Racism ? (not found on forum)

Hi Amy,

I am a Singaporean Chinese. While I was in Italy a month ago, I did get annoyed on more than one occasion by (what I think were) American high school groups who would come up to us and imitate a Chinese accent and then giggle away or repeatedly chant "Konichiwa" (we're not Japanese!). The first time, I was upset and angry, but after a few encounters on different occasion, it gets old and no longer bothered me.

Otherwise, I would say that the locals we encountered we all very nice. No problems with racism at all. So, I think if I as a Chinese did not get any problems from the locals, you should not have to worry about any problems.

I do want to add though, that we did meet some very friendly elderly Americans too, which was really pleasant. (though this is rather irrelevant to the topic)

My wife and I have traveled to many places in Europe and have not found a problem. I am caucasian and my wife is Colombian. She has the lovely darker complexion and appearance of the South American indigenous people. In fact, the very first time we landed in Paris, someone noticed that my wife looks hispanic and immediately began conversing in Spanish in which my wife is fluent.

You won't have any problems. Some Italians have a darker complexion though.

I doubt you will run into any problems, but I suppose there is a risk of racism anywhere in the world, I just don't think Italy and France are going to be any more of an issue, and in fact are likely to be less of one, then California..

One problem you may encounter is that of a visa. A friend had to postpone a trip because his wife (not a US citizen) did not know some European countries require a visa until they got to the airport ready to leave for England and France.

Amy, I am a short chinese gal, and my husband is a tall mexican man. I found no racism at all when we were in Munich, Milan, Lake Como, London, Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid.

However, we cannot control racist people. If you are unfortunate and come across a jerk, you'll find a jerk anywhere, not just europe... even here in So Cal.

Citizens of El Salvador do not need a visa for the Schengen area.

Kate

Amen, Pat! I am a teacher (4th grade), but in South Central LA, not in a wealthy neighborhood. Nevertheless, even at 9 and 10, I can see how disrespctful and UNempathetic kids can be! I'm not a mom yet, and I never thought I'd be uber-strict, but after 7 years of teaching I know that I'll be the "bad cop" while my boyfriend (future hubby) will be the "good cop." He has noooo idea, but I digress from the topic here.

Lastly, my boyfirend is Salvadorian, but he is a US citizen (he moved to the US when he was 7). So the visa issue shouldn't be an issue.

I'm so thankful for all of your replies!

Daryl
I am sorry to see the Ugly Americans doing such an ugly act

As a fellow Asian, I do get ignorant people thinking they are "smart" in speaking gibberish. Most of the time I just ignore it, but if they keep harassing me, my rebuttal is.... At least I am multi-lingual. What's your excuse?

Amy, I don't think you will need to worry. You can come across jerks in any country.

I had a friend who was in Italy when I was, who is from Ecuador and she looks very indigenous and had no problem. I am half Colombian but don't look indigenous but do have the advantage of speaking a second language. I found in Paris the fact that I spoke a language other than English was very helpful.

Racism has always been less of a problem in Europe than it has been in the USA. Daryl pointed out it was not Italian kids who bothered her, it was Americans.

People from all over the world visit Europe. The Europeans are used to it.

One thing to keep in mind is that immigration into Europe is a relatively recent phenomena in that continent's time line of history. The US has had several waves of immigration in it 230+ history. Some counties in Europe are only just beginning to deal with peoples of different color and religion. For instance in Spain, there have been ugly incidents in the past couple of years of fans making money chants and throwing bananas at black soccer players. Of course that would be unheard here in the US and Canada in 2008, but in Europe they are "boarding the train" at a different stop, and attitudes can be radically different than here in North America.

Hi Amy,
If you want more info. you can go to the graffiti wall and look at the minority travelers forum.

Thanks, Lisa. I'm relatively new to the Graffiti Wall and Helpline. I didn't even think of that, but I'll do it.

First, Amy, you will have no issues; go and enjoy. As for some of the other comments, racism/discrimination/nationalism...whatever you call it is unfortunately a worldwide problem. I do not believe Americans are any more prone to the problem than I believe Europeans are free of the issue. I think it takes different forms, but still the same issue. In Europe, I see it more as Nationalism. The French (or Germans, or Brits, or...) do seem to have a definition of identity that of course matches their culture of decades ago. So the logic may go (as explained to me) French citizens of Arabic or African orgins are not discriminated against because of skin color, but might have fewer rights because they are not "French". Riots of last year brought this schism to the forefront. You can get similar responses by bringing up Turks in Germany, Eastern Europeans in Italy, and "Gypsies" nearly anywhere. Not a pleasant topic, but something we all can help fix through our travels.

As for travellers, I find the Europeans incredibly tolerant. Yes, tourism is a big business, and you pander to the customer, but I see people of all colors treated well. There certainly are exceptions, I have heard locals complain about just about every group, even about fellow Europeans. Sadly, I have heard disparaging remarks directed toward Asian tourists in particular. But in the end, the harder you try to travel in as little a demanding means as possible, the better off you are.

Well, I would like to thank all of you for your experiences and input. As for all that you've all said in regards to racism in Europe v. the rest of the world, I agree. I shall worry no longer. For any of you who may have come upon problems because of your posts, in response to mine, I apologize. I know it's not my fault, but still...I hope it doesn't cause further problems for you on this site.
Amy

FYI- Scientific American has a new article (dated yesterday) on racism.

From my research/reading, racism is far less of an overt factor in Europe than the US- but there is still an underlying current of racism that underlies both Europe and the US. (That's why I mentioned the article- it is excellent!) It seems that it surfaces a lot less over there than here- and there seems to be more cultural strictures against racism over there.

I seriously doubt that you'll experience any noticeable racism, especially in Italy. One of my close friends is from Sardinia- and his complexion is quite dark compared to most Americans. (Italy also has a somewhat different history with regards to minorities than other countries of Europe.)

Bob

(Anthropology graduate student specializing in poverty and race issues.)

"People from all over the world visit Europe. The Europeans are used to it."

People from all over the world live in Europe. The Europeans are used to it. (Or do you really imagine that there is only one type of tall, blond European in Europe..???)

Karen
I'm not sure of your ethnicity, but the mimmicking of gibberish chinese/japanese/etc. is more common than you think. Americans are not tolerant of other people. I've heard "You're in america, speak american" when I try to speak anything besides English (and I speak 3 languages).

Asians are stereotyped as docile bookworms. The ones born here (like me) are being taught (at home) to still respect others, but are encouraged (at school) to stand up for one's self.

Born + raised in So Cal, there's a lot of diversity. Even with that, I get kids slanting their eyes and mimicking what they think is chinese (ching-chong).

One can be tolerant... to a point.

But in regards to Amy's question, I have not felt any "racism" on any of my trips overseas. I would stay in a public place and enjoy your trip.

"Or do you really imagine that there is only one type of tall, blond European in Europe..???"

(SNORT!) Too true.

My wife and I are American Indian- but our skin and eyes aren't brown, our hair isn't black, and (in my case) yes, some Indians either grow beards or need to shave regularly. We get told all the time that we don't "look Indian" and have to listen to the other stereotypes (it IS insulting, and gets very tiring!)

My wife encountered people in California last weekend who doubted she was Native American based on skin tone; they were shocked that we go to our reservation for ceremony and that yes, we are for real.

Regarding languages- the U.S. is one of the FEW (primarily) monolingual countries in the world- yet people here generally think monolingualism is the norm around the world (NOT TRUE!).

I just wish more Americans would travel- they might learn some things about human variation.

I spent 10 years travelling abroad frequently with my now EX who is Luso-Canadian (Latino) and I am British Canadian.

I generally found it accepted to be a bi-racial couple in most of Europe. However, in Portugal I had a lot of stares from people from the Colonies who found it odd and were verbal about it. I also faced unique challenges in the suburbs of LIS when I stayed at his home where he grew up. Plenty of comments about Blond "White Bread" etc. Even had a persistant lady of the night follow us one night saying that he needed a real, local woman...

A few days after 9/11 we tried to rent a car in Ireland and the owner refused b/c he thought my SO looked like a terrorist. We actually heard the Agent say so to her Boss on the phone. They said that Canadians could come originally from anywhere.

But I think based on my experience, you will be more accepted in the Cities. It's not the taboo it once might have been. Besides, they want your money...

F/A

In 2006 my wife (Mexican) and my self (Caucasian - born and raised in Washington State) went to London, Paris & Rome. Over the 10 day period we were there I never recall any incident/issue based off of our multicultural relationship.