nevadajay,

I literally just got back (this afternoon) from traveling in London, Scotland and Paris for nearly two weeks and had no problem at all being an American traveling abroad. I speak no French and had no problems at all with any rudeness in Paris, please note I did not travel outside of Paris so can’t speak for that. If I found any rude people, they were tourist from all different countries! As long as you are respectful, as we all should be anyways, in my opinion you will have no problem in the cities/countries I visited. Others with more extensive travel experience than I (most everyone here! lol!) will be able to assist you further.

Hey, welcome back, Knic!

quote: I understand the French are not so fond of Americans.

This is false. (Almost feels troll-like.)

The Bush administration does not help Americans abroad, true, but I was in Paris just as the U.S. was preparing to go into Iraq, and then in Paris, central, and southwest France in summer of 2004, and was met with nothing but warmth and courtesy. Will be going back next month.
Perhaps a smarter way to look at the situation is what can you do to
feel welcome?
As Knic says, we should all be respectful; this goes a long ways towards a successful trip. Part of being respectful (and part of the fun of travel)is learning (or at least attempting) local customs. Learning a few words of the language helps. (My French is wretched, but I try.)
Going solo can sometimes be especially rewarding because you might be more open to meeting new people.

You’ll find few places that aren’t fond of tourists with money to spend….

Thanks Traveler! I finally just wrote a bit (okay a near novel) of our trip! Ha, old lady, so true, so true!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I traveled to Germany and Holland about 10yrs ago, with a college soccer team, and perhaps it was because we were typically in groups, but it didn’t seem as though many of the locals were interested in helping us with simple things like directions or how much things cost, or even questions about the locale we were visiting. I do believe we were respectful, and in fact, in awe of some of the beauty of what we were experiencing. It just didn’t feel that welcoming for us.

I’m debating whether to travel back to Europe or go back to Brazil for another sun-filled vacation. That’s kind of why I posted this question – to get a gauge for what others are or have been experiencing lately.

Thanks again for the replies. If folks have other suggestions (any out of the way or off the map type places strongly encouraged) I’d be happy to read about them.

NevadaJay

I’m not from the US, but i’ve travelled around Europe with some American’s that I met along the way. I’ve never seen them treated any differently than any other travellers, so I don’t think you will have any problems.

quote:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I traveled to Germany and Holland about 10yrs ago, with a college soccer team, and perhaps it was because we were typically in groups, but it didn’t seem as though many of the locals were interested in helping us with simple things like directions or how much things cost, or even questions about the locale we were visiting. I do believe we were respectful, and in fact, in awe of some of the beauty of what we were experiencing. It just didn’t feel that welcoming for us.

Look at it like this. How many people do you know that help europeans with that stuff when they are in the US? Not many I can tell you that. Its all about the people you meet, not where you are at.

tony

I’ve travelled to lots of European countries and lived Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia and New Zealand and can say that pretty much every traveller and local I have met do not like the United States and aren’t exactly eager to meet Americans.

That said though, once they/I get chatting to an American traveller I am usually pleasantly surprised. I do feel bad for you Yanks out there because of the negative stereotypes you’ve got to overcome from the start. But the people out there who judge you based on your country aren’t really the ones you want to be chatting to anyways.

As for Americans helping people in their own country… I disagree with stabone. I reckon you guys are a very helpful, friendly bunch on your own soil!

quote:
I’m wondering what places a person from the US should avoid. Are there any other places an American should avoid?

Traveling ‘Solo’ can be a good thing! Don’t ‘bunch up’ with a group of Americans or other English-only speaking fellow travelers. That will prevent you from making contact with the natives. No one is going to try to break into your ‘bubble’ if you are a group of two or more speaking English. They may approach you if you are a lone traveler.

I have traveled extensively in France and the only hassle I ever got was from a bus driver who wouldn’t believe my daughter was 12-years old. I showed him her passport – conflict resolved! I speak passable French. France is OK if you can afford it.

I would try to avoid Muslim neighborhoods in Germany, France and the U.K. Some of those people are involved in a Jihad! And we (Americans) are the Infidels.

I’m an Aussie and I don’t know where you’re NOT welcome, but if you’re feeling rejected or homesick at any time you may want to pop into the Pink Palace in Corfu. I would venture to guess that about 80% of the people there are Americans.

I traveled in France with my dog for 10 weeks in 2003. Paris, Toulouse, Auch, French Pyrenees, etc. I was ALWAYS treated well. I speak virtually no French and found the French people to be very tolerant and in most cases – multilingual! I was ‘lost’ frequently – and
assisted/saved by some wonderful French person every single time. I travelled by
rental car, trains and airline and was always able to handle all the unexpected
events, confusions and experiences of getting lost. Once in the countryside
in the south of France, I was on a very long hike with my dog and was once again
rescued by a delightful, warm and compassionate French lady who walked a very
long distance in order to point to the roof of the gite where I was staying. The bottom
line for me was that I found the French people to be extremely well mannered. I also
found (not surprisingly) that they expect foreigners to be as well mannered as they
are. We Americans, oftentimes become accustomed to walking into a place of business and immediately asking a question – without first pausing – to greet the individual we are speaking to. Although we may have become accustomed to this behavior – it is a rude
way of behaving. Always take the time to greet the individual you speak to and always
take the time to thank them. Viva la France!

I don’t think there’s really any place in europe where they don’t like americans. The current american government, yes, but I don’t think anybody has problems with american people in general.

What europeans don’t like is loud, obnoxious people invading their towns and acting like they own the place. That applies to everyone though, Americans, Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis.

Treat people with respect and they respect you, it’s that easy!

I lived in Geneva…they were cool with Americans.
I lived in Munchen…they were cool too but I do go to a Croatian bar and they had some "things" to say about USA and Bush in particular.

I bought em a drink…had a Prost! and we were all good!

Probably Indian restaurants in London, especially if the waiters are from Pakistan. I’ve went to one in Edgware Road last summer, just a week after bombings. I still got served and was able to keep a good conversation with them until I told them I was an American, then they kept their mouths shut.

Isn’t it hard to generalize this sort of thing on a person by person basis, anyway? I haven’t been to too any places in Europe — I’m so looking forward to working on that. But when I went to England and Ireland, as long as I didn’t act like a jerk, I wasn’t treated like one. Of course, the language thing worked in my favor there. But from what I’ve heard from both younger and older travelers, as long as you try some of the native language of the place you’re in, they know you’re more than just a dumb tourist. It goes a long way just like being grateful and gracious around the people who give you directions and make your food. Even if you don’t understand the language, you can generally tell when someone is being respectful.

quote:
I understand the French are not so fond of Americans.

In that case, you don’t understand France nor the French. If you think they’re pre-occupied with America, guess again. Go to France, don’t be a jerk, and you’ll have a great time.

Oh, and, don’t believe everything in the US media.

Americans are very popular in Romania.Many people from here work in the states and give it a good reputation so no problem coming here.

I try to help out tourists in America all the time. As for Americans going to Europe, I will find out in September. I look forward to the solo trip and I am sure there will be no problems. Just be friendly, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Europe.