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To feel a bit like everyone hates me when I'm a British tourist in Europe now

341 replies

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:23

I try with the language, I try not to get in people's way, I tip and I don't complain.

But everything still feels much more hostile than it used to.

OP posts:
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DdraigGoch · 21/01/2025 21:53

fairycakes1234 · 21/01/2025 20:04

Feel exactly the same and I feel when you do say you're irish they immediately give out about English because they think the age old rivalry/hatred is still going on and it's just something for them to say , I honestly believe that. If you asked them outright they wouldn't even know the politics behind it😊

Edited

Yeah, if I encounter a Canadian I might similarly be inclined to make a few comments at their southern neighbour's expense, doesn‘t mean that I'd treat an American tourist differently on account of their nationality (those who travel are by-and-large the good ones, it's the MAGA half-wits who've never left their own state who are the problem)

fairycakes1234 · 21/01/2025 20:04

Goldenbear · 19/01/2025 03:03

Attitudes where in Europe? Do you mean Spain or tourist hotspots of the Mediterranean as I am really doubtful that you will find that in all of Europe. I really don't think there is much care in Scandinavian countries for example, my friends and family from those parts don't make that distinction at all.

Feel exactly the same and I feel when you do say you're irish they immediately give out about English because they think the age old rivalry/hatred is still going on and it's just something for them to say , I honestly believe that. If you asked them outright they wouldn't even know the politics behind it😊

Goldenbear · 20/01/2025 23:21

Goldenbear · 20/01/2025 23:18

You have misinterpreted my reference for hotspots as 'sneering'; I'm asking the question as it may be a reason for people's reactions to the English, who simply down to population size, 57 million as opposed to Ireland's 5.7, there are going to be more English visitors to certain hotspots than Irish. How do you even know the linguistic abilities of all 57 million English people, absolutely ridiculous logic that just suits your argument but is not based on facts.

Personally I know loads of people that are bilingual and always speak Spanish or French when on holiday in those countries, guess what, they are all English- mind blown!

Goldenbear · 20/01/2025 23:18

Treesinmygarden · 20/01/2025 22:43

You can be as "doubtful" as you like. I mean Spain, France, Madrid, Paris and beyond, Italy and Rome, Portugal - Faro - Porto etc etc.

I can't speak for "tourist hotspots" because much as your sneering post wants to infer, I haven't only been to them.

I can't speak for Scandinavia because I have not been there, but I have travelled extensively in Europe and the reaction upon discovering that we are in fact Irish, not English, has been fairly universal.

Not least because we try to speak the language, which a lot of English can and do not.

You have misinterpreted my reference for hotspots as 'sneering'; I'm asking the question as it may be a reason for people's reactions to the English, who simply down to population size, 57 million as opposed to Ireland's 5.7, there are going to be more English visitors to certain hotspots than Irish. How do you even know the linguistic abilities of all 57 million English people, absolutely ridiculous logic that just suits your argument but is not based on facts.

Treesinmygarden · 20/01/2025 22:46

ElderLemon · 20/01/2025 22:26

I'm Irish but as we speak English I feel like most people on the continent think we are English. Never experienced any hostility. Was in Spain in november, everyone very nice to us.

I'm not saying I "experienced any hostility" - just an increased friendliness when they realise your nationality and particularly if you are speaking their language, which they don't expect!

Treesinmygarden · 20/01/2025 22:43

Goldenbear · 19/01/2025 03:03

Attitudes where in Europe? Do you mean Spain or tourist hotspots of the Mediterranean as I am really doubtful that you will find that in all of Europe. I really don't think there is much care in Scandinavian countries for example, my friends and family from those parts don't make that distinction at all.

You can be as "doubtful" as you like. I mean Spain, France, Madrid, Paris and beyond, Italy and Rome, Portugal - Faro - Porto etc etc.

I can't speak for "tourist hotspots" because much as your sneering post wants to infer, I haven't only been to them.

I can't speak for Scandinavia because I have not been there, but I have travelled extensively in Europe and the reaction upon discovering that we are in fact Irish, not English, has been fairly universal.

Not least because we try to speak the language, which a lot of English can and do not.

ElderLemon · 20/01/2025 22:26

I'm Irish but as we speak English I feel like most people on the continent think we are English. Never experienced any hostility. Was in Spain in november, everyone very nice to us.

ManuelCanova · 20/01/2025 22:15

@Crazyworldmum yep 😉

Crazyworldmum · 19/01/2025 03:37

I can only speak from my perspective ( not my personal view but my experience and it’s in. O way to be offensive ) .
I have family with tourist businesses in Spain , Portugal , Greek and Cyprus, I manage some of those properties . Portuguese folk are mostly welcome , you will not be treated with hostility but secretly just like the other 3 they are resentful towards English folk , not as much as the rest of the British , Scottish people are quite friendly etc so they tend to be really welcomed . Spain seems to take the brunt of the bad behaviour so I can see why it’s fighting back , Greeks and Cypriots will welcome you too but they will not hide their tourist preferences either .
I have a fair idea why this happens but I won’t go into it .

Goldenbear · 19/01/2025 03:03

Treesinmygarden · 19/01/2025 02:51

Haven't RTFT but I have always found that attitudes soften when I explain that, despite the fact I am speaking English (though I try to speak French/Spanish where I can), I am actually Irish.

Attitudes where in Europe? Do you mean Spain or tourist hotspots of the Mediterranean as I am really doubtful that you will find that in all of Europe. I really don't think there is much care in Scandinavian countries for example, my friends and family from those parts don't make that distinction at all.

Treesinmygarden · 19/01/2025 02:51

Haven't RTFT but I have always found that attitudes soften when I explain that, despite the fact I am speaking English (though I try to speak French/Spanish where I can), I am actually Irish.

ObelixtheGaul · 19/01/2025 02:35

Fink · 18/01/2025 22:29

Because that's meaningless gobbledygook. What language did you intend it to be?

The reason anti-tourist messages are written in English is because English is commonly used as a lingua franca between people who don't speak each other's first language. You think being a British tourist in Europe is hard? Try being one of the nationalities who are expected to learn English as a foreign language in order to communicate anywhere outside of their own country (or, obviously, there's also the option open to British people as well to learn the language local to where they're traveling).

I would add to this excellent riposte that those working for the very poorly paid tourist industry are expected to speak English well. So not only do they need English outside their own country, they need it to do low-paid work in their own nations so that they can serve people like OP. And still get accused of being rude.

Thegoatliesdownonbroadway · 19/01/2025 01:55

TheNewHiker · 18/01/2025 19:55

If you’re on holiday atm
and you’re holidaying with others ( 🤔)
Then why don’t you put your phone down before they start hating fact you’re on your phone the entire time arguing about how millions of people hate you!

Bang on the money.

DdraigGoch · 19/01/2025 01:35

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:52

They aren't just fed up of British tourists. They're fed up of all tourists.

ObelixtheGaul · 19/01/2025 00:38

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

You don't see any Defense de Tourister! grafitti

I thought you said all the graffiti was in English...

Tcsha · 18/01/2025 23:25

Fink · 18/01/2025 22:29

Because that's meaningless gobbledygook. What language did you intend it to be?

The reason anti-tourist messages are written in English is because English is commonly used as a lingua franca between people who don't speak each other's first language. You think being a British tourist in Europe is hard? Try being one of the nationalities who are expected to learn English as a foreign language in order to communicate anywhere outside of their own country (or, obviously, there's also the option open to British people as well to learn the language local to where they're traveling).

Exactly. Trying to get your translated Romanian placard on general news probably won’t happen!!

I can see why the OP is felling mistreated if they don’t realise how entitled they are.

Fink · 18/01/2025 22:29

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

You don't see any Defense de Tourister! grafitti

Because that's meaningless gobbledygook. What language did you intend it to be?

The reason anti-tourist messages are written in English is because English is commonly used as a lingua franca between people who don't speak each other's first language. You think being a British tourist in Europe is hard? Try being one of the nationalities who are expected to learn English as a foreign language in order to communicate anywhere outside of their own country (or, obviously, there's also the option open to British people as well to learn the language local to where they're traveling).

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 21:30

insynck · 18/01/2025 19:44

No 😳

I just spent two days in Paris this week. Everyone was lovely towards me.

In paris?

Hayley1256 · 18/01/2025 19:57

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:15

There aren't many Americans in Spain.

It's in English as most countries speak English so they will be able to read it. Its really small minded of you to think only Brits and Americans can speak English. I know a few people that went to Seville and Barcelona last year and they had a great time. Both stayed in Hotels and ate at local restutants, no hostility whats so ever.

TheNewHiker · 18/01/2025 19:55

If you’re on holiday atm
and you’re holidaying with others ( 🤔)
Then why don’t you put your phone down before they start hating fact you’re on your phone the entire time arguing about how millions of people hate you!

CuddlyDodoToy · 18/01/2025 19:52

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 18:46

I honestly think people who claim to travel a lot in southern Europe and not notice a thing are either bludgeoningly insensitive or fibbing a bit. I'm not saying it has to bother you but you can't reasonably not notice it.

Or perhaps it's you.

If you are oversensitive or looking for offence, you will certainly find it. Or maybe you have a monumental chip on your shoulder that makes people dislike you.

I find the people I meet in European countries as friendly and welcoming as anywhere else. Perhaps that is because I like people, I don't have an inferiority complex about where I come from and I approach others in the expectation that they are decent people.

Try it. It works for me, I'm sure it would work for you too if you give it a chance.

insynck · 18/01/2025 19:44

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:23

I try with the language, I try not to get in people's way, I tip and I don't complain.

But everything still feels much more hostile than it used to.

No 😳

I just spent two days in Paris this week. Everyone was lovely towards me.

Tcsha · 18/01/2025 19:42

Most of the people responding haven’t experienced anything, some have experienced a little bit, a handful think the world is against them.

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:38

Tcsha · 18/01/2025 19:34

Yes, because it’s the second universal language. Are they really going to bother translating into Swedish, Norwegian, Polish, etc.

Do you really not think the problem might be you? I have travelled very extensively around southern Europe and have never experienced this (blonde, fair skin, very British looking). The majority of the posters on here haven’t experienced this. Maybe it’s better all round if you stay at home!!

What majority of posters?

I've experienced it aswell

Tcsha · 18/01/2025 19:34

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

It's all in English tho

Yes, because it’s the second universal language. Are they really going to bother translating into Swedish, Norwegian, Polish, etc.

Do you really not think the problem might be you? I have travelled very extensively around southern Europe and have never experienced this (blonde, fair skin, very British looking). The majority of the posters on here haven’t experienced this. Maybe it’s better all round if you stay at home!!

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