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.

I went to Spain twice last year and Portugal once. At no time did I ever feel unwelcome or come across any hostility whatsoever.

I went to Athens and Malaga last year.

The Athenians were lovely. I'm always keen to be responsible and respectful like OP. I had a lovely time.

In Malaga, apart from in the City Centre during the fiesta, I met ex-pat Brits 🤦🏻‍♀️!! But the Spanish were lovely too. No issues.

I can see why some people are rebelling against overtourism though. It has a detrimental effect on local people's access to housing, for example. It can affect wages. It can damage historical sites. It can raise some local costs of things. It has environmental damage. People want to keep their homes safe, and I understand that.

You sound unpleasant and hostile.

We are Scottish and travel a lot, I have found when people ask 'are you English?' we reply no Scottish and the attitude changes and we're made very welcome.
I think English tourists often have a poor image abroad.

They can tell and I can tell other nationalities 80% of the time correctly i’d say

I promise you they can. I might as well have a union flag tattooed on my forehead.

Agree, it’s a question I have been asked aswell and when I reply that I’m not, they immediately become more pleasant

How do?

Surely Europe isn't one homogenous lump. Which country are you referring to? We are part of the European continent too ffs!

I did get some hostility in Mallorca last year and decided I'm done with Mallorca. They don't want tourists and I don't want much the island has to offer.

I agree, say you’re Scottish or even better Irish!

It’s like the Americans who pretend to be Canadian- just makes life that bit easier.

Also smiling, saying hello, and trying to use your language skills, however humble they are.

I am Scottish! Most people I meet don't know the difference. One guy asked if Scotland was the bit on the separate island 🤣

Just to clarify my question, which didn't work properly - how do you look so British that there's no mistaking your origin?

Nobody could ever hate the so-called ‘Benidorm Brits’ more than the English middle-class. The classism you all demonstrate is pretty vile. If you don’t like those types of people leave them alone to enjoy their holidays and their lifestyles. I can guarantee they won’t care one iota what you think about them.

I have explained what I think above. I don't know for sure but nobody ever, ever gets it wrong.

I’ve always felt hostility in Europe. But TBH I don’t let it bother me, I’m there to have a good time and nobody ever minds taking money off Brits.

No, "above" tells me that you're Scottish.
Anyway. Experiences vary, clearly.

If you expect people to be hostile you will perceive any normal irritation or impatience, that you might experience anywhere, as confirming your expectation.

Also, your belief that Europeans will be hostile towards you might be making you defensive and affecting how you engage with them. If you approach people with the expectation they will be pleasant and helpful, your experience will probably change.

I am a frequent visitor to a number of countries in Europe and I occasionally meet grumpy, impatient people, just as I do in the UK. I have never experienced the kind of hostility you describe though.

We were on holidays in Lanzorate for christmas, found staff a bit reserved and not that friendly, they asked where we were from and we said ireland, all smiles, said we thought you were English, we don't like English, drink too much and always trouble so possibly OP is experiencing this although totally not fair as obviously they are totally generalising, sad to say its not the first time this has been said to us over the years, just don't think English have a good reputation abroad which I agree is totally unfair

DP is French and speaks many languages so often people cant place where he is from but we speak in English together. On holidays they'll always give me an English menu then proceed to ask which part of England I am from. When I tell them I'm Irish, they completely change their attitudes, they usually say something moany and eyerolly about English people. I'm not making this up. I know it annoys people to read it, but it's true. Happens a LOT.

Hahaha Scottish is British for everyone outside the UK sorry (a whole other thread 🤣)

I have explained what I think above. I don't know for sure but nobody ever, ever gets it wrong

What's hilarious about mumsnet is, if your experiences upset or offend anyone,they'll just gaslight you and deny that your reality exists! 🤣🤦‍♀️
We have greek friends who work in hospitality, its a normal thing for them on slow working days to play "Spot the English" The Greeks also get eye rolly when Italians come in as they often buy one drink between two, or nothing at all and want to split the bill 16 ways.
Stereotypes are everywhere, even if you don't like it, they exist for a reason, people see it.

It's literally just because the Irish (and Welsh and Scottish) are seen as underdogs. And everyone loves an underdog.

This is where our history of being so important in the world still very much remains in our culture that so many think that others care/give much thought to Britain and being British

we simply are not

cultural differences and comments about them are a part of interacting with other people in different countries it’s is normal, if you are respectful and polite you will more often than not be treated with respect and politeness

We're Welsh and it's the same for us.

We also have a decent grasp of several European languages between us. That's largely down to being bilingual Welsh and English originally which makes it easier to learn other Romance languages.

It's literally just because the Irish (and Welsh and Scottish) are seen as underdogs. And everyone loves an underdog.

Well no, they give lots of reasons why. For you it may just coz were underdogs but they have a lot of reasons why..

Reasons being?