Question about Greece
 

I am considering going on a trip to Greece - on land and through the isles. I have heard about the anti-Americanism there, and would like recent visitors to recount your experiences with the local people. I would like to know if my visit would be pleasant or not. Please note that I am asking for your experiences and views, not any ideological rants or raves.

I spent just about 6 weeks in Greece two years ago and was totall unaware of any anti-American sentiment. Or is this supposedly something new?

Was there two weeks last summer, one week on the mainland and one island hopping, and encountered only friendliness and courtesy. I saw two samples of anti-American graffiti, one in Athens and I've forgotten where the other was, but you see more and worse here in the U.S.

There is no more anti-Americanism in Greece than there is in any other country, and certainly way less than in many. Greece is dependent on the tourist dollar for a large part its income so overt demonstrations of any political point of view are not tolerated. The one exception to this might be during a national election, but you can rest assured that it would not be directed at tourists of any nation. The Greek people are some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. If they take a liking to you they practically adopt you! Go and have a great time and stop worrying.

I visite Crete just after the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade and round about a NATO base where there are Americans, there was anti American graffitti.

Last Easter in Chania, there was anti war/American graffitti visible; but Chania was FULL of American naval personnel day in daily and I saw no anti Americanism expressed orally whatsoever.

I was in Greece last June and I didn't find much Anti-Americanism there. I was joking with a street vendor, in Athens, about the Olympics and he was just saying that everything I read is "American Propoganda." He was nice though.

My girlfriend on the otherhand (who I met in Greece) spent a few weeks in the countryside with a friend. She said that she almost left a bar in tears b/c the locals displayed some verbal hostility to Americans.

She doesn't believe that it was the norm. Probably just some bad timing.

When I was in Mykonos, we went to this Gyros stand every night and the owner was telling me how much he loves Americans. He gave us some free t-shirts and gave us free gyros and beer on the last night!

Thanks for all of your replies.

My girlfriend and I spent 14 days in Greece in September. The first 3 were in Athens by myself. I never had a problem. ALmost all of it travelling around the islands. The people could not have been nicer. It was the best vacation I've had in a long time. GO!

My hub and I, both Americans, were in Crete last Easter (same time as Sheila!) and while we saw some anti-American grafitti, the people couldn't have been nicer, even after they found out we're Americans. :)

We were there for three weeks in September and did not encounter any anti-Americanism what so ever. We did see some occasional graffiti in Athens, but everyone we interacted with was very friendly and helpful.