Lacking This Essential Habit Could Ruin Your Trip To Europe, According To Rick Steves

Some bad habits can ruin a trip. For instance, always overpacking or only using your native tongue in a destination where you don't speak the language can make your vacation more frustrating than it needs to be. And, if you ask Rick Steves, a bad attitude can also greatly shape your travel experiences.

In an article on his website, the travel expert reveals that lacking humility is a sure way to sour any trip to Europe. Instead of being proud and indignant, Steves suggests letting small annoyances roll off your back. "Turning the other cheek is an essential habit for anyone riding Europe's magic carousel," he writes. "If you slap back, the ride is over. The militantly humble and stubbornly optimistic can happily spin forever."

Steves explains that he commonly sees tourists and locals in Europe clashing with one another, often due to minor errors or misunderstandings. Instead of firing back, the professional traveler urges tourists to remain upbeat and friendly. "Don't let an unpleasant interaction ruin a travel day that's otherwise full of exciting new sights, sounds, and flavors," Steves says. "With a focus on solving (instead of 'winning') any dispute you may find yourself in, you'll be on your way faster — and with your good mood intact."

In his article, Rick Steves isn't encouraging travelers to let the locals walk all over them or to allow tourist-trap businesses to take advantage of them. It's still wise to remain cautious to sidestep scams and avoid pickpockets in Europe, for example. Rather, he's suggesting that outsiders roll with the cultural punches. Don't get peeved when things are handled differently in a different culture, and remain humble in interactions that feel awkward or confusing.

In many countries, everyday social norms may be unlike what you're used to back home. When dining in Paris, for instance, know that servers rarely come to your table and likely won't offer the bill until you ask for it. In a country like the U.S., this could be considered poor customer service, but in Europe, the waiter is simply respecting your personal time and space. Similarly, you might be appalled when a bartender or taxi driver in Spain yells at you — but, really, they're just speaking loudly, something that isn't considered rude among most Spaniards.

When visiting Europe, observe these and other cultural differences with a curious eye rather than a judgmental or defensive one. After all, one of the biggest perks of traveling is getting to see how other people live in other parts of the world. As Steves says, stay humble and remember that not one culture does things the "right" or "best" way.