European WWII History Tour

[cpxxx]

No sense in calling attention to ourselves and publicly displaying that we're American tourists

In fact, Americans, tourists or not are easy to spot. You guys kind of stand out anyway! You don't have to wave a big American flag.

I think she's exaggerating a little. No harm in being careful. But pretending you're not American is a bit much.

Talk like that tends to give the impression to some Americans that the world outside North America is a scary and dangerous place. That may be true of certain countries but Europe in general is not like that.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you do arrive.

[Ardy123]

I've been all over Europe, never had a problem. In some cities watch out for pick-pockets, (Amsterdam & Rome, esp).

Although there are many middle easterners in Europe (esp from Turkey), as for roaming bands of Taliban?  

I didn't see any such jam...Did see many Turkish food stands on the other hand (some of which are quite good), with plenty of food to cram. I would advise you to bring a good cam. One might advise, beware of anything that might be a tourist oriented scam. The continent is full of wonderful places to visit and revisit with your fam.

[Shuffler]

lol Some of you folks blow a statement out of proportion.

Does being an American increase your chances of something happening.... yes.

Does being an American overseas increase your chances more of something happening.... yes.


Does not mean anything will happen. Just pay attention to your surroundings.

A chance to see some very historical places is hard to pass up. There are good and bad people most anywhere you go in the world.

[nrshida]

Shuffler I don't mean to be rude but unfounded dogmatic statements such as these increase the divisions between your culture and the rest of the world and that is unhealthy for human development as a whole. Hence the acerbic and sarcastic reaction.

Does being an American increase your chances of something happening.... yes.

No it does not, not more than being a citizen of any other country in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not historically nor statistically. I refer you to the recent terrorist attacks in both London and Madrid the primary targets of which were the citizens of those countries in both cases.

Does being an American overseas increase your chances more of something happening.... yes.

Not presently in Europe, no it does not. You are as safe here as any European citizen.

[PR3D4TOR]

I find it ironically amusing and somewhat insulting that people from the, arguably, most powerful nation on Earth should have to disguise themselves as Canadians when visiting culturally similar countries. If you were visiting Iran I'd get it.

[nrshida]

They do not. And the Canadian trick won't work anyway. Americans are readily identifiable to even the untrained eye, as cpxxx said.

You should all come to visit Europe if you have the opportunity, not all at once obviously. If any of you are ever passing through Amsterdam I would be proud to show you around and try to explain what it's like to live in Europe*  


* This offer does not extend to certain activities involving the smoking of so called whacky backy, etc, as nrshida™ does not partake in such activities nor has any knowledge of same.

[Ardy123]

You should all come to visit Europe if you have the opportunity, not all at once obviously. If any of you are ever passing through Amsterdam I would be proud to show you around and try to explain what it's like to live in Europe*  

I thought they outlawed it for tourists.

[Spikes]

I read Russian born. Then I read she.

Is she young?

[Shuffler]

Shuffler I don't mean to be rude but unfounded dogmatic statements such as these increase the divisions between your culture and the rest of the world and that is unhealthy for human development as a whole. Hence the acerbic and sarcastic reaction.


No it does not, not more than being a citizen of any other country in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not historically nor statistically. I refer you to the recent terrorist attacks in both London and Madrid the primary targets of which were the citizens of those countries in both cases.


Not presently in Europe, no it does not. You are as safe here as any European citizen.

Good luck with that.

[nrshida]

Good luck with what?

[Scherf]

Never had a problem traveling in Europe. As long as you're nice and respectful they will return in kind.

^ this

[ttflier]

My personal experience has been that Americans are usually viewed as somewhat "crude" and impolite.  Just remember to take off your baseball cap in the restaurants (and indoors), be a bit respectful and no one will know or care about your nationality.