[iouiyyut]

It's pretty clear that you are a coward. If I were a terrorist, you would be the first one I killed. Why? Because a normal person might fight back, but a coward like you would just cry for his mommy as I chopped his head off with a dull knife.

Alex - next time you travel abroad, tell everybody that you are a Finn. This gives you highest possible status in the world. You would be a peace lover, non-criminal, democratic, well educated, environmentalist ... and especially the one every nationality in the world loves. I can tell you, this could be a lovely experience for you even if you could maintain the dream only a minute.
I can travel everywhere and whenever the local people learn my country, I am popular, free drinks, nice faces....tremendous feeling.

[Susanleech]

Alex - next time you travel abroad, tell everybody that you are a Finn. This gives you highest possible status in the world. You would be a peace lover, non-criminal, democratic, well educated, environmentalist ... and especially the one every nationality in the world loves. I can tell you, this could be a lovely experience for you even if you could maintain the dream only a minute.
I can travel everywhere and whenever the local people learn my country, I am popular, free drinks, nice faces....tremendous feeling.

Americans can be these things. I have read about Finland and by no means is it perfect. It has one of the highest suicide rates (if not the highest), alcholism and binge drinking problems, and a capitol city with a murder rate just less than that of New Yorks. Dont toot your horn too much my friend.

The problem is people around the world are stupid and arrogant hypocrites--acting the same way they accuse Americans of. They have their few stories of asshole American customers, greedy businessmen, and people unwilling to accept their cultures. These few stories craft their terrible image of us. I have experienced my share of rude Asian tourists who have blantantly walked into pictures I have taken-including one of me at the silver bean in Chicago. I was blantantly skipped waiting in the 3 hour line at the CN Tower by some French speaking people in Toronto. Asians at the top of the tower ruined some of my pictures as well. Should I base my impressions of these people off those experiences? I also hear plenty of stories of regular American people being stiffed and treated rudely in Europe because of their nationality.

I have never really heard any Europeans having problems in America. They come back and speak about the kindness shown to them--how people in this country were very helpful. Some of these people were notorious posters on internet sites critical of U.S. foreign policy. Its quite sad that people have these negative impressions of us. Its unfair and unfortunate--yet they supposedly are the "accepting and tolerant" ones?

When I travel to Europe, which I plan to in the next few years, I will simply be myself. I am not an asshole, I love history, learning about different cultures, etc. If they dont take it as that--pardon my French, but f--k em'. I wont let their arrogance get to me--Ill show that I am the better man. Im sure many American travelers do the exact same. The sad thing is some actually try to rise to the base of these pricks extremely high pedestal of acceptance. Only Americans in this world are expected to do this and we are given the most shit by anyone. Apart of me just wants to keep my money floating around the U.S. and visit the magestic canyons of the Southwest and the great cites of the Northeast--instead of blowing it on some Arc de Triumph T-Shirt and a Parthenon coffee mug. Luckily for the European economy, my adventerous side is stronger than my stubborn one.

[Soresbox]

Americans can be these things. I have read about Finland and by no means is it perfect. It has one of the highest suicide rates (if not the highest), alcholism and binge drinking problems, and a capitol city with a murder rate just less than that of New Yorks. Dont toot your horn too much my friend.

The problem is people around the world are stupid and arrogant hypocrites--acting the same way they accuse Americans of. They have their few stories of asshole American customers, greedy businessmen, and people unwilling to accept their cultures. These few stories craft their terrible image of us. I have experienced my share of rude Asian tourists who have blantantly walked into pictures I have taken-including one of me at the silver bean in Chicago. I was blantantly skipped waiting in the 3 hour line at the CN Tower by some French speaking people in Toronto. Asians at the top of the tower ruined some of my pictures as well. Should I base my impressions of these people off those experiences? I also hear plenty of stories of regular American people being stiffed and treated rudely in Europe because of their nationality.

I have never really heard any Europeans having problems in America. They come back and speak about the kindness shown to them--how people in this country were very helpful. Some of these people were notorious posters on internet sites critical of U.S. foreign policy. Its quite sad that people have these negative impressions of us. Its unfair and unfortunate--yet they supposedly are the "accepting and tolerant" ones?

When I travel to Europe, which I plan to in the next few years, I will simply be myself. I am not an asshole, I love history, learning about different cultures, etc. If they dont take it as that--pardon my French, but f--k em'. I wont let their arrogance get to me--Ill show that I am the better man. Im sure many American travelers do the exact same. The sad thing is some actually try to rise to the base of these pricks extremely high pedestal of acceptance. Only Americans in this world are expected to do this and we are given the most shit by anyone. Apart of me just wants to keep my money floating around the U.S. and visit the magestic canyons of the Southwest and the great cites of the Northeast--instead of blowing it on some Arc de Triumph T-Shirt and a Parthenon coffee mug. Luckily for the European economy, my adventerous side is stronger than my stubborn one.

I can only welcome that you choose to visit Europe.

Principally people are a mirror of oneself. If you act arrogant you will earn arrogance from the other side. If you show sympathy for the others, they will show sympathy for you. ... Well thats the principal, of course in large cities, people often have this natural bad habit, it seems they are already born with this habit . But dont think you are something special then, those people would treat an own countrymen no way better.

Well, I can only speak for Vienna however, people here are normally rather nice towards tourists in general, of course also towards Americans. If people here are able to speak English they will be enlightened to use it once again. People who do not might however take it as insult if you are complaining that they can't speak English. (Of course in case they realize that you are complaining).

Principally its not a good idea to go through Europe with a "superior" attitude. If you look down on the people you meet, they want be happy about it. (I guess it would not be different if a European tourist in the US thinks he is something better) Moreover you do save you a lot, if you inform about the cultural basics of the country you are going (that are to find in every travel book, so it won't be too much work to do so). Of course you dont have to, but my own philosophy is to show a basic respect for the place you are visiting. A question of politeness if you like.

And as last point, a person does not make up a country. Assholes are possibly everywhere to find.

If you at least consider the points above, I would think your trip should get a very nice one. But as you say you like learning about cultures and history, you look like an open minded person anyway, so everything should go fine.

[lrtoinbert]

Rocket hits US embassy in Athens
Emergency vehicles outside the US embassy
Fire engines and police cars sealed off the embassy
Attackers have fired a rocket at the US embassy compound in the centre of the Greek capital, Athens.

The rocket, fired from street level into the front of the embassy, caused minor damage to the building but no-one was injured.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Rocket hits US embassy in Athens

Sounds like a failure of an attack, but what message does this send to our enemies abroad?

Have at it folks!

[iouiyyut]

For me it is saying that it is very risky for eg. an European to collaborate with Americans anywhere in the world. In international projects (UN, World Bank, consulting) it is a major risk to have a single American expert in a team. It is a major risk to everybody. Hotels sometimes put the flags of their guests to poles and the language accent is recognized widely. In my next mission I am going to wear a jacket with a text "I am a Finn - not an American - don't kill me".

Bush wanted to create an enemy by himself - Al Qaeda. The result was that the whole world is against USA and there is no Al Qaeda.

[Adiamant]

C'mon fellers. It was down to half a dozen of lefty Greeks working out of some stinky back street ghetto in Athens. It's hardly worth a spit - and neither are they. Until, at least, you afford them some acknowledgement.

They will be cleaning up glasses on an Aegean ferry in 3 months, ignore them.

[Susanleech]

For me it is saying that it is very risky for eg. an European to collaborate with Americans anywhere in the world. In international projects (UN, World Bank, consulting) it is a major risk to have a single American expert in a team. It is a major risk to everybody. Hotels sometimes put the flags of their guests to poles and the language accent is recognized widely. In my next mission I am going to wear a jacket with a text "I am a Finn - not an American - don't kill me".

Bush wanted to create an enemy by himself - Al Qaeda. The result was that the whole world is against USA and there is no Al Qaeda.

Thats funny how people want to kill average Americans who have nothing to do with the U.S. government. Just shows how backward even Europeans can be. And if you think that this is just Bush or just Americans..you are wrong. You seem to forget the many more instances of Americans being killed in embassies, hotels, airplanes, etc. before even the first Bush was in office! You dont have this sort of thing in the U.S. French people are not discriminated against, nor are Russians or Germans. They visit our cities all the time.

When I go to Europe, Ill make it obvious Im an American. Im not one of these cowards who tells them they are Canadian. They got a problem--it better be in some language other than English. I fear no one in Europe and would never spend my hard earned money and waste my hard earned vacation in some craphole in the Middle East, Pakistan, or wherever else.

[inve.tment]

As Stalin stated..."Useful Idiots"....I believe the term fits well right here.

[funnyPasds]

In my next mission I am going to wear a jacket with a text "I am a Finn - not an American - don't kill me".

It's pretty clear that you are a coward. If I were a terrorist, you would be the first one I killed. Why? Because a normal person might fight back, but a coward like you would just cry for his mommy as I chopped his head off with a dull knife.