The Customer Isn’t Always Right — Especially in Europe

I'm currently in a war zone, also known as Portland, Oregon.

Despite the chaos, the people here are pretty nice.

How nice?

So nice that I feel like I could ask a stranger for $5 and they would give me $10 because they didn't have change.

I have to say, if Portland is what war zones are like, the world's not such a bad place after all.

If you're planning your trip to Europe, here are some things to consider. I'm not going to talk about the usual advice like "pack light" or "bring your power adapter" or "watch out for pickpockets," because we've all heard that before. 

This is me doing a remix—I want to see if I can share something different.

The customer is not always right. I remember one time in Spain, there was an American arguing with an employee because they arrived late. Security threw the customer out. End of story. That wouldn't happen in America. So if you come in with an attitude, they'll give it back to you.

Every country is completely different, so plan accordingly. Things done in Sweden versus Italy, Greece, and Germany are completely different. You're stepping into a whole different world. That's a great thing about Europe—you can experience many different worlds in a short flight or train ride, as opposed to the States. Even though some states are very different from each other, we still have a lot of things in common.

Venture out of the city centers. If you're staying in Paris, you're just going to see many tourists in the main city centers. Drive or venture out more—that's where you get a more authentic experience. These can be quick day trips, so you don't have to choose one or the other.

Dinner is an experience. You can stay for dinner for hours and take your time, instead of being rushed out at American restaurants. I love it. It's meant to be a time to socialize, relax, and enjoy.

The tipping culture is different. It's a lot less. In many countries, 10% max or just spare change is normal. You're not obligated to tip, and I like it that way. Tipping is getting out of control in the States with the rise of Square and mobile payments—everyone's asking for a tip.

Keep traveling,

Andrew

What’s one moment in Europe when you realized, ‘Oh wow, this isn’t how we do it back home’?

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The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com : This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner : An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing : I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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