First I want to thank those who post on this fourm. Others have asked questions that I would like answers. The most important question being "Do the Dutch hate Americans?" If anyone has feedback about if our jackass president has ruined A-damn's welcome to Americans I would hear about your experiences. I have been dreaming about going to Amsterdam for many years and this year I am finally going to do it.
I really don't think so... Amsterdam has a short term memory, they already forgotten to dislike the americans. I know just after the iraq invasion, ppl. in coffee shops dicussed the issue with americans. Nowadays we have our own (small) problems
Hehe.. yeah Plus I think the Dutch are extremely fond of anti-Bush americans.. so wear an anti-war tshirt of 'I didn't vote for monkey boy' shirt and you're in with the locals
I didn't really experience any anti-american attitudes last time I was there, BUT I will be going to Italy in a few months, and I am REALLY worried about it there. Especially with all of this BS about American Troops killing some Italians in Iraq. ...wish me luck.
Ohw.. yeah.. that killing thing was a real fuck up.. if I were italian I wouldn't give you a gellato Nah.. it'll be ok.. just don't act all stereotypical american (wearing a hawai shirt, american flag on your bag, camera 'round your neck bouncing of your belly, bragging about how everything is bigger and better back home).. hehe where in italy are you going? Beautifull country!
Not really sure yet. We're taking the train from A'dam and travelling through Switzerland then down through the Alps to Italy. We're thinking about just seeing Milan for a day then spending a few day each in Rome and Florence. Any good suggestions?
I absolutely LOVE the north of Italy.. check my gallery, there's a pic of some mountains in the north there. I've been in Rome and Florence, both cities are great and somewhat overwhelming (esp. because of the tourist and the heat in summer).. never been to Milan, Venice is nice though as well.. sort of like a huge outdoor museum Just don't bring any weed with you from Amsterdam.. the police in Italy is way more nazi than in Holland, you don't want to get into trouble! If you are into wine.. then try and stay in the region just over the border a little (nothern Italy/South Tirol).. it's where Italies famous wines are being made and it's a beautiful part of the country (lush forests in the mountains, rich grape fields in the valleys).. try and stay in the smaller villages (Eppan/Appiano) instead of the bigger cities (Bozen/Bolzano). That part of the country is bilingual: German/Italian.. it used to be part of Austria. Anyway.. I don't know what you're interested in .. Have a great time!
I'm suddenly reminded of my amsterdam trip where I was wearing hawaiian shirts and had a camera 'round my neck bouncing off my belly. I must stick out like a sore thumb.
lol... hadn't thought of that! Hehe.. you didn't stick out.. well.. ok.. maybe as a tourist, but not as a negative-stereotype american or anything.. you could never do that! *hug*
it's too bad that incident happened to the Italians but lets not start the hate thing on the americam GI's until all the facts are in. you should be fine anywhere in europe......just tell them your canadian if your really concerned
Thanks to all who replied to this post. With all I learned from "google searches" and feedback from my inquiry on this forum, it all has been reassuring. In my line of work I often encounter foreign nationals from countries like Pakistan, Singapore, China and the like that often get bad press in the US media for their country's record on human rights or aggressive behavior in foreign policy. Tactful inquires about what they have to say about such things often reveal a feeling that Americans don't understand or don't know the whole story behind events reported in the media. Many times I get a vibe from them that they are embarrassed and ashamed over their homeland's treatment of minorities and all that goes along with "third world" non-democratic governments. Before Bush hijacked the election in 2000, I always that these things could never happened in the US. That our media and democratic institutions would never try to allow such things to occur like we now see happening here in my beloved country. Now I am the one who is embarrassed and ashamed about my government's behavior. It seems to be getting worse. Someone pass the joint, I just want to forget about it all..... It like a bad dream.
Hahaha - I'm going to have to find out what the translation is in Italian for, "Don't shoot! I'm Canadaian!".
