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?

Yes, I saw those posts. But like I said, you can't know for sure if all this 'warmth' was because you're Scottish as opposed to English. The same warm smiles might have happened as the conversation progressed even if you happened to be from the dreaded England.

I mean, just yesterday we had someone who fell for the age old 'special discount just for my Scottish friend' line and assumed that was because the shop assistant loved Scots so much!

I actually found this question surprising, but, thinking about it, I suppose it's just that some people are more socially intuitive than others.

Many people find it very easy to pick up on subtle changes in manner. Others find it difficult. And many of us are somewhere in between.

I don't know, maybe you don't see it personally, but that doesn't mean a shift in attitude towards them isn't very clear to many people.

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.

No one said it was correct fgs. I don't think it is, we were just pointing out it happens. Funny you are disagreeing with sweeping generalisations about the English by making a sweeping generalisations about the Irish! Come and visit you will be very welcomed.

The difference I have observed is very obvious.
If I am in a restaurant or a shop and there are English customers the staff have been very polite to the English customers - are you English? Are you enjoying your holiday? And that is it.
I get the same questions but, when I say we're Scottish we very often end up having a conversation which covers everything from how beautiful the country is, how they always want to visit/ go back. How friendly the Scots are and, recently, we have heard the odd "No Scotland no Party". It's not unusual for wait staff to sit down and chat away to us. I love when that happens so I am obviously giving off positive vibes.
I have experienced this in Europe and the USA.
I think nationalities as a whole gain a reputation based on how they are shown on the media. The Scots are broadly seen as friendly and fun loving. The reputation of the English is probably not so positive.

Lol @Dulra I shall pass that on, thanks. All my eldest says is but have you heard Kneecap? I say no, more of a Cara Dillon girl myself!😁

Ah no. This is very sad to read.
Please come and visit. You are so welcome!!!

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.
People are saying it happens, not that it's expected and correct. Please don't be put off visiting.

Ah, hello, yes, - table for 4? Here you go, and menus, and bread. Sit down, sit down. UK yes? AHHHH, Ireland! <smile widens> Welcome, welcome! Guinness! Dublin! Now my friend, what can I get you? How is your holiday? Did you enjoy the sunshine today? <A few jokes>

Nothing rude. Nothing spoken about "so glad you're not English".

Sorry, but I'm another one who can attest to the complete change in attitude to 'I'm not English actually, I'm Irish' !!!
It's just a fact, despite what English posters may want to believe... From Northern Ireland, the Republic doesn't matter, the reception is much warmer and 'I'm Irish actually' is a phrase I know in multiple languages!

I have just started to read up on this - as knew nothing about it.

Quite surprised by much of it!

Thinking that Kneecap are in any way representative of Irish people in general is like thinking that Fun-Da-Mental somehow represent a British hive mind.

There are some countries where the difference is really marked - USA for example because they're often so over the top about their Irish root - or France because I think they feel about as much love for the English as many English feel about them! Spain too. Scandi countries don't seem to mind as much...

It blows my mind that someone of average intelligence/education, living in a neighbouring country, would have no idea that Ireland was neutral in WWII.

This!

But also go see the film, it's hilarious - and if you ever get the chance to see them live, go. One of the most energetic, riotous gigs you'll ever see!

I'm literally pointing out that I have experienced not being thought of as British, I'm even speaking in English but it is assumed I'm Scandinavian but only speaking in English for communicating purposes but when I have corrected people there is no change to attitudes towards me, that is my point, this is why I am doubting this. If anything you would think their treatment of me would be much better I they think I'm a Scandinavian speaking in English as I am not a Brit in any way I.e I am not Scottish or Welsh but no even with that I don't see this sudden switch!!

Equally, I'm doubting the picking up on the accent as people think I am Danish or Swedish even speaking to them in English so you would think they would be able to determine that my English was with an accent, if I actually was from Sweden or Denmark.

I've seen many posters on here over the years not understanding that NI is part of the UK, or thinking that Ireland is part of the UK. Not to mention those on here and elsewhere suggesting that Ireland leave the EU to make Brexit easier. Not understanding the position Ireland took in WW2 is waaaay down the list of things I'd expect anyone British to know about Ireland.

Again, how can you possibly know that's because your Irish or Scottish or Welsh? Itt is not a fact that you can measure. And if you are telling them where you are from and making the point that you aren't English they probably are reflecting your attitude and just flattering you because they think it is important to you.

'It blows my mind that someone of average intelligence/education, living in a neighbouring country, would have no idea that Ireland was neutral in WWII.'

Mate, they don't even know there was an Anglo- Irish War after WW1! Or that Irish soldiers fought and died in the trenches in WW1.Or that there was the War of Independence FROM Britain...

They pay so little attention to any colonial history where they f-up - Partition of Israel, Palestine etc. and literally jump from Henry 8th to Queen Victoria to, oh look, we won 2 world wars, aren't we ace in their history curriculum.

Thanks for the tip but I've been in all but one of those countries and happily did not interact with people who decide how they're going to treat you based on your nationality.

PArtition of INDIA that should have been although Palestine/Israeli and THAT conflict very much has it's roots in English fuck ups

Well, I don't disagree (when I first lived in England and was trying to get a NI number, I had three different staff members at a JobCentre, including the area manager, tell me repeatedly that I didn't need one, I 'could just use my home NI number', despite me explaining clearly and repeatedly that I didn't come from NI, I came from Ireland, an entirely separate country), but given the ongoing cultural obsession with WWII, which was so often referenced in the context of British exceptionalism in the run-up to Brexit, it doesn't seem unreasonable to have some vague idea about what decisions a recently-independent former colony literally next door might find themselves making.

But, given the frequent threads on here with people finding their own ignorance of basic general knowledge absolutely hilarious, I shouldn't be surprised.

I learnt very little in the way of history at school in the 80s. Anything I have learnt about any history has been self taught - and there is a lot of history to go at!

So give me a break please on that one!

What are you on about.

And why are you so nasty all the time.

Go back and read.

That poster said she was unaware that ireland supported the third reich during world war two.

NOT that she was unaware that Ireland was neutral

Right, so real evidence then😬.

My most recent interaction in a restaurant in Spain this summer;
Waiter gives me the menu with a big smile;
"Swedish? Speak English?"

Me: "yes, no I'm British,"

Waiter, "oh, (says a throw away remark about my looks) you from London, Big Ben, Buckingham palace. "

Then a huge conversation with all of us about where we are from in England and he then says he knows it well and talks about the mojito we wanted.

My DH is British but is often mistaken for Greece, Spanish and Italian on the past as dark hair and olive skinned so maybe they didn't think we were a couple of Brits. He actually has an Irish surname but they didn't look at his bankcard and recognise that, funnily enough!

Greek not Greece

My great-uncle, who died when I was five, as a very old man, used to enjoy showing me his 'wonky leg' (shrapnel from Gallipoli). His older brother in the same regiment never made it home. Two further brothers were in the abortive Cork rising in 1916, and were in the occupation of the Volunteer Hall with Tomás McCurtain. And then the civil war got even messier in that household...