I would like to know the places I SHOULD NOT travel in Europe being an African American Woman (just being black period)I would rather know now, than whined up in a country where hatred towards black people is common knowledge,but I didn't get the memo. I would like to travel to Greece, Prague, Italy, the UK etc. So, if someone has ANY insight, please let me know.

Thank You

OK, I will assume that you are not a troll and that your question is genuine.

Although I am not Af-Am, my best friend is. When we have traveled together he has never had any problems with people not liking him simply because he is black, at least nothing obvious. He judges it as no better or no worse than the US. Actually, when he travels he has the most trouble when he goes to visit family in Louisiana because he is always stopped for DWB.

I think that if you are a well-mannered polite person you generally should not have any trouble.

I would encourage you to read trip reports from people who have visited the cities in which you are interested in visiting...that way you will get an idea of how Americans (or foreigners in general) are treated.

I've heard sevearl people say "If you want to know what it's like to be black in America, go to Paris." I admit that I've thought the same thing. When in Paris, if someone is rude to me, I wonder, "Are they being rude to me because I am American, or are they rude to everyone?"

If you read a lot of trip reports, you will gather a general idea as to whether people in certain countries are known for being nice, or for being rude. If you read 5 trip reports by white people saying how nice the people were, then read one by a black person complaining of rudeness, that might be an indication of racism. However, if trip reports by people of all races talk of rudeness, that isn't racism. (I know that most trip reports don't identify race, but sometimes one gets a pretty good idea of the race of the author.)

I may get in trouble for this but, IMO, most countries in Europe are more accustomed to and more tolerant of racial differences than you will find in some parts of the states.

This was about ten years ago, but my daughter (white) was traveling with a Black girlfriend and they found Budapest uncomfortable. The situation may have changed since then. On the other hand, it perhaps was not as bad as originally reported, because when I asked her about it recently, she remembers preferring Budapest to Prague (leaving aside the racial issue).

The Rick Steve's website has a great bulletin board on this very subject. It's called Minority Traveler's Forum. See the link below.

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti_menu.htm

Be aware that you need to dress well and be immediately and obviously setting yourself apart from the unfortunate African women plying unsaviory trades in more and more places in Europe - even to a huge extent in some places in Italy.

There is an influx of Africans that makes it necessary for you to appear different, even to the "untrained" eye at a glance. You will get sideways glances from people who are trying to figure out just which category you fit into - that's unavoidable.

Be also aware that - in smaller towns and country villages - some people just about never have seen people of African descent. I remember travelling in Switzerland with my (fairly dark-skinned) A-A GF on a lake steamer, and observing a group of old-age pensioners eyeing her as if she was a Martian.

I quietly taught her three words in Swiss dialect, a harmless nicety for a nice day ("heiter's schön"?), and she turned around, smiled at the old folks and repeated what she had just learned. Mostly embarrassed, but also relieved, they all nodded and replied in the affirmative. That broke the ice.

That's not racism, that's just being the "exotic" otherness. Give them the benefit of the doubt and you'll do fine.

WK

I don't think you have to worry about that. I am a woman of color and I never feel judged because of my color, but moreso because I either look like a tourist, or someone just not from that area.

That being said, I haven't had anyone be rude to me for issues of color of nationality. I say just be yourself, remember the local customs of the area, and have a great time!!

If you go there expecting people to treat you a certain way, you could possibly give off bad vibes. So just relax a bit.

A reincarnated troll!!!

If you're preoccupied enough by the question to post it, you are probably carrying enough of a chip on your shoulder to cause a problem. Other people can sense paranoia and it will make them uneasy.

In Paris, people with very dark skin are assumed to be African immigrants, and since many French people resent the huge waves of immigration from Africa and the incursions on French culture that they are perceived to represent, you might get a cold reception in some specific situations. You can easily avoid this by making sure that everyone knows you are American. American blacks often have lighter complexions that give them away, anyway (as well as Western-style dress and manners), but speaking English to make it even more clear can't hurt.

This is merely an observation but I saw numbers of Black women both in Paris and Geneva area of Switzerland (I do not know their country of origin but they were speaking French so I assume they were locals).

<<If you're preoccupied enough by the question to post it, you are probably carrying enough of a chip on your shoulder to cause a problem. >>
Really Anthony. Give your head a shake. Thank god you are answering a troll.

I wouldn't say this person is a troll. To me, just because someone asks something that others may found odd, doesn't make them a troll.

If the poster had phrased the question differently, I don't think so many people would have been upset. The OP could have maybe discusses previous issues with racism while traveling so as to give the forum a background for her fears and worries.

Maybe the OP just had some bad experiences or heard tales of bad experiences?

No, this is the OP's first and only post. "It" didn't get the memo. "It" is a troll, IMO.

I think only a person of color who has traveled in Europe is qualified to answer this question - same in the US - i as a white Caucasian could never imagine the problems people of color may encounter without personally experiencing it - i can see the obvious things - in northern Michigan if Blacks go in many bars they are treated like pariahs - as comments by patrons after they leave prove - but the BWD and stuff you'd have to be black to find out those.

This is the Poster, and no I am not a troll, I am just going by what I have read on Rick Steve's in the "Minority Travel" section, from fellow travelers white and black, and from History itself. There is no chip on my shoulder, either, it was a simple question to be answered simply and not with "backassward" remarks...not appreciated. I consider it a better thing to be prepared for something that may not happen, then not be prepared at all, and you know what, if that makes me a troll, then sobeit. AND, thank you to those who answered the question with kindness.

OK, this comes from an American who has lived in Switzerland for the past 20 years.

When I came to Switzerland, black people were a bit exotic because they were such a rarity and were looked up with curiosity and affection.

In the past five years, we've received quite a few male black Africans seeking asylum but really dealing in drugs. It has unfortunately changed the picture of black people in Switzerland a bit. It's not hatred but just makes us weary when we see a group of black men standing around. Fair? Abosolutely not! Realistic? Unfortunately, yes.

However, I'm sure you won't be caught in the above category at all, especially since you are a woman. You are a tourist and will be respected as one.

Enjoy Europe! We're happy to have you here.

People respond differently when it is a single question and your first. If you had been planning your trip on the forum and asked about hotels, trains, etc. people would see this particular question in a different light. The fact that it is the ONLY thing you wanted opinions on, makes people wonder, is all.

Virgovirgo80--- I think you will have a great time in Europe!

When I went to Europe I was definately very different looking from most. Where I live now, there are tons of people that look like me, but when I traveled, I saw very few people like myself. But I am a city girl and know how to be aware of my surroundings, etc. So I had a great time! No one was rude or anything and mostly they just pegged me as American first because of how I dressed.

You will have a great time. Our presence in Paris is a lot stronger than in other parts of the US. Where I am, we are only like 10 or 12 percent I think, which is the national stats, but in Paris! My goodness! It was so welcoming, ya know? And don't let me start about how fine the guys are!

Have a great time, meet some new people, flirt a bit, be safe, and take tons of pictures!!!

VirgoVirgo: If you do go, I hope you decide to post a trip report. There is nothing better than to hear from someone who has personal experience. Also, if you patronized a store/restaurant/hotel/whatever and if you were certain you were badly treated solely because of your race and not because of culture differences or someone just having a bad hair day, this would be an excellent forum to spread the word. There could be many people who would not patronize the business; I know I would certainly hesitate to do so.

Wherever you decide to go, I hope you have a wonderful experience.