First and foremost—this is not a political debate post. But, politics often affects travel. Regardless of where you lean politically, I think everyone can agree that the recent tariffs from the USA have pissed off other countries. European favorability of the USA has dropped (see these polls).
In the past few weeks, I’ve seen several articles about American citizens getting nervous about traveling overseas due to potential backlash. This summer, I’m traveling to Japan, China and Canada. A few days ago, on my Final Japan and China Itinerary post, someone commented “China doesn’t welcome entitled white women. You not welcome here.” Should I scrap my travel plans?
Not my First Rodeo
This is not my first experience traveling overseas when other countries have had negative options of the USA. When I was in college, I traveled to Guatemala shortly after an American woman was accused of kidnapping an indigenous child. Of course, many people were fearful of American visitors at that time.
In addition, when my husband and I were on our honeymoon in France, George W. Bush was president. He was not popular in Europe at the time. When our Bed and Breakfast hosts and guests found out we were from Texas, we heard an earful!
My Plans for Traveling Overseas
So, am I changing my travel plans? Of course not! In my experience, most people can separate individual people from the leader/politics of a country. My family will continue to do what we’ve always done when visiting other countries:
- Respect local customs
- Learn a bit of the language
- Be polite and friendly
Will locals engage with us about the current political climate? I hope not. But if they do, I plan to let them vent and just listen. Check out this article for a more in-depth perspective of someone who spends months in Europe every year.
Are you traveling internationally in the upcoming months? Are you concerned about attitudes towards Americans?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I am concerned. I don’t have any international trips coming up (yet), but when and if I do… I’m Canadian.
and pay for their defense so Europe saves 1 trillion a year. We are actually paying for Europeans to be jailed for speech, prating in public. publicly complaining about politicians, illegal aliens, or Muslim rape gangs. Smart Europeans are happy with the new administration.
I have trips to a number of countries this year and I’m absolutely concerned. You’re right that most people are polite and honestly most of the Americans traveling are not the ones that tend to be more problematic with foreign people and societies. That doesn’t necessarily shield us from vitriol for decisions our government is making. On a family trip over this past New Years I was with my nieces at a tram stop in Krakow one night when we were accosted by a large drunk man who was asking people if they were American. His intentions were not friendly. I’m pretty big but I have no idea about the social norms in Poland and have little interest in fighting at any time so along with the others I tried my best to keep quiet and ignore the guy. After a bit a buff Polish guy in his 30’s shoved the drunk away and berated him in Polish. I was extremely grateful. I can’t help but wonder if the younger guy would still do the same thing now.
As to your premise of trying to learn the language, I agree in theory but it’s a lot tougher in practice sometimes. For example this year I’ll be visiting Bali, Switzerland, Turkey, Thailand, Greece, Czeck Republic, Germany, and Qatar. French, German, and Spanish are easy enough for the basics but when you visit different countries every year it gets really tough to keep those basics straight.
Love your calm and measured reply. @nancy good article.
Good question, but at this point most travel is fine.
In Japan, likely no one will ask you “Where are you from?” – this annoying question is prevalent in USA and no other country. Why Americans so obsessed with origins of strangers? Puzzles me… maybe it’s from 1800s time when most Americans were immigrants from other places and were looking for comrades.
Ask yourself: How locals would know you’re from USA?
If you’re not wearing something explicit, or acting very entitled, or bragging we’re from the “States” – what are the signs you’ll be labeled as US tourist?
I’ve heard from my Canadian friend in Vancouver that recently the sentiment toward USA had changed for the worse: locals may express their opinion in your face if they see you from south of the border. They don’t want to buy products that made in US (especially Tesla and such), they don’t want to travel to US, and there may be delays on the border if flying or driving in (given what happening at US borders). But other than this, it’s safe to travel for the most parts of the world. Not sure about China – so just act like you’re from Canada or New Zealand when you’re there.
Happy travels!!
Based on recent trip, Canadians and Europeans are confused and angry and some will want to talk about it.
Americans should be prepared for awkward , if fundamentally polite, comments and conversations.
Nancy – Agree with you. I have traveled quite a bit internationally and have trips coming up to Greenland in July, UK/France (Nice, Lyon and Paris) in November and then 2 weeks in Japan next Feb (flying in/out of Tokyo but haven’t planned route yet).
I always learn enough of the language to say hello, goodbye, thank you, please and “do you speak English” (in their language of course) and, in some cases much more (minored in French many years ago). I am not concerned about the view of the US. Frankly, even before the current tensions there were many that had negative views for various reasons (jealous, didn’t like our environmental policies, felt we dominated the world, etc) but the vast majority of people everywhere I have been are friendly (or ignore me which is the culture in many places).
I also learn the cultures, what not to do and issues like tipping culture. All that being said if someone wants to bring up politics I will not engage in a discussion but just nod my head, agree or move along. No point in making an issues of it in their country. Also, if you really want to get in a back and forth there are very few countries in the world that haven’t either committed various atrocities or done other things (colonization, started wars, dictatorships, etc) that frankly give them very little room to say anything.
Nancy – they like us when we spend our money