World Cup in the US?

[GoldenBoy89]

Because U.K. and European media portray America in the worst possible light. Have you ever visited here?

I live here. Tell me what they got wrong.

 

[Chesterton]

I live here. Tell me what they got wrong.

They say a tourist will get arrested for no reason, that it's dangerous to visit here, and that Americans are rude and unfriendly.

 

[Colo Millz]

I was born and raised in the UK and now live in NYC.

Hostility to the US among Europeans is not exactly a new thing that suddenly appeared with Trump.

 

[Bradskii]

Because U.K. and European media portray America in the worst possible light.

Gee, you must read and listen to so much European media.

Have you ever visited here?

I have. A number of times totalling very many months and multiple states. We found Americans to be some of the friendliest and most generous people we've ever met. And we've travelled a lot.

Your current government is the problem. Not the people. It's your government. It's an absolute dumpster fire.

And no, I won't be going to the World Cup. But I can't wait to see what a multiple national crowd thinks of Trump when he makes an appearance at the opening ceremony. Especially as a fair proportion of the crowd will be from south of the border. But hey, you can put all the booing and catcalls down to the influence of the media.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

They say a tourist will get arrested for no reason,

Probably not worth the risk finding out if it’s true or not and be sent to a Salvadoran prison.

that it's dangerous to visit here,

Is it not?

Just listen to how Trump characterizes our major cities. They are all awash with crime, violence and corruption and he’s supposed to be our biggest cheerleader to the world. It’s no wonder foreign visitors would rather pass on a trip to the US.

and that Americans are rude and unfriendly.

I’ve always held to the adage that it’s lonely at the top. We can’t both be the world’s friend and the world’s police at the same time. We’re either a friendly nation or we’re the top dog. Pick one.

 

[Larniavc]

They say a tourist will get arrested for no reason, that it's dangerous to visit here, and that Americans are rude and unfriendly.

I find that hard to believe. Politeness and friendliness to strangers is a stand out trait for the Americans I have spent time with.

 

[Bradskii]

I find that hard to believe. Politeness and friendliness to strangers is a stand out trait for the Americans I have spent time with.

The first time I went to the states, the first evening of the first day in a small town (checks map - ah yes, Witicha Falls). Walked to a nearby bar and a couple of young guys who didn't really look old enough to actually be in a bar got to the entrance just before my wife and I. They both stood back and one of them said 'Oh, excuse me. After you, sir'.

There was a moments pause when I thought 'Is he being sarcastic?' before I realised that he was just being uber polite. And that was, as we discovered to our delight, par for the course for Americans.

 

[Nithavela]

The USA is going to have a HUGE and Big time increase in tourism due to the 2026 World Cup. We are also going to see that happen for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

What's the difference between HUGE and Big time?

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

I find that hard to believe. Politeness and friendliness to strangers is a stand out trait for the Americans I have spent time with.

I agree. In my experience, Europeans often identify American tourists not by their accent, but by their excessive politeness and eagerness to start conversations with strangers.

 

[durangodawood]

I agree. In my experience, Europeans often identify American tourists not by their accent, but by their excessive politeness and eagerness to start conversations with strangers.

I would have thought it was the clunky fashion sense.

 

[7thKeeper]

They say a tourist will get arrested for no reason

Well that has happened at the border quite a few times now, so you can't exactly blame the media for that perception. There's been enough cases of people being detained at the border for no real reason and held for days to weeks that it has cast a black cloud on the view on the States as a welcoming destination.

, that it's dangerous to visit here, and that Americans are rude and unfriendly.

Well there are rude and unfriendly people everywhere. It really depends on where you are and the situation, but it's unfortunate but the stereotype of the "ugly American" exists for a reason. Stereotypes have a speck of truth in them, but from experience that's more due to how some conduct themselves outside of the US rather than inside.

Because U.K. and European media portray America in the worst possible light. Have you ever visited here?

These kinda went in the wrong order, but oh well. Worst possible light? Well yellow media will always do that, no matter where we are talking about but the mainstream? Unfortunately the criticisms recently have a reason for being said.

And yes I have, several times ever since my childhood. My father was an airline pilot so I've traveled to a fair portion of the globe. Most of the time in the US we spent in Florida, but other locations I've went to with my family and by myself have been to are New York, Nevada (Las Vegas), Ohio, Texas (where I lived for a year) and South Carolina. My ex-fiancee is an American as well.

 

[DaisyDay]

I would have thought it was the clunky fashion sense.

My guess would've been the habit of speaking English sloooowwwwwly and LOUDLY to those who don't speak English as well as our outsized sense of entitlement and being generally outsized.

 

[MyOwnSockPuppet]

Next year the US is hosting the World Cup. That is a HUUUUUUUGE worldwide event.

Do you think that the immigration "crackdown" we see happenning now is going to affect attendance? There has been a NOT AT ALL subtle drop in tourism to the US in the last year.

Do you think World Cup organizers and FIFA are a bit anxious as they watch this unfold?

Personally, I would be. I will bet numbers will be lower for this WC in the United Sates and it will directly be attributable to curent policy.

On the plus side, hopefully Canada will get a BIG boost in tourism! I'd even heard talk of shifting some games from the US up to Canada (but that is all rumour at this point).

I'm sure FIFA aren't worried - it's written into the agreements for hosting that if a host stadium is unable to meet FIFA's requirements on safety or accessibility then FIFA have the right to move match venues on 90 days notice.

And I've seen a few things online about contingency meetings and relocating some/most/all of the US games North or South.

It'd be ironic if the US became a "flyover country" in the tournament. And I'd imagine the IOC/IPC will be watching with considerable interest...

 

[Chesterton]

Gee, you must read and listen to so much European media.

Some, yes. Mostly from the U.K. since we (almost) speak the same language. I can sometimes find translated stuff from other countries. But for about 6 months I've been binging on and off watching travel vlogs made by people who are visiting the U.S. for the first time. It's interesting to get their different perspectives on things, and hear what expectations they had that turned out to be true or not true.

More than one couple has said their friends seriously tried to dissuade them from making the trip, warning them that they'd either get arrested, get shot by a cop or shot by a criminal, lol.

I have. A number of times totalling very many months and multiple states. We found Americans to be some of the friendliest and most generous people we've ever met. And we've travelled a lot.

That's what I've heard from every vlogger. Some had previously heard that Americans were friendly, but were still surprised at how friendly they really are.

Your current government is the problem. Not the people. It's your government. It's an absolute dumpster fire.

It's the best government I've had in my lifetime.

And no, I won't be going to the World Cup. But I can't wait to see what a multiple national crowd thinks of Trump when he makes an appearance at the opening ceremony. Especially as a fair proportion of the crowd will be from south of the border. But hey, you can put all the booing and catcalls down to the influence of the media.

A fair proportion of every crowd here is from south of the border.

 

[Chesterton]

Probably not worth the risk finding out if it’s true or not and be sent to a Salvadoran prison.

Why would a European tourist get sent to a Salvadoran prison?

Is it not?

Just listen to how Trump characterizes our major cities. They are all awash with crime, violence and corruption and he’s supposed to be our biggest cheerleader to the world. It’s no wonder foreign visitors would rather pass on a trip to the US.

It's true some of the large Dem run cities are dangerous. In fact, I think the State Department should issue a Travel Advisory for Chicago. Better yet, maybe a Living Advisory - "Don't live there".

 

[Chesterton]

I find that hard to believe. Politeness and friendliness to strangers is a stand out trait for the Americans I have spent time with.

That's info I get from vloggers I mentioned above. Sometimes we have a reputation overseas for being friendly, sometimes for being rude. Some have said they'd heard Americans were super friendly but didn't really believe it until they experienced it.

 

[Chesterton]

The first time I went to the states, the first evening of the first day in a small town (checks map - ah yes, Witicha Falls). Walked to a nearby bar and a couple of young guys who didn't really look old enough to actually be in a bar got to the entrance just before my wife and I. They both stood back and one of them said 'Oh, excuse me. After you, sir'.

There was a moments pause when I thought 'Is he being sarcastic?' before I realised that he was just being uber polite. And that was, as we discovered to our delight, par for the course for Americans.

Wichita Falls is small. Oh wait, were those two guys wearing mullets and flannel shirts? Oh that's Billy and Bobby. I know them. Yeah they were being sarcastic. (just kidding)

I think it's fascinating how U.K. people don't make small talk. They say that simply saying "good morning" to a stranger on the street will cause the person to be suspicious, like "why's he talking to me? Does he want something from me? Is he going to try to con me or rob me?"

I thought about making a thread to ask about it before. I wonder if it's a recent thing or if it's always been that way. I also wonder if it's just that way in larger cities or also in small towns.

 

[Chesterton]

Stereotypes have a speck of truth in them,...

That would make a wonderfully spicy topic for another thread.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Why would a European tourist get sent to a Salvadoran prison?

Because ICE has detained people from other countries, that were just visiting.That's why people from other countries are choosing to go to other countries to visit.

 

[Chesterton]

Because ICE has detained people from other countries, that were just visiting.That's why people from other countries are choosing to go to other countries to visit.

I guess that's a pretty good answer to some other question.