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?

It wasn’t a nasty post, just an observation.

Er, no. Ireland (Eire) is a Country in its own right and part of the EU...

Neither have I and I wouldn't expect it! 😅

I was interested in this thread until the OP refused to give any examples of the problem. It can’t really go anywhere without people knowing what she is talking about 🤷‍♀️

And that's before we address the much more unpleasant character traits of other nationalities, particular in their stone aged attitude to women.

I’m English and can speak Spanish. Not fully fluent, but I’d say intermediate proficiency. (Still need a dictionary for certain words).

I was in Barcelona with a friend in 2018. One evening two guys on a tuktuk/taxi-bike thing asked us, in English, if we wanted a ride. I politely declined, in Spanish (Not Catalán as I can’t doesn’t that), and said our hotel is only around the corner. One of the guys asked me where we were from and I said England.

Then they both started hurling insults at us calling us “Stupid English”.

Not had any other problems elsewhere though. And I’ve traveled all over Europe. I’m not a football fan or get drunk or loud, so I’m assuming that helps.

ETA: I was in Poland a couple of years ago and a hotel receptionist told me “Wow your English is so good. Where are you from?” Felt embarrassed saying “Haha, oh thanks, I’m from England”.

You’re really stretching now. Have you got your own statistical data to back up your point? I think not.. You just refuse to accept the experiences of the many MNers who have commented on this thread. It’s fine to not agree with things, it’s not OK to say it doesn’t happen just because you don’t personally believe in it.

Fully agree with this.

But many posters are just not supporting your argument with their experiences. Out of the two arguments the one that states (almost as a fact) that this difference is noticeable is much more of a leap than those are proposing that these interactions are simply chit chat and a point of interest with a stranger.

P.s the celts didn't invent mythology, there is quite a bit of it in Scandinavia!

I live in a European country and am one of only two British people in my office. My colleagues think the British are funny, educated and polite. They also think the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss are liars who are rude about Europe. I think they are correct on both counts. (They also like my Christmas pudding and Scotch eggs.)

By the way, not denying that there are many, many xenophobes in Europe (including the UK). I will never forget my taxi driver the day after the Brexit vote who told me I was "fine" but he was happy for all the Polish to sod off today. I just absolutely refuse to believe that the English face more xenophobia than other Europeans, like the Polish or Romanians.

And many people have posted how they have been treated very warmly despite not being Celtic🤔

Also, 'Believe in it' believe in what, you make it sound like the tooth fairy when really you have just attributed, well what exactly? an extra big smile from a European waiter or local on the discovery of your Celtic and none English status? How many English people have Celtic ancestry- not exactly uncommon!

Just got back from Gran Canaria and experienced no hostility whatsoever from any other nationality staying in our hotel or out and about

Why are you telling me this? There is mythology all around the world, and a lot of it is much better known than Celtic mythology. Roman and Greek mythology, too. There is a certain romanticism around the Celts, though. Not really based in anything - people who say they like Celtic myths aren't actually talking about the Cu Chulainn sagas cause they have no clue.

Anyway, seems like people in this thread overwhelmingly share my experience: that Scottish and Irish are generally received with additional warmth by people around the continent (and the US). What I would argue with is that this has anything to do with anti-English sentiment. I've been together with my Scottish husband for 25 years. He has lived in continental Europe with me for 20 of those years. I've seen it happen time and again. And I don't get the same warm welcome he does, despite not being English. I think I'm one of the only ones here who has provided that perspective.

If you were to go along with all the propaganda over the years exactly none! Personally I think we all have Celtic ancestry. Human nature to migrate and marry the locals.

Based on what? I can guarantee all the restaurants, tour guides, hotel cleaners etc love them as the American tourists usually tip far more generously compared to any other european ones.

Utter cobblers. Just spent 6 weeks interrrailing, 6 different countries, zero hostility. I only came here to say I fucking hate the word ‘Brits’. We are ‘Britons’ and are ‘British’. I think this might be the hill I die on.

Yes that maybe so but if you were from a Celtic nation maybe your treatment would have been amazing, they may have even hugged you just for existing 🙄

Why are you so incredibly bitter over this?

🤣 Sure....

Well it might be ignorant but it ISN'T a lack of respect, although if you're wanting to see it that way feel free. The truth is we just don't really come across Scottish notes hardly ever down south. We just don't. I'm 44 years old and I used to work in a shop in my teens for 3 or 4 years. I can honestly say that in London I've probably seen a Scottish note 2 or 3 times ever. That's just a fact.

All the Welsh, Scottish and Irish posters saying they're treated so much better once it's realised you they English. You do realise how transparent and childish that sounds?! 😂

I’m sorry that my personal experiences offend you so much. Personally, I believe it is because us Scots and Irish are friendlier and chattier in general, people do tend to gravitate towards that. Tourists comment on it a lot and even my own English family members agree. Of course this is generalised and there are exceptions. Try being nicer maybe? 😬