Americans and their treatment in Europe now
I read in the WSJ about the American athletes being booed in Italy during the opening ceremonies. We are wondering how the Americans on Tauck tours are being treated by others on the tour and the native populations.
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Most of the Tauck travelers are from the US. (I've traveled with a few from the UK, Australia, Portugal and Switzerland.) I have not experienced any negative reactions from locals in countries that I have visited with Tauck.
We did the Scandinavia tour last summer after all the silly Greenland talk started. Our Copenhagen local guide made it clear she was pretty unimpressed by the threat but otherwise was very nice. Most people separate individuals from their government's actions. But if you are a supporter of the current administration and advertise that there, they might not be so understanding. You're free to support what you want, but others are free to react.
The American athletes were not booed; the American VP and his wife were. That is a big difference.
Like any place, you will have a gamut of opinions. I heard pro American, anti American, pro Trump, and anti Trump sentiments. The Tauck tour guides have always been neutral about American politics.
SandyFeet is absolutely correct in that the U.S. athletes were not booed.
It is always prudent to not discuss politics and other potentially divisive subjects when traveling abroad. This includes when interacting with other Tauck guests. Your goal should be to enjoy yourself and to have an enriching experience, not to bring along excess baggage (pun intended). In my opinion, you will find far more animosity here than in Europe.
You are a guest in their country. Treat them with respect and you, in turn, will be treated with respect. Make an attempt to learn a few words in their language and give a sincere smile when entering a shop, restaurant or when greeting someone on the street.
Enjoy your trip.
Thanks. I didn't watch the opening ceremonies and trusted the Wall Street Journal's report, "...the U.S. delegation entered the San Siro stadium here on Friday night to a chorus of boos and disapproving whistles from the international crowd of more than 65,000. The jeering only intensified when Vice President JD Vance appeared on the big screen during Team USA’s arrival." By Joshua Robinson and Marcus Walker
Will post some reviews upon our arrival home from "Hidden Greece".