Safety Concerns
 

I have read several warnings about Greek peoples attitude towards America. What are some specific precautions that should be taken by all who go there, but espcially 4 women?

I've been to Greece three times in about 25 years - on a tour, alone, and with a friend. Each time I found the people wonderful, and the country, to me felt safer than most places and more welcoming. <BR> <BR>What warnings?

Fodors <BR> <BR>I greatly doubt that there's a thing to worry about. But you can get advice <BR>from five consuls:- <BR>from the USA on http://travel.state.gov, under "travel warnings" <BR>Some experienced American travellers find the American site over-cautious. It is therefor useful to check other sites. <BR>from Australia on http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice <BR>from Britain on http://193.114.50.10/travel <BR>from Canada on http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp, under "Travel Reports" <BR>from France on http://www.dfae.diplomatie.fr/voyage...s/alphabet.asp <BR> <BR>Welcome to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

I have known some indiv Greeks and traveled there, and there is a strong anti-American sentiment there, espec among some of the more politically radical. I think this is in a broad societal and nationality sense (disliking American imperialism and militarism, etc), rather than against individual Americans, though. I know we used to have a military base (Air Force, I think)in Greece stationed above Athens, and I know they resented that a lot and viewed it as quasi-occupation;there were protests against the presence of those American military forces at times. However, that base has been closed, although I think there still are some military personnel around Greece to a minor extent, but not that entire base. I didn't have any problems with being a woman there sans male escort, or notice sexual harassment like you get in some other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, so would advise that one behave with the cautions you would in such situations in any city.

I think the above poster is right: some Greeks don't like the U.S. government but they don't hold individual tourists responsible. I've been to Greece a few times and thought the people were all pretty friendly. No one seemed to care where I was from.

The Greek people are amazingly friendly, and you will have no problems at all. <BR> <BR>There is anti-American sentiment in a small minority, and even a few terrorist attacks. However, these are never ever aimed at tourists. <BR> <BR>Go to Greece - you don't need to take any special precautions, as even in Athens, street crime is lower than elsewhere in Europe. Have a great time!

In Athens last August, I never observed any of the street crime, pickpocketing, scams, or beggars that afflict Spain & Italy (that I've read about in this forum). <BR> <BR>The one caution would be the Omonia or train station area, at night - I've heard those are seedy. But there's not much reason for a tourist to be there at night. <BR> <BR>Still, don't let your guard down: carry money in a money belt or equivalent, don't set valuables down & turn away, etc. <BR> <BR>I had only 1 taxi driver trying to flagrantly defraud me, and he backed down when I exposed his scam (a rigged meter).

Having just returned from 3 weeks in Greece, I must say that we never encountered anti-American sentiment. The people that we were with were friendly and helpful. I did try to learn a phrase or two of Greek, just to say please and thankyou and they seemed to genuinely appreciate the effort. Greek people seemed to me, generally speaking, very direct. Which I suppose some people could take as rude, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how nice everyone was.