How US citizens Avoid Verbal Abuse While Traveling In Europe

[Preening Fop]

As a citizen of the U.S. petro-empire,
Do you hope to avoid the constant label of a "Terrorist", "Scum",
or "Low Life"
while frolicking about Europe?

The answer is very logical and easy: Claim To Be A Canadian....!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4881474.stm

:yoiks:

[LostinVA]

1. I've done that, but since I'm now also an Italian citizen...

[CTyankee]

9. Fortunato te!

How did you manage that? Sounds wonderful. I'll be there in early November for a couple of weeks on a Smithsonian art tour. Can't wait!

[LostinVA]

21. My Dad's grandfather never became a US citizen

Thus, legally, my grandfather, Dad, me and my sister, etc. are legally Italiano citizens... I just had to prove it. I have that Italian EU passport, baby. Hahahahahhahahahha!!!

[CTyankee]

46. I had heard about that about a year ago

That all these Americans who had your family situation were going to Italy to get the citizenship thing, in case they needed to retire there and benefit from Italy's social programs.

A friend of mine just got her permanent legal resident status from Sweden, since her husband is Swedish and in all of the time he lived in the US he never became a US citizen. He has chronic illnesses that are costly. They may have to move to Sweden when she loses her health plan from Yale and goes on Medicare. His meds alone would be $10,000 per year without the health plan.

[Ganja Ninja]

2. Kind of hypocritical of the brits since they're right along side of us

in Iraq.

[Bucky]

34. Nah. UK is just as schitzo on the war as US. Many opposed it there too

America gets the lion's share of blame because we did the lion's share of the lyin'. It makes sense that the world would blame us more (since we're more to blame) but I've seen just as much scorn in Europe directed at Blair as at Bush.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. That's what I'm gonna do.

I'm visiting Europe this summer.

Although I don't look like the "typical" American, so I could also say I'm from my parents' country of origin, though I'd have to put on an accent.

:D

EDIT: If that doesn't work, I'll plaster myself in John Kerry pins and bumper stickers.

[CTyankee]

5. I was gonna do that last Dec. when I visited Sicily

but you know what? They didn't seem to be interested! They are in their own little bubble. Not that I can blame them. Who wants to disturb their beautiful minds with thoughts about Bush?

[bigluckyfeet]

42. The Brits Have Some Nerve

They have screwed people around the world for centuries.

[marmar]

4. Actually, it's never been a problem...

Europeans have definite opinions about U.S. politics, but I've found that it's never been directed at me as an individual American. And once I started chatting politics and they realized where I stood, I made lots of new friends, in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain. A friend and I went off on an anti-Bush rant in an Amsterdam bar, and a couple at a table next to us bought us drinks.
There's the American government and there are Americans, and I think Europeans realize that most Americans who are traveling overseas are not the narrow-minded Red State types.

[XOKCowboy]

28. Same experience here...

It's never been a problem for me either. Like you said if politics is brought up it's quickly evident that I don't support US policy in Iraq or this president in particular and all is well. Now if I was a loud, "Ugly American" type going around spouting Bush lies then things might be different.

[Nay]

51. Same experience here as well. Went to Brazil, Mexico and Canada

and was practically kissed on the face when I made my hatred of Bush known. They know there are plenty of us who can't stand these bastards. People in Brazil and Mexico have histories of recent revolutions in SA and CA that makes them quite aware that just because you are a citizen of a country, it doesn't mean you necessarily agree with its fascistic leaders.

[debbierlus]

6. That is AWFUL

I would be furious, if I was treated that way.

I have spent the past five years fighting the Bush adminstration. If someone insulted me, because I had the misfortune of having Bush as a leader, I would tell them off.

I would not pretend to be a Candadian.

I would start by being polite. I would tell them that I come from the bluest state in the union, and I have worked incessantly to fight Bush. If, they continued to insult me, I would tell them that they are no better then the people they claim to despise. Bush & co. are notorious for stereo-typing and hate.

[CTyankee]

17. My trip leader in Sicily knew about blue and red states

I was amazed. But she sure lacked US geography knowledge. She placed Yale in Boston!

[90-percent]

26. Yale in Boston?

Just a guess, but I think American's that have never lived near the north east would easily make the same mistake!

I still have a hard time figuring out the location of your Dartmouths., Harvards, MIT's, etc.

And I've been in central/nw burbs of CT for 25 years now!


-85%

[CTyankee]

45. I was being a bit ironic, there

Of course you are right. Before I came northeast from Texas I didn't know where any Ivy League schools were. But I married a Harvard man (1st marriage) so boy did I find out quick about the Ivies!

Actually this lady placed the entire Ivy League in Boston, which I found interesting.

[lostexpectation]

7. Its the he's our leader no matter what he does crap we dont't like

However she adds: "Bush is our leader and I respect that. It's a bit like the way you feel about your father. You don't always agree with him, but you would defend him."

[debbierlus]

10. Yeah. If she RESPECTS Bush as leader,

That doesn't speak well for her, AT ALL.

[sweetheart]

8. Another way is just to take it

A lotta people are assholes, and it helps select them out
right fast, to see who is willing to condenm an acquaintance
based on a stereotype.

Given the huge number of americans that have passports,
the likelihood that a european has met an american closely
are pretty slim... so mostly its all fear based on myths,
which are easily dispelled with a smile and some truth.

[flobee1]

11. I plan on doing just that

when I go over for the 24 hours of lemans this summer

on a side note,
How sad is it that we are so embarrassed of our country's leader that we claim to be from Canada!

[CrazyOrangeCat]

12. your username, Citizen Fop . . .

. . . is one of the funniest ever!

:spray:

[Kurovski]

62. I concur.

Most indubitably.

And there is spittle on my monitor with which one might measure the level of my amusement.

When abroad, tell people you are from the planet Venus. They will assume you are insane and bring you no dismay as they cautiously retreat from the perceived danger you represent.

[lostexpectation]

13. Paul Martin is Dick too

from a european :)

[Siyahamba]

55. Stephen Harper is worse

;)

[enid602]

14. travel 101

Firzt lessen of international travel: ALWAYS bring at least one t-shirt that has the Canadian maple leaf on it.

[LostinVA]

22. When I go to Canada, Canadians in BC think I'm from Ontario

It cracks me up.... I grew up in southern NJ which has a weird Eastern Shore/OBX type accent, lived in NC for 17 years, and VA for six.... I guess that's what an "Ontario" accent is....

[CTyankee]

47. "Aboot the hoose"

When I lived in DC it cracked me up to hear locals talk about what was in the Washington Poost every day!

[htuttle]

54. People elsewhere in the US often think I'm from Canada

Since I'm from the Milwaukee area instead, I don't know if it's the accent, the beer drinking, or the interest in hockey. :shrug:

[Lisa]

57. and they mistake me (an Ontarian) for an American!

I think the Niagara Frontier accent throws them.

[Oversea Visitor]

15. In Malaysia

You dont get attack for being an Americans
But dont try defending bush
We most likely will insult at your president
No love lost here
Problems start when they feel an insult hurl at bush is an insult to them
Then wheee is get ugly

[devilgrrl]

16. Claim that you think Bush is a total asshole!

I wasn't afraid to admit that I was American, I made a concerted effort to point out that I thought Bush was the worst thing that ever happened to the United States and the Europeans treated me just fine.

[lostexpectation]

18. Used to be being Irish was ok but now we're the pitstop to the occupation

[Child_Of_Isis]

19. Do I detect a 'tude?

:shrug:

However she adds: "Bush is our leader and I respect that. It's a bit like the way you feel about your father. You don't always agree with him, but you would defend him."

[lostexpectation]

20. anybody get trouble in say South America during Clintons time?

the poorer areas perhaps

[Wickerman]

23. Can't be near as bad as the way we treat foreigners

Buck up and take it; tell whomever insults you that they are barking up the wrong tree and that you and over 1/;2 of the country disagree with the pretzeldunce. I'd imagine you will find some good conversation and perhaps make a good friend.

[RB TexLa]

24. The two things you always learn in the local language is

To read the words "We the people," at least know "the people." This is how most all revolutions start, when you see thousands of people in the streets with signs talking about "the people," it's time to get out.

And the second one is how to say "Don't take me, I'm Canadian," people just don't want Canadian hostages.

[Kingshakabobo]

25. I'm going to wear a t-shirt like the Homer Simpson wore in Rio.

"An American Eagle clutching a globe in it's talons"

[DELUSIONAL]

27. She's a dumb blond -- tried to support bushie

First off -- DO NOT support bush. Never bring up his name -- and if someone mentions him -- say you voted for Kerry.

Become a Canadian -- know all the Canadian trivia. Know who the elected Canadian leaders are and all about Canadian politics.

Work on saying "about" the way Canadians say "about".

Or if you happen to look Scandinavian -- work on a Scandi accent.

Stay away from other Americans and any place they are found in great numbers.

I was in Europe when Nixon was Prez -- and lots of American students sewed Canadian flags to their backpacks. At the time Nixon took America off the gold standard and the Vietnam war was in full swing -- Americans were NOT popular. I traveled on trains and public transportation and stayed in youth hostels -- with students of all Nationalities. I pick up accents way too fast (not on purpose -- but just from listening to people talking). Drop in in England for two days and I pick up a hybrid English American accent -- and a bit longer and I've got the English accent like a naive.

Don't act like an ugly American. At the same time don't let people run over you -- you don't like bush's administration, nor the gang he runs around with -- and you are NOT responsible for what a rich frat boy does.

I'm not living overseas for large chunks of each year -- and the Americans must learn to adapt. I also believe that the more the dumb f*** bushie opens his mouth the more hard core Republicans will become Independents. I've heard zero positive comments about bush from American tourists or from the expiate overseas community.

If I were talking to that woman in the article I'd tell her to shut up about bush -- she doesn't support him even if she believe it is her duty -- like she'd support a bad dad. Think of bush as an incestuous bastard or some other dark thought. Bush is the most hated man in the world -- and any support of that bastard will make her disliked -- because people will think she is stupid.

In every article I've read about Americans like this broad -- each supports bush in some little way -- even the "well gosh, he's my president and it's my duty blah blah blah blah.

[JHB]

35. If she thinks it's her duty to support him...

...it's a sure sign she doesn't know:

1) Her duty as a citizen; and

2) Just what Bush is doing.

[schmuls]

29. people I met in France 3 years ago made a distinction between

an american citizen and our "leader". They didn't look down on Americans, rather they felt sorry for us!

[Jim Warren]

30. Saved my butt many times in Mexico

Imagine it works in Europe.

[justice1]

31. Don't lie

I am a member of another board that focuses on international politics. Most make a distinction between Americans, and our government.

They laugh at Americans who try to pass themselves off as Canadians.

[smomfr]

32. I live in Mexico and

I´ve been telling people I´m a Canadian for years. I tell the Canadians I meet that I´m a Canadian trapped in an American´s body.

[Inland]

33. Sounds like the "unhinged liberal" slander/lie to me. Doubting it.

I'd like to have witnessed these supposed events and see if I interpret them as America bashing. I see lots of Americans accused of hate, and insanity, for what seems like reasoned if passionately felt positions.

Is this the same as in the US, where someone actually disagreeing with US policies is just considered beyond the pale? Where actual and heartfelt disgust with Bush and his policies are simply confused with meaness? Where the default position is, if you disrespect the president you hate America?

I see on DU all sorts of people claiming to have gotten the bird or abusive behavior for their bumper stickers, but I've never heard anyone say they really got the business JUST for being an American. As this is a woman who writes for newspapers, at least once, are we really believing that there's nothing about her that would bring up current events and an actual political decision? I mean, are people calling her scum on the streets?

On edit: you guys, please don't say that people should pretend to be candadians in response to hostility that you think IS EARNED BY BUSH but may not be occuring. It's a form of xenophobia.

[boobooday]

36. I think it is important to let them know

That you are American and that not all Americans are imperialist assholes.

:patriot:

I hope that is what I would do if I had the opportunity to travel outside the U.S.!

[dipsydoodle]

37. I think you are overstating a situation.

I have not come across even vague bad references to American tourists since the seventies when they were still a bit brash. I also get to know a lot youngsters who are swing dancers and are in England studying English Lit. etc for 6 months or so - we're all just good friends. The only observation I can make is that they are either anti-war or seem to have little or no knowledge of US overseas policy in general. It's almost as if what they learn at school is heavily censored. I also get friends come visit who are into banjos, as am I, and at worst all we do is pull each others legs.

Wouldn't worry to much if I was you.

[Pavulon]

38. I travel to Europe for work

frequently. I have had one comment in a bar, the time frame of 4 weeks over the year for 3 years. Most people are happy to stick to business, cars, soccer, comparing cricket to baseball,etc. Europeans are generally polite. Assholes span all cultures.

The one comment came in a bar in austria. We were drinking with the austrians a drunk kept going on about americans and bush.

Said not all americans like bush, and kindly reminded him that europe had twice pulled us into wars that involved death on a scale orders of magnitude higher than the war in iraq.

I politely left out Austria's complicity with germany and brought up my government paid vacation to the former yugoslavia as an example of "world" dependence on the US to stabilize problems.

Didn't offend my european hosts and he shut right the fuck up. Every one got drunk and went home.

Only time is 3 years anyone has said a word about my nationality, and they were shitfaced. Of course I dress european when i am there.

[lostexpectation]

43. eh up

yugoslavia was as much about the US and europe extended it corporate sphere of influence as anything else...

[Inland]

63. There was once a Jules Fieffer comic

From years ago, about how to win arguments with europeans. All in fun of course, Fieffer being famously liberal, but it involved being able to, as you said, bring up something when a European mentioned Vietnam.

[Blue_Tires]

39. lol

who was it that was selling that shirt (cafepress maybe?)???

it said on the back in 10 different languages that "I'm sorry my president is an idiot--I did not vote for him"

[crispini]

40. Meh, I think it is important that they know ...

"Yes I am an American but I didn't vote for that stupid git."

[CTyankee]

48. Sono senza colpo. Ho votato per John Kerry

I practiced that just in case before I went to Sicily.

[negativenihil]

41. Whats funny

Is that i am half Canadian, and it takes zero effort for me to slip into my Canadian-ish accent.

and yes, i even say "eh?" without having to try ;)

[rockymountaindem]

44. I'm going to Central Europe this summer, and I have no intention of acting

like a Canadian, even though I'm sure I could since I go to a Canadian university. I'm proud to be an American even if I don't support Bush, and if people over there feel the need to put me down personally because of that, it's a sign of their ignorance not mine.

That being said, I don't forsee any problems.

[0007]

49. In most counties when one checks into a hotel you must show

your passport. How does one get around that?

[Beowulf]

50. Not had any problems

I've spent time in France, U.K., Sweden, Italy, Ireland, and Poland in the past year and I've not any problems. The best advice is:

1. Be very, very polite.

2. Don't assume anyone speaks English, unless in the U.K. and Ireland. Ask if using English is o.k. Express regret you don't know your host country's language. At a minimum learn the words for "please" and "thank you." Even better, learn the phrase "I'm sorry, I don't speak _______. Is English O.K.?"

3. Tell a few George Bush jokes. (this one shouldn't be difficult at all)

The stereotype of Americans is that they are rude, arrogant, and very defensive about criticism. Stay away from those behaviors and you'll have little trouble with the locals.

[Kellanved]

52. I have trouble believing that

I am used to receive a fair, albeit tolerable, share of abuse in other European countries (easier to understand than such statements against Americans).

Anyway; the story sounds extreme. There are always idiots, and in a given time, people are likely to meet them. I have heard American expats complaining about the frequency of political discussions with strangers, but frequent abuses? no. It probably depends on the region and the style used to present oneself; my general rule of thumb is: people dumb enough to abuse American tourists and expats are also too dumb to tell apart the US and Canada.

I have the feeling that anti-American abuse is overreported, when compared to the things suffered by people from other countries in comparable situations.


(and don't even get me started on the things we Europeans have to do to please authorities stateside - plain hazing).

[Karenina]

53. Ganz genau.

The poor persecuted Amis... :eyes: You'd all be in greater peril navigating the backwaters of Cajun country. The meme of Americans being in "danger" travelling to Europe is

[Hardrada]

56. Just don't ask "How much is that in real money?"

Also what is wrong with just wearing a simple peace button or antiwar buttons. Or what about a Howard Dean button. Must be some left!

[Lisa]

58. this shirt should work (see pic)

It reads:

"Nous sommes desoles que notre president soit un idiot. Nous n’avons pas vote pour lui." translates to "We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We did not vote for him."



http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=TB1112&Product_Count=&Category_Code=

[Cha]

59. I'd just wear my handmade peace

symbol around my neck that I always wear..I've gotten many compliments on it in Canada and where I work in New York.

I belong to that Universial Coalition of Peace.

[DinahMoeHum]

60. "I'm Sorry My President Is An Idiot, I Didn't Vote For Him"

www.americanapologyshirt.com

:evilgrin:

[American Tragedy]

61. That is absolutely PATHETIC.

I would never lie about where I'm from. I'll gladly assume responsibility for my own individual actions, but I'm not about to apologize for my national origin, any more than the color of my skin or any other aspects of myself over which I have absolutely no control.

If somebody attacks you for such prejudicial reason, you should regard it as an opportunity to set them straight, and present a good example. Don't validate it by pretending to be something you're not.

I do question how often this sort of thing really happens. I never encountered any problems abroad, despite making no efforts to obscure my origins. Actually, in non-Anglophone countries, nobody could discern where I was from - I was variously guessed to be English or Dutch.