Do Europeans hate the Brits?

[Floofydawg]

We're in Spain at the minute and have encountered some pretty hostile behaviour. Not so much from the Spanish, as we speak the language, but from other Europeans. We've been coming here many years and I've never before encountered such hostility. It got me thinking, do many Europeans dislike the Brits?

But if they say they're British they probably won't see the change of attitude that happens if they say they're Scottish instead?
Yes true. I am Irish living in Ireland with an English husband. After seeing over the years the difference in reaction to me being Irish and him being English he always says we are from Ireland when asked. Tbf we are a family of 5 so 4 are. I don't think it is a hostility as such just they seem more interested in us and friendly, it is so subtle that it is hard to put your finger on. I also don't think it is to do with colonialism more to do with the behaviour or some english tourists abroad. I think some Irish are just as bad but we are a smaller in number so don't make as big an impact and also locals probably assume they are English 🙈

Again, this seems to be a case of 'I haven't experienced this so it can't be true'.

I haven't experienced it either as I'm not from the UK anyway. However, as I said, I don't think the experience of many previous posters should be dismissed so easily.

That's not really 'distinctive' though is it?
Well it is distinctive enough to tell the country of the car so yes it is

Are folks in Croatia really paying attention to foreign number plates and forming their opinions on the passengers on that basis?
I have no idea I was responding to your question on how they know their nationality by their number plate

Lots of posters have also said that they've had no reaction one way or the other towards being English. Some have said that they have had positive reactions.

But I'm just interested in how people can perceive an 'attitude' in the sort of brief, superficial interactions I outlined above. And how they know that a perceived change in attitude is down to their being Scottish. They could just as easily have got this dramatic 'attitude' change if they had said they were English. They can't possibly know.

The change in attitude may be down to sharing more personal information though, as in getting to know them better.

If they were giving you evils and demanded to know if you’re British and you clarify your Scottish/Welsh/Irish and they relax and buy you a drink, that’s one thing. If they happen to be standing next you and you’re strangers then start talking and they ask whereabouts you’re from and you say “Inverness, Scotland, it’s a beautiful place!” They may warm to you just bc you’re being friendly.

🤷🏼‍♀️

I'd still like to know what the hostility the OP experienced was. She can't be bothered to tell us. I don't know what to make of that.

Many people are adept at picking up changes in attitude and manner.

Often the clarification is from English to Scottish or Irish...not from British to Scottish etc.
So I think people know.

I'm Scottish. I do find that attitudes change when, if I'm asked if I'm English, I say that I'm from Scotland.
I have never been treated negatively if people think I am English but definitely am treated better when they find out I am Scottish. Whether that's because the Scots are popular in general or because many people have Scottish ancestry I couldn't say.

About accents.. my late DF used to think that my Welsh DH sounded just like Tony Blair for many it just sounds all the same.

They can't possibly know

I highlighted above that my English husband did see the difference in attitude to me (Irish) over him (English) he always commented on it. Once we had kids he just started saying he was Irish

Again, what's the 'attitude' change?

"So you're English?"

"No, Scottish."

It seems a pretty brief sort of interaction on which to make assumptions. Especially when, as I said, you have no idea if the same 'attitude' change would have happened had you said 'Yes, English from London' as well.

To also repeat what I and others have said above, I think many people grossly overestimate the amount of knowledge and interest your average European has in the difference between Welsh, Scottish, English and even Irish people. Most really don't care one way or the other. That's why I think there's an element of confirmation bias at work.

I don't think many people whose English is not their first language can pick up on accents which is why as an Irish person people always initially assume I am English then I say no I'm Irish and that is where you can sometimes see the attitude change

Never come across any in any part of Europe and I have a broad Sarf London accent.

Why do you keep telling posters they are wrong and there is no attitude change? I have posted twice now how my English husband has noticed it, he has seen the difference in reaction to me and him, we aren't imagining it.

This is more the issue. I doubt they have a problem with well behaved tourists who are visiting to enjoy a quiet /family holiday or are there to learn more about the culture. Booze culture isn’t understood and appreciated that much though.

Lots of us have posted what the attitude change is, did you not see those posts? The warmer smile, friendlier more enthusiastic service. Not everyone, but it definitely happens. Subtle but definitely there and over time you notice a pattern.

ETA I don't think there have been many (any?) Irish or Scottish posters who have said they don't experience this. Just lots of English posters denying it happens - when they can't know, because they're English not Irish or Scottish.

(And again, for at least the third time - not saying it's right, just saying it happens.)

Maybe take a Scottish or Irish friend next time you're abroad. Do some experimentation into possible differences in attitudes towards the various nationalities and report back.

Because you seem determined to dismiss what others are telling you. Try it out for yourself. You might be surprised.

I'm just curious as to how people measure 'attitude changes' in the type of brief, superficial interactions that typically take place among tourists.

I hate to say I have the same experience - as a Scot I’ve never had anything other than a warm welcome abroad.

If only several posters had explained exactly what they mean...

I've travelled with people of various nationalities in various countries. I've never picked up on 'attitude changes' in brief interactions on the basis of the words 'Scottish', 'English' or anything else.

Which is a good thing as I wouldn't want to travel in places where people are going to decide how to react to you on the basis of your nationality.

Waiter with questionable manners finds out the folks at table one are American and says in a quiet but jovial manner “oh at least you’re not English”..wink wink…

Same waiter with questionable manners moves onto table two, finds out the folks there are English and says in a quiet and jobial manner “oh at least you are not American”…wink wink…

and rinse and repeat umpteen times a day…

Friendlier, more curious about you, less abrupt, more willing to help

Which is a good thing as I wouldn't want to travel in places where people are going to decide how to react to you on the basis of your nationality.

Ok for reference for your future travels I have encountered it in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Czechia, Australia, America and India

That is not what we mean

All of this is such a shame isn't it. I haven't visited Ireland for many years and suggested taking my DC over to see where their Great Grandma was born. They said no because "the Irish hate us". I always say that's ridiculous (and stop believing what you see on Tiktok) but judging by some of the posters on here who think that it's only expected (and correct) that the Irish are treated more warmly than the English, I'm beginning to wonder.