What European city is the friendliest, or most tolerant toward Americans?

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SFdude

Too often, Americans are paranoid about our reputation in the world and consider everything to be exclusively about us. 9 times out of 10, this is simply not the case. People are just doing what they would do if we weren't there.

Most of what we consider "unfriendly" behavior is taken very differently in Europe.

No Dane would say "thank you" (the word doesn't exist in the language, literally) to another Dane for holding a door, for example. So why do we expect them to say it to us?

Parisans - who consider themselves to be better than just about anyone and anything - are rude to *other French people*, not just American tourists. It comes with the territory.

No, Italian motorists are not trying to run you down because of that stars and stripes t-shirt, that's how they actually drive. You're supposed to cross slowly without any sudden movements, so they have time to evade.

The notorious (and admittedly uncomfortable to the uninitiated) German eye-to-eye stare and probing yell sessions is more the result of genuine curiosity than hostility. When Germans want to convey hostile intent, they tend to *lower* their voice and tilt their heads.

So I think it's more cultural misunderstanding. But if I had to pick a "best", the Dutch are tolerant of more social faux pas than most - choosing to ignore many annoyances. Flying in from Atlanta, I once saw American teenagers skateboard in the customs areas of Amsterdam's airport (disrespectful behavior that would never be tolerated by the Department of Homeland Security back home, that's for sure), without anyone so much as bothering to tell them to stop.

holbright

Most of the major cities are pretty friendly. London, Dublin, Munich, Rome, Amsterdam, etc.

If you get into the rural areas, they HATE Americans. They're almost as naieve and uneducated as some red-staters here in America.

I couldn't be sure, but I'd say that people in London would be the most positive towards Americans - as anti-American attitudes are rife in much of Europe- but don't count on friendliness mate!
This said, most people everwhere are pleasant enough to individuals regardless of where they come from, and let's face it, you Yanks are still seen as walking dollars.

micphoria

Bucharest, Romania. I was there last year from September 1 to September 22, and people were always great towards me. Matter of fact, I am going there again this year. Bucharest is cool.

yarnladyisback

Stockholm, Sweden. They love Americans so much, that when my son went there, one of them married him, and they both live in a little town just north of the capital.

Here, see for yourself:
http://www.stockholmtown.com/default____2023.aspx?epslanguage=EN

Roman Abromovich Beckham

I currently live close to Chisinau. It is the capital of Moldova. Moldova is located in Eastern Europe between Romania and the Ukraine. From my experience the city is generally a friendly place to Americans and anyone else.

If you don't speak one of the languages, Russian or Romanian, people may not be very patient.

I would say that the general attitude toward Americans is good. I am American and I work and interact with Moldovans on a daily basis and I find them to be very friendly and open to foreigners.

However, I do speak Russian and Romanian so that definitely helps my cause.

haslo

Cracow, Poland. The Poles simply love Americans.

mogadi

From living for a year in Switzerland and travelling all around Europe I think that the idea of Europeans not liking or being rude to Americans is primarily a myth. Then again, being generally polite, speaking French and learning phrases in other languages and overall being a reasonable person probably didn't put me into the category of an "ugly American".

I loved all of Switzerland, especially the smaller cities. I liked Rome, Barcelona, London and all of Belgium. I think that you should firstly pick where you want to go and go there while being a tolerant traveler and you'll have a good time.

CORA

i would have to say it would be liverpool, England, but there are alot of nice places in the world.......

alexeverwander

Heidelberg, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic are very friendly cities.

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