Is Berlin a safe city for black people to visit?

[Destinysdaughter]

I’m asking this because, my DP is black and I am white. I’ve been to Berlin a few times and love the city. However, DP has had v bad experiences in Germany in the past and is unsure about what it would be like in Berlin. I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable or threatened and although I think it would probably be ok as Berlin is a multicultural city, I’m worried about what it’s like right now. Sorry if this seems alarmist but I’d really appreciate other people’s views on this.

As an example,I’ve been to Krakow in Poland and had no problem, but my DP has a black friend with a Polish partner and he has told him that it’s really not safe for black people there, to the extent that when he goes to visit his girlfriend’s family, he doesn’t leave the house.

Yes, it's pretty mixed. I went with an Asian friend and no eyelids were batted.

Has he really had bad experiences ?
I'm shocked !
No it's a lovely city please visit I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about .

I live in Berlin and we have lots of friends from different ethnic backgrounds. Generally speaking it's a very multicultural, laid-back city, but it might be an idea to avoid the suburbs of the former Eastern districts at night. You'd be unlikely to go there though in any case, as there are few tourist sights in that part of Berlin. A friend who wears hijab had a bit of verbal aggro from an older German in one of these suburbs, but that's all we've heard of. I honestly don't think it's any different to Britain - some areas are just less racially diverse and sadly less tolerant.

Berlin should be ok, but he should expect very stupid and backward questions, as it is still Germany.

E.g.
how can you be black and from GB?

But you are not really British are you?

Your English is really good....for a .....

(I'll stop there as I said it's Berlin)

Thanks for all the messages, that’s v encouraging. Yes he did have bad experiences many years ago but in smaller towns and is understandably unsure about it. As a white person I do not feel able to confidently reassure him although I did feel Berlin, being a cosmopolitan, touristy city would be ok.

DH and I are both caucasian (Irish) and didn't feel particularly welcome in Berlin. I don't think it's anything to do with colour. I think they're just a grumpy, unfriendly nation.

I have a German SIL .....

With all due respect @SrSteveOskowski no one can "see" that you are Irish. A woman, yes. Non Caucasian, yes. But you cannot say that skin colour is irrelevant. It is categorically incorrect. A person of colour cannot hide nor choose to be anonymous in Europe. This is Germany which still has strong throwback insinuating ideology from the third reich (for example a synonym for beautiful is blonde, how do non naturally blonde people manoeuvre that? To travel without a ticket is to travel black (a black traveller)). To say otherwise would be nigh on madness.

Op, just forgot probably the most pertinent is the staring. The constant staring. But it probably won't be as severe in Berlin. But good grief, the staring (which @SrSteveOskowski is simply because someone is NOT Caucasian)

Not sure why that last post was all in bold .

I found it awful and I’m an olive skinned person of Indian origin - I got a lot of outright racist comments combined with men trying to sleep with me ‘because they always wanted an Indian girl’ - then getting violently racist when I said no. My lighter skinned sister can pass for eastern european and so found it amazing. I will never go back.

It’s meant to be worse for black people according to my colleagues - and even worse for black men / mixed race couples. But then I found Paris very intolerant too for the latterz

Last time I went to Berlin it felt like everyone who lived in shoreditch 15 years ago now lives there... SO many brits. I think he’ll be fine