To feel a bit like everyone hates me when I'm a British tourist in Europe now

[Everythingisnumbersnow]

I try with the language, I try not to get in people's way, I tip and I don't complain.

But everything still feels much more hostile than it used to.

In what way does it feel hostile?

You're taking too much notice of what the newspapers say. And anyway, tourist areas rely and depend on what we spend. If we didn't go there and spend our money, these places wouldn't survive. I was watching a programme the other day about fishermen who were saying now there aren't as many visitors to eat the fish he catches, he can't sell it and his family are suffering.

I havent noticed this when travelling in Europe. Is it possible youre feeling self-conscious around it all?

Didn't someone else post the same topic a few weeks ago?

I haven't found that. My family have reported getting more jokes aimed their way, like the shop keeper insisting on them taking their change because " you are from a poor country", or asking if they have figured in seeing a doctor/dentist into their holiday, as a treat. Where are you? Perhaps your self depreciation is annoying them.

Haven't experienced this at all.

Ah, here's the other thread. It was in September.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5172766-do-europeans-hate-the-brits

I was in Portugal in the summer with my DS. I don't get drunk. shout my mouth off or make unreasonable demands. I am always polite and my ds is the same. I tip sensibly.

We were made very welcome. The hotel staff and the locals were lovely to us. 😊

I haven’t found that at all. However I am avoiding Spain.

Go into a bakery to order some cakes - the guy behind the counter replies in English WHAT? Angrily bags up my request. No smile. Impatient body language. Obviously dislikes me being there (this has happened in a few different branches of the same bakery as I really like the cakes 🤣)

I guess it's just experiencing a mild touch of racism and maybe it's good for me to remember that some people have to put up with it at home and I should try to remember to make life easier for folk where I can

I haven’t noticed this at all.

I'm sure it's real but then it's also possible I just give off unlikeable vibes and it has nothings to do with being British!

I've been to spain a few times and the locals are always lovely, from the bus drivers to the supermarket staff, including one instance when I couldn't quite understand the lady behind the till, she and the other shoppers, all spanish, tried their best to help me.

What I did find though, was the rudeness of the British holidaymakers taking the piss out of an airport manager who spoke rather animatedly when trying to keep the security queue going.

What country / city did this happen in?

Are they angry at your cake choice?

Rubbish

Or maybe the guy who worked there is just grumpy. Maybe your post is a gross overgeneralisation of a few grumpy shop owners?

Racism?

How much of this comes down to simple cultural differences?

What you may perceive as blunt, rude and unfriendly by British standards is not automatically going to be considered the same in other countries.

I found everyone in Istria (Croatia) absolutely lovely in September.

Yes the Mediterranean "guiri go home" thing is racism.

Obviously I am lucky to be able to go home some people are stuck living and working among people who dislike them.

I think it's just you, OP. I've never had these issues.

I mean it's definitely not JUST me

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/08/travel/barcelona-tourism-protests-scli-intl/index.html

Yes, just like the " P* go home" I get in the UK. Or indeed in most countries.

I don’t find this at all. Everyone is wonderful, even if I’m only speaking English. Perhaps it is a you thing and you’re doing something to set it off?