My name's Sara, and I'm a University of Oregon student. I'm going to be leaving for Europe on September 15; specifically, I'll be landing in Paris. My study abroad program starts there on the 27th. I had a travel companion, but due to lack of funds she can no longer leave early for France. I'm planning on going anyway, and was thinking that I'd hang out in the UK (London and Dublin, maybe? I'm a fan of big cities). Have any other single ladies travelled alone in the UK, and what were your experiences? I plan on staying in hostels and hopefully meeting people there, since I'm pretty extroverted. Basically: How do I make myself look as inconspicuous and non-American as possible? What are the most important things to know? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Or, if you're going to be there too, let's make some plans. I'd really rather have a travel companion, but think it is pretty unlikely at this point to find someone to go with. Thanks!
I've never travelled alone in the UK, but have in many other countries in Europe and some beyond. It's a great experience, I prefer it to travelling with someone else. You can do what you want to do, and you'll probably learn a lot about yourself along the way. Sometimes you'll meet people in hostels who're going the same way and you can team up. I don't think you need to behave very different from normally, just respect local customs and you'll be fine.
One of my European friends said Americans aways wear white socks so I guess that might be kind of a give away. I wouldn't worry too much about 'looking American'. All the British guys will think you are hot with your accent.
Posts: 162 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: 06 April 2005
It´s extremely easy to travel in Europe and the UK on your own. I stood out by wearing Teva´s. Some Dutch guys in Paris told me that´s how they could tell I was American. People in London tend to dress smartly. I think you´ll be fine.
I live in london and i'm sure you are going to absaloutly love europe so many different cultures in suck a small space, it's fantastic, you can take weekend trips to different countries and experience everything europe has to offer. I don't think you have to worry too much about standing out, the only tip i would give you to not give away your a tourist is don't wear socks with sandals ( :
have a blast
Posts: 118 | Location: London | Registered: 01 August 2005
I agree--You will love Europe and will surely have little to no difficulty even if you're on your own. I studied abroad in Ireland and England on my own, doing a few European side trips on the way.
I wouldn't worry too much about being spotted as an American; chances are you will be, no matter what. Americans tend to have a certain look, and not just in terms of dress. My friend in Ireland said we had the biggest smiles in the world, and we also tend to be quite loud (just speaking in a louder tone, being more extroverted). Standard American jeans, sandals, and/or non-trendy sneakers tend to be giveaways. Your style will change when you're over there, but you can't really "pack" for the European style...it will slowly morph into your system in an osmosis sort of way.
i tend to have a fairly "international look" and don't dress casually (typical American style), so people would often assume I was from England or Western Europe. With the exception of Paris, I don't think their treatment changed when they realized I was American. You'll be fine.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -- St. Augustine
Posts: 93 | Location: Illinois | Registered: 09 May 2005
bah, don't worry about it. UK is cool; it feels practically like America, only British (or perhaps cooler is the word). The people there are friendly and wonderful, and I never had anyone act weird because I was American. If anything, they seemed delighted to find out Americans are normal people too, rather than a country of blithering redneck idiots. I loved it in the UK. Awesome, awesome people. Delightful accents, even if I couldn't understand what they were saying in some places (and they'd probably say the same about me).
You know.. the Teva thing.. Americans do wear it a lot, I always thought it was an American brand. I wear it too. I was hanging out in Jerusalem with my friend once, and he seemed astounded that everyone mistook him for an American. "I look like the stereotypical Israeli!" he exclaimed, nodding at a group of guys with longish curly hair near by; "It must be because I'm with you."
I pointed out that the guys were wearing Kelty backpacks and Teva sandals. "You can't get more American backpackerish than that," I said.
"Yes," he replied agreably, "We wear Teva sometimes in Israel too. Only, we don't call it Teeva, but Tayva, which means "nature" in our language, Hebrew." I suddenly thought about the little hand in Teva's logo, and was reminded once again that I should know better than to argue with a jew (at least this one).
Posts: 56 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 01 September 2005
Ive met so many girls travelling by themselves and in more exotic and 'hostile' places than london. All thru Africa I met alot of single women travelling by themselves. If they could there - Im sure you can in Europe. I travelled by myself and met more people because of it as you are forced to meet people. Or be alone...
Being Australian I tried to stand out whereever I went. I have soo much aussie gear...
Get me a ticket and im there!
Posts: 55 | Location: The world | Registered: 12 November 2003
