This aggression will not stand, man - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Andy47150 · 01-05-2005, 05:44 AM

Has anyone here been treated hostile for being a foreigner in Europe? I’m American going over to Europe for the first time and I know we’re not the most popular country at the moment. Or am I just being un-dude?

**worldwidemike** · 01-05-2005, 06:23 AM

No, most people understand the difference between a government and a person. Most are quite welcoming, have lots of questions about what life is like in the U.S., and so on.

You might occaisonally run into someone who just wants to rant...in essence, use you as a sounding board. If they won't listen to you, then simply ignore them. It's more that they just want to get frustrations with our government's policies off their chest. This is pretty rare, though, and more than likely you'll just run into smiles and friendly folk.

worldwidemike

Andy47150 · 01-05-2005, 06:31 AM

Thanks Mike!

If anyone remembers the band Unsane their guitarist was beaten pretty bad in Europe. So I thought I better ask.

These forums have been great! I’ve spent the better part of the morning reading through everything.

**JiveTurkey** · 01-05-2005, 08:44 AM

I was just over for a month during the election, and I ran into very little hostility. Like Mike said, most people just want to express their opinion. A lot of Europeans view our president as the “world president” as one told me. So expect to talk about politics, but don’t be frightened to do so. Just understand that everyone has an opinion that should be respected.

**pinion** · 01-05-2005, 09:46 AM

I think as long as you're cool about everything you'll be fine. If someone says something and you get bent out of shape...you'll have a problem...

Andy47150 · 01-05-2005, 10:01 AM

So I should leave my flag waving and roman candles at home? Gotcha.

When I'm over there I'm going to be cool like Fonzie

Heeeyyyy

**clevercraig** · 01-05-2005, 12:14 PM

Don't sweat it dude. t was a big worry of mine before i went to. While over there the only nastieness i recieved was from this Canadian guy in Krakow.....Long story there, it was my fault as much as it was his. As far as Europeans go they would be more curious than anything. They seemed to take to my liberal views but that is to be expected though. One of the biggest lessons I learned while in Europe is that governments may differ but deep down real people are really not that much different. In fact in retrospect some of the best discussions I had while abroad was about plolicies and ideas. As long as you convey such with an open mind to others opinions you shall be fine.