Travel impact of US/Spain relations

I would not have any concerns at all. We have no ill feeling towards US citizens, one thing is your government and a very different one is the people. You will not see any protests, demonstrations or graffiti against the US anywhere, to my knowledge.

I just got back from Spain. No one treated us poorly when they learned we were from the US. We did have one waiter who had some words for Trump and gave him the double middle finger, but that was not directed at us. And we received good service from him.

As always when traveling, be polite and learn a few words and phrases in the local language.

Have a great trip!!

I wouldn't be the least bit concerned. Some of them even like what we're doing. But if you're still concerned, just say, "Somos de Canada." <Edit: No, don't say that.

Or you can say, "Somos de Estados Unidos y pedimos disculpas por todo lo que estamos haciendo."

But seriously, as Carrie said, if you at least try to say a few polite phrases like hello, thank you, etc, they will like you.

Why would Americans need to say they’re from Canada?

I never hide how I feel about the current state of this nation, and shared it in my travels last year. They were happy to hear that we weren’t all drinking the kool aid. Be polite and treat everyone with respect. You’re a guest in their country.

DO NOT. I repeat, do not pose as Canadian.

The number of times I've seen people advised to do this here and elsewhere is shocking. If you are ashamed of who you are or where you're from, take steps to improve your reputation. Own up to your identity and demonstrate a positive, respectful version of American, as I know many/most of you are. Do not steal our identity. That means that those of us who ARE truly Canadian will always be suspected of lying about our own identities.

If I encounter anyone abroad whom I suspect of posing as Canadian, I will out them.

Don't like your reputation abroad? Fix it. Don't mix Canadians up in it.

Edited to add, for the OP: As some have indicated, I've heard that Americans are not being treated differently abroad. Don't stress, and enjoy your trip. Spain is lovely.

That means that those of us who ARE truly Canadian will always be
suspected of lying about our own identities.

That happened to me in Mexico City last month. I was asked if I really was Canadian. If you're too ashamed to be an American, don't drag us into it.

Okay, I take back what I said about saying you're from Canada. I didn't realize saying that would affect actual Canadians.

Alto del perdon, 1/2 day’s walk outside of Pamplona, the bit before the top on the way up, the path becomes steep and challenging.

Once you make it to the top, you are rewarded with a commanding view and a piece of art called Monumento al Peregrino.

Anyway, several weeks later, we are spending the night at some sort private house/hotel and this guy comes to the kitchen’s dining table. He’s Australian. Tattoos on his knuckles, long unkempt hair, he looked a bit like a character from a Mad Max movie. And I’m embarrassed to say if saw him walking down the street towards me in Cleveland, I’d get on the other side of the street.

A few minutes later the guy comes back. He’s pushing his teenage daughter in this wheelchair contraption. She is severely disabled, non-verbal and can’t feed herself. We sit down for dinner and he tells us about their walk. He tells this story where he was only a few days in the walk and he was going to give up.

He was pushing his daughter up alto del perdon when he concludes he just couldn’t do it. Many folks were passing him when got to the steep part.

After a few minutes, a group came back down and helped him get her to the top. They picked her up and carried her to the top.

That’s Spain.

It’s Picasso, it’s Franco, it’s Antonio Banderas. It’s the camino. It folks helping a scary looking Australian biker dude get his kid up a hill so she can have a view of a lifetime.

You’ll have a great trip. Anytime anybody mentions Spain, it makes me think of that story and it makes me want to go back.

Happy travels.

In general, most people in Europe can distinguish between governments and citizens. Sure, governments are elected and reflect public opinion to some extent; that’s true. But people also recognise that individuals may or may not agree with their government, so there’s usually a bit of benefit of the doubt from the start.

From what I’ve seen, people who travel tend to be more respectful and a bit more low-key, too. You might have strong opinions about one leader or another, but when you’re abroad, you don’t usually wave that flag around. It makes it easier to connect with locals, wherever you are.

That said, if you show up with that loud, arrogant, entitled and ignorant attitude typical of "that" group -we all know who we're talking about, right?-… don’t be surprised if people tell you to get lost, or things get a bit tense.

And don’t try to hide where you’re from, you can’t. In places like mine, which have been receiving visitors from all over the world for decades, people can usually tell where you’re from a mile away. There’s no need to hide anything anyway if you show up with respect and no intention of picking a fight.

I’d say that’s pretty much the vibe around here, now and always.

Also, and not trying to sound rude, but if you’re visiting a big city, most people really don’t care who you are, where you’re from, or what you think. The vast majority aren’t connected to the tourism industry, so to them, you’re more of a nuisance than anything else. It’s not personal, it’s just what mass tourism does. You see it in Barcelona, but also in Paris, London, or Rome.

As stated, no need to say you’re a different nationality nor is there a reason to excuse what the government does. You have no control over it. Then of course, you can change the subject if someone wants to have an in depth conversation.

Finally, love Alto de Perdón and have stopped there a couple times. Coming down from it there is a nice chapel and a couple nice towns worth spending some time in.

Just don't be offensive, unlike some others.

I had no issues traveling in Spain last month. Workers in restaurants were kind - especially when I asked them to select an array of tapas for me that were local to their region (all delicious!). And each of the hotels told me they hoped I would stay with them again (some were also repeats from last year). I was traveling solo and notice that tends to bring up more conversations - all interesting, including my thoughts on politics.

I do try to be extra kind & sensitive to the locals when I am traveling. We are ambassadors of our country - which can give them a positive or negative impression from our individual behavior.

I've been here for almost 30 years, and there is no need to worry about your stay. Because I have friends, sometimes they rib me about the POTUS, but it is more like "your crazy uncle" is at it again. Nothing personal. When I first came here in the early 90's there was probably a more anti American sentiment than there is even now.

That said, I'm going back to the States for a visit in July, and that is worrying me. I am sure the airport chaos will be over by then, but I am not sure what I'll find trying to go through passport and customs.

And if someone does wear a certain red cap, there's 30% of the population, in most countries, that will come running up to that person with hugs and accolades and thank yous. Everybody, stay neutral, wear beige.