UK safe to visit for multicultural couple, post BREXIT?

[Anonymous]

Southern Europe, especially Italy, has seen a massive influx of illegal African migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The deluge is something that the current Italian government and the EU have not been able to successfully handle due to institutional failures (EU law versus Italian laws over the migrants, who's responsible for what and so forth). There's a lot of pent up frustration in Italy and southern France and Spain about this problem. These countries also have never been as racially sensitive as the US or the UK because they never had much of a non-EU immigration population till fairly recently. So you will hear many people openly talk in terms of races and colors and so forth. However, a well dressed, well behaved minority couple speaking with an American accent should have no problems (and I have travelled with different racial groups throughout Europe regularly). The Italians will know the difference.

The UK will also be just fine. The myriad factors behind Brexit have more to do with stemming the overall tide of immigration and sovereignty. It's not free of racism as no country ever is but the UK is easily more tolerant and accepting, especially for biracial couples, than just about any other country in Europe. The British are a polite, well behaved people. The real cultural tensions stems from fears over the growing conservative Muslim population, which does have merit. But a "Westernised" biracial or non-white couple have little risk of facing racism in the UK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I did a homestay in Italy, my homestay "sister" asked me why were talking to the black kids in the group.

When I was confused as to the question, she said in Italy they have Africans who come and don't work, cause crime, etc.

This was the attitude all over Italy, it was actually pretty shocking. There's a similar attitude in France (and, at least to me, a young, extremely caucasian woman, French and Italian people had no qualms about telling me these things outright, unlike Americans, who would usually never voice these concerns- at least I had never heard them)

It is a myth that Americans love to hold that America is the only racist country and everywhere else is some utopia. You are kidding yourself, if your first concern is "post-Brexit England" and you don't even give a though to Italy or France or the myriad other countries. Racial tensions exist everywhere. Either get over it or don't go. Welcome to the real world.

Are they being racist if what they say is true (about the work, crime)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Southern Europe, especially Italy, has seen a massive influx of illegal African migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The deluge is something that the current Italian government and the EU have not been able to successfully handle due to institutional failures (EU law versus Italian laws over the migrants, who's responsible for what and so forth). There's a lot of pent up frustration in Italy and southern France and Spain about this problem. These countries also have never been as racially sensitive as the US or the UK because they never had much of a non-EU immigration population till fairly recently. So you will hear many people openly talk in terms of races and colors and so forth. However, a well dressed, well behaved minority couple speaking with an American accent should have no problems (and I have travelled with different racial groups throughout Europe regularly). The Italians will know the difference.

The UK will also be just fine. The myriad factors behind Brexit have more to do with stemming the overall tide of immigration and sovereignty. It's not free of racism as no country ever is but the UK is easily more tolerant and accepting, especially for biracial couples, than just about any other country in Europe. The British are a polite, well behaved people. The real cultural tensions stems from fears over the growing conservative Muslim population, which does have merit. But a "Westernised" biracial or non-white couple have little risk of facing racism in the UK.

When you speak of Italy, are you talking about the North (Milan, Florence, Venice, Bologna, etc), or the South (Rome, Naples, etc) or both?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all the places listed, I'd be most worried re France, not London. And I'm French.

When you at multicultural couple, do you mean bi/multi racial? Either way, it's a hot topic in France right now.

Can you say more about this? We're a multiracial family planning on visiting Paris next year, with young kids.

OMG people.

You are 30 minutes from Virginia. A state where the KKK still enjoys lynching and you are worried about Paris?

Americans, I swear this can't be real. Are you people joking?

OP didn't say Paris, she said the south of France. Very, very different. Both top candidates for the presidential election support the burkini and much harsher immigration laws on. Arizona lost issues. The attitudes in paris are very different than in Provence and the Côte d'Azur


I would still go to vacation there. But I just got back from Northern Africa, so my level of concern must be different from yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP bring a lot of cigarettes, chocolate and nylons. Just give these things to people you interact with...for some reason the brits are really into these things. Many people think it's become of Brexit and shortages.

The Brits don't want your chocolate--theirs is much better.

No there are huge shortages of everything....it's like after ww2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP bring a lot of cigarettes, chocolate and nylons. Just give these things to people you interact with...for some reason the brits are really into these things. Many people think it's become of Brexit and shortages.

The Brits don't want your chocolate--theirs is much better.

No there are huge shortages of everything....it's like after ww2

I was just there and we saw huge rows of chocolate in every store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I did a homestay in Italy, my homestay "sister" asked me why were talking to the black kids in the group.

When I was confused as to the question, she said in Italy they have Africans who come and don't work, cause crime, etc.

This was the attitude all over Italy, it was actually pretty shocking. There's a similar attitude in France (and, at least to me, a young, extremely caucasian woman, French and Italian people had no qualms about telling me these things outright, unlike Americans, who would usually never voice these concerns- at least I had never heard them)

It is a myth that Americans love to hold that America is the only racist country and everywhere else is some utopia. You are kidding yourself, if your first concern is "post-Brexit England" and you don't even give a though to Italy or France or the myriad other countries. Racial tensions exist everywhere. Either get over it or don't go. Welcome to the real world.

Are they being racist if what they say is true (about the work, crime)?

That statement would qualify as exactly the type of generalizing, stereotyping, and racism of of HUMAN BEINGS who you don't even know personally - which we are so concerned about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP bring a lot of cigarettes, chocolate and nylons. Just give these things to people you interact with...for some reason the brits are really into these things. Many people think it's become of Brexit and shortages.

The Brits don't want your chocolate--theirs is much better.

No there are huge shortages of everything....it's like after ww2

LOL.

Bring potable water if you have it too. Post-Brexit England is in such a sorry state. Any scraps of old clothing would be much appreciated too.

Hey OP- just start passing these things out in the streets of London as soon you arrive, since you think England is in such a sorry state. Trust me, the locals will be thrilled to see someone from such a civilized country giving them luxuries they could only dream of!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Southern Europe, especially Italy, has seen a massive influx of illegal African migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The deluge is something that the current Italian government and the EU have not been able to successfully handle due to institutional failures (EU law versus Italian laws over the migrants, who's responsible for what and so forth). There's a lot of pent up frustration in Italy and southern France and Spain about this problem. These countries also have never been as racially sensitive as the US or the UK because they never had much of a non-EU immigration population till fairly recently. So you will hear many people openly talk in terms of races and colors and so forth. However, a well dressed, well behaved minority couple speaking with an American accent should have no problems (and I have travelled with different racial groups throughout Europe regularly). The Italians will know the difference.

The UK will also be just fine. The myriad factors behind Brexit have more to do with stemming the overall tide of immigration and sovereignty. It's not free of racism as no country ever is but the UK is easily more tolerant and accepting, especially for biracial couples, than just about any other country in Europe. The British are a polite, well behaved people. The real cultural tensions stems from fears over the growing conservative Muslim population, which does have merit. But a "Westernised" biracial or non-white couple have little risk of facing racism in the UK.

Thank you for writing that. As a Brit I find it charming, but completely hilarious at the same time. Brits drink too much, fight in the street, fall in the gutter, shout at each other, engage in road rage to the point of murder, compete to get ASBOS (social disorder orders from the police - which were designed to shame, but became badges of honor to rogues and criminal delinquents). Oh I could go on. Britons are anarchists, we have devastating riots, etc etc.

But to hear the Mary Poppins version, is always a delight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southern Europe, especially Italy, has seen a massive influx of illegal African migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The deluge is something that the current Italian government and the EU have not been able to successfully handle due to institutional failures (EU law versus Italian laws over the migrants, who's responsible for what and so forth). There's a lot of pent up frustration in Italy and southern France and Spain about this problem. These countries also have never been as racially sensitive as the US or the UK because they never had much of a non-EU immigration population till fairly recently. So you will hear many people openly talk in terms of races and colors and so forth. However, a well dressed, well behaved minority couple speaking with an American accent should have no problems (and I have travelled with different racial groups throughout Europe regularly). The Italians will know the difference.

The UK will also be just fine. The myriad factors behind Brexit have more to do with stemming the overall tide of immigration and sovereignty. It's not free of racism as no country ever is but the UK is easily more tolerant and accepting, especially for biracial couples, than just about any other country in Europe. The British are a polite, well behaved people. The real cultural tensions stems from fears over the growing conservative Muslim population, which does have merit. But a "Westernised" biracial or non-white couple have little risk of facing racism in the UK.

Thank you for writing that. As a Brit I find it charming, but completely hilarious at the same time. Brits drink too much, fight in the street, fall in the gutter, shout at each other, engage in road rage to the point of murder, compete to get ASBOS (social disorder orders from the police - which were designed to shame, but became badges of honor to rogues and criminal delinquents). Oh I could go on. Britons are anarchists, we have devastating riots, etc etc.

But to hear the Mary Poppins version, is always a delight.

Aren't you generalizing and thus being racist?

[Anonymous]

Is it more like EastEnders?

[Anonymous]

OP, you don't seem concerned about many other places you listed. London should be your least concern. So multicultural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My partner and I have been planning our dream vacation for some time now; our planned itinerary includes Tuscany, the interlochen region of Switzerland, biking with a guide in the south of France, Amsterdam, Dublin, and until recently: London.

We have been re-thinking the London portion in the wake of all the unrest (xenophobia, intolerance, etc) we keep reading about in England.

Is England still safe? Are the people still open-minded towards folks like us? Please tell us what you honestly feel, because we still have time to change our plans;

TIA!

Safer than any US city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP bring a lot of cigarettes, chocolate and nylons. Just give these things to people you interact with...for some reason the brits are really into these things. Many people think it's become of Brexit and shortages.

The Brits don't want your chocolate--theirs is much better.

No there are huge shortages of everything....it's like after ww2

LOL.

Bring potable water if you have it too. Post-Brexit England is in such a sorry state. Any scraps of old clothing would be much appreciated too.

Hey OP- just start passing these things out in the streets of London as soon you arrive, since you think England is in such a sorry state. Trust me, the locals will be thrilled to see someone from such a civilized country giving them luxuries they could only dream of!

What 'bout toilet psper?

[Anonymous]

Cheer up, at least you're not Australia Now talk about fights in public and drunk behaviour!

I lived in the UK for decades and I know all about the public drunkenness and chavs and council estates. But that doesn't preclude me from saying the vast majority of Brits (90+%) are polite, well behaved people. So I feel justified in describing the UK as a polite and well-behaved country.

Anonymous wrote:
Thank you for writing that. As a Brit I find it charming, but completely hilarious at the same time. Brits drink too much, fight in the street, fall in the gutter, shout at each other, engage in road rage to the point of murder, compete to get ASBOS (social disorder orders from the police - which were designed to shame, but became badges of honor to rogues and criminal delinquents). Oh I could go on. Britons are anarchists, we have devastating riots, etc etc.

But to hear the Mary Poppins version, is always a delight.