Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 13:47     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
I’ve been to every country in Europe (except Albania and Luxembourg), and I’d say Ireland and Portugal are the friendliest and most welcoming.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 13:35     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Belgrade.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 13:35     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am black and have travelled all over the world. Black people have very different experiences in terms of being welcomed.

Finland was definitely not welcoming. Turkey was wonderful.


Unfortunately this. I did a summer studying in the Netherlands. I did fine in the Netherlands, my classmate/friend who was Asian American got a lot of weird comments.


I think Fins are nice but in general the culture is very reserved and introverted.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:27     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.


British are not popular worldwide? Odd comment. Unless you are British, how would you even know?


I think this poster is talking about the obnoxious young British tourists going to warm parts of Europe acting like drunk fools on Spring break, the older British tourists moving to the warm parts of Europe and creating their own communities, bringing up local prices for all...


Amsterdam literally ran an ad campaign telling the Brits to stay home.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65107405


Hardly worldwide though.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:25     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.


British are not popular worldwide? Odd comment. Unless you are British, how would you even know?


I think this poster is talking about the obnoxious young British tourists going to warm parts of Europe acting like drunk fools on Spring break, the older British tourists moving to the warm parts of Europe and creating their own communities, bringing up local prices for all...


Amsterdam literally ran an ad campaign telling the Brits to stay home.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65107405
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:24     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.


British are not popular worldwide? Odd comment. Unless you are British, how would you even know?


I think this poster is talking about the obnoxious young British tourists going to warm parts of Europe acting like drunk fools on Spring break, the older British tourists moving to the warm parts of Europe and creating their own communities, bringing up local prices for all...
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:23     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:I found Scotland very welcoming. I also found Lisbon very welcoming, but my spouse has Portuguese heritage which definitely helped, so I can't say how welcoming it would be for anyone else.


+1 just back from a trip to Lisbon and it was very welcoming to a US family with no Portuguese connection.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:23     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.


I've been to many parts of Spain and I'm not British (or American) by birth, and I'd say it's not about being tapped out though I know in some locations there is that element. It's just more of a cultural attitude which isn't good or bad, but so different from how people are in the US. It would seem unwelcoming by contrast.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:21     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:I am black and have travelled all over the world. Black people have very different experiences in terms of being welcomed.

Finland was definitely not welcoming. Turkey was wonderful.



This.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:20     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.


British are not popular worldwide? Odd comment. Unless you are British, how would you even know?
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:15     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.


Spain has a huge British ex-pat community and in those areas the residents seem to be tapped out on tourists. The British are not that popular worldwide.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:12     Subject: Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
I think Spain is generally unwelcoming, and I speak Spanish fluently. People just are serious and gruff as a whole. Agree that Paris got better, I think some of it is the Olympics effect and pride that generated, not to mention physical improvements to the city which is so much cleaner now. People have become more patient. Smaller towns in France are fine and friendly as a whole, just more reserved. Switzerland is not welcoming at all.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 12:08     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:I am black and have travelled all over the world. Black people have very different experiences in terms of being welcomed.

Finland was definitely not welcoming. Turkey was wonderful.


Unfortunately this. I did a summer studying in the Netherlands. I did fine in the Netherlands, my classmate/friend who was Asian American got a lot of weird comments.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 11:53     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
I am black and have travelled all over the world. Black people have very different experiences in terms of being welcomed.

Finland was definitely not welcoming. Turkey was wonderful.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2025 11:50     Subject: Re:Which countries or even cities in Europe would you describe as “welcoming”?
Anonymous wrote:You'll be welcome anywhere as long as you behave responsibly, don't act entitled, and don't stand out in a way which may be considered offensive locally.


This x 1000000, don't be a jerk and you'll be fine. Try to speak that country(ies) language(s) as well, even a little bit will go a long way.