gruezi

Maybe only one or two people asked. Sometimes when something like that happens it's shocking enough to get you turned off and perhaps increase your level of sensitivity. Plus, she is young and I think it takes some life experience to realize people may not mean anything by stupid things they say...

Of course, I'm so naive I can never understand the concept of a troll.

gruezi

elina

>>>Maybe only one or two people asked.<<<

One or two might have asked if it was 1950s. Or if those one or two had spent all their lives living in a barrel.

I repeat: There are lots of black people living in Sweden, have been for 30+ years. And nowadays there are also black native Swedes, usually one parent originally African, one Swedish.

green_girl

to nona:

I'm sorry to dissapont, but I am not a troll. Just an average 17 year old girl.

what may sound hoity toity or rude to you is probably just plain unnawareness or naiveté.

:]


I'm just commenting on my expirience and i really really appreciate all the feedback I have gotten. whether or not the question askers were just being twits is none of my concern, all I know is that I was asked those questions and sat in horror at the fact that someone I didn't know was asking my questions like that in the first place.

to others:

I am planning on traveling with my best friend Emerita. It will be just us. Do you think that perhaps it warrents more than just that, or do you think that we will be fine on our own? We are both bright and self sufficient young people accustomed to change and we have pretty good problem solving skills. I also speak french and she speaks italian spanish and english.

oh, and thanks for the website on Ancrum, Scotland it is very helpful.

green_girl

I'll take your suggestions to mind on which countries to visit its extremely helpful to have many different viewpoints to see from.

I am not insisting that by being african american, I will have a worse time than anyone else. I am just aware that it exacerbates things some times.

I just want to know if there are some places where that is specifically very bad. But I am more concerned about the fact that if someone did manage to do anything ( not insisting that they will) that I wouldnt be able to defend myself properly.

As for bringing up such topics on my first post. Well, you have to start somewhere. If asking open questions to people you dont know online in hopes that you will get positive feedback is too much to ask, than I'm not sure what to tell you. I tried.

This is going to be my first trip without some sort of Caretaker/Adult/Teacher/Parent along with me so I would like to be as prepared as possible before I go.

I feel as though it is better to at least try to find out whats going on before leaping into uncharted situations.

Please dont fixate on whatever makes you upset in my post and instead, gently tell me what I experienced must have been biased or whatever, and get on with helping me choose where to go.

thanks.

Rhea58

Cannot help you w/the African American question but have some queries to help in your decision.

Just how long is this trip? You have a long list & unless you are
planning on being away for a while you will not get anything but an overview of these places.

Start w/the library & taking out DVDs & travel guides. Many folks
like Rick Steves altho FOdors, Frommers, etc are good.

The press reports that since Obama will be our new president, the tide has turned pro towards attitude to
Americans so it will be a benefit to you.

Discuss finances & all details w/your friend BEFORE you go...many
horror stories wherein folks have different expectations making for an unpleasant trip. And don't overpack!!

PalenQ

Not to mention being an American." And did someone tell you you'd get abuse because you are American? Just doesn't happen unless you - or they - are acting particularly weird.>

I agree with janis wholeheartedly on this point. And it's one reason i really despise folks with Canadian flags on their luggage - esp Americans that have been known to try this tack.

In decades of foreign travel, from Afghanistan to Iran even i have never been harassed because i am an American and never sought to hide it.

suze

Go to Paris. Seriously. There are all kinds of people of all races living there, plus tourists from all around the world. I would bet no one pays any special attention to you one way or the other in Paris.