Europeans, do you mind people from US visiting? moving there? Or as an American have you faced discriminaton?

Answer 1

when i was younger i lived in england
and as an american i can say that yes i faced discrimination
teachers and students were rude when they learned i was american or met my american parents (i had the accent, my parents did not, which was often how they discovered i was an american)
they just automatically assume all americans are loud, rude, stupid, unclassy, etc.
i only had one friend at the school and few other friends in my neighborhood
it was quite a sad time for me as a child

Answer 2

I don`t think visitors are a problem, but moving to another country is a totally different thing. You will be expected to melt in, absorb at least a little of the local culture, learn the language - of course you`ll be given time, but if you won`t try and succeed after a while, you will probably be judged as "typical American".
I have been working for an airline here in Germany for over a decade and - like most of my colleagues - I travelled a lot. In the beginning there were quite some people, who shared my love for the US, but after your current president was elected I almost had to defend myself when flying to the US. So yes, the attitude towards people from your country has changed and not into a positive direction. Well, another 14 months and it can become better again....

Answer 3

i moved to europe and i have had no problems...ya people make stupid comments about the government and generalizations but most do it jokingly. If they bring up government i just say i don't pay attention and leave it at that and if they go on i just say well if you were in trouble then you would call the states to help even though they would without asking and they usually agree. I'm not the typical american though...i'm very open to new people and experiences so people seem to accept me. but sometimes we do have to use our rude and loud american side because we have to get things done differently in europe or people don't take you seriously. But that is only on certain occasions. I own a business so i have to do that more often of course. But any country you move to you should always accept their culture and adopt it as your own because we would expect that in america.

Answer 4

Not at all. One of my best friends living in Ireland is American.

Mind you, you wouldn't think it to look at her. She's not loud like so many American visitors - sorry lads, but ye are VERY loud when ye talk. And she's not afraid to use the word 'toilet' - no funny business with 'rest room' or 'bathroom' or any of that.

I think a major part of the problem is that, I feel anyway, so many Americans view Europe as a giant theme park - you forget that it's a group of countries with diverse but interlinked histories and cultures, and people with different epistemologies to your own. Yes, it's gorgeous and fairytale-like compared to some US cities, but we also live and work here. We want to combine the great monuments of the past with the infrastructure of the present and future, and this isn't always easy. And there are people who don't speak any English - it's not their fault! Until recently their lives were unconnected to English-speaking countries in general, not just the US.

My advice: tone down the voice and big opinions, and start really listening (where you can understand what people are saying) and observing. Study the clothes and find your own style that tones in with theirs. Stop focussing on the differences, see the common denominators instead.

Answer 5

I have lived in 3 countries in Europe and I find that people base their opinions on generalizations of Americans. They think we are ignorant, eat unhealthy, and loud. It stinks when Americans visit and fit that criteria, but overall I think most people like Americans because of their openness, friendliness, and of course English! Dont get wrong, they dont like the fact that most Americans are monolingual, but most Europeans love American films and music. So, it is easy to conversate on those topics. Steer clear of politics especially if you support the current president, although it is not easy to find a Bush supporter in the expat community overseas. In sum, you may face discrimination from time to time but I doubt that would mar your overseas experience. I have been here for over 2 years and I am not looking to return!

Answer 6

We have nothing against you :) though I must say that f.e. people from Great Britain behave sometimes really horrible (there are moments they come to visit continental Europe only to drink cheaper beer), but American aren't causing any troubles.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, Europeans also judge us by our governments wrongdoing overseas. I guess that is what happens when you vote an idiot into office, your responsible for him regardless.

Answer 8

As an American I would expect the Europeans to feed me and give shelter.