The differences between cruisers from different countries

I was just talking to my friend from the US who I met on a cruise.

She has just taken her first European cruise on a ship with many Brits and her main comment was 'I could not believe how empty the casino was!' and I have to admit that I agree...us Brits are not as big on the casino.

I have also noticed many US cruisers seem to book way more excursions than us Europeans who tend to enjoy going it alone especially when it comes to guided tours.

I have also noticed many Eastern Asian cruisers are obsessed with their cameras...especially in the dining room.

Anything else you have noticed when on a cruise with different nationalities? (No tipping comments or rude generalisations/stereotypes please)

I love meeting the variety of people we meet on cruises. People from different parts of the world.

Everyone comes with their own cultural practices, preferences and behaviors, tempered by individual life experiences and personalities. The only discernible practice that I notice consistently is that Americans and Brits hold the fork differently. Yet we all seem to enjoy the food, nevertheless.

My wife and I took our very first European cruise last year.

We were both very concerned about the language barrier.

I was shocked and amazed at how English has become the norm when different nationalities come together.

Yes, we tried memorizing some general phrases in other languages. Unfortunately, we would either take too long to figure out which phrase we wanted in which language, or we would butcher it so bad, whomever we were speaking to would reply in English.

Another take away was it appeared that whenever teenagers were involved with adults, the teens listened attentively and contributed to the conversations intelligently.

In general the dress for meals is more upscale when on cruises in Europe and with larger numbers of Europeans.

Europeans generally seem to know more about ports and take fewer organized tours than Americans. Southern Europeans -Italians and Spaniards seem to linger longer over dinner. Australians seem the most outgoing. French Canadians seem to use less English than those from other non-English speaking countries/provinces. The English seem to have the worst bathing suits. Americans tend to talk the loudest,

An absolute certainty: if you are serious about trivia, get at least one Brit, one Australian and one continental on your team. A Canadian would also help.

I have 2 European and I am about to take my 7th Caribbean which I have to say I much prefer. I find the cruises out of USA a lot more fun. European cruises are a lot quieter. I'm not a kid but have to say I still like to party even at the grand age of 60. I found on European cruises most ppl were in bed by 10pm. Bit too early for me.

We love cruising with people from other lands, and wish we'd stayed in touch with a few, especially some hilarious folk from California...

Yes, using the knife and fork is the main difference we've noticed, but also the reaction of the audience in the theatre- if the show has been reasonably good, then lots of Americans seem to give a standing ovation, and some call out loudly.

This was very obvious on an RCI ship which had just arrived in the UK after a TA. A few Americans stayed on board for the next cruise, but mainly it was Brits, Irish and nearby countries. There was a singing /dancing show that night, with Latin American music, which was very unfamiliar to most of the audience, and some people were quite restless. At the end, I would say that the applause was quite muted, polite and short.

But the front two rows were full of American souls who loved it so much that they jumped up, "whooped" and took photos with phones. It was interesting and fairly unusual for others who've only travelled on a British managed ship before.

Not a story about cruiser differences so much as cultural differences.

I went on a med cruise a few years ago with a friend. We are both from the US but she has family in England. We met a nice English couple eating at the next table and made plans to have dinner with them the next night. We got to taking about careers and I’ll admit, I was completely unaware of gun regulations in the UK. I’m a police officer and They were as shocked that I have an issued gun I can take home and carry whenever I want as I was that their police don’t carry. Definitely an eye opener.

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I have a few observations to share. The first 2 are from a gentleman from Sweden who I was talking to on a previous cruise.

He mentioned that Americans will usually cut up all their meat at dinner then eat, while Europeans will cut it as they go.

In the theatre, when you're passing in front of people to get to your seat, the Americans pass you back first, but Europeans generally go face to face.

A guy I ran into in a bar line said he was getting a drink (whiskey maybe) with a splash of water like Canadians do, rather than the ice like Americans. I've never heard of this one.

Finally, ask an American and a Canadian how far away somewhere is......"how far is it to Toronto?" (As an example). The American will probably answer you in distance (xx miles) where the Canadian will probably answer in time (xx hours).

I have a few observations to share. The first 2 are from a gentleman from Sweden who I was talking to on a previous cruise.

He mentioned that Americans will usually cut up all their meat at dinner then eat, while Europeans will cut it as they go.

In the theatre, when you're passing in front of people to get to your seat, the Americans pass you back first, but Europeans generally go face to face.

A guy I ran into in a bar line said he was getting a drink (whiskey maybe) with a splash of water like Canadians do, rather than the ice like Americans. I've never heard of this one.

 

Finally, ask an American and a Canadian how far away somewhere is......"how far is it to Toronto?" (As an example). The American will probably answer you in distance (xx miles) where the Canadian will probably answer in time (xx hours).

I don’t know if it’s regional, but I can’t even imagine cutting up all of my meat at once, I’ve definitely heard of adding water to scotch (or club soda), and where I live (NYC metro) we use time when describing going from point A to point B.

I don’t know if it’s regional, but I can’t even imagine cutting up all of my meat at once, I’ve definitely heard of adding water to scotch (or club soda), and where I live (NYC metro) we use time when describing going from point A to point B.

I’m in the Midwest and we usually do cut up our meat first. It’s because, at least here, Americans often use their dominant hand for both the knife work and fork work. So either to use the knife first and then the fork than to keep switching back and forth.

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I don’t know if it’s regional, but I can’t even imagine cutting up all of my meat at once, I’ve definitely heard of adding water to scotch (or club soda), and where I live (NYC metro) we use time when describing going from point A to point B.

Born in NYC and raised there until 12, then spent my entire career either living in, or commuting to, Manhattan — I agree . Of course time rather than miles is the only rational way to discuss getting from A to B in that context.

I’m in the Midwest and we usually do cut up our meat first. It’s because, at least here, Americans often use their dominant hand for both the knife work and fork work. So either to use the knife first and then the fork than to keep switching back and forth.

 

 

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Hmm, if eating meat cut with a knife, I hold my fork in my left hand to eat. I wonder if it’s because so many people here are 2nd or 3rd generation Americans? All of my grandparents or great grandparents came through Ellis Island and never got more than 10 miles away. I’m going to start to pay attention to how people eat.

"Only one piece of meat, or anything else, should be cut at a time." Vogue's Book of Etiquette, Simon & Schuster, 1948, p. 51.

I do not think we are in 1948 anymore, a few things have changed. :-)

I do not think we are in 1948 anymore, a few things have changed. :-)

Why should manners change with the calendar? :D

I found that asking (nicely) for ice in some non-USA places was sometimes looked upon as a burden by waitpersons. I drink water almost exclusively and I don't like it tepid. I also want ice water in a glass that is not child-sized.

I do not think we are in 1948 anymore, a few things have changed. :-)

But this is what I was taught (my parents were strict about table manners). I seem to remember my mom being bothered that my boyfriend (now DH) childishly cut his meat up. We’ve been married 23 years, and I don’t know if he still does this. I wish we were having steak for dinner!

Why should manners change with the calendar? :D

Is it good manners to only cut one piece of meat at a time? I grew up in the US in the 60s and 70s and learned that I was to cut all of my meat first, lay my knife at the top rim of my plate and place my hand not holding the fork (non-dominant hand) in my lap where it was to stay unless I needed it to butter my bread.

I then could use my knife to butter my small piece of bread or roll as needed with my knife because in the average American home, you do not have multiple pieces of utensil at the supper table.

Not on cruise ships, but I travel a lot for work.

Used to be that Americans were the most obnoxious travelers, but other countries are catching up. Some Americans are so bad, I temporarily become Canadian, eh. :D My Canadian friends tell me they are fine with my doing so. :D

I tend to eat with knife and fork (or chop sticks) as locals do. So may do it American style with fork and knife in right hand. Or European style with knife in right and fork in left. I tend to cut one piece at a time, even with using same hand for knife and fork, except when eating alone and reading a book. Just easier to cut all at once then.

The common language in the EU is English, as most people speak it, and they do not speak each other's language. And find I can get by in English pretty much everywhere. But my concept is that it is MY FAULT that I do not speak the local language, not their fault for not speaking English. But Americans more than others (but not all), that speaking louder and slower will make someone understand English (this is where I become Canadian).

I find that people outside the US tend to be more adventurous in trying new foods (except maybe Brits). Brits and Americans and Canadians tend to be the meat, potatoes, and eggs for breakfast. The rest of world is more veggies, deli meats and cheeses. Except Asian where breakfast tends to be the same things as eaten for lunch or dinner.

Interesting observations! I grew up in the US and came to Canada in my 20s. I’ve now lived longer in Canada than the US. When I came to Canada, I intentionally had to learn to cut my meat one bite at a time and hold my utensils differently. I also learned that it was not polite to eat chicken on the bone with your fingers like I grew up doing even in restaurants. In Canada you use your knife & fork for that.

On cruises we’ve noticed that Americans are generally louder too. I notice that about my relatives when I go home to visit too.

Not necessarily cruise related, but when we were in Cuba I learned that trying to queue up at the resort’s guest services was not effective. The Cuban-Americans would just walk right up to the counter and get the employee’s attention. To me that seemed rude, but to the Cubans, it was normal. They didn’t even know I needed help if I hung back and waited for them to call me to the counter.

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Is it good manners to only cut one piece of meat at a time? I grew up in the US in the 60s and 70s and learned that I was to cut all of my meat first, lay my knife at the top rim of my plate and place my hand not holding the fork (non-dominant hand) in my lap where it was to stay unless I needed it to butter my bread.

I then could use my knife to butter my small piece of bread or roll as needed with my knife because in the average American home, you do not have multiple pieces of utensil at the supper table.

I grew up in US somewhat earlier - I learned to cut meat one piece at a time keeping fork in left hand - only switching hands if starting to eat vegetables; never cut all meat at one time. I never could understand the cut-switch-eat-switch-cut approach followed by some - looks like a juggling act. If we have bread or roll to butter, we have butter plate and butter knife rather than use steak knife or table knife. Out of date perhaps: we still always have lit candle on table at dinner - just the two of us.

I grew up in US somewhat earlier - I learned to cut meat one piece at a time keeping fork in left hand - only switching hands if starting to eat vegetables; never cut all meat at one time. I never could understand the cut-switch-eat-switch-cut approach followed by some - looks like a juggling act. If we have bread or roll to butter, we have butter plate and butter knife rather than use steak knife or table knife. Out of date perhaps: we still always have lit candle on table at dinner - just the two of us.

I think the candles is wonderful! But this is exactly what I was saying about times changing and 1948 being a while ago.

Now that the kids have been long gone, my DH prefers to take his dinner plate to the living room and watch Wheel of Fortune.

Things I notice while traveling;

Ice. Americans love the stuff. Nobody else uses it. And things are not as refrigerated as I am used to.

Table manners are interesting. My great grandfather was Greek. Lip smacking, talking with his mouth full, elbows on table, using his knife to stuff the fork as full as possible. In Asia, I am supposed to slurp my noodles, and belching is fine. When out and about in Idaho, I fall into my old pattern of cutting all of my meat first, and then eating it. In Switzerland /Germany / Austria... I do my best to cut one piece at a time and keep track of all of the silverware.

Volume: Americans tend to be the loudest people in the room. That's just true. When traveling, I try to not be the loudest person in the room.

Language: Yes, English is widely spoken. It's still my job to make myself understood when in a different country, and not be rude. A combination of my very bad German, ok Spanish, charades, and their ok English gets the job done.