Unscientific research on Anti-Americanism in Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve not been treated badly because I’m American but I have regularly experienced a “test” where someone in Europe will try to find out what kind of American you are…trumper or not. If you “pass” the test, i.e not a trumper, you are treated great.

I have personally seen A LOT of nasty tourists from all over the world, most notably American, British (quite a few tbh), and Chinese and Japanese (this last one was more about HUGE groups of tourists and they will cut off others.

I'm calling you out as making up stuff that never happened. Because most people in Europe don't spend their time thinking about US politics or "trumpers." They're much more interested in their own politicians. Of which some are pretty populist themselves. Marie Le Pen is the leading contender to win the next French election. Giorgia Meloni is the PM of Italy. The ADF in Germany is winning elections. There's a significant pro-right tide sweeping across Europe, which you'd notice if you paid attention to the papers.

DCUM isn't Europe and what people are saying in DCUM pretty much only happens on DCUM. Newsflash, a lot of the hotel staff across Western Europe aren't "natives" of the respective countries. But that didn't enter your mind because it doesn't fit the narrative you're trying to peddle on here.

Good grief. I did not say EVERYONE has asked but A LOT of Europeans who have engaged in some sort of dialogue with me did inquire about my political stance and once they realized I was NOT pro-trump (no, the word trumper was not used), they were much friendlier. Most people in Europe simply don’t engage at all with strangers and that’s totally fine. I’ve had many people be very kind to me without any further context but yeah, this is my personal experience.

I also didn’t say anything about hotel staff so “newsflash” it isn’t about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve not been treated badly because I’m American but I have regularly experienced a “test” where someone in Europe will try to find out what kind of American you are…trumper or not. If you “pass” the test, i.e not a trumper, you are treated great.

I have personally seen A LOT of nasty tourists from all over the world, most notably American, British (quite a few tbh), and Chinese and Japanese (this last one was more about HUGE groups of tourists and they will cut off others.

I'm calling you out as making up stuff that never happened. Because most people in Europe don't spend their time thinking about US politics or "trumpers." They're much more interested in their own politicians. Of which some are pretty populist themselves. Marie Le Pen is the leading contender to win the next French election. Giorgia Meloni is the PM of Italy. The ADF in Germany is winning elections. There's a significant pro-right tide sweeping across Europe, which you'd notice if you paid attention to the papers.

DCUM isn't Europe and what people are saying in DCUM pretty much only happens on DCUM. Newsflash, a lot of the hotel staff across Western Europe aren't "natives" of the respective countries. But that didn't enter your mind because it doesn't fit the narrative you're trying to peddle on here.

I also don’t appreciate your assumption that I’m not reading international news or am making up stories to peddle some agenda. I am quite aware of the political environment abroad.

[Anonymous]

Just flash your big dumb American smile at them. That usually disarms even the surliest of hotel front desk workers.

[Anonymous]

Every time I've been in Europe, people have been overly friendly to us. I got the impression that they think Americans come to Europe ready to drop $$$ and were looking for extra tips or to sell us more. YMMV though. Maybe it depends on the country.

[Anonymous]

There is no real anti-Americanism in Europe right now. They say stuff from time to time but they all know that their security rests on what happens in the US. Their culture is a reflection of the US whether they want to admit it or not. Their economics are tied to the US. And the tourists from the US are crucial to them -- even more so now that the Russians cannot come to play.

In terms of security -- I remember one of the officials in one of the Northern countries who got some German troops when it looked like Vlad could extend into that region -- she said -- the Germans are great and all but what will make me sleep better is American combat troops on the ground here. She expressed a desire for Marines.

Relations are the best they have been since the Cold War.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two aspirations any foreigner has - to snub America and to win a green card

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They like your partner better? I get this. My DH makes a better impression. People react better towards him. Wish I could change it but it's always been the case.

OP here. Not just me. My partner speaks English with a distinctly American accent and of course our permanent address is in the US. When they see that there is a distinct chill, even if a fake friendliness. When they ask for a passport and he hands them his EU one, the attitude is immediately better, like wow, you’re one of us. It’s remarkable actually.

Are you a person of color? They generally hate Arabs and brown people in Europe. I had this issue, living with my white American husband in Europe, I always got treated like the help unless he was around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve not been treated badly because I’m American but I have regularly experienced a “test” where someone in Europe will try to find out what kind of American you are…trumper or not. If you “pass” the test, i.e not a trumper, you are treated great.

I have personally seen A LOT of nasty tourists from all over the world, most notably American, British (quite a few tbh), and Chinese and Japanese (this last one was more about HUGE groups of tourists and they will cut off others.

OP here. These days I’m afraid the assumption in a lot of Europe is that you’re a Trumper unless and until you produce a European passport. That’s what we’ve been told at least!!

When I traveled under Trump I put as much distance between myself and him as I could (given an appropriate opportunity of course). He pushed other world leaders aside (literally) called poor nations “sh*thole countries,” thought he could buy parts of other people’s countries, made fun of disabled people, of overweight people..,

Of course I did not want people from other countries to think he represented me.

.

Pushed other world leaders aside? (well, two at least: Merkel and Macron) and frankly, I didn't care. They want to milk our country for defense/subsidies but thwart our every policy proposal. It was better than Obama "leading from behind." And those "s...hole countries" must be pretty darn great, given how many people are fleeing them. Yes, Trump was crude, but right most of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two aspirations any foreigner has - to snub America and to win a green card

Any foreigner? That’s quite ignorant. Many foreigners (me included) aren’t interested in green cards. Of course, there are many poor people in the world who may love a shot at a better life in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two aspirations any foreigner has - to snub America and to win a green card

Any foreigner? That’s quite ignorant. Many foreigners (me included) aren’t interested in green cards. Of course, there are many poor people in the world who may love a shot at a better life in the US.

That was more of a joke but most people won’t mind coming over to earn some big bucks and then maybe leave (or not).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two aspirations any foreigner has - to snub America and to win a green card

Any foreigner? That’s quite ignorant. Many foreigners (me included) aren’t interested in green cards. Of course, there are many poor people in the world who may love a shot at a better life in the US.

That was more of a joke but most people won’t mind coming over to earn some big bucks and then maybe leave (or not).

Most? Again, joke or not, you really don’t know what you’re talking about. I can honestly say I don’t know anyone interested in moving temporarily or permanently to the US. Why would you assume that?

[Anonymous]

The odd thing about the outrage over the “s#!+hole country” remark was that if you ask anybody along either American coast if they would want to live/work/study in Ohio, Arkansas, South Dakota etc., chances are they would say something like “Why would I want to go to one of those s#!+hole states?” (I’ve lived all over the US, from Honolulu to Boston.)

[Anonymous]

Another odd thing about the "shithole countries" comment is that it was never demonstrated Trump actually said that, just alleged by "anonymous sources." Huh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The odd thing about the outrage over the “s#!+hole country” remark was that if you ask anybody along either American coast if they would want to live/work/study in Ohio, Arkansas, South Dakota etc., chances are they would say something like “Why would I want to go to one of those s#!+hole states?” (I’ve lived all over the US, from Honolulu to Boston.)

Nobody cares if Joe Bloggs says it vs the most senior statesman of the world’s most powerful country. There’s this thing called tact and diplomacy and it’s reasonable to question the judgement of an office holder who doesn’t mind offending the poorest and least advantaged of countries.