Backlash against American tourists??

No...and nowhere in Europe.

Which current political situation?

They are current political situations all over the world?

Are you refering to the US Presidency?

No, on the contrary. Even though I never bring up the the leader of my country if I'm having a conversation with anyone in Europe, they will sometimes ask my opinion. It works to my advantage, the conversation becomes even more pleasant and if I in a bar, I am bought a drink .

And I was in Sicily in October, especially kind people, I observed patience and kindness with other Americans. Ragusa, Modica, Noto,Catania.

You might find this helpful:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/should-americans-go-to-europe-a-friendly-reminder-about-political-posts

Well said, RJ. And very true.

I like meeting Americans in Europe.

I'm looking forward to meeting a couple of forum members in the coming weeks.

I've had some really good [irl, close friends] American friends over the years, who I really should reach out to, and and some fine acquaintances and work colleagues in the past.

I have been traveling to Europe for many years. Since COVID, every year, I have been methodically working my way from south to north. I stay in Airbnb's and love to engage in conversation with my hosts and other guests, if they are willing. Those conversations are among the most memorable experiences of my trips. The fishermen in Stromboli, a farmer, and a young school teacher in Spain. The young German couple in Brussels. The lovely family in Sicily, and so many more. I have met artists, actors, tech professionals, and even two scientists who work at CERN. Certainly, when they hear where I am from, but I don't look the part, they are curious. All kinds of subjects come up, including politics. I believe I am aware and well-informed enough to express my thoughts, and hopefully, they appreciate what I say. In all of these interactions, I have never felt hostility, just curiosity. Will be travelling to Europe again this summer and would be surprised if things have changed. But if it has, I will be saddened, keep my head down, be polite, and go about my business.

No, not at all. Sicilians were absolutely the most welcoming hosts I have ever encountered in all of Europe.

People are generally able to distinguish between the leader of a country and the citizens. Italians of all political stripes have loved and hated their PMs for decades. They get it.

I did have a really fascinating conversation with an actual fascist politician and his (definitely not fascist) girlfriend in Sicily last Fall. We argued good-naturedly and politely in my poor Italian with the help of the supercomputer I carry around in my pocket. It was a really heartfelt and interesting experience.

If you want to talk politics or current affairs, people are happy to engage, but it's not something that impacts your travels.

I earlier had written a fairly long post and decided to delete it, in part because I later saw that the thread was running on the Italy forum rather than the General Europe forum. Given Mardee's kind comment, perhaps I should not have deleted it.

In gist, I have traveled to Europe many times, have scheduled a trip to Germany and Central Europe, and wondered about a backlash. I sent a private message to a prominent contributor to these forums who lives in Europe. She advised that though she saw a backlash against Americans after the Iraq invasion, she was not seeing a backlash at this time. The reason given is that Europeans know from television and other news media that many Americans, especially after Minnesota, do not support the actions of the current administration.

Though I certainly have opinions, please note that I am not expressing any opinion on what our current administration is doing or on what those opposing it are doing.

Happy to hear this Can’t wait to visit Sicily! Only asked because in 2018 we experienced a rude conversation from a desk clerk at Madrid airport when returning from Greece Some Greeks not too friendly either on that trip We are always very respectful of the country we are visiting Figure we represent our own country and always try to be courteous and polite

Over 50% of Italians vote right of center (Meloni is from a party which was founded by the former Fascists after WW2). Many Italians, including some not necessarily right of center, although critical of the US tariffs’ policies which affects Italian exports, are dead against mass immigration and are very sympathetic to the policies the US administration is pursuing to expel undocumented migrants. Many Italians (including some I know personally) wish they could have the current US president leading Italy for a few months for that reason alone. There is a lot of resentment against migrants from third world countries in Italy, many of whom are not necessarily in the country legally. So, the best policy is to stay out of political conversation with strangers, because you don’t know which side they are on, and Italian politics has become very polarized as well. If they ask, just stay neutral and steer the conversation toward the weather, soccer, food, Italian sights or travel in general.

If they ask, just stay neutral and steer the conversation toward the weather, soccer, food, Italian sights or travel in general.<<

Since when is soccer less emotional of a subject compared to politics? ;-)

Roberto da Firenze ⚜ beat me to it. The question alone explains why most Americans should avoid politics when traveling. They have a tendency to believe their view is the majority view world wide and odds are half the time they will be wrong. Unless you want to do a lot of reading to learn whats going on in the world before you travel, you should just enjoy the wine and the bean salad and avoid the stress of ticking off possibly your hosts.

Chris, soccer is, [European] Football is not.

Football ( soccer for yanks) is never controversial, especially if you don’t express your affiliation with a specific team in the wrong (rival team) city. I’ve always had civil conversations about football in any football loving country. Politics and religion is something I stay away from, at least with strangers, I can always have heated arguments with my childhood friends (some of whom, being in Tuscany, are outright communists). And just because many Americans hate the current president, especially in certain areas of the country, don’t assume people overseas also do. You will be surprised at how many people like what he’s doing especially in more rural areas or outside of large metropolitan areas. The same dynamics taking place in America take place in Italy, almost identically. Country folks are more conservative and less open to immigrations my friends, in Italy too.

On the right map, the red regions are Italian Democratic Party majority, the blue ones are Meloniland (right wing). The left map (almost all red Dem) is what it used to be in 2014. You see the trend in Italy, just like in US. So check where you are before engaging in political conversation. But the best policy is to stay away from politics.
https://share.google/bYsHJPwRCVFuuYNgx

I spent seven months in Europe last year including into January.

Sure, you could run into someone who may give you a hard time, but I can say no one gave me a hard time about being an American.

Just go and enjoy yourself.

@ Renee

I think the answer to your question is on display at the Winter Olympics. The concern and admiration for Lindsey Vonn from Italy was on display for all to see. And from the rest of the world for that matter. The cheering for the team members as they competed has been loud and clear.

At the opening ceremony, there was rapturous applause for the USA team as it entered San Siro. The reaction showed that people distinguish between political representatives and everyday citizens.

Regards Ron

The only thing stronger than hate is love. Bad Bunny.

I spent seven months in Europe last year including into January.

LIke FrankII I spend a lot of time in Europe. I spent 12 months in Europe last year (and the year prior and the year prior and most of the year prior) … No one ZERO gave me a hard time about being an American. In Europe, as in the US, I have friends, neighbors and acquaintances across the entire political spectrum. In Europe as in the US, my friends, neighbors and acquaintances demonstrate respect for me and each other and spend more time looking for understanding than criticism.

There is the question of how Europeans today view America and Americans. This is an academic question, surely wonderful to debate and largely dependent on the European country and other variables. In my experience, it is also a question that invariably turns political and ventures beyond the scope of these forums.

My guess is that Renee was asking the practical question of whether my being American will adversely affect a trip to Sicily. It seems the answer is it will not.

Renee, if it matters, I have a trip planned in the spring, and I am going.

Tassie Devil is correct. You wrote my thoughts. Just watch and read about what’s happening in the Olympics. The world is watching. Its a positive experiment on how we countries can be respectful…Even when there is political division. I think this will carry over as many of us await our travels