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.

You’ve never lived in Germany if you think there is no racism there…

Not in my experience.

Do people generally like you when you are in the UK?

Well I was treated rudely by a British restaurant manager in the UK yesterday and I’m white and British so I dont think it’s a conundrum..rude people are just ..er..rude!

I’ve not found this at all and I travel to Europe a lot, including Barcelona a few months ago.

One thing I’ve noticed though is the younger generation seem to prefer you to just speak English to them now. It’s the shared language and most of them are fluent. It’s easier than them trying to understand you, or replying in words you’d understand. Gives them a chance to practice it as well.

Last year I visited nine European countries and didn’t encounter any hostility. I ordered my museum tickets in Spanish and the museum employee responded in English, but am sure this was done to my decidedly ropey Spanish rather than Hostility towards British tourists.

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.

They sound like fun

Not a Brexit thread I doubt it's related. Think it's a general streams of ways thing.

First of all, thank you for single-handedly saving whole countries by going on a 2-week holiday there every year. That’s definitely the key to our survival, yes.

Secondly, perhaps the fisherman’s family isn’t suffering just because tourists aren’t eating his fish anymore. He’s likely suffering because the local government imports fish from [insert country of choice on the other side of the globe] for a tenth of what it would cost to actually pay him, a local worker.

These countries aren’t seeing a decline in wages etc, due to a decline in tourism. If the governments invested properly and chose to buy produce from local sources, you would not be seeing him in the documentary begging the tourists to come back. It is not as simple as a TV interview seems to portray.

You think all Europeans in the countries you mention have a shared, general way of treating the British rudely?

What does that mean? I've never heard that phrase before - "general streams of ways thing"

Sorry @Partylikeits1985 I completely misread your post!

Try being American. I’ve been mocked and ignored. By Swedes!

What do you mean? Do you mean physically or fashion wise? Or something else that you think gives a British vibe?

Ever week there's one.

We holiday every year in many campsites across Austria, Germany, Italy and France. I have never been made to feel unwelcome, have always felt supported in my efforts to speak the language of the country I’m in and certainly when I was taken ill in France last year I was very well looked after by everyone who helped me and my family, including members of the local community.

Perhaps your bakery man couldn't hear or understand you op - hence the "WHAT? "
And maybe your interpretation of "angrily" bagging up of your goods was his version of quickly and efficient?
Pay no heed.
There are odd balls everywhere - including ourselves at times.

Nope, everywhere seems fine to me. The rudeness/ friendliness ratio remains pretty constant, and is about on a par with what I encounter at home. The only exception I would say is Marseille, where we spent a few days in October, where I found people very friendly and chatty (I speak French).

The majority of people you encounter are of course neither rude nor friendly, just doing their own thing.

Top tip: if you want to make friends with people I can recommend having a serious asthma attack on a German train. Felt like I was first name terms with the whole carriage by the time we got off in Munich 😳

After Brexit I'm surprised they'll even talk to us, so I don't think you can complain!!

I was advised that as a Brit I should wear tight dark clothing, so Mediterranean people wouldn't think I was German.

When I last went to my homecountry with my English family, people commiserated and expressed their regret that we were no longer part of the EU. Nobody was unkind or hostile though.

Do you honestly think that the standard of customer service that you receive in Britain is better than you receive abroad?

I had that once in Northumberland- there are arses all over the world- Britain included.

Thankfully, there are also nice people.

I’m on holiday in France now- most people have gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful.

Was that advice from a kinky ex @MudpiesinEssex ?

Yes. It was rubbish then and it is now in my opinion. Agree with another poster you are taking in what the ref tops are telling you.