As an American, have you been treated differently while in another country?

Answer 1

Yes. I am a blond and blue Californian. When the plane landed in Mexico City, Federal agents escorted me off the plane, my stuff was searched twice and I was detained for three hours. Many times while there, I was stopped by both Federal and city police, but never arrested. I moved to Cuernavaca for six months and it continued. I didn't have wild hair, tats, and I wore regular jeans and plain looking shirts. I asked some fo the other professors, and even students, what they thought about this and the answer was the same everytime. The police were trying to get bribes. Also, just looking American made me a target. I am convinced the only reason I was never arrested is because I spoke fluent Spanish. Merchants also treated my differently, always changing prices upwards, charging me sometimes three and four times what locals or "non-Americans" were charged.

Answer 2

I visited Oslo and Kragaro, Norway a while back and this is a country where mostly Swedes, and Norweigans live - tall, white and blond. Black people there are a rare commodity. I was stared at most of the time, and many people wanted to know where I was from. I didn't look "African" and I believe their experience with black people being in such a cold country was unusual. When I told them I was a singer and most of them were attending the performance - they immediately wanted my autograph, asked thousands of questions. I tend to believe that when you are of another race and visit a country, unless you are star quality or have some other major business in the country - they look at you as a foreigner - just like anyone would. Today in particular, everyone is looked upon with question. It is a real sad commentary, but even today, in my own country, blacks are still treated different, as other minorities are.

Answer 3

Yeah...I went to Italy, and the store owner got mad if you didn't buy anything, but if you said that you were going to buy something, then they treated you like royalty. Also, at restaurants, they kinda get annoyed when you don't know what any of the Italian words mean...it's kinda funny in a way.

Answer 4

well , I m not an American but I know most of them r treated with greeting, except in Iraq.

Answer 5

My aunt lives in France and she told me Americans are treated like sh*t in France. They hate us

Answer 6

No not in Thailand. All nationalities are equally welcome if you are not coming to cause trouble to local people... You are treated as our guests.