What Europeans think of each other



This is a basic backgrounder for Americans, primarily, who might think Europeans do nothing all day but bitch about Americans. Don’t get me wrong—they do love bitching about Americans. But they also like bitching about each other, as well. Bordering countries, especially, have complex caricatures of each other, even when an outsider might think they’re more or less the same. The following is based on my numerous interactions with Europeans, having lived there for 4 years. Here’s a run down:

The French — Disliked by some Spanish (particularly the Catalonians), for being arrogant. One woman from Barcelona told me, “Come on, who really likes the French? Nobody!” The Swiss don’t like the fact that they have contempt for authority and are lazy. The Brits, of course, have the most mixed feelings about the French, though. One half the country hates them, the other half loves them. Those that hate the French tend to like the Americans, and vice versa. In the UK, they’re considered stinky, rude (they never line/queue up like decent people), and a bit yellow, based on their tendency to not fend off invaders like the Nazis.The French, in turn, dislike the British, look down on Belgians for being stupid, and don’t have much to say, in my experience, about Spaniards or Germans (oddly).

The Italians — Most of the stereotypes are positive, but mostly because of the food. Northern Europeans consider them lazy and flaky, and maybe incapable of managing anything right (mostly because of the 50+ governments they’ve had since WW2). One Dutch professor I had dismissed another Italian one, saying, “All the Italians care about are pasta and mamma.”Italians, in turn, don’t have strong feelings about other Europeans, but within Italy, the north-south divide is pretty strong. Northern Italians continuously complain that Southerners are lazy and unproductive, while Southerners complain that Northerners are devoid of culture or joie de vivre.

The Germans — Germans are considered industrious but uptight and humorless, by just about all the other Europeans. They know WW2 is a sore spot for them, so other Europeans will often mercilessly tease them about it. As much as Germany is considered an economic powerhouse, the vast majority of Europeans don’t really want to learn German or study there (or send their kids there to study). The food is considered uninspired, too, and only Berlin has some cachet among younger Europeans for its vibrant underground club scene. The most anti-German sentiments are among the Dutch and Danish, who just hate them from invading their countries too often. When German ask for directions in Holland, they’re usually given directions to the shortest way out of the country, or told “Give us back our bikes!”, a reference to the fact that Germans confiscated Dutch bicycles during WW2.Danes hate it when you pronounce their capital as “ko-pen-HAH-gen”, because this is the German pronunciation. Either pronounce it the English way (with “HAY” instead), or the Danish way, which is literally impossible to put down here.Germans tend to like their Western neighbors far more than they are liked by them, but they look down on their Eastern neighbors, particularly Poles. They, oddly, have some mixed respect for the Czechs, who have resisted German aggression.

The Scandinavians — Widely respected by most other Europeans, because of their high standard of living …and blond hair and blue eyes. However, within Scandinavia there are some persistent stereotypes. The Norwegians, Danes and Finns all think the Swedes are stupid and uptight. Norwegians are considered racist. Danes are considered more blunt than the others, maybe a bit more cranky, and the Finns are oddly introverted, even by Scandinavian standards. Except for the Danes really disliking Germans, and Finns really disliking Russians, they don’t really have anything against other Europeans.

The Belgians — Considered idiots by both the Dutch and the French. Belgians, in turn, consider the Dutch to be a bunch of cranky assholes, and French stuck-up.

The Dutch — The Dutch, like the Scandinavians, have an enviable economy and social order that’s admired by southern European countries. However, they do have a reputation of being self-righteous “know-it-alls” and very similar to their German cousins in terms of their rigidity. But they do not like any comparisons to Germans, and if you remind them that the Dutch national anthem makes a reference to the Dutch being “van Duitse bloed” (from German blood), you might quickly get the silent treatment. The Dutch are also disliked for being the biggest misers in Europe, and because of this they incur the wrath of the tourist industry wherever they travel. The Dutch have been known to stock up on water before they take their campers down to the south of France.The Dutch, in turn, kind of look down on just about everyone. Yes, there’s a bit of a reason for the “know-it-all” smart-ass reputation they have.

The Swiss — Considered extremely rigid, even by the Germans. Blunt to the point of being rude, the Swiss probably have the least likely reputation for being characterized as “friendly” or “warm”. Note that there is a big cultural divide between French-speaking Swiss, and the German-speaking Swiss. The former are almost exactly like the French, except having a blander cuisine and more respect for authority, the latter being more like the Germans except even more stiff, rigid and cranky. However, everyone knows Switzerland “works” so the fact that foreigners comprise 20% of the population (mostly from EU member states) should make this clear.Note that the German-speaking Swiss also speak their own variant of German, which sounds very strange if you’ve only been exposed to standard “hoch-Deutsch”.

The Spaniards — Honestly, very little antagonism against the Spanish or by the Spanish. No one really seems to dislike them, and they don’t seem to really dislike anyone else. (Yes, some Spaniards near the border to France don’t like the French very much) Not entirely sure why. However, God forbid you speak Spanish with a Latin American accent — there is still a lot of snobbery among Spaniards towards Latin Americans. Spaniards consider themselves white and European, and would be deeply insulted if you suggested they were Latin American of any kind.

The Greeks — Only nominally considered European by other Europeans, but the Greeks fiercely identify as European. Naturally, this is a huge irritant to Greeks.

The Poles — Not much seems to register about Poland and the Poles except that they’re quiet. They are a relatively big country (40 million people) so the supposed scare of being overrun by Eastern Europeans when a bunch of Eastern European countries joined the EU in 2005 focused in on the Poles. The Germans really don’t like Poles, and among Germany’s 9 neighbors, are disliked the most. Poland is considered a country of car thieves by the Germans. Really, the relationship between Germany and Poland is similar to that of the United States and Mexico, and often for many of the same reasons (differences in income, history of war, different languages, etc.).Poles really shore up their hatred for their eastern & southern neighbors, primarily Russia and Ukraine, although they don’t like Czechs, Slovaks or Lithuanians either. Oddly, they don’t really mind the Germans, and probably still fear them a bit — you never, ever hear jokes about Germans in Poland.

The Czechs — Considered a relatively bright spot of Eastern Europe by Western Europeans, but I think primarily because Prague is such a gorgeous city and a popular tourist destination. Czechs are a bit like Germans, though — a bit rude, blunt, and cold. Poles don’t have much good to say about them.

The Austrians — Considered a mix of the best & worst aspects of Germany and the Balkans, Austrians are considered laid-back but very nationalistic and racist. They’re said to be the birthplace of Hitler, but never came around to being fully apologetic about the Holocaust (unlike Germany). Neutral feelings from most ofWestern Europe, negative feelings from Germans (who consider them backwards, and not always the representing the best image of German-speaking people) and admired by Eastern Europeans (a throwback to the Hapsburgs).

The British – About half of the British would be really angry at being called European, so that should provide an apt starting point. The main beef with the Brits is that they’re considered the lapdog of the U.S., and are anti-European because the U.S. tells them to be so. They are considered polite, but maybe a bit two-faced (hence “Janus Britain”) and snobby. The Scots and Welsh are tolerated and liked, inasmuch as that no one really knows too much about them outside the UK, but the English are those that bear the brunt of negative sentiments among other Europeans. After all, London is in England.
The English also have a poor reputation in tourist traps, such as Amsterdam and Ibiza, for being loud-mouthed, obnoxious drunks.
The English, in turn, really seem to hate everyone. This is because it’s pretty hard to find an Englishman that has even, at best, neutral opinions about other Europeans (or Americans, or other nationalities). Europe is full of English expats, and the longer they live abroad, the more they seem to hate their host country. And yet they never seem to want to move home.

The Irish — A very small country, despite its exaggerated importance in Americans’ minds (just over 4.6 million in the Republic of Ireland) but considered polite and humble. They nominally dislike the English, but I have yet to meet an Irishman who really loathes the English. The sentiments towards the Irish and by the Irish seem to be positive, overall.
I personally don’t know much about how the Portuguese, Hungarians, Romanians, Bulgarians, and others are perceived, or how they perceive others, but if you have something to add, please do so in the comments below.

I’ll leave you with this poster I saw in an Italian office years ago, that helps sum it up in some ways:

In Heaven…

  • the mechanics are German
  • the chefs are French
  • the police are British
  • the lovers are Italian
  • and everything is organized by the Swiss.

In Hell…

  • the mechanics are French
  • the police are German
  • the chefs are British
  • the lovers are Swiss
  • and everything is organized by the Italians.

Update: Here’s my follow-up after this post got an avalanche of traffic and comments.

Another update: Here’s a related post on what Americans think about Europeans.

And another: 20 ways to slice up Europe.

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1,018 Comments »

  1. @Sandra: heh, you’re right, only half of those are arrogants. And of course it’s a generalisation. I just stated what came to my mind, without giving it much thought. But you know what they say…you should trust your reactions/instincts 🙂

    Only been to London and Oxford for a week a few years ago. While on train toward Oxford I conversed a nice English young woman, and among other things she told me that the main quality she sees in the English is that they care for others. So you may be right. And yeah, I keep hearing good things in this direction from quite a bunch of sources, so probably they can’t all be wrong. Looks like you are one caring nation. Great!

    Sorry about your health problem. Hopefully you’ll get better soon.

    Comment by Alex — March 24, 2017 @ 6:57 am

  2. Hello “The Englishman” and “Steve” above… is it really necessary to use the F and C word throughout your comments…are you trying to “shock” and sound “cool”….as an English woman who may say an odd swear word when getting cut up by an idiot driver, I don’t think we need to see it written here…as I’ve said before, I grew up in the London.swinging sixties…worked for a Beatle, (who never swore!!) but even then we didn’t use such crude language…and no wonder small chi,drew are growing up used to these words.
    As to Brexit, “whoopee” …give us a few years to cut through all the EU bureaucracy and “paper pushing” and so glad to make our own rules and have our fishing waters back. If Scotland want independence that’s fine with me…half Scot…but gosh they will miss the money the rest of the U.K. have to give to keep them happy…enabling Scotland to have free universities and prescriptions, but for the rest of us having to pay…
    And again, don’t criticise a country until you’ve lived a few years there and met a lot of the people…and as I always say “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”…. lovely sunny day here, full of blossom and daffodils…try and do a good deed for someone at least once a week!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — April 3, 2017 @ 1:11 am

  3. Oh and Alex above, thanks for the apology.

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — April 3, 2017 @ 1:14 am

  4. Just been reading far back into this site, and have to say the racism is rife. Can add that I worked at the useless UN building for four years, and I never met so many racists in my life…diplomats and other staff having long lunches in lounges and restaurants knocking each other…no wonder they do nothing for the outside world tumbling around them…and the EU building identikit!! They get 2/300 euros just for turning up each day and then going home, and contributing to Mr. Junke’s cognac bill!! No wonder he is stepping down shortly, he knows it’s all over…the loss of UKs highest amount of cash given will be a big chunk of money no longer there. There are no jobs for the youth…hence so many coming here, England.

    And just back to the War…my Paratrooper dad nearly lost his life at the Battle of Arnhem to rescue Holland who actually were mainly sucking up to the Nazis at the time….and a known fact deGaulle hated the UK and USA even though we saved his country…at the end of WW2 he asked an American Colonel “when are you going to get all your troops off our land” the Colonel replied “do you also mean the ones that are buried and gave their lives for France”…I will always remember that statement…such ingratitude.
    Anyway as I said before, lived in the States, Spain, Italy, South Africa, and don’t generalise characteristics of nations…we are all individuals.

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — April 3, 2017 @ 2:29 am

  5. I’m English……British.
    There is no doubt that young Brits on holiday are embarrassing, drunk, disrespectful and noisy. Most of us as pretty horrified when we see the way they behave.
    There are a couple of things to know about the English. Firstly, we love to find fault but in a humorous way. The more we tease you (we call it taking the piss) the more we probably like you.
    Yes, we hate the French. We moan about them all the time. And when we meet them, we drink with them, have fun with them, take the piss out of them.
    The Danes, Finns, Swedes, Germans and especially the Norwegians and Dutch – we love them. Most of us were brought up on stories of their heroism in WW2 and while we might have had a few things to say about the Germans
    And WW2, we respect them as equals and recognise that they were caught up in something they couldn’t control.

    The Spanish and Italians – I’ve never heard anything bad said about either (although there is a lot of piss taking).

    Poles, Czechs, Hungarians, Slovaks – pretty well liked. Some extremists dislike them because of the “stealing our jobs” but most people actually have a strong respect for such hard working resilient people.

    The Irish – I think there was probably a fear of Irish people in the 70d and 80s but most people I know are exceptionally fond of the Irish – we see them as laid back and carefree. St Patricks Day has become a big event even in my little town.

    I suspect that some of the dislike of Brits expressed here can be explained as:

    1. A rightful distaste for drunken young Brits with No respect for local cultures
    2. A failure to understand that complaining and piss taking is a national sport, and not in any way negative. Maybe that’s why the Norwegians and Brits tend to hit it off – we both see the funny side in bad situations.
    3. British reserve. Most Brits don’t like to talk about themselves or to show too much interest in others (it is considered rude to ask questions unless information is volunteered. That is very difficult for Americans in particular to grasp. So maybe t is seen as rude

    There are idiots in every country but generally speaking outside of London foreigners are welcomed.

    Maybe we are a bit arrogant. I think that will change.

    Comment by James Y — April 6, 2017 @ 9:13 am

  6. I should clarify my last comment: in London foreigners are also very welcome :-).

    Comment by James Y — April 6, 2017 @ 9:14 am

  7. I lived in NYC for seven yrs…and the people there could be brash and rude, but that’s cities generally.
    As to Brits running down Americans..I say again, I have never heard any friends or family or work pals knock the Americans, don’t know where this is coming from. Certain other countries seem to hate the USA but that’s all politics and jealousy. I was in Brazil and they hated Americans, always trying to rip them off…we had to keep saying we were English!! Certain States in the USA hate each other…Texans are arrogant and think of themselves as a different country…and of course there is still the North and South divide. I would say that Americans do not travel out of their own country very much because they feel they have it all back home, a very beautiful divided landscape etc, but sometimes that’s just a bit of ignorance.

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — April 26, 2017 @ 5:41 am

  8. @Sandra Johnstone.
    Yes, you’re totally correct. I have posted some offensive comments, i.e vulgar language and hurtful words. But just recently
    something amazing as happened to me. I have given my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in doing so I feel ashamed of the content of my previous comments.
    From the bottom of my heart, I would like to sincerely convey my apologies to anybody whom I’ve offended.

    God Bless You All.

    Comment by The Englishman — April 29, 2017 @ 7:41 am

  9. @(6.)
    No they are not welcome unless they are Austrian ,German ,French ,Norwegian ,Irish ,Hungarian ,Polish ,Bulgarian ,Greek ,Montenegran ,Slovienian.

    Comment by john — May 4, 2017 @ 6:44 am

  10. @8 I’m hoping this is not fake news!!??
    Not a religious person myself, went to a convent and the nuns were so bigoted and wouldn’t allow my friends to visit my non Catholic Church!! And too many priests doing bad things…??
    @6 there are no Brits living in London…even the Cockneys have disappeared, it has turned into a second Rome!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — May 22, 2017 @ 1:46 am

  11. FUNNY ! I found the Europeans mostly dislike one another and cannot get along so well –the EU is a disaster and is located in idiotland-BELGIUM of all places so no wonder . . . the multicultural dream of the LEFTIST in BELGIUM are bringing Europe to its knees with ISLAMIZATION under the guise of refugee status; please makes me puke ! Looks like once again somehow America will have to save Europe from their liberal self-loathing ways ! Seems Europeans need to dose their water supplies with testosterone and learn that onl;y a strong response will be respected by these invaders from the 5th century ! People are picking out small bits of flesh out of their hair from the bombing in Manchester last evening and the media defends them -takes up the Islamic cause worrying about Islamophobia ???? What a sick insane world it is ! Charles Martel where are you when we need you the most ?!

    DailyCandor: Time to take those little pills that the nice lady in the white coat gave you…

    Comment by Silence DoGood — May 24, 2017 @ 6:49 am

  12. @Silence DoGood: “Sod off, Baldrick”!!!

    Comment by Blue — May 25, 2017 @ 9:53 am

  13. The only thing I hate about all these IGNORANT NUTTERS killing INNOCENT people, and children especially, is please stop putting out the tea lights and endless flowers and balloons, and sobbing on each others shoulders…bit like when Princes Diana died. On British media here there are so many reporters by this area 24 hours, repeating the same stories, and that’s just what these “LOSERS” want…go home and do your prayers there and put your flower money towards some children’s charities/hospices maybe.
    Sorry I know this is not about the subject of Europeans, although we are the ones being constantly bombed and stabbed.
    My American pal just came back from Paris and said the airport was a nightmare due to an unidentified suitcase…
    This unfortunately is the way of the world now so we all have it just get used to it!!
    Anyway peace and love for what it’s worth!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — May 26, 2017 @ 1:46 am

  14. Judging from the text about Poles, I would not call the article reliable. I wouldn’t call Polish feelings towards Czechs, Slovaks, and Lithuanians negative. Poles have mixed or neutral attitude to the two latter. And we actually generally love Czechs (the only Polish feeling to an other nation that I understand).

    DailyCandor: You must live far from the Czech border. I didn’t, and the Poles I lived around disliked “Pepiczki” immensely.

    Comment by Piotr — July 13, 2017 @ 8:57 am

  15. Greek person here. I have lived in both Greece and the USA and I’ve been raised in a multicultural european environment.

    First of all, saying that Greeks are barely Europeans means your’re at least illiterate and have absolutely no idea about the history of Europe. Not only is Greek civilization the oldest one in Europe, but all European core values, ideals and ideas are fundamentally of Greek origin. The values of democracy, equality, justice, respect of human rights etc can be traced back to Ancient Greece in 3000 BC. When greeks were creating art, literature, theatre, music, arts and politics in 3000 BC , most Western European races were still eating each other for lunch. Most didn’t even have their own writing until 100 AC. Greece is the solid foundation of Eurorean civilization, culture and ideals. So get your facts straight. Just because most Greeks don’t have the Nordic phenotype, it does not make them any less European. Europe has many phenotypes including Mediterranenan (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, southern France), Nordic (Scandinavia, Finland), Celtic (Ireland , Scotland), Slavic (Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia) and I could go on. Educate yourselves and get rid of your Aryan Nordic superiority complex state of mind.

    Now after that long lecture on European history for those who have obsiously never bothered reading a history book,but in spite of that, they go ahead and announce their ignorant opinions about anything, here is how other Europeans are generally viewed by greeks:

    – Italians : we consider them the next closest country to Greece, mentality and culture wise . Our close relations can be traced back to ancient times. Southern Italians are more like Greeks, but northerners are not as different as they like to think. We respect them and consider them to be friendly neighbors. Most greeks don’t even hold a grudge for attacking Greece during WW2, as we simply consider that a poor act from Italians in order to impress the SS. We smashed them anyway.
    – French : greeks and the French have always been on friendly terms with each other, we admire their beautiful country, food, culture and vice versa
    – Spanish / Portuguese : pretty much neutral feelings towards the Iberians, not very close but we share the Mediterranean state of mind.
    – Brits : kind of mixed feelings here. On one hand, they have always been our allies during war time and they have certainly helped us a great deal during difficult times, so I guess overall we do view them in a positive way.We also appreciate their being polite, organized and consistent. On the other hand we hate them for being the worse drunken tourist bunch ever and their misbehaving during their summer holidays in Greece. Seen also as stuck-up, snob and having ” ice – covered asses ” as we say in Greece , meaning they’re stingy, unfriendly and lack a warm heart.
    – Serbs, Romanians : we like them, consider them orthodox Christian brothers but we generally pity them and see them as poor counties.
    – Hungarians, Slovaks, polish : we thnk of them as Germany ‘s bitches, they’re cold blooded and we generally cannot relate to them in any way. Hungarians in specific are extremely racists and nationalists, hating on anyone foreign
    – Germans : certainly do not like them. Apart from the whole crisis situation that has brought Greece and Germany in conflict , we think of them as cold blooded people, with weird behavior that think their race is superior above all others. Not friendly, unforgiving,zero sense of hospitality, unapproachable. They also have created a huge propangada against Greece in Europe, saying we’re lazy and only want to fed by the EE, which is not true. We have had terrible, corrupted governments throughout these years and the initial plan was to provide Greek people with unlimited loans from banks, that of course could not be paid back, and therefore leading the country to bankruptcy so that we could later be manhandled by them and made to comply to inhuman conditions by giving us ” saving loans”. Educated hard working people with a basic salary of 600 euros.
    – Russians : viewed as a poor country that is to blame for many wars, drunks, corrupted, regulating the drug and porn business throughout Europe, not to be trusted. Only thingin common is religion
    -scandos : not social, unfriendly, cold blooded that need to get super drunk to have a good time and socialize, which is frowned upon in Greece . We think that deep down they’re miserable in spite of living in very well organized civilized countries. Former Vikings , no sense of historical background . Race superiority complex, think they’re aryans.
    -Irish : we generally like them , not very strong opinioned though. We think they’re a bit like us mentality wise when it comes to having fun, family values and generosity. Good Craic
    – Albanians/Bulgarians : dont like them, if not hate them. Parasites illegally transferring to Greece, involved in stealings, illegal activities

    Comment by Marianne — September 12, 2017 @ 3:30 am

  16. I came to Britain from Norway first time in 1967 as an Au Pair. Sadly I had a very bad experience with regard to my employer (Insurance brokers). In my case, it wasn’t the husband that was the problem, but his extremely jealous and badly behaved wife. She was vile! However, the main problem I’ve found with the British, be they old or young, is their lack of knowledge, as well as lack of interest, in other Europeans – wherever they come from.
    I think it would help enormously if the schools taught geography, and I mean real geography, like what you get in other European countries – the whole world, not just little bits of it.
    A touch of humility by the British would go a long way in making them better liked by other nations.

    Comment by Irene McWatt — September 23, 2017 @ 8:17 am

  17. Hello Irene. I see you have an Irish/English surname so probably married another Brit and still live here? We are probably around the same age since you were an au pair in 1967 and I grew up in the swinging sixties!
    Firstly when I went to school we were taught Geography and I enjoyed the subject and did many essays on different lands.
    Today lessons in general seem to be “dumbed down” and standard of education deteriorating in my opinion. However we still think of ourselves as an island nation, and I think similar to Norwegians whom we seem to get on well with, and so a lot of us don’t feel European due to that fact. We also have Viking blood after all, and I certainly do, half Scottish!
    Manners in the UK have deteriorated too and I apologise for the drunken louts that travel the continent, think you will find some of the Scandinavians are up there too, again our Viking roots!. When I visited Spain and Italy way back, we were always considered the most polite nation…that’s changed, and I blame a lot of that on the internet, mobile phones and the so called copycat world of celebrity lives and of irritating pouting selfies.
    However I take offence about “a touch of humility” needed by the Brits. We are a very kind nation overall, always out there to help those in need, send a fortune overseas to charities, and also don’t agree with Marianne’s comments about being stingy, cold hearted and unfriendly, and just because we voted Brexit doesn’t mean we hate rest of Europe. I travelled all over the continent for years and we can still do that after Brexit. And if we are so bad why do so many other nations want to come and live here. I mean London is 60% foreign now, and properties being bought up by the French, Chinese, wealthy Russians, who most of the time don’t even live in them. Hence we need so much more housing for the real Londoners.
    Anyway as my school motto was “Manners Maketh Man’, I try and live by that …

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — September 24, 2017 @ 8:26 am

  18. Hello Sandra!
    Actually my husband’s family hail from Scotland, therefore the name. As for humility – I think you need to be a foreigner in this country to notice the bigheadedness of many English ‘middle class’ people. It’s quite striking, bragging about themselves in a most embarrassing way, regarding other countries as rubbish. I can tell you, I’ve had my ears stopped with it. I was even told by some ‘educated’ young folk in the 70s, that people were not as intelligent where I came from as what the British are – that in fact, the Brits were superior to others. I blushed on their behalf! However, in the last decade or so this seems to have dissipated somehow, I don’t get it rammed down my throat so much now – perhaps because I’m getting older. :)) But, any knowledge of other European countries? You must be joking – people generally know nothing.

    Comment by Irene — September 25, 2017 @ 12:10 am

  19. hehe PUTIN THE Gyou allREAT will gonna oblitarate

    Comment by Fukkk u up your stinky ass — September 25, 2017 @ 7:15 am

  20. To DailyCandor re. Piotr’s comment and your general statements.
    Although the site’s objective is entertainment rather than education I could not stop myself from correctin some of the most ignorant statements and false observations.
    I am impressed with your familiarity with the term “Pepiczki” or “Pepiki”. As you might know it is a Czech diminutive of the name Josef. Poles might sometimes use the term referring to the Czechs but it is not meant as a slur. The term itself is only slightly derogatory. More of less the equivalent of the term Yanks. Overall, Poles have rather friendly attitudes towards Czechs while only few Poles realize their friendly attitude is not reciprocated. The animosity you mentioned around some border area is rather the exception than the rule. Historically the relationship between Czechs and Poles was rather neutral with some small transgressions. Poles have also a friendly attitude toward Slovaks despite their ugly past as an ally of Nazi Germany.

    I also have to correct your statement regarding Polish attitudes towards Germans. Over the centuries the relationship changed from very positive to an outright hate. There is a relatively sizable percentage of Poles with a very distant German heritage going back to 15th and 16th century. Over the centuries many Germans (as well as Dutch and even Scottish) settled in the Kingdom of Poland. Starting with the annexation of western Poland by Prussia by the end of 18th century, through the hateful rhetoric of Bismarck, ending with Hitler’s Mein Kampf, Goebble’s anti-Polish propaganda, concentration camps, public executions and murders of innocent women and children – the attitude certainly changed. Yes, there were Poles during WWII with such ethnic last names like Schmidt, Miller, Strasser, Kornhauser and Hofer taking pleasure in shooting German Messerschmitts over Britain or taking out SS bastards during the Warsaw Uprising. As the generation that remembers WWII is leaving this world the hate towards Germans is diminishing in Poland. As a Christian nation Poles will one day fully forgive the barbarism of their German neighbors. It is going in the right direction but it will take time. As you can imagine Poles could care less what the Germans think about them.
    Btw. Poles actually like Russian people but are ready to march on Moscow to take down their murderous dictatorial governments anytime.

    Comment by Robert — December 1, 2017 @ 10:30 pm

  21. „ Germans,…, oddly, have some mixed respect for the Czechs, who have resisted German aggression”
    Say what? That is a complete BS. Look up WWII’s history.

    Comment by Mk — December 7, 2017 @ 7:59 am

  22. 18 … Irene
    You are really talking more about the seventies now aren’t you? When I lived In N.Y. at same era, I was asked many times “how did I learn the language so fast”. Now that really is dumbness at its best!! But we all know most Scandinavians are intelligent!!
    We have some “thick” youth here that’s for sure, our education has gone down a lot…and many modern youth haven’t a clue, just stuck on their phones with their selfies.

    19. What lovely language, surprised it wasn’t taken off here.

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — December 8, 2017 @ 9:18 am

  23. “… respect for the Czechs, who have resisted German aggression” – this sentence makes me laught 🙂

    Comment by Artur — January 18, 2018 @ 3:11 am

  24. i’ve never been in europe but my wife and other family members have and all have told me that british are arrogant assholes, french are just simply assholes, germans are rude and other countries is pick and chose well hey europe if it wasn’t for usa you wouldn’t even have a continent so shut the ass up

    Comment by thomas — January 25, 2018 @ 7:41 am

  25. Chinese is watching

    Comment by Bin — January 25, 2018 @ 12:03 pm

  26. Hey Thomas, no 24, you’ve never been to Europe so probably best to keep your ignorant, foul language opinion to yourself!
    And hey, if it wasn’t for us Europeans, especially the English and the Pilgrims, who established the Americas, you wouldn’t exist, and the Indians could have kept THEIR country to themselves. Go read your history books. Are you from Southern states or a Texan?
    But this is a typical American arrogant view of a continent you have never visited…. I lived in the States and met a lot of ignorance, but I still love the U.S.A. And don’t judge every individual the same.

    “Have a nice day” – America’s favourite expression, and they don’t even look you in the face when they say it – such insincerity, LOL

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — January 26, 2018 @ 6:09 am

  27. Hey no. 25 .. “Chinese is watching” …yes probably the Russians too!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — January 26, 2018 @ 6:11 am

  28. I’m Irish but my least favourite country in Europe by far is Scotland. The comments being made by Scots here are evidence to that. They blame the English for everything because they’re spiteful,vicious liars that twist history to play the victim. They’re jealous of the English and are threatened by tins of biscuits with the Union Jack on it. I love england,but I hate scotland!

    Comment by Sam — March 10, 2018 @ 12:49 pm

  29. Thank you Sam. The Irish may tease us but basically we get on well… a bit like the Australians and New Zealanders.
    I am half Scottish and when I went to Glasgow in the seventies I had so much prejudice from the people there. Most Scots would rather vote for any other country than England in sport and we get all the name calling going, and I have Scottish friends who admit they are treated much better in England then we are there.
    Mel Gibson’s film “Braveheart” was a complete historical lie… think he hates us too!!
    The U.K. pay a lot of money to the Scottish SNP government so they enjoy free universities and prescriptions etc, which we don’t get, yet they still moan… PM Nicola Sturgeon just wants the country to be independent and we say fine, but see how you get on without our money, especially as oil prices are very low, and their only other main export is whiskey!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — March 11, 2018 @ 12:15 pm

  30. Hi. Interesting article. Referring to mentioned observation about Poles I would say yes we polish people don’t like any other nation. Our system is full of hatred towards foreigners specially Muslims and Jews. But I believe younger generation will not follow Russian thinking anymore and will back to our grandfathers upbriging where Poles where known for open mindedness to differences in other people. I personally don’t like British, I always see them putting their head up looking down to others, Germans laughing too noisy and we making jokes about them too ? mine mutter is computer ?

    Comment by Basia — May 1, 2018 @ 10:45 am

  31. Dear Basia,
    Sorry you hate the British so much. Wonder why we have so many Poles living here in U.K. then and telling me this is a wonderful country? And even since the Second World War, many Poles wanted to stay and live here. And it’s funny that Poles don’t want immigration in their own country but think it’s fine to overcrowd ours. Having said that, I am not anti Polish. I know many here. In fact every plumber, decorator, builder, cafe worker… I even know before I ask where they come from. Maybe if Poland had a better standard of living your people would want to stay and contribute towards your country. ?

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — May 2, 2018 @ 8:54 am

  32. I have just read this post and i find it very interesting, i am from a small Country in Central America that is called Costa Rica, and i really like Europe, such a great Continent with so much different people and languages and history, i really like Europe i hope some day i can visit that Continent and all its countries. Blessings.!!!

    Comment by Josué Castañeda Cortés — May 29, 2018 @ 9:42 am

  33. As an American the only European country I’ve been to is England. I heard of all the up tight stereotypes but didn’t see that. Everyone I talked to was nice..,.even when knowing I was American who hates soccer lol. One older man who was the father of a friend didn’t like Ireland folks to much. But I found out he had been a soldier stationed over in Northern Ireland during the IRA days. I want to go to France and see the Eiffel Tower but I hear stories on how horrible they are to Americans….plus I know very little French lol

    Comment by Rodney — June 17, 2018 @ 7:17 am

  34. Rodney, the Eiffel Tower is now covered by protective plastic shield due to the threat of terrorism. Doesn’t look the same unfortunately,
    There are a lot of Roma children gangs pickpocketing so be careful. My English pal who married a Texan just had his wallet stolen outside an ATM machine. So if you do visit be vigilant. And yes the Parisians are miserable and love to complain!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — June 18, 2018 @ 10:57 am

  35. Rodney,
    Paris is full of Roma kids gangs robbing at ATM machines. Just happened to my pal who is married to a Texan.
    The Eiffel Tower is covered by a protective plastic type shield due to terrorism, so spoils it completely.
    And yes the Parisians are miserable and always complaining!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — June 18, 2018 @ 11:03 am

  36. Re: “impossible” pronunciation of Copenhagen by the Danish

    The Danish word is Koebenhavn, and it’s not impossible to pronounce at all. I just listened to a couple of native Danish speakers online. They say ‘KOEBEN-hown’. If you know German, ‘oe’ is like the German ‘o’ Umlaut. If you don’t, just say ‘KOBEN-hown’.

    Comment by mintas lanxor — June 22, 2018 @ 4:05 pm

  37. Italian, living in Australia. For the information of the author who is clearly trying to be facetious – Southern Italians and Greeks identify with each other at a very high level. Here in Australia, talking 2nd and 3rd generation migration, you hardly find a ‘Greek’ or ‘Italian’ that isn’t mixed half-half with each other. I was extremely offended by your statement that they are ‘nominally’ European – in saying that they do get extremely patriotic to the ideas of their existence being the cornerstone of humanity in general.

    Northern Italians are jerks. Even the immigrant northerners ala the Chinese woman who worked at a luxury fashion house who turned her nose up at me for telling her I’m from the South (go figure). I find a lot of Italian stereotypes to be a fairly ‘i watched cartoons growing up’ way of approaching us. Typical of a yank with no cultural education in the household growing up… learnt some Polish words and thinks he’s an expert of Poland hahaha! (I’ve never met any of course but like your average roofucker this is how I present my insecurities, trolling on the internet hahaha!)

    Also, you should look up the phrase ‘una faccia una razza’ – might give you a bit of insight as to how cousin like Italians view Greeks (believe their translation is mia faccia mia razza). Also look up the map of Magna Gracia, the Griko people of Southern Italy (towns that literally only speak Greek) and the story of Romulus and Remus (aka the myth behind Rome). Oh, also you should probably look into the Holy Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium – when the Roman empire starting speaking Greek and was Orthodox Christian and founded Constantinople (Modern day Istanbul). You see, Italian and Greek history and one and the same and your golf ball sized consciousness would never allow you to see this. Again typical of yank, can’t hold it against you. (No worries mate, no one’s perfect; my willy’s barely 8cm long- to you yank drongos that’s 2 1/2 inches -so those stereotypes about Italians aren’t *always* true…hahaha!)

    Comment by John — July 24, 2018 @ 5:14 pm

  38. I really doesn’t know what your “Poles” are matey. We are Polishes. But i do now you now quiet a bit about polisz history… We loving’s our north est and all sourth boarder. WE ARE A POLISHES!!!! LONG LIVE POLISHES! STO LAT! STO LAT! POLISZ COUNTRY LIVE FOR THE EVER!

    Comment by Radek zielinski — October 29, 2018 @ 5:30 pm

  39. I’ll tell you…
    I’m Scottish and I have to say many people here love the Dutch.
    We’re obviously anti-English (not anti-British, the unionist side of us Scots feels more British than the English themselves…), we still don’t trust Irishmen a lot, as Britons we tend not to like the French or the Germans, but when you refer to the Dutch, hey, you’ll always hear good reviews on the whole. Similarly, the Scandinavians get good reviews as well, but not as much as the Dutch.

    Comment by Gianmaria Framarin — November 18, 2018 @ 7:22 pm

  40. We all live on the same planet and are individuals. I’m so sick of stereotypes. I’ll show you someone in every single country that does not not conform to stereotypes, but no one seems to give a rats ass about that. Let’s just rail away on the stereotypes and get the vent out! Nevermind that some people are different!

    This world is so freaking boring. Aliens, where are you already? Save me from the humans!

    Comment by damn — January 31, 2019 @ 5:49 am

  41. Gianmaria 39 above. You’re Scottish? Have full Italian name.
    When you say “we’re OBVIOUSLY anti English” how sad, have you met every English person. I am half Scottish but would never knock a whole country like that.
    And as Damn 40 says above, “we’re all individuals” so shame you’ve been brought up with such hatred. Especially as I have Scottish friends who say they are treated much better in England than they treat us in Scotland, especially Glasgow, really racist, Don’t mind getting our tax payers money though for free universities and prescriptions, etc,
    Never mind, maybe Mrs. Sturgeon (whose grandmother is English) will get you your independence son, then you can join the EU, and lose your independence!!!

    Comment by Sandra johnstone — February 1, 2019 @ 3:26 am

  42. You never hear jokes about Germans in Poland? LOL, who you’ve been talking to? Or maybe you’re German – we probably didn’t want to be rude.

    Comment by Casper — March 30, 2019 @ 6:11 pm

  43. Casper at 42, to whom are you answering re Poles and Germans?

    Comment by Sandra johnstone — April 1, 2019 @ 2:41 am

  44. This is incredibly incorrect and is based on nothing.

    Comment by Ronald — April 6, 2019 @ 7:44 am

  45. As a young British female I hate identifying as English. Although people put down the younger generation. Most of the racism and bigotary comes from the older generation(not every older person). The majority of younger generations really do not want to leave Europe, have no issues with other countries(apart from America), and are petrified for our future with the government we have. Although Britain is one of the richest countries in the world we have an extremely high poverty rate, and a very corrupt political system that includes our newspapers ect ECT.
    There is alot of propaganda from our papers and news against people living in poverty, immigration, anyone who opposes there views. The Sun, and other papers have been caught openly lying many times. So I do understand why people buy into it as it’s something you get drip fed constanly from a young age, and is everywhere. On top of that our school system is crap, we are taught hardly anything about politics, so it’s not something people learn to have an interest in or know much about, and although you can do languages in school it’s not a big thing, and you are more taught to write it than speak it
    All in all. It makes me very sad, and I apologise to anyone who received hostility and racism from a British person. It makes me sick the way immigrants can viewed by this country now.
    I don’t plan on staying in Britain.

    Comment by Carmen — July 27, 2019 @ 8:22 am

  46. You know what feels so fucking gooooood? The Russians are not even on the list :DD

    /finnish

    Comment by jesse — August 3, 2019 @ 5:27 am

  47. I have live in Europe sinc 1978, never had problems with people, always kind to me,, am able to live peacefully here.

    Comment by Bethlehem — August 8, 2019 @ 4:28 am

  48. As soon as Scotland and Wales become nation states the better, then England will be a better nation and not have to subsidise the ugly thick celts, most engllish people want nothing to do with Scotland. Let the celts try to support themselves, they will soon become a burden on the EEC FOR BEING SPONGING NATIONS,, LET THE CELTS Suffer, hate them ..

    Comment by Philip Minett — August 20, 2019 @ 10:37 am

  49. I’ve given my opinion a few times above about how the Scots seem to hate us English. If there was a football match they’d rather vote for Putin and Assad’s team than ours. But hey we don’t care, we would love you to get your independence and then you can’t complain anymore and you can have your own money and look after your schools and hospitals better than you do now. Then join the EU and lose your independence, LOL. Wales too, get your independence, but you’d never last long without UK government financial support.
    And as I’ve said above before, I’m half Scottish and my Scottish dad fought as a Paratrooper against the Nazis for Poland, Holland and Czechoslovakia .. remember that when you run the UK down….he didn’t even hate the Germans as said they weren’t all followers of Hitler.

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — August 21, 2019 @ 8:44 am

  50. Sandra Johnstone – nobody cares about your st*pid opinions. It’s not jsut the scots that hate the English – it’s everyone. So into yourselves thinking so highly of yourselves without any substance; never really high at the top of any lists such as life quality, innovativeness etc. Motly, people hate the English because there are so many ignorant and plain stooopid people like yourself!

    England will soon be an even more miserable place to live – so you have some desperate former eastern europeans and 3:d world fugitives wanting to live there. News for you: it’s EVERYWHERE not just the UK, you m*ron!

    There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING suggesting that UK will have more control or be successful after BREXIT, NOTHING!

    …only the lasiest (and dumbest?) and leas productive workforce that will be so OWNED by really nasty old-style aristocrats, along with a fenominally high national debt, HUGE infrastructure deficit (everything rusty and barelly holding together) – and 1d1ots like you to top it all up!

    The Swizz, Norwegians and the Singaporeans are all laughing at the comparision.

    Forget about England – it will be a sad ending with poverty and social unrest.

    Scotland and a united Ireland are more than welcome to EU – and real freedom!

    Comment by L0g0zz — August 22, 2019 @ 10:39 am

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