Response to American tourists

That depends on their attitude and behaviour.

This question is asked frequently on this forum.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/should-americans-go-to-europe-a-friendly-reminder-about-political-posts

Here are a few threads that the Webmaster is referring to in the above thread posted by him, which are basically asking the same question you just asked:
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=americans+in+europe&utf8=%E2%9C%93

There have been lots of discussion on this topic. Please search the forum. Here are some:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/worried-americans

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/reactions-towards-americans-currently-in-paris-and-throughout-italy

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/treatment-of-americans-in-europe

I have spent five of the last seven months traveling in Europe. Nine countries.

I've been treated no differently than I have in the past.

I've been in several different countries this year. In all cases, I was treated with friendly kindness and acceptance as usual. People are able to differentiate between citizens of a country and the politics of leaders of a country. That is not to say, they don't have opinions and won't share them if seemingly prompted or it feels safe to do so. However, those opinions have never included the population of the country other to wonder what on earth motivated the voters.

Both sons, dils, and four grandchildren just returned from Europe about three weeks apart.. Neither knew of the others plans to go so one family was in Portugal and London and other on the coast around Naples. Other than crowds and heat, no difference from previous years. In all the years we traveled under various conditions, we never ran into any problems being tourist. I think you will be fine. However, still a good idea to nerve wear anything that makes a statement. Leave you red baseball cap at home.

Be courteous, speak in a quiet voice, be considerate of those around you. You will be welcomed and treated with kindness.

Upon discovering your American, you may meet some folks who are curious to know what you think. And then they will share with you everything that is wrong with their country. Next thing you know, you've made a new friend while standing in line.

”Be courteous, speak in a quiet voice, be considerate of those around you. You will be welcomed and treated with kindness.”

Well said, Jeanm!

Everyone was very kind to me during both trips this year to Spain & Italy. Actually the only country-specific comments to me were two people saying, “Oh, the new pope is from America!”, when I checked into two hotels in Italy and a small hotel owner in Spain who told me I didn’t need to give her my room number when leaving a message - “You’re the American in Room 108”. : )

I traveled to England in April and Japan in May. I noticed no difference in treatment from prior travels.

We have just come home to UK from visiting WW2 museums, memorials and cemeteries in Normandy, incl the Airborne Museum at Mere Ste Eglise. We met and enjoyed chatting to many Americans and nobody said they had been given a hard time. A few were happy to talk politics over a drink and it was interesting to hear their views.
There really isn't a problem.

I was in Switzerland for two weeks in June and was treated courteously as usual by locals throughout the trip.

You will have no issues.

First, despite any fantasy of "living like a local" you are not. The people you interact with, from the area, will be in the tourism industry or related (Hotel personnel, waiters, shop keepers transport personnel, etc.) They take their jobs seriously and know what and what not to talk about. Your interactions with "Real" people is actually very limited, and usually not on a level where political discussions are polite conversation, however, if you share a table with locals in a beer garden or restaurant, than all bets are off.

Despite all the articles you may have read, protesters are not going out and assaulting tourists, and the common person is not going to stop you on the street and berate you.

Since you will be on a tour, you likely will have quite a few discussions with other tourists from the US, probably from your tour group. The RS demographic tends to skew older, and not supportive of the current administration, but there will be a mix. Whether you engage or shut it down is mostly up to you.

Like others, I have traveled a number of European countries in the last year, for 10-12 weeks, the only "political" comments or discussions were with other Americans, maybe a few other tourists from other countries (at tables in beer halls), and then a quip or two from a Barista or Bartender in idle chit chat.

Strunk and White give two thumbs up to Allan's reply.

Thanks everyone. I'm closing this per precedent.