Europe - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**expatben** · 05-03-2006, 12:13 AM

Now, I know this will be precieved by some as either being arrogant or ignorant but here it goes.

I have some bad things about Europe. It seems some people just assuming that Europe is just one massive "discotec." To people who do not go to Europe because of this preception I tell them that I have lived in Europe for 12 years either living and or working in 4 countries. I have been as far west as Spain through to Poland and let me tell you I have not been to 1 night club!

To people who are going to Europe with only the clubs in mind I say there is so much beauty both natural and man made in Europe. When you arrive in Germany, instead of going straight to a club, why not go to the Brandemburg gates or walk down Unter dem linde strasse? When in France why not go and see Paris? Walk down the river Seine, see Notre Dam and by all means check out the cool small downs especially in the north.

By all means, kick back have great beer and wine and of yeah sure go to some clubs if it floats your boat but if your in Ibiza do yourself a favour, take a friend and go to the other side of the island-the non club filled side. You never know you might be suprised.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk here. I just really like Europe and I feel that many people sell it short by not giving it, what I consider to be a fair shot.

**space virgin** · 05-03-2006, 12:17 AM

**florencia9699** · 05-03-2006, 12:19 AM

Exactly my views on this!

**travelpunk** · 05-03-2006, 12:22 AM

Here- here, buddy

! Everyone give Jerry Maguire a hand

!

Seriously, you are so right and I am with you on that. There is so much to do and see in Europe or elsewhere to enrich ones soul, that some travelers don't do themselves any justice by their constant partying.

Thanks for putting us back in check, bro

!

**bellelass** · 05-03-2006, 12:23 AM

I keep reading articles about how tired the spanish are of people from other countries (not just americans) showing up in spain and doing nothing but partying and taking all kinds of drugs. Causes a lot of trouble. So they're tightening up the drug laws. c'est la vie.

**expatben** · 05-03-2006, 12:37 AM

Another point I forgot to make is that people tend to lump Europe as 1 whole. There are many different countries, races and cultures. Example the Dutch are reknowned for being liberal on drugs and sex, the Germans are known for being liberal too-the love parade for instance. However the Polish? I have met many a nice Pole but I have not met many liberal ones.
Also, I hope I wasn't implying any anti American sentiment. Americans are cool in my books. Anyone is welcome.

**Somnambulation** · 05-03-2006, 12:50 AM

Yeah from what Ive seen the Brits are disliked much more in mainland Europe than us Yanks. To them, it actaully is just a weekend piss up to go to Europe and party. No offense to any Brits, but thats what I gather the impression is, at least among the hostel owners.

**tumblezweedz** · 05-03-2006, 01:27 AM

"So I was in (insert country here) and I got soooooo drunk..." is not the opening line of a gripping traveler's tale...

**aliz** · 05-03-2006, 01:56 AM

yeah, if you want to come back with those kinda stories, instead try going for a walk in a foreign city without a map... you end up in the wierdest places, meet people, you always end up finding your way home and then your story is "So I was in (insert country here) and I got sooooo lost..." i dunno, maybe I'm the only person in the world who actually enjoys being lost but hey its cheap entertainment and you do always get a good story out of it (and you usually remember the story better too)

**goyincognito** · 05-03-2006, 02:05 AM

So I was in Europe and I got soooo drunk.

I mean faded.

I mean drunk.

I mean...HEY WHERE ARE YOU GOING??

**expatben** · 05-03-2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aliz@May 3 2006, 12:56 AM
yeah, if you want to come back with those kinda stories, instead try going for a walk in a foreign city without a map... you end up in the wierdest places, meet people, you always end up finding your way home and then your story is "So I was in (insert country here) and I got sooooo lost..." i dunno, maybe I'm the only person in the world who actually enjoys being lost but hey its cheap entertainment and you do always get a good story out of it (and you usually remember the story better too)

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I know what you mean, I for one always rememer my lost stories.

**beergal** · 05-03-2006, 02:24 AM

som your probably right...but they certainly like our money dont they!

Bothered loads if we go out to Europe to party Ibiza would not have its reputation if the British clubbers and DJ's did not go out there in the summer months, i think it would be safe to say Ibiza would not be economically viable if id did not have our trade there during the summer months dont forget the island completely shuts down from october onwards.

Many countries in Euorpe promote their nightlife as a main tourist attraction especially the Baltic countries and Central Europe. When you have local buses advertising no frills airlines asking where you can get a pint for 30pence what do you expect British consumers to say....oh why would i want to go there when i live in Europe.

**expatben** · 05-03-2006, 02:47 AM

True and I said in my OP that by all means hit the club scene. I just feel that people sell Europe short and by doing that it has created a reputation that it does not deserve. There is far more to the European countries than just clubs drugs and sex. Thats all I was saying.

**beergal** · 05-03-2006, 02:50 AM

sure i can appreciate your comments and i particulary get annoyed when i hear people say "i went to england" oh right where did you go and they reply "edinburgh" ha ha its strange how people emalagamte the whole of the British isles into London

**LostFarmboy** · 05-03-2006, 03:03 AM

I love mountains, absolutely love them, so my travels have included stops at some of the most breathtaking mountain ranges the world has to offer - Alps, Andies, they blew me away. Some people love clubbing, so they travel to the best night clubs the world has to offer - to most people that means Europe.

To each his own i say.

**expatben** · 05-03-2006, 03:04 AM

Yeah, as someone who has been to England, Scotland and Wales and who currently lives in the Midlands I do get annoyed when people assume that there is no Britain outside London.

**lauren313** · 05-03-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Somnambulation@May 3 2006, 07:50 AM
Yeah from what Ive seen the Brits are disliked much more in mainland Europe than us Yanks. To them, it actaully is just a weekend piss up to go to Europe and party. No offense to any Brits, but thats what I gather the impression is, at least among the hostel owners.

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I completely agree with this. I'm British, and when I go to mainland Europe, I quite often end up feeling pretty embarassed to be British. I don't want to generalise, but a lot of people who go to mainland Europe from Britain give our country a bad name.

Maybe it's just the way I was brought up, but I don't deem it appropriate to go and get wasted on most nights of your trip (although, in fact, I don't drink alcohol at all, so I would think this!). I've never been in a night club abroad, I'm sure I will at some stage, but my guess is it won't be a regular occurance.

I'd much rather spend my time seeing the sights and just exploring somewhere new. How much stuff are you going to do if you're drunk/hungover the whole time? Well, how much that you'll remember, anyway!

**Sabrosa** · 05-03-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LostFarmboy@May 3 2006, 05:03 AM
To each his own i say.

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I definitely agree with this. Everyone travels for different reasons....to each his own!

Personally though, I always wonder how fulfilling it REALLY is to get hammered every night, and spend the next day hungover..only to repeat again? I mean, it's one thing if you're 21. But, it's hard for me to understand my friends that do it here at home (who are all in their late 20's and early 30's). I know so many people who have travelled all over Europe...it seems like every time they take a weekend jaunt...they end up partying every night and sleeping their days away. I just can't imagine it..you can do that at home! My feeling...it all comes down to moderation.

And...it seems to me (generally speaking) alot of those same people have a really hard time relaxing and enjoying the quiet moments (substance free)....especially at night. It's kinda like they always have to be doing something with someone....and at night, that often means going out and getting wasted.

That being said....doesn't mean I don't like to party from time to time.

**d_fresh** · 05-03-2006, 07:58 AM

I think we went to 1 bar the whole month we were in europe....and that was in amsterdam, and not for booze!

we enjoyed being able to drink a bottle of wine of beer on the street or in a park more. I don't need to go to europe to party.

**The Monsignor** · 05-03-2006, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tumblezweedz@May 3 2006, 01:27 AM
"So I was in (insert country here) and I got soooooo drunk..." is not the opening line of a gripping traveler's tale...

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what if it ends with "... so I became the only Freshman in my high school to have spent a night in a Mexican jail (naked)!"

does that make it gripping?