The differences between cruisers from different countries

[mjkacmom]

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 Out of date perhaps: we still always have lit candle on table at dinner - just the two of us.

We were also taught to not butter the whole roll at once.

[Extra Kim]

In Sweden we cut our meat one piece at the time, with the knife in the right hand. Then we switch and put the knife in the left hand.

In Sweden people do NOT cut in line, just DON'T do that when you are in Sweden. :)

[navybankerteacher]

We were also taught to not butter the whole roll at once.

 

Absolutely: that is where the expression to "break bread" comes from - you always break off (never cut off) part before buttering.

[Haoie]

On the topic of gambling, Asian cruises love it [and inside smoking, but that's another story]

[Floridiana]

North Americans: Preference for ice in drinks, ice cold water, water on the table before you start your meal. I have stopped looking at people's table manners, but I don't like it when somebody cuts up the meat, makes a mess of their plate and then starts eating. You can rely on them to line up which is not the case with some other nations. They are - usually - more punctual than some other nations.

 

Australians tend to be easy going, they do not complain as much - exceptions exist and I have met them!

 

No casinos on German ships! But bicycles! I cannot confirm that they dress more elegantly, depends on the cruise line. They certainly wear skimpier bathing suits than American women of the same typical (expensive ship) cruiser age. Maybe women from Mediterranean countries are more elegant and less prone to wear shorts and t-shirts beyond age 20. I'll find out this summer whether this is true.

 

It's true, Europeans tend to go off on their own more often and rely less on the ship's excursions. They are used to public transportation back home. Most speak more than one language.

 

I have never cruised with Asians but travelled on land and there are huge differences between the countries: food, manners, color choices and style of clothing etc.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

On a cruise from Vancouver to LA we had a very large group of Asian passengers. The weather was not good so a lot of folks jockeying for position in public areas. We found that big tables in the buffet would be used for what seemed like hours by the same groups. I asked an Asian friend about this when I returned and he said that meals are a really big social event for Asian families and it can go on for hours.

[FredT]

Americans the loudest? Guess you have never met a bunch of Brazilians! (But they have more fun than most other nationalities!)

I will also agree with the poster above about Swedes and other Nordic countries, they are ALWAYS on time, and would never THINK about cutting in line.

[Markanddonna]

Traveling with Asians gave me some insight into some issues. Their large groups tend to monopolize or overwhelm an area as they really look out for each other's interest. The hygiene issues, such as spitting and using a regular toilet as a squatting potty was really shocking. I so wish I had taken photos of some restrooms and their warning signs, but that would have been weird. Don't get me started on the the lack of queuing and photo bombing. I'm sure the more savvy Asians are embarrassed by this behavior.

[Floridiana]

Every Japanese would be shocked that you lump them with their large neighbor as "Asians" with unacceptable behavior. I have travelled with mainland Chinese on a Yangtze river boat, never on an ocean going ship. Yes, they tend to cut in line, but they didn't on the river boat. Many on the ship travelled as large groups of family and friends and the women did their morning dance routines that you can also see in public parks in China.

[Velvetwater]

Us Brits are also a bit obsessed with queuing and get all passive agressive and tut and such when people cut lines. There were a few instances on the Carnival Vista where quite a few Italians weren't into the whole queue thing and things were said...ah well.

 

I have never found Eastern Asians take over an area on a cruise or otherwise. I have discovered them to be very community centred especially when eating so they will share food rather than have their own dish and if they find something completely amazing they will make sure the rest know.

[mom says]

Every Japanese would be shocked that you lump them with their large neighbor as "Asians" with unacceptable behavior. I have travelled with mainland Chinese on a Yangtze river boat, never on an ocean going ship. Yes, they tend to cut in line, but they didn't on the river boat. Many on the ship travelled as large groups of family and friends and the women did their morning dance routines that you can also see in public parks in China.

 

Completely agree. That's like lumping all Europeans together, or describing all North Americans as the same (and as a Canadian I would definitely be insulted by the latter).

[jdvmd]

Very interesting thread!

 

I have to say that I do not cut up all of my meat first and do it as I go along - do not want all the juices to run out and make the meat dry.

[cruisemom42]

I sometimes travel with a group based in the UK (for their great itineraries of Roman sites). Often I am the only American out of 20-25 folks on these coach tours. The Brits are great -- they would never THINK of being late back to the coach when given a time. In fact, most are very early to avoid any risk.

 

Only once out of 5-6 tours can I remember one person being late back, and it was because he was legitimately lost. When he finally returned, he literally apologized to every single one of us for his tardiness. (And the other passengers also did not let him forget it for the rest of the trip...:D)

[CPT Trips]

Ice! We had some Eastern European program directors that stereotyped those of us rom the US as having a fetish for building little igloos in our cabins because of all the ice we used.

[buggins0402]

 

I have never found Eastern Asians take over an area on a cruise or otherwise. I have discovered them to be very community centred especially when eating so they will share food rather than have their own dish and if they find something completely amazing they will make sure the rest know.

 

I’ve noticed younger people will do more plate share...perhaps because many trendy restaurants are designed to be shared dish.

 

I used to be convinced the definition of a queue in main land China was a semi- circle. But, last year we had a nice experience in the Beijing airport when a connecting flight went sideways, due to our incoming flight being late. We had to exit on the 48 hour visa and re- checkin for a new flight booked by the airline. Then we were greeted with half of China going back home at the end of Chinese New Year at passport control. They were all queued up at passport control and we were anguishing whether we’d make the new flights. A Chinese Kiwi learned of our tight connection, took us under her wing, and politely asked many people in line to let us take cuts. We made the flight.

[VennDiagram]

Absolutely: that is where the expression to "break bread" comes from - you always break off (never cut off) part before buttering.

 

I am so relieved to hear this. DH and I were raised that way and continue to do it. We often feel anachronistic at a shared dinner table (y)

[VennDiagram]

..... A Chinese Kiwi learned of our tight connection, took us under her wing, and politely asked many people in line to let us take cuts. We made the flight.

 

I love that successful outcome! :) (y)

[Floridiana]

I am so relieved to hear this. DH and I were raised that way and continue to do it. We often feel anachronistic at a shared dinner table (y)

 

I am also used to breaking off a piece, butter it, eat it, next piece same procedure.

[GUT2407]

This thread reinforces a point I have made many times on threads about manners or rude passengers. Usually to be told how wrong I am

 

Many complaints are really about cultural differences.

[GUT2407]

It also brings home how we Aussies have taken on some USA customs and some English

[VennDiagram]

I am also used to breaking off a piece, butter it, eat it, next piece same procedure.

 

(y)

 

Makes it less obvious how much butter I use, too :D

[NLH Arizona]

Americans the loudest? Guess you have never met a bunch of Brazilians! (But they have more fun than most other nationalities!)

I will also agree with the poster above about Swedes and other Nordic countries, they are ALWAYS on time, and would never THINK about cutting in line.

Obviously these folks that think Americans are the loudest have never traveled with a group from Germany; definitely loudest folks I'ver ever heard.

 

Totally agree with folks from Nordic countries always on time. My dad was born in Norway and impressed upon us that being on time is a must. And with my US born mom, it was impressed upon us that table manners were a must (never cut all our meat at one time, take a piece of bread and butter it, use our napkin frequently, never reach across the table for something..ask for it to be passed, never talk with food in our mouths, be respectful to others who may not have the same manners you do).

Edited March 3, 2018 by NLH Arizona

[NLH Arizona]

or describing all North Americans as the same (and as a Canadian I would definitely be insulted by the latter).

As we in the US would be insulted as well.

[helpthejuggler]

There is another active thread "Coke or Pepsi". It is not a big deal to some nationalities.

 

I drink either so infrequently that I could not tell the difference.

 

Is it a major factor in your choice?

 

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[jamessemaj]

I prefer being around people who speak my language, let alone cultural differences, which I have little patience for. The issues of ice, etc. are of no concern to me, but I also have little patience with the clichéd ugly American (U.S.) myth (lie). I shy away from cultures that are foreign to my own to such and extent that I avoid them.