Ineedwinenow, thanks for your reply.
I am white, English.
It's possible I experienced racism when I was younger but, generally, not. I probably would if I went abroad to live. I don't think the British, English particularly, are all that popular. It makes me feel ashamed that so many white people in this country are racist, often subtly, sometimes unconsciously. I've witnessed it often, and prejudice against some religions. It depresses me. One thing I always hated was when a fellow white Brit would smilingly say something racist to me in a friendly, confiding way, as if it was assumed I agreed. As a younger person I often didn't understand what they meant.
I remember during covid people saying they wouldn't buy any more Chinese takeaways and students of vaguely Chinese appearance being subject to abuse. How ignorant can you get! I must tell you, if only to give you a laugh, that a pub landlord local to me posted on facebook that he was taking a stand against Russia by no longer stocking or serving Smirnoff vodka - Smirnoff is owned and produced by a British company!
Before Brexit, politicians such as Farage and, to a point, Boris Johnson, whipped up the anti with regard to EU nationals working here. It was funny when he had to import some Eastern European folk to help with harvest during covid. The other victims of racism are refugees and asylum seekers, especially those who risk their lives and pay good money to exploiters who facilitate travelling here in small boats. There's little compassion, few seem to stop and try to imagine walking in their shoes. The exception is Ukranians who have been welcomed.
There is of course racism between other races, I've heard that too but most of it comes from white. Many people dislike Jews, always have. David Baddiel did a marvellous documentary for channel 4 recently on the subject of antisemitism (specifically anti-Jewish); I've watched it twice and highly recommend: David Baddiel Jews Don't Count.
You know all this already, Ineedwine, you are British so apologies if I am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs (I hope that isn't ageist :)); metaphorically of course as I'm in my early seventies :-).
I have a very close relative who travels a lot for work. He tells me how it is in some states of America. He has an American colleague, lovely lady nearer to my age who is black. They often have to attend functions and he has said that people will talk to and ask questions of him but completely look through her, as if she doesn't exist. I find that so difficult though she says she is used to it. New York, where she has her home, is great. When they are working over here and in Europe, people clamour to meet her.
It is better here than in some places but there's no point in being complacent, we have to sort out our own house. It starts with children who have acute hearing and take on board things they hear the adults say.
I could go on all day but will stop now as I have no wish to bore. Cheers and thanks for explaining about the cameras. I had never noticed that but probably will now. I presume it applies to tourists - don't all tourists carry cameras, not just Chinese?