AMERICANS!!! How are we now treated abroad?
 

With the events of the last couple of years. How do Europeans generaly feel about Americans?

My friends who live in France, feel they know how to evaluate individuals from their goverment.

Gunter, They only feel about you as an individual as was pointed out by cigalechanta. I wouldn't worry about anything unless you happen to be an overly boisterous Bush supporter. Then I'd watch out.

This is definitely a non-issue IMHO. I just returned from a three week trip to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, and Munich. Not once did I experience negative treatment from any citizen of any of those cities. Oh, two sales people in Tesco in Prague were rather abrupt, but I don't think it was because I'm an American; rather, I expect their feet may have hurt because they'd been standing on them all day.

I agree with CC above. Europeans are savvy enough to be able to differentiate individual travelers from the policies of their governments.

They love your money!!! ((b))

Europeans generally feel fine about Americans, in some cases even will mention how sorry they are that we are in the position that we are in with respect to our sorry relations with former staunch allies. But I'd be leery of getting into a debate with a European and trying hard to defend the current American government.

Thing's definitely haven't gotten any better in the year and half since this report. (In fact, expect a steep downward spiral)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...can-usat_x.htm

I love my country but never would defend the stupid invasions through the years, that always divide us, voters and friends who choose differently

In my experience Americans in europe are almost universally treated as we behave.

In fact, we have never come across any nationality-based unpleasant experiences except for Venice one year. The leader of our walking tour warned us not to speak english too loudly - there had just been a couple of very tragic incidents - and deaths - involving british soccer hooligans - and he said if we were thought to be british we might meet with unpleasantness. But it never happened.

"In my experience Americans in europe are almost universally treated as we behave."

I'd amend that to say most people who travel most places are treated as they behave.

Europe is a big place. Lots of countries. Many different cultures. Posters who makes broad statements about what "Europeans" think or don't think are guilty of perper
uating the sort of narrow minded generalizations that travelling is supposed to cure.

I make a point to NOT discuss politics with anyone except family and close friends.

But I really have to ask. Does anyone really believe that every Europeon hates Bush, loved Kerry etc. Really, does anyone believe that?

Each country is made up of people that have various opinions and ideas. There is not a country that has their people 100% in agreement with anything in my experience.

If there is I would like to know which country?

Europeans are very in tune with our politics and they know that we are deeply divided. They can seperate us as individuals from the Bush administration and his Iraq war.

Loveitaly: Opinion polls in most major Eurpean countries indicated that the residents were roughly 85% in favor of Kerry. This makes it about the same proportion as votes cast in San Francisco, Manhattan, Philadelphia, Boston....

rockhopper7 said it best :

People who make broad statements about what "others" think or don't think are guilty of perpetuating the sort of narrow-minded generalizations that traveling is supposed to cure.

I've been living in Spain for the past 2 years and I've never once heard/seen/experienced any anti-americanism. People here may not like some American policies or politicians, but in general they have nothing against the American people. In fact, many people that I have met are very interested in learning about American culture, history , etc.

Hi

I think that you will be treated quite well here in my home country Norway. As other has mentioned I think that it is important to not treat individuals in a bad way because of the govement in their home country. My impression is that the feeling towards the USA here in Norway has become more of a sceptical feeling over the Bush years. But I don't think that this influences the way we welcome Americans when they come to Norway.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com

Raspberry7, I think you'll find that it's 85% who are against Bush, not that they're pro-Kerry.

If I met you, I'd treat you with the respect that you deserve. I'd make a judgement on your manner and opinions. Don't talk politics. The English are quite politically aware and will argue their point. I wouldn't do this in your country, please don't do it in mine.

If you must talk about Iraq be aware that the UK is split on the validity of the war. The gung-ho attitude of some Americans make us cringe. War is never something to be proud of. It's a war, it's a tragedy for all involved. Every life lost, regardless of which side is awful.

Mimi is right; we (for which I mean, "I") might not like your government but we treat you as we find you.

Budman, whilst I have had no fewer than 7 groups of Fodor based Americans to stay for a day or so this year, I've yet to take a dollar off any of them. Should I treat the presents of maple syrup, oil and vinegar set, flowers, Minnesota delicacies and books, as the equivalent of a $20 "gift" left on top of the dresser, so should I just assume your comment was crass?

God Gunther...does you really think they stay up at night and think about this. Evereone over here have jobs, families and our own problems to deal with before we go to the streets at night an harass Americans. It's naive to think people have the time, energy or need to insult you or harass you.

Just returned from Italy and it is appeared to be about a 50/50 thing-about 1/2 would have preferred us to just hand them our money and just get back on the plane, the other half was sweet and chatty and would talk to us for hours about their visits to the US and anything else. I personally believe that it was more a reaction to the end of the long summer tourist season than to our politics, they were just tired of tourists that didn't understand their way of doing things. I found the same thing in New Orleans this summer and in fact felt more hostility from hard working natives there towards tourists. I live in a riverside city with a dinky casino boat (that I hate) and we get our fair share of tourists and when I meet them face to face at a local business, I am very good about directions and advice, but I have to stop myself from running over them in the streets, just like a Roman taxi driver on his way to the airport.