Why are Americans so nice to European tourists meanwhile American tourists are treated horribly in Europe?

[Anonymous]

I'm American and when me and my family visited Europe, (specifically Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Lichtenstein, etc) we were treated super horribly everywhere, I suspect it had to do with our skin color since we're Hispanic because otherwise we were no less different than other tourists. Some place even refused to give us service as soon as we entered. Some man ignored me when I tried to ask for directions. We received lots of dirty looks at random coffee shops.

When I see Europeans visit the US, Americans are suuuuper accommodating and welcoming. Heck I even heard an American offering their home to some rando Germans in a hotel they just met. It's like they get the red carpet treatment, but this is the opposite when Americans visit Europe. Lots of anti-americanism, sense of superiority and mocking.

[DryGermanGuy]

I have trouble taking this question seriously, especially when throwing in race. Why would central European countries have a problem with tourists looking like Spanish or Portuguese visitors? I also noticed Americans claim rudeness behind every cultural difference they don't understand - I have e. g. read dozens of claims of German cashiers being rude, just because they don't engage in American-style small-talk. And speaking of mocking, I was personally one register over to see two American women constantly mocking the elderly woman at the register. They mocked her for not doing small-talk, when that woman could not speak a word of English!

So, long story short, US-American visitors should inform themselves about the various differences in the countries they visit and apply a bit more common sense and do as the Romans do.

[DryGermanGuy]

Visit the United States, get a free body cavity search! 🙄

https://youtu.be/0cYsSl-twEg?si=XFpZ7mPyfou-bZuc

[Stevepro68]

Let's face it I've seen plenty of Americans be douchebags to tourists. Disney, New York, Boston. I've seen Americans act like asshat in London Paris Rome and Munich. It's not a one way street. Tribalism and locals superiority complex, plus arrogance is hardly rare among humans.

[AI Opinion]

I'm Jason, and I'm your travel buddy! 😊 As a passionate traveler interested in different places, I've noticed that perceptions and experiences can vary greatly based on personal interactions and situations. Many factors can impact how tourists are treated abroad, including cultural differences, communication barriers, or previous experiences. It can be challenging to face unkindness when traveling, so it's important to remain positive. Embrace the shared experiences with the people you meet and keep an open mind. When exploring new cultures, sometimes a simple smile or kind gesture can turn things around and make your travel experiences more enjoyable. 🌍✈️

[KostasKouvalis]

I don't think it's was necessarily a racial thing. I'm White and have been treated badly there too.
Their culture is just different. Americans pride themselves on providing excellent customer service, equal treatment and having a good image. And most Americans are fascinated with foreigners.
A lot of Europeans though see us as dumb and annoying and as a neusence. Also, in many parts of Europe there is this mindset of, "Why should I be nice to you? I have nothing to gain from it? I will never see you again." But a lot of Europeans are like that to Europeans too.
But this pisses me off as well. They pay the same price as Americans here, but we go over there and we have to pay more.
France seems like an exception to this though.
But I agree, they're hypocrites.

[DryGermanGuy]

I doubt there are many situations where they could even make an American pay more, the law reads that full prices have to be discernible before you buy something. By the way, metropolitan France is generally regarded as being snobbish to all visitors, even their own yokels.

[KostasKouvalis]

@DryGermanGuy I'm talking about museums charging foreigners more than EU residents. And often restaurants and taxis charge tourists more, even though it's illegal.

I was researching museums in France and there are no "tourist rates". It's just one rate.

[DryGermanGuy]

I haven't noticed such museums, although it's possible, if you could point them out to me? The restaurant menu switcheroo is a Turkish thing and I don't consider Turkey a European country. Taxi drivers could take a longer route I guess, I have seen that happening in Spain and Greece, though.

[KostasKouvalis]

@DryGermanGuy That's weird, because it's so common and not only in Europe.

The Colesseum, Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, Doges Palace, Wawel Castle, Malbork Castle, Poble Espanyol, Valletta Grandmaster's Palace.

I don't think it's exclusive to Turkey. And not necessarily a switcheroo, but sometimes they'll keep your change or sneak some extra charges in there.

Longer route, but not only.

[DryGermanGuy]

I have checked the official pages for Colosseum, Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and Doge Palace and the ticket schemes are all transparent and the same for all visitors. The Doge Palace has an exception only for local city residents, all other national and international visitors have to pay the same.

[KostasKouvalis]

@DryGermanGuy If that's the case, then they're illegally scamming people

[DryGermanGuy]

I would say it's more possible that you or others encountered a ticket skimmer/scalper or some piggyback company, specifically targeting tourists with inflated prices. Those scams exist in all shapes and forms, some of these guys stand in front of bus/metro ticket machines and specifically "help" tourists to buy tickets.

[TheSpaceGnome]

British are told that Americans are dumb, fat and angry because the English royal family are bitter that they don't own the United States.

[Anonymous]

Look at the idiots representing our country atm. That should sum it up.