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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:
Flustration · 18/01/2025 19:29

I honestly have not noticed this at all.

I spend quite a bit of time in France. I do speak French (badly!) but, other than a bit of friendly Brexit banter, nothing has changed. I took my MIL last year and she was convinced people were giving her dirty looks and I had to explain that's just the French version of Resting Bitch Face and not personal!

I also work closely with people in Finland, Netherlands, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland and Denmark and have had work trips to all those countries in the last 18 months. Again, I have spotted no difference whatsoever.

madameimadam · 18/01/2025 19:29

Hmmm, not sure.

Have just got back from Paris and was astonished at how lovely, hospitable and friendly everyone was. It could be because I at least attempted to speak French in my interactions but I had expected service staff in hotels, restaurants and shops to be a little bit rude or dismissive.

Not the case at all. Despite the fact my French is highly questionable and shaky.

Bit disappointed at how friendly everyone was TBH 😆
Not so much as an eyeroll or disinterested shrug...

Porcuporpoise · 18/01/2025 19:25

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

It's all in English tho

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No shit 🙄

Greyish2025 · 18/01/2025 19:22

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:15

There aren't many Americans in Spain.

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Look, if an German is in Spain, they could be using English as it’s a common language and a lot of countries second language of choice

arcticpandas · 18/01/2025 19:20

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 18:33

But they constantly make fun of us for being too polite and saying please and thank you too much!

Cannot win.

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Ha! It's because you say it in English. In France you say "s'il vous plaît" and "merci" non stop.

Maybe you should try Scandinavia (in the summer). They love English tourists because they love speaking English (they practically all do).

Bjorkdidit · 18/01/2025 19:17

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:03

She's not being ridiculous.

I have also felt unwelcome in Spain. As have other people that I know

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Spain is a large, diverse country. The anti tourist protests are in a few specific areas. 99.9% of the country is totally unaffected.

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:15

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:06

Oh you mean the graffiti.

Well not just England speaks English.

There aren't many Americans in Spain.

OP posts:
Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:14

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:05

What's all in English?

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The anti tourist rhetoric

OP posts:
Totallymessed · 18/01/2025 19:12

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

It's all in English tho

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It's in English because a lot of people speak English as a second language so it reaches the most tourists. Likewise, it will get a bigger audience on social media than if, say, Dutch was used.

Greyish2025 · 18/01/2025 19:11

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

It's all in English tho

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Quite a few countries use English as their first language, why presume it’s aimed at the British

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:06

Oh you mean the graffiti.

Well not just England speaks English.

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:05

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

It's all in English tho

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What's all in English?

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

You don't see any Defense de Tourister! grafitti

OP posts:
Redcandlescandal · 18/01/2025 19:04

TheNewHiker · 18/01/2025 18:59

I bet you’re a complete drama llama in RL 😆

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Yes, you are the common denominator here OP.

You just keep telling yourself the rest of us are lying or blinkered. 😂

Original poster
Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 19:04

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:00

I have noticed anti tourism.

But it's against all tourists. Not just the brits.

It's all in English tho

OP posts:
Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:03

Bjorkdidit · 18/01/2025 19:02

Honestly OP, you're being ridiculous. I don't know where in Spain you're going but I've never felt unwelcome and its not because I'm oblivious to hostility.

Edited
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She's not being ridiculous.

I have also felt unwelcome in Spain. As have other people that I know

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:03

Lentilweaver · 18/01/2025 19:01

The drama is really excessive. Especially for a white person. Sorry, I said what I said.

Especially for a white person?

I'm white and I've been told to fuck off back to my own country.

Being white doesn't make you have an easy life

Bjorkdidit · 18/01/2025 19:02

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 15:58

I feel sad about not really being able to visit Spain again. Feels the world in general is changing a lot

Honestly OP, you're being ridiculous. I don't know where in Spain you're going but I've never felt unwelcome and its not because I'm oblivious to hostility.

HazelTheDormouse · 18/01/2025 19:02

I don’t believe these people who say that the locals overseas say….oh. It’s ok, you are Welsh or Scottish.

My DH is not English, he’s from a med country. All his relatives are educated to a high level and have well paid jobs but I assure you they think “British” and couldn’t name the countries in the Uk, or colour them in on our map, let alone tell the difference between them. They just aren’t interested. They have better things to do than acquaint themselves with Britain. Plus English people come in all shapes and sizes. I’m British but a lot of people ask me if I have Italian parents because of my colouring.

The only way you can tell if someone is British is if they are wearing a Man U top (or similar), are burnt to a crisp from their factor 5 and baby oil, have a beer belly and are wearing adidas sliders and have tattoos.

Lentilweaver · 18/01/2025 19:01

The drama is really excessive. Especially for a white person. Sorry, I said what I said.

Applecharm25 · 18/01/2025 19:00

I have noticed anti tourism.

But it's against all tourists. Not just the brits.

TheNewHiker · 18/01/2025 18:59

Everythingisnumbersnow · 18/01/2025 15:58

I feel sad about not really being able to visit Spain again. Feels the world in general is changing a lot

I bet you’re a complete drama llama in RL 😆

TheNewHiker · 18/01/2025 18:58

Everythingisnumbersnow · 17/01/2025 18:13

Big round face, constant mild rosacea flush, pale and pink and a fan of floral frocks. A big tum relative to the rest of me. A constantly anxious "God I'm so sorry" facial expression. There's probably more I don't realise.

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Are you travelling with others OP or alone? do they also feel hated by everyone?

Lentilweaver · 18/01/2025 18:55

Maybe we are used to it because that's how we are treated in many places, and we have no choice but to develop a thick skin.🙄

Bjorkdidit · 18/01/2025 18:53

Or maybe we don't go to the minority of areas that have a lot of British tourists and are suffering due to lots of AI hotels and Airbnbs.

We go to Spain a few times a year. We've never been AI or used Airbnb and few British people will have even heard of the places we've been to, let alone been there.