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?

I'm Irish and also notice that I'm treated completely different wherever I go (even outside Europe) once it's confirmed I'm Irish not English. As many have posted it's most likely as a small minority of rough, obnoxious tourists ruin it for everyone. (We also have them but we're obviously much smaller so less noticeable and not the die hard football fans!). There is also a historical element too.... Germans and Russians are often disliked too. Its extremely unfair but that's life unfortunately. If people are being rude and judgemental you just shouldn't engage with them it'll just ruin your holiday.

This idea that the people of the various nations of the United Kingdom are almost like a different species is so ridiculous. Take a group of British people on holiday, and I'm willing to bet that if you couldn't make out their accents, which in any case most 'Europeans' won't be able to distinguish, you wouldn't have a clue who was English and who was Welsh, Irish or Scottish. The people of these nations have way more in common than they have differences and get on perfectly well every single day of the week.

Most 'Europeans' are barely even aware that there are 4 nations in the United Kingdom and in any case, if they decide they're going to like someone based on whether they come from Wrexham rather than Warrington, well, frankly that's their problem.

Nah, just the English.

Why do you actually think it's ok to say this sort of shit?

Just pointing out that someone who is Irish is very unlikely to be British. In the 2021 census only 1.47% identified as British, northern Irish and Irish. There was no number listed for British and Irish so that was presumably a negligible number.

Maybe that level of disrespect for national identities is part of the reason for the lack of love towards some English people...

You haven't got a clue what nationality I am.

In any case, you might be better off addressing your complaint to the person I was responding to who said " many Europeans equate English as meaning British, and the Scots, Welsh, Irish are a different lot of people."

Technically Ireland is located on the British isles though… I am Irish myself and would never refer to Irish people as “brits” but just saying

Nope, I don't know what nationality you are. However I have encountered English people who have no idea that ireland is a seperate country. That might be fine if they accepted correction gracefully but they frequently don't. I have never encountered that with Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish people. So even if you're not English, the attitude is one I have only encountered in English people.

The poster you responded to was not claiming Irish people are British, although they should obviously have included Northern Irish in their list.

What 'attitude'? I was responding to the post I quoted.

You seem to be spoiling for a fight but I can't be arsed. Have a nice evening.

The term British Isles is very contentious. Britain and Ireland or these islands are the trends used by the Irish government. Atlantic Archipelago Is also used in some academic literature.

Attitude was probably not the most appropriate word. The disregard for others' national identities would probably be more descriptive.

And nope, I'm not spoiling for a fight. Just trying to correct your misconception that Irish people are British.

Interesting, actually didn’t realise this. Thought it was just the geographical name for the area.

I don't think @Sunraysunday was saying that Irish people are British, or asking whether they are. I think she was saying that @CherryValley5 couldn't answer OP's question as she's Irish not British (based on @CherryValley5 's first post on the thread).

Dying to know which one now! We've stayed in Mijas, Estepona, San Luis de Sabinillas and Puerto de la Duquesa and we loved them all, and would love to go back!

Wouldn't go to Torremolinos, Fuengirola or Benalmadena if you paid me!

Any official documents (e.g. Good Friday agreement) created jointly by the UK and Ireland refer to "these islands".

I am Irish and when talking to people in Europe I have sometimes said “i’m from Ireland” and people reply with “oh I have been in the uk to London once” or something similar . Then when I explain Ireland isn’t in the uk they have a blank expression on their face. I think a lot of people don’t have a clue..I’ve never noticed any change in peoples attitudes towards me when I say I’m Irish like the way some people have stated on this thread. I’d say a lot of places are just sick of English speaking tourists in general .

I’m from NI - technically and personally I am both!

I know! But based on your first post it would be fair enough to think you're just Irish. I think @Sunraysunday has had a bit of undue flack from people misinterpreting her post.

I'm not sure. Is Ireland counted as part of "The British Isles"? It certainly isn't part of Great Britain.

I'd say generally that no, most Europeans don't hate the 'Brits' OP, but many 'Brits' hate other 'Brits' instead; at least by the 'measures' that this, and many other, threads go by.

At least it's just in-fighting now, with very little international interest in the gripes between the various 'nations' and unrecognized 'tribes' that are the ever-evolving 'Brits'.

I think sunraysunday stated that if cherryvalley is Irish she can't be British. Most posters who have challenged sunraysunday have interpreted the post exactly as written and pointed out her ignorance of NI as someone from NI can be both Irish and British. This is officially recognised in the GFA.

The british government, contrary to the GFA that they signed, insist that anyone in NI who identifies as Irish is also British unless they formally revoke their British citizenship.

In

@Treesinmygarden we're in Nerja. But looking for somewhere new to try next year.

The British Isles is a somewhat contested term but yes it includes Ireland - it's the collection of islands around the largest one Britain.

Great Britain is something different and the UK different again, with Ireland part of neither.

As I said above, the British Isles is a controversial term. The british use it to refer to the islands that make up UK and Ireland.

I'd like to think we have moved on from that.

Nobody needs to be living in the past.