement of only having 'drunk stories' to tell to your family back home.Use this trip to expand your horizons. How many of your friends back home would be able to say "I saw a Picasso up close". I know someone who spent her entire 10 day trip to Paris moving from one cafe to another, all in the same neighborhood as her hotel. She hadn't even seen the Eiffel Tower, and she was bragging about this. Don't be that ignorant.

3. A vacation spot

Imagine going to work in the morning and being assaulted by tourists, on a daily basis. You wouldn't like that, would you? Neither do dwellers of Paris, London, Berlin or Rome. Be sensitive towards your hosts, they live there. If a person is in a hurry to get to the office don't block their way on the escalator and don't steal their cab.

4. Just a hotchpotch

I cannot stress this enough: be aware of where you are. Don't say you love it here in Florence when you're actually in Venice. Don't compliment the Italian food when you're in a Lebanese restaurant. Don't say that the sales assistant speaks a lovely German when in fact they're speaking Dutch.

5. Heaven

Don't assume that unpleasant things can't happen just because Europe has a reputation for culture and refinement. Someone is bound to steal your wallet if you leave your backpack unattended. Always remain aware of your surroundings as tourist packed places are targeted by petty thieves. If you are alone, don't venture into the outskirts of the city and never carry all your money with you. Tell someone your plans for the day (a receptionist, or email home or leave a note in your hotel room) and always have an extra copy of your ID put somewhere safe.

The most important thing to remember is: use your common sense.