This is all excellent advice, especially regarding France. Where I live, which is only 20 minutes from Geneva, you’d be lucky to find anyone outside larger towns who can speak English confidentially. And forget about it if you have an accent other than very standard British or American.

Europeans in general appreciate the small things in life much more than Americans. Like everyone has already said, try and relax and take it all in, rather than rush from place to place trying to cram as much as possible into your trip. Have that second glass of wine, or that dessert that looks amazing, or even that afternoon nap after a long lunch. Trust me, you remember those moments just as fondly as the big ones.

We’re from Singapore and are going to Japan. I have found lots of helpful nuggets in your tip, so thank you very much.

After decades in hospitality I have concluded that yanks aren’t any louder than the Brits or Italians

But what most American men do is put on an affected deep voice to try to seem more manly or whatever, because that’s what they grew up seeing on TV or they’re a bit insecure.

It means that over the general hubbub in a cafe of whatever, you can always hear the American guys, despite them not actually raising their voices