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, however since cars imported from the rest of the UK are incredibly common they are completely bog standard and nobody would even think to bat an eyelid - or assume that you’re English for that matter.

My kids have my DH's surname which is Irish but he has never been to Ireland as his Mum's side has played more of a part in his life. I did propose visiting but my DC preferred to seek out my family's origins in Scandinavia.

@Goldenbear Well that's what I said, it's sad they judge us all by the rough ones.
And yes all countries have rowdy football fans but I've heard the Brits are a level up

If hostility exists, it might have something to do with the current cultural dominance of the English language. For example, English has become such an important language in science, tourism and business that lots of careers here are not open to you if you don't speak English well. English also dominates pop culture. People who have no gift for or interest in languages (and yes, they exist here too) may resent that. They feel like they should not have to speak English because they do not live in an English speaking country, but they simultaneously notice doors are closing to them because of their refusal/inability to learn. And because of this, they can be a bit hostile towards English speakers. As an English teacher here, and someone with many English speaking friends, I do occasionally encounter this attitude.

But that has nothing to do with British/English people. British people are not asking others to speak English for them. It's just that English is the world's lingua franca now, and often necessary for work, travel and education, even if not directly involving a country where English is the first language. If people don't want to learn English, fair enough, but that may limit their opportunities in life.

I have to say that when I travel in Europe I often find the opposite scenario. People are so keen to speak English that they will insist on speaking it even if you address them in the local language, and even if you speak that language better than they speak English.

Would it be acceptable on this site to say that my attitude changes when I encounter an Irish accent and not in a good way? Didn't think so!

You clearly haven't encountered many football fans recently then!

I have in-laws in southern Europe and friends also living in other southern European countries. The Brits most definitely have a bad reputation in these countries, more so than other nationalities like the French or the Germans. Brits are seen as rowdy drunks, who behave yobbishly, get sunburnt, get into fights, walk around half naked, are overweight etc. They have many nicknames for the Brits.
However, I must emphasise that they don't see all Brits like these. They're fully aware that many of us are decent and civilised people. They respect people like that.
Unfortunately the yobs are rather a large minority of Brits abroad in many places.

I always get “vibes” from Italians. Some make it bloody obvious that they hate the English and make no effort to hide the fact 😂

Judging from experience, an awful lot of people on this site do think that it is acceptable - along with other xenophobic language + attitudes towards the Irish.

But that has nothing to do with British/English people. British people are not asking others to speak English for them. It's just that English is the world's lingua franca now, and often necessary for work, travel and education, even if not directly involving a country where English is the first language. If people don't want to learn English, fair enough, but that may limit their opportunities in life.

I have to say that when I travel in Europe I often find the opposite scenario. People are so keen to speak English that they will insist on speaking it even if you address them in the local language, and even if you speak that language better than they speak English.

I'm not saying it's fair. I think xenophobia for whatever reason is generally a sign of narrow mindedness if not outright stupidity. Just explaining why it might happen. Even though it is not anyone's "fault", it does give native English speakers an advantage and privileged position in the world. English is put on a pedestal by a lot of Europeans as well, as you have observed in your travels (again, not anyone's fault, it makes perfect sense to want to practice English to move up in the world and/or broaden your horizons). Some people resent that, and may unjustly take out these frustrations on individuals.

Absolute bollocks. Sorry. I have family in Italy so have spent probably 10 / 15% of my life there. Other than 1 occasion in Rome (when I'm pretty sure it was because they didn't like tourists generally rather than specifically English ones) I've never had anything other than friendly interactions. In fact the average Italian I've met have done the warm greeting you as a friend thing.

Actually bollocks.

I am only commenting from my own observations.
In my experience, when observing the way English tourists in the same venue are treated (I am basically nosey) once people realise I am Scottish and not English some people become friendlier and more open. Beyond the trying to think of a basic connection so you will leave a tip or buy something.
I think that we all make sweeping generalisations about people from different countries and that does affect the way we react.
If you think back to the Euros ( the last event that I can remember where Scotland and England were treated internationally as different countries) it made the BBC news when there was no trouble between England fans and other fans. I don't remember it being reported as news that any other nation didn't cause trouble. I think that the (unfair) preconception that the English are trouble makers does colour the way that all English people are treated. Perhaps with more caution? At the same time the Scots were praised for their attitude. That too has an effect on how people are perceived.
The idiotic louts running amok in holiday resorts are labelled as English no matter what part of the UK they are from. I was a holiday rep many years ago and it was always that way. So the English get the blame for the bad behaviour no matter what country the idiots come from. If they are native English speakers they are assumed to be English.
I am not saying it is fair or correct but just my personal experience.

I commented earlier in the thread but have been thinking about this post. Is this some kind of post Brexit paranoia ? We're still on our road trip through France and it's been great all the way from the north right down to the south. We have had laughs with people and really nice interactions thanking us for visiting their area. It's been polite and pleasant for the whole trip. This has also been our experience in other European countries and we're English.

Do we really think all the drunk yobs are just English? I would say a fair few are Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish.

'Would it be acceptable on this site to say that my attitude changes when I encounter an Irish accent and not in a good way?'

If you do you do. I would have to say that most Irish people -after years and years of that from the English wouldn't give a damn one way or another!
'

I'm sure drunken yobs exist in equal proportions in all 4 nations of the United Kingdom.

However, the population of England is about 5 times bigger than that of the other 3 nations combined, so people may assume that all British yobs are English.

@JudgeJ We'll agree to disagree.

England is the largest nation within the UK, and the dominant one. When nations unite into a larger body the citizens all tend to get lumped in as belonging to the dominant one. Another example of this is the Soviet Union - was a huge multi ethnic country comprised of fifteen constituent Republic, yet ‘Soviet’ was and is used interchangeably with ‘Russian’.

The car gets parked outside restaurants or hotels...

'Do we really think all the drunk yobs are just English? I would say a fair few are Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish.'

Is it a race to the bottom???

Aah more spite against the English from you there. Classy. And I'm pretty sure you're aware that by cutting off the last part of what that poster wrote and just quoting the first bit you were manipulating their post to make them seem racist. Can't help but wonder why you decided not to answer my post before about why you are so anti-English. Perhaps you don't actually have a reason?

I get that but abuse of alcohol is something the Brits are known for. Just seems bemusing that you would think you don't see a pissed Scot or Welsh going by the comments!

No. Just think it is unfortunate hobby drinking too much alcohol that all Brits are known for sadly.

There are other countries that like a drink, the Danes like a drink but it's an important part of socialising well it is with the people I know.