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.

It sounds like this might just be a "you" problem ?

Not in my experience but by Europe do you only mean the Mediterranean countries? How do they know you're British? I've not been treated like this in Denmark, they don't know I'm British but they don't assume I am, in fact they usually speak to me in Danish.

Well, I've never experienced this. I love travelling in Europe and have done for years. I've never found hostility or prejudice because I'm British.
In fact, in many places they're quite interested and certainly very welcoming.

yes. It's really horrible and depressing that people still do this and box everyone up by how they look. Really horrible and depressing.

Absolutely everyone always knows I'm British before I open my mouth. I look so British I could be the face of the British tourist board (except that it wouldn't be very alluring to visitors)

No, that's a completely different issue, and not targeted at the British specifically.

Yeah they really hate me when I'm spending €200 on a meal in their restaurant.

I've never come across what you've experienced before and I travel a lot. In fact I've experienced practically the opposite to what you have.

We’ve spent 3 weeks in touristy beachy bits of mainland Spain in the past 3 months and the people couldn’t have been nicer! (Malaga, Fuengirola and Benalmadena). I’d have no reservations going there again.

However, I too would avoid Barcelona and the Canaries - DD was in Tenerife in October and said their was a terrible atmosphere and they got refused entry to a big standard restaurant as they didn’t have a booking - but it was not the type of restaurant you’d need to book, IYSWIM? (And her and BF don’t drink so it wasn’t them being drunk etc)

I haven't found that either, which country are you referring to?

I haven't been to Spain since 2023 and I know there have been a lot of anti-tourism protests in Tenerife, Majorca and Barcelona. On the TV I saw tourists being abused and intimidated so it clearly does happen.

I feel like this kind of attitude is sort of the problem...

Everywhere I've ever been in Europe people have either been hospitable, helpful, interested or a mixture of the three.
Whereabouts have you experienced this, specifically?

I've been to four different European countries in the past year and haven't encountered anything remotely like this.

Not another Brexit thread… I bet the OP was one of those people who photographed empty supermarket shelves.

Spain, Portugal, France. Germany doesn't care and I'm sure is the same to everyone. Netherlands more pitying but fair enough.

Yabu.

There are moody unfriendly people everywhere. They don’t speak for the whole continent.

I travel inEurope a lot and have never experienced hostility, indeed quite the opposite. are you sure that you are to being oversensitive.?

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

Yes, I’m sure.

I travel a lot in France and haven't found this at all. Portugal was wonderful, I found and the people without exception were warm and welcoming.
The Netherlands isn't "pitying". It's a fantastic country, and the museums are wonderful and staffed by the most knowledgeable and helpful people. Madrid is a lovely city and the locals really helpful with deciphering menus and giving directions.
Germany does care. They're custodians of a rich history and most welcoming to visitors.

Is British a race?
Do you mean people are treating you hatefully and it's because of your skin, or because of what country they think you're from?

Did you say hola or bonjour to the shopkeeper? Culturally this is a thing in Europe and going directly to the transaction can be interpreted as a bit rude.

Absolutely untrue in Berlin for the last few days. Lovely people.

No, I have only had the same service as usual, and usual levels of friendliness. It seems a bit paranoid to me? Are suffering from an, 'everything about the UK is awful and everybody hates us' confirmation bias that has going around mn since Brexit?

I think perhaps we are a little more self-conscious now that we've voted for Brexit. Possibly we subconsciously think that because we voted out that somehow we think all europeans are judging us? I spend quite a bit of time in Spain (our daughter is now resident there with her DP and his Spanish family). In the Spanish areas I visit, the British are viewed with pity and bewilderment that we would have done this to ourselves. In the more touristy areas of Spain, so many of the British they meet are the boorish types that you need to get beyond that expectation before they realise they are dealing with a pleasant Brit for a change. As for the French (I was born and brought up there), if you are polite, respect their culture and attempt to speak French they can be delightful but get on the wrong side of them, oh dear. However, this has always been the case and it's not just Brexit.

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The fact that Brexit has not bought about the collapse of society is probably quite disappointing to some.