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How Americans are being perceived abroad these days..

Posted on 6/9/25 at 5:42 pm
Posted by Nole Man
Somewhere In Tennessee!
Member since May 2011
8148 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 5:42 pm
Not the forum to get too deep into the politics of what’s going on in America right now. But for those of us that do have upcoming European travel, should we wonder how we will be received going forward? Are people separating individuals from governments or are we getting broad brushed?

I’ve always tried to avoid political conversations when I’m abroad. Even when they try to bait me into debate. I’ve always thought they’re generally curious about American politics and what’s going on and not necessarily being antagonistic, but maybe things are changing?

The comments following this video are actually more telling them the video itself.

AI “hit piece” or real?

LINK
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
14991 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 5:52 pm to
Just came from Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. Could not have been treated better. Everyone was super nice.

When I told a cab driver I lived near the Gulf of Mexico he said “You mean the Gulf of America “.
Posted by Woodsmaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2021
103 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 6:54 pm to
Same here. We just returned from an extended trip to Europe and were treated fine. No issues with being an American but we don’t were clothes that would typically shout out that we are American. The people that did bring it up did it more from the perspective of ensuing we understood how important the US is to Europe.
Posted by weagle1999
Member since May 2025
157 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 6:54 pm to
Just got back from Japan. They seem to like Americans.
Posted by VABuckeye
NOVA
Member since Dec 2007
37729 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 7:57 pm to
I’ll find out next week. I suspect that they wonder what the frick is going on over here.

ETA: Probably better than I’m treated on this site because my views don’t align with the hive mentality.
This post was edited on 6/9/25 at 7:59 pm
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40189 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 9:12 pm to
I frankly don't give a frick and it's never been a problem.
Posted by RummelTiger
Texas
Member since Aug 2004
92058 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 9:22 pm to
We leave for London on Wednesday - will report back any brutish behavior.
Posted by Kraut Dawg
Member since Sep 2012
4669 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 10:36 pm to
I've had no more problems with people in Europe than I would being back in metro Atlanta with people with whom I disagree. And like the US, there are neighborhoods you don't enter. If you're traveling & it doesn't feel right, follow your gut. There are bad areas everywhere.

Generally, people are people. When I'm polite & grateful, I usually get that in return. But we're human, sometimes they're rude because of their day, sometimes I am.
Posted by hoopsgalore
Chicago, IL
Member since Nov 2013
8911 posts
Posted on 6/9/25 at 10:37 pm to
Been in both Asia and Europe recently. You may get a question about Trump, but you'll also realize Americans (as travelers) aren't that special. Most people don't have the time or care to form any sort of opinion about you. In other words, I'm treated like any other tourist.
This post was edited on 6/10/25 at 8:04 am
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
27739 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 3:42 am to
I’m in Switzerland right now and everyone has been friendly. No issues. Same when I was in London before this.

They don’t have a bad perception of Americans. They just hate Trump. There’s a difference.
Posted by slinger1317
Northshore
Member since Sep 2005
6580 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 6:32 am to
I was in Spain back in April and people couldn't have been nicer

I follow a few travel groups online and the pearl clutchers are saying they are going to tell people they are from Canada while vacationing in Europe so people won't lump them in with Trump and his supporters. Such pussies
This post was edited on 6/10/25 at 6:33 am
Posted by hoopsgalore
Chicago, IL
Member since Nov 2013
8911 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:13 am to
quote:

We leave for London on Wednesday - will report back any brutish behavior.


Man, I'd be pretty damn shocked if anything was directed at you, personally. I have cousins there (just traveled myself last month) and LDN has been dealing with its own issues around immigration. You may get a comment/question about Trump but they have their own internal struggles happening.
Posted by cajuntiger1010
Member since Jan 2015
11396 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:16 am to
Seems like Europe has a lot bigger problems to focus about than us
Posted by Nole Man
Somewhere In Tennessee!
Member since May 2011
8148 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:19 am to
Thanks all for the perspectives. I decided to write a comment on their site. Not that some those things couldn't be true, but it feels like they're pushing an agenda for some reason, clicks or political ideologies maybe.
Posted by RummelTiger
Texas
Member since Aug 2004
92058 posts
Posted on 6/10/25 at 2:55 pm to
I was just joking - I don't anticipate any issues. I'm a nice guy.
Posted by MobileJosh
On the go
Member since May 2018
1146 posts
Posted on 6/11/25 at 5:57 am to
quote:

They don’t have a bad perception of Americans. They just hate Trump. There’s a difference.



I've spent 7 weeks in Switzerland and Austria this year. Returned the first of May. You're lying through your teeth. In downtown Geneva you'll encounter a net negative option of Trump. Just like any major city in America. But get away from the urban areas and the overwhelming majority of regular citizens are curious and have a positive opinion. Go to Appenzell, Uri or Glarus and get back to me. I am not saying this as any sort of Trump fan. Just pointing out that you are a disingenuous moron.
Posted by AbitaFan08
Boston, MA
Member since Apr 2008
27739 posts
Posted on 6/11/25 at 7:06 am to
quote:

You're lying through your teeth.

quote:

Just pointing out that you are a disingenuous moron.




Ok I must have made up the conversations I had in London then. Must have all been a weird dream. My bad.

I haven’t had any of those types of conversations in Switzerland though so far. Or maybe I did and I’m lying. I may not even be in Europe right now. Who knows!
This post was edited on 6/11/25 at 7:14 am
Posted by MobileJosh
On the go
Member since May 2018
1146 posts
Posted on 6/11/25 at 7:43 am to
quote:

London



Lmao
Posted by Lakeboy7
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2011
25910 posts
Posted on 6/11/25 at 8:42 am to
quote:

“hit piece” or real?


Like most truths in life somewhere in the middle.

The reality is an American in Europe is a walking, talking ATM. Europeans know that. So unless you know that particular person you are going to get nothing but head nodding and a smile. Plus most Europeans dont (literally) advertise their politics. Thats a learned behavior from centuries of warfare when your politics could get your head lopped off.

Want to get a good read on what Europeans think of Americans and Trump? go to a bar, a local bar. You know what they say, "the booze goes in the truth comes out".
Posted by Nole Man
Somewhere In Tennessee!
Member since May 2011
8148 posts
Posted on 6/11/25 at 8:58 am to
quote:

The reality is an American in Europe is a walking, talking ATM. Europeans know that. So unless you know that particular person you are going to get nothing but head nodding and a smile. Plus most Europeans dont (literally) advertise their politics. Thats a learned behavior from centuries of warfare when your politics could get your head lopped off.


The only encounters I've had (granted last time in Europe was December and we're going to Iceland and Norway in August), were things like an Uber driver in Germany going "How 'bout that Trump" (I think he was just trying to start conversation. Of course, traveling with another couple that are definitely "Anti-Trumpers", I cringed as soon as he said that.). Some really drunk, aggressive Brits in Barcelona on a stag do saying "frick Trump" when they saw we are Americans. (Pro Tip: I see drunk Brits on the street I turn the other way). Had a friendly encounter in Slovenia at dinner with some locals that asked what's going on in the US (I think most Europeans are genuinely curious, not trying to start anything).

I think if you try to be respectful, maybe answer their question with something like "there's a lot going on in our country right now", maybe even brush up on their local politics and add "I know there are some real issues in Germany like immigration...", they usual agree, shake their heads and move on to something else.
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