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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
BusyExpert · 17/01/2025 17:06

I travel inEurope a lot and have never experienced hostility, indeed quite the opposite. are you sure that you are to being oversensitive.?

404ErrorCode · 17/01/2025 17:05

Yabu.

There are moody unfriendly people everywhere. They don’t speak for the whole continent.

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 17:05

KarminaBurana · 17/01/2025 17:03

Everywhere I've ever been in Europe people have either been hospitable, helpful, interested or a mixture of the three.
Whereabouts have you experienced this, specifically?

Spain, Portugal, France. Germany doesn't care and I'm sure is the same to everyone. Netherlands more pitying but fair enough.

OP posts:
BRL2 · 17/01/2025 17:05

Not another Brexit thread… I bet the OP was one of those people who photographed empty supermarket shelves.

gannett · 17/01/2025 17:04

I've been to four different European countries in the past year and haven't encountered anything remotely like this.

KarminaBurana · 17/01/2025 17:03

Everywhere I've ever been in Europe people have either been hospitable, helpful, interested or a mixture of the three.
Whereabouts have you experienced this, specifically?

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 17:03

Lazery · 17/01/2025 17:01

Yeah they really hate me when I'm spending €200 on a meal in their restaurant. Hmm

I've never come across what you've experienced before and I travel a lot. In fact I've experienced practically the opposite to what you have.

I feel like this kind of attitude is sort of the problem...

OP posts:
cheezncrackers · 17/01/2025 17:02

I haven't found that either, which country are you referring to?

I haven't been to Spain since 2023 and I know there have been a lot of anti-tourism protests in Tenerife, Majorca and Barcelona. On the TV I saw tourists being abused and intimidated so it clearly does happen.

Cunningfungus · 17/01/2025 17:02

MajorCarolDanvers · 17/01/2025 16:33

I haven’t found that at all. However I am avoiding Spain.

We’ve spent 3 weeks in touristy beachy bits of mainland Spain in the past 3 months and the people couldn’t have been nicer! (Malaga, Fuengirola and Benalmadena). I’d have no reservations going there again.

However, I too would avoid Barcelona and the Canaries - DD was in Tenerife in October and said their was a terrible atmosphere and they got refused entry to a big standard restaurant as they didn’t have a booking - but it was not the type of restaurant you’d need to book, IYSWIM? (And her and BF don’t drink so it wasn’t them being drunk etc)

Lazery · 17/01/2025 17:01

Yeah they really hate me when I'm spending €200 on a meal in their restaurant. Hmm

I've never come across what you've experienced before and I travel a lot. In fact I've experienced practically the opposite to what you have.

KarminaBurana · 17/01/2025 16:57

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:52

I mean it's definitely not JUST me

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/08/travel/barcelona-tourism-protests-scli-intl/index.html

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No, that's a completely different issue, and not targeted at the British specifically.

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:55

Goldenbear · 17/01/2025 16:54

Not in my experience but by Europe do you only mean the Mediterranean countries? How do they know you're British? I've not been treated like this in Denmark, they don't know I'm British but they don't assume I am, in fact they usually speak to me in Danish.

Absolutely everyone always knows I'm British before I open my mouth. I look so British I could be the face of the British tourist board (except that it wouldn't be very alluring to visitors)

OP posts:
Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:54

Lentilweaver · 17/01/2025 16:52

Yes, just like the " P* go home" I get in the UK. Or indeed in most countries.

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yes. It's really horrible and depressing that people still do this and box everyone up by how they look. Really horrible and depressing.

OP posts:
KarminaBurana · 17/01/2025 16:54

Well, I've never experienced this. I love travelling in Europe and have done for years. I've never found hostility or prejudice because I'm British.
In fact, in many places they're quite interested and certainly very welcoming.

Goldenbear · 17/01/2025 16:54

Not in my experience but by Europe do you only mean the Mediterranean countries? How do they know you're British? I've not been treated like this in Denmark, they don't know I'm British but they don't assume I am, in fact they usually speak to me in Danish.

Bogginsthe3rd · 17/01/2025 16:53

It sounds like this might just be a "you" problem ?

LondonPapa · 17/01/2025 16:53

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.

I don’t find this at all. Everyone is wonderful, even if I’m only speaking English. Perhaps it is a you thing and you’re doing something to set it off?

Lentilweaver · 17/01/2025 16:52

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:49

Yes the Mediterranean "guiri go home" thing is racism.

Obviously I am lucky to be able to go home some people are stuck living and working among people who dislike them.

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Yes, just like the " P* go home" I get in the UK. Or indeed in most countries.

OP posts:
Mercurial123 · 17/01/2025 16:50

I think it's just you, OP. I've never had these issues.

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:49

Lentilweaver · 17/01/2025 16:48

Racism?

Yes the Mediterranean "guiri go home" thing is racism.

Obviously I am lucky to be able to go home some people are stuck living and working among people who dislike them.

OP posts:
Ellmau · 17/01/2025 16:49

I found everyone in Istria (Croatia) absolutely lovely in September.

InterIgnis · 17/01/2025 16:48

How much of this comes down to simple cultural differences?

What you may perceive as blunt, rude and unfriendly by British standards is not automatically going to be considered the same in other countries.

Lentilweaver · 17/01/2025 16:48

Racism?

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 17/01/2025 16:47

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 16:38

Go into a bakery to order some cakes - the guy behind the counter replies in English WHAT? Angrily bags up my request. No smile. Impatient body language. Obviously dislikes me being there (this has happened in a few different branches of the same bakery as I really like the cakes 🤣)

I guess it's just experiencing a mild touch of racism and maybe it's good for me to remember that some people have to put up with it at home and I should try to remember to make life easier for folk where I can

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Or maybe the guy who worked there is just grumpy. Maybe your post is a gross overgeneralisation of a few grumpy shop owners?