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?

Spend a lot of time in Portugal, no hostility whatsoever, infact, quite the reverse, always welcoming and friendly 😀

Well you do that, but you will be the one missing out on beautiful scenery and friendly people. Don't worry, we have plenty of visitors from all over the world.

What's the point in "condemning" it? What would that achieve, given that we are not in a position to change it? It just is. That's all.

Why would they condemn it? It has nothing to do with anti-English sentiment. Just a particular love for the Irish and Scottish. Scandinavians, Germans, French, Polish and Serbians also don't get the special "Celts" treatment.

Really this is something to just shrug off. It is okay not the be the most popular nation. Try being (North) African or Chinese and travel around Europe. Then unfortunately you probably would have real grounds for complaint.

Indeed I have. DC went to uni there, so I've been there quite a few times.

OK then, because you're not Irish, Scottish or Welsh? I don't care what nationality you are tbh.

You're missing the whole point! Nobody is showing hostility at ALL!

I honestly don't think many English (or probably other nations) care if people from some countries like the Scottish / Welsh / Irish MORE. I know I particularly love the Greeks and Italians, doesn't mean I don't like the Danes, say. I think the reason people are getting upset is the title of the thread is " do Europeans hate the British" the very first response to that (which has been repeated a few times in different wordings was:

"More specifically the English, I’m afraid."

I doubt many Celts would like to be told the Europeans hate them either. And FWIW I don't believe most Europeans hate the English. Whether they like the Irish / Welsh / Scottish more I have no idea.
I DO think some of the posters on this thread appear to hate the English (at least 2 anyway) but doesn't mean most Europeans do.

Oh I am not bothered about us being the most popular but xenophobia just because you are English annoys me.

I would say being cooler with someone because of where they come from is hostile even if very covert and fairly discreet although the examples don't sound discreet. It is very stupid anyway as many English people hate drinking holidays and want culture.

Me neither, and we go abroad to Europe every year, sometimes more than once.

NB We have received some sorrow and pity due to Brexit though.

The last time we went to Spain the spanish were horrible. The staff in the hotel , shops , theme parks ,airport you name it they were obnoxious. Consequently we no longer visit Spain. We've been to other European countries and no hostility. We now holiday every year in Cyprus. The people are absolutely lovely. Don't give Spain your hard earned cash.

I think you're taking this too seriously.

I'm generally friendly and polite to everyone I meet, unless they give me a reason not to be. But if someone wears a shirt of my favourite band, I may get excited and may be noticeably warmer towards them and try to connect. Even though I know on some level that just because we like the same band, it doesn't mean they are any more likely to be fun to be around.

It's generally just like that. It doesn't have anything to do with anti-English sentiment; just like I don't have anything against people in plain t-shirts.

The Spanish were lovely when we went last October. Where did you go? We went to Seville and Grenada. Everyone was nice

It has to do with what the OP has asked because it is an example of hostility shown when someone is perceived to be British with that hostility disappearing when they realise they are not British. Therefore it supports their personal experience…

British no English probably

We all travel way more than we used to and touristy places are overrun. Some locals are fed up; I've noticed the same thing (and am not a Brit). They can be rude.

But you know, it's also about expectations. Some people seem to believe locals should be grateful for tourists visiting or taking an interest in their area, and that seems a bit much. Besides, I've been to London, Oxford, Brighton and Bath many times. Not once has a local thanked me for visiting and taking an interest. They have refused to accept my Scottish pounds, though.

Yes many Irish posters 😆 still doesn't mean it is 'a thing'.

Why do you say this?

Refusing to accept your Scottish pounds won't have been a dog though. It will be because they haven't ever come across Scottish notes and so don't recognise what they are. It's a lack of training, not a lack of respect.

It isn't though is it as it probably is not true, it's just something you like to believe, you haven't done a survey on it and produced some statistical data.

@MeowToffee I live in Bath- can't say I've noticed many thanks for visiting either when I've been to Edinburgh or Glasgow if I'm honest!!

It is a lack of respect though to have no knowledge of the other 3 countries in your union. To not even know what notes and coins can be used in your own country is plain ignorant.

Are you sure you weren’t mistaken for American? They aren’t particularly popular in Europe.

No, I haven't done a survey, but neither have you. I am from continental Europe though, and have lived in various countries in continental Europe. Earlier, out of interest, I looked up a thread on Reddit in my native language, and the English were barely even mentioned as the most annoying tourists. The Russians and Chinese seem to take the cake, and the Germans and the French were mentioned several times for refusing to speak English.

But no quantitative research though. Just enough experience to feel justified in making a counter statement.