An American in Paris and beyond in 2025

Alas, I don't really find I can generalize about whole countries' friendliness levels.

Traveling to Europe is no different than traveling to any US location. Be a polite and respectful visitor and the likelihood is that you will be treated in kind. If one encounters a Grumpy Gus, behave kindly in turn and move on. People are people are people.....

It’s not us it’s …well you know.

Simply caution your grandson about being loud, understanding Europe isn’t America and to appreciate the differences. Travel is about opening eyes and minds not mouths other than to say thank you.

As others have posted….Be polite, be kind and most people will respond the same.

Once, in New York, I was chased down the street by an American waiter and”resting actor” because I hadn’t tipped above 25%. I didn’t conclude that all Americans are like this.

The fact that some people are unpleasant doesn’t mean all 750 million Europeans are. Perhaps your grandson’s friend was unpleasant.

My husband and I just returned from a week in Paris. We found everyone pleasant which was actually surprising since Parisians have a reputation of not being the friendliest (at this point I'm thinking not deserved reputation). Maybe since there were not as many tourists being off season. We did get asked a couple of political questions, but more out of curiosity than any form of hostility. And that was after we were speaking and they realized we were American. I don't think we stood out as American since most Parisians would start talking in French until I let them know that we were English speakers.

Igroot,

You've posted several questions about England and Italy in the past year.

What has been your experience when traveling in Europe?

I can only report on a couple of meals in Venice and Florence (we are British in our 70s)

In Venice, there was a solo female traveller at the next table. It turned out she was a senior nurse from the USA lecturing at the university. So we pulled our tables together and had a great time. Tne restaurant staff were happy to give us a free drink for being so friendly.

In Florence, we found ourselves at the next table to two young men, students. We bought them a beer, and had a a great time till they had to leave to their party.

We are going to Normandy in July and look forward to engaging our US fellow travellers in conversation. There is a lot of interest between our countries at the moment, and it can only get more interesting. It is always possible to exchange views without offence.

I once had to translate for some us fellow guests in a small hotel on the south coast of Kent.. She wanted oatmeal. We call it porridge. The waitress didn't have a clue. I was lucky that I used to work for a US law firm in London. They were Trump supporters, and said that they had to agree with their friends that politics would not be discussed.

We have found everywhere we've traveled in Europe to be friendly. Sure, there are a few oddball interactions here and there, but I firmly believe travel makes the world a kinder, friendly place. We always strive to be appreciative and avoid complaining.

Its important to understand that people in different countries have differing traits/personalities. In Poland, we couldn't look at a map or study our phone navigation long, without a local asking if they can help. I don't think that would necessarily happen in Germany and France were folks are more reserved. However, we've asked for help in those countries and have had lovely interactions.

I can't stress enough that cultures and practices vary by country. In many countries, the waiter may seem inattentive, and you typically have to ask for a bill. Its not that they do not want to be helpful, its that they don't want to intrude. In France they really appreciate being greeted, in French. Don't just rush up to someone and say, "How do I get to the Louvre?"

I think it is important to learn some of the language. Even just the "polite" words--Please, thank you, hello, goodbye, etc.

Latveria, is without a doubt, the least friendly.
Grand Fenwick, although just a city state, is the absolute friendliest.

as far as I am concerned it must be that the residents of the Empire of Lilliput must be the least friendly. They restrain and tie visitors down to the ground.

I'd absolutely second Grand Fenwick for the happiest and friendliest.

Please tell your grandson that if he goes to Europe with that attitude of looking for friendly and unfriendly, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But honestly, if everyone in a country was unfriendly to you, the question should be how did you treat them because I’ve never been anywhere in the world (and I’ve been lucky enough to go a lot of places) where everyone was unfriendly. So anytime I hear about somebody telling me everyone was unfriendly I think maybe their problem is looking back at them in a mirror

My husband and I have always met with helpful and friendly people in our travels! I assured my grandson that his friend's comment was not the usual behavior in our experiences. We will be traveling with him this summer to Europe, and look forward to sharing the most enjoyable part of the trip which will be all the people he will get to meet.
I knew I could count on all the responses on the travel forum to confirm my answer to him. Thanks Guys!

Please have him report back on this forum when he returns. It would be good to hear his experience.

I think it's a matter of expectation. I'm happy when I get friendliness, but with my age, sex, and demeanor, I don't expect to people be automatically friendly to me. I expect courteous, but I don't even presume helpfulness.

A positive attitude is exactly what makes for great travel experiences. Your grandson is lucky to have grandparents who understand travel is about experiencing different cultures, not judging them. I'm sure he'll have a wonderful time and make some great memories. Enjoy your European trip together!

My grandson mentioned that he was traveling this summer to Europe to a
friend at school, and the friend made a comment about experiencing
unfriendly attitudes towards US travelers recently.

In October 2016, I went to Paris for the first time as part of a Paris-Normandy trip. I mentioned this to a handful of people in my Southern city in advance, and I was uniformly told by people who had traveled to Paris that I would hate the city because the people are so rude to Americans. On the trip, I found the people of Paris to be quite lovely (except for one teenager working at a bread stand adjacent to a metro station). Maybe it was because I was an American traveler 11 months after the 2015 Paris attacks when travel was still quite decreased. Maybe it was because I learned to greet everyone in French and to say in French that I did not speak French and to ask if the other person spoke English. Maybe it was because I'm not a loud, opinionated, self-promoting, obnoxious American like the guy who was most vocal about Parisians being rude to Americans.

My takeaway, though, was like what is mentioned above. If one adapts their behavior to respect the culture instead of expecting the culture to embrace them without adaptation, things will generally go well.