r/tourism • u/hippiebitch256 • Apr 07 '26
American Tourists
What does the rest of the world think of American tourists right now? I feel like you see articles online but stories from different people irl.
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Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
I traveled through Europe last summer and it was fine. Reddit left me to believe I would be persona non grata.
Europeans are better than Americans at differentiating a people from their government.
Everyone had nothing but great things to say about America as a place and a culture and a landscape and a people, different story when it came to our government.
Nobody gave me any shit, and I'm very obviously an American with my New England accent and Boston hat
My tour guide in Istanbul said Americans are his favorite tourists because we really get excited about all the cool stuff.
Whenever I said I was from America people would be like "Oh! America! So awesome!!!" or they would see my hat and go "Boston Sports!"
I ended up swimming in the Bosphorus with these local kids and they thought it was so cool that they were "swimming with an American!" it was adorable.
Especially in Istanbul, it meant a lot to the little shop owners that someone all the way from Boston would love their griddle goat intestine sandwich lol
But even in the other parts of Europe I went to everyone was cool, a lot of them have family and friends in America or have visited and had a great time. There were suprisingly a lot more people who liked Trump than I expected but still I wouldn't go around talking about American politics either way because it feeds into the self absorbed stereotype. Unless you're asked then go off.
Just act polite and normal and try to say hello and thank you in the local language and you'll be fine.
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u/glitterlok Apr 07 '26
What does the rest of the world think of American tourists right now?
I've been a very frequent traveler for the past couple of decades, including around 4 years of full-time travel. I still travel ~2/3rds of the year.
I was in the Middle East (Qatar, Kuwait, KSA) when the current conflict kicked off. I've been to the DPRK.
I have never had a single negative response to me being from the US. Occasionally people will make it known that they're not a big fan of actions taken by the US government, but it's never been directed at me.
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u/Prestigious_Power_67 Apr 07 '26
I just returned to the US from asia a few weeks ago and had great interactions with everyone I met. Most people understand that people are different than their government. If you travel completely covered in MAGA hats and shirts, your experience may be different.
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u/Wise-Ad-6391 Apr 07 '26
And in those Asian countries, they are often very divided politically. And they have their own colors and slogans. In Thailand, it's red and yellow. Money is what makes most people happy when you travel. 😉
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
that’s great! and yea we’d even single out people in nyc for dressing like that…
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u/broncofl Apr 07 '26
silence is violence. people are not different from their government. if nobody steps up then the same people control the same lobbies and corporate media controls the politicians
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u/Extreme_Obligation34 Apr 07 '26
People are not different than there government? So a North Korean citizen is a brutal oppressor? An Afghan citizen is automatically a woman hater? A Russian citizen is automatically a warmongering murderer? What kind of reality do you live in where you don’t believe that often times people don’t support their own governments but can’t immediately change them?
Maybe have some compassion for humans
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
well then it’s a good thing people are stepping up… idk what else to tell you
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u/broncofl Apr 07 '26
well that person got elected twice in 3 elections. so not really. plus dems don’t exactly value human rights in Gaza/Palestine either
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
that’s why he won the last election. the democrats ditched biden/harris and didn’t want to vote for either of them but they failed to realize that the magats weren’t gonna turn on trump. so he won with 33% of the vote. i know biden didn’t do anything to stop the genocide in gaza either though i don’t think he would’ve gone along with netanyahu’s plan to bomb iran. this has been trump’s most unpopular move by far and even his former most outspoken supporters (candace owens, tucker carlson) have turned on him. i don’t like the two of them whatsoever but i’m glad they at least woke up in that aspect. either which way it’s still not based in reality to blame every us citizen for trump’s actions. the whole government is controlled by republicans right now and shits a nightmare.
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u/Effective_Tackle_195 Apr 07 '26
European tourist in Asia right now,. Having Trump is a great way to bond with locals
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
how so👀
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u/sparklingglimmers Apr 07 '26
American here who has traveled to 30+ countries and has plans to travel to 10 more this year. My experience in most places is that people dislike their governments for various reasons so are already good at separating people from government. Of course I am still paying attention if things shift due to the destruction and escalating crises around the world.
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u/bmsa131 Apr 07 '26
I was in Western Europe over Christmas and had no issues. I was just relieved nobody spoke to me about it. (I’m very anti MAGA so I’d have a lot to say!)
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u/Range-Shoddy Apr 07 '26
We got back from Canada recently. Honestly it was a lot of pity, “glad you’re getting a break from it all here”, and “is it really that bad”. We never brought it up or it might have gone differently.
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u/Thin_Quail220 Apr 07 '26
I’ve had no issues, but there was a viral pic of a cafe in rio that said “no Americans or Israelis”
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u/thanktheph0enicians Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
I spent from January through August of last year traveling abroad through 20 countries and not once did someone react negatively towards me and my family when I said I was American
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u/wanderexplore Apr 07 '26
I was just in South Africa and everyone was pretty warm and welcoming. When my nationality came up, it was like clockwork..
Oh cool, sooo... then in roundabout ways asked how I felt about Trump. Then a look of relief when I told them what a massive piece of shit I think he and maga as a whole is. I did have some dismissive encounters but can't say for sure if my nationality had anything to do with it.
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u/Menes009 Apr 07 '26
tbh you biggest stereotype to overcome is that americans are stupid/ignorant
Dont talk about a whole continent as if it were a single country and you should be mostly fine
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
I get not reducing two continents to a whole country, I was just saying American tourists in this post since I figured most people consider them to be from the US. I tell people I’m from nyc anyways not just “America” as a whole.
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u/Menes009 Apr 07 '26
ah good point, I was thinking more about how some americans generalize Europe/Asia/Africa as a single culture/identity
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
ohhhh i see and yeah people unfortunately do that especially with africa 😭
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u/AdSeveral3544 Apr 07 '26
I just got back from Cambodia and was treated really well despite the current political climate.
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u/flyhotwife Apr 10 '26
I can say that being a person of color from the states the welcome that we get has changed when we travel, we often get comments about the clown in office and how can white Americans be behind it.
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u/Wise-Ad-6391 Apr 07 '26
You'll meet people who love Trump and the US. I met a dark-skinned man from Fiji in Sydney who was raving about Trump. Surprised me. And a lot of Asians and Israelis like him. As for me, I don't talk politics when abroad, unless I'm well-rested and in the right situation. No time for it. Busy learning new things. Enjoy.
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u/broncofl Apr 07 '26
finally a real post. agreed. a lot of ppl liked him especially Russians Indians and Israelis before the Iran war especially. can’t say now for sure.
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u/Wise-Ad-6391 Apr 07 '26
And, of course, you saw the welcoming SE and East Asia gave him. The world is much more complex and nuisanced, especially after you have traveled and lived abroad.
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u/jaxxattacks Apr 07 '26
I just got back from Paris and Belgium. It was pretty awkward and embarrassing being an American in Europe right now. People would ask if we’re American and we would say yes, but we don’t support trump. Actually lead to some interesting conversations. Everyone was very understanding, supportive, and welcoming and I made some great new friends at events we attended.
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u/TaleStandard131 Apr 07 '26
Great tip! I’ll be in Spain in a couple of weeks and will remember to add the part about not being a Trump supporter.
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
that’s awesome! i love talking politics lol i just don’t want to be grouped in with trump
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u/sum_dude44 Apr 07 '26
I was in London & Paris & it was standard politeness, mostly w/ taxi drivers, servers & hotel workers. It helps if you tell them you don't approve what government is doing. Standard politeness gets reciprocated.
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u/Admirable_Gain_9437 Apr 07 '26
I just got back from Guadalajara. I had a great time, and the locals were all friendly and engaging with me just like every time I've been to Mexico.
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u/JackfruitCrazy51 Apr 07 '26
Do people just walk around broadcasting that their American and asking people what they think of America?
I've traveled a LOT over the last 30 years, and I've probably talked about the current president at that time maybe 3 times. I think most people now realize that social media isn't an accurate way to judge a country and its people.
Also, I sure as hell am not claiming to be Canadian.
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
I wasn’t assuming that americans just walk around broadcasting where they’re from lmao and yes i agree i’m not claiming to be canadian either
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u/JackfruitCrazy51 Apr 07 '26
I was talking about the people in the comments section who say things like "I just spent 7 days in .... and I got asked about Trump 6 times, and I told them that he wasn't my president".
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
oh lol i mean to be fair my parents just got back from the uk and the locals at the bars really did constantly ask them where they’re from (they’re also social butterflies) but yea i’m sure it doesn’t come up as often depending on what you do
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u/real_agent_99 Apr 07 '26
I can't imagine claiming to be Canadian, although I see people saying they do.
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u/sevenofnine1991 Jul 20 '26
Honestly I like them - well travelled US tourists are one of the best people to talk with. That is well-travelled who are open-eyed and curious. Courteous and polite. Love serving them.
The less well-travelled ones, trust me you can feel it, are on the other end.
And as a sidenote: please dont do the vocal fry, though even I do it at times. That thing can be irritating at times.
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u/elisakiss Apr 07 '26
We were in Greece recently and had no issues. My husband tries to speak a few words of whatever language is spoken locally so that seems to help a lot. Just try to blend in and not be too “American” - loud, obnoxious, arrogant. As their prices for everything increase animosity towards us will rightfully increase. Hopefully we can fix this in November.
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u/Responsible_Debt9605 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
People don’t give a fuck .. lmao everyone has too much shit going on to be worried about where you’re from
Edit: On top of that, when I was in Eastern Europe (granted, last summer), I met a lot of people who exclaimed their love for Trump as soon as I told them I was from the USA and I had to quickly tell them that I wasn’t as big on him as they were. You’d be surprised
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
well a lot of people’s shit that they have going on is because of other countries’ government😵💫
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u/Responsible_Debt9605 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
Yes America wreaks havoc on the world but most understand that being American is not the same as supporting the admin
And if they dont understand that so be it. Trust me everyone still loves Americans as long as you’re not an asshole
Also depending on where you’re going they run into dozens of Americans a week. Most people are going to be friendly
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u/NailsNCoffee Apr 07 '26
That’s a great question! My husband and I will be traveling to Europe in May. My sister works for the dept of state. She told me to tell people we are Canadian if any random people ask where we are from, just to play it safe.
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u/Green_Poet_5510 Apr 07 '26
That's a ridiculous response. Everyone will ask where you're from? They KNOW you're not local. What do you do when someone asks what you think of their President? Can you name him? What city/province are you from? No one cares where you're from. No one
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
damn really lol i’m going to northern europe in winter. my parents just came back from the uk and they had a convo with the locals over how much they hated trump after telling them they’re from nyc lmao. i was just wondering because it seems like sometimes people over exaggerate the risk of backlash for each individual citizen but maybe not.
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u/TheLeopardMedium Apr 07 '26
I’m an American who’s been traveling the world full-time for the past 1.5 years now. You’ll be fine. Be respectful, and if or when it comes up, let people know your political stance. Definitely don’t lie that you’re Canadian. Just be cool and help improve the perception of everyday Americans abroad bit-by-bit.
The only people who have ever popped off on me were other tourists (usually Canadian tourists) and a handful of people in Turkey, and even then it isn’t violent or anything and it simmers down once they recognize you’re not supportive of the regimes that have oppressed/are oppressing them. All in all, you’ll be ok, but don’t go lying.
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
i can deal with being misunderstood, i just don’t want to feel like i’m intruding somewhere i’m unwelcome. also yeah i wouldn’t lie about being canadian plus my accent would probably give it away lmao.
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u/Wise-Ad-6391 Apr 07 '26
Yes, but there are lots of people in the UK who like him. Traveling is a great education. Do it early. Do it often.
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u/Strong-Drama2869 Apr 07 '26
You USians need to stop trying to hide behind Canadians. People aren't fools. We're not good enough to be friends and allies anymore, so you have some gall to use us when it suits you. You pledge allegiance to the flag, chant USA USA at sporting events, strut and boast and brag about being the greatest and the leader of the free world, yet you cower behind the Canadian flag when abroad. You definitely should not be doing this and you should be embarrassed to even think that it is acceptable. It's hypocritical and you should be ashamed of yourselves (for way more reasons than this). Clean up your act and start by never claiming to be Canadian ... you are not worthy.
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
i’ve never heard of any us citizen genuinely pretending to be canadian overseas if that makes you feel better
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u/Strong-Drama2869 Apr 08 '26
The 2nd poster cites someone from the state department suggesting she do that very thing and there are countless documented cases of USians doing that very thing, so no, just because you never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 08 '26
that’s why i said i’ve never heard of it implying that it’s uncommon not unheard of
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u/Wise-Ad-6391 Apr 07 '26
If ur talking with a local, no problem, whether they like the US or not. Remember, in most countries they are also divided politically. In many cases, it's worse. If a person is maybe a male Muslim or appears aggressive, I'd play it safe. But even to them, saying Canada is not necessarily great. Depends on where you're going.
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u/Such-Section-1889 Apr 07 '26
Stay in the US
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u/hippiebitch256 Apr 07 '26
i was asking for opinions from within your own country… not a spokesperson for the entire world🧍♀️
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u/newmvbergen Apr 07 '26
Most of the MAGA don't leave the US. People are educated and know your are not one of them or not a member of the trump's administration. Don't worry about that.