Do Italians hate Americans like the rest of the world supposedly does?

Question

I don't think thats true. I think alot of people may hate our government, but I don't think they hate the people themselves. When ever I went to Europe I met nothing but friendly people, but that was over 3 years ago and I was wondering if anything has changed. I'm going back to Italy next summer and thats why I'm asking this question here......so, is Italy (Rome to be more specific) still as loving towards Americans as it was when I was there over 3 years ago, or is everything different now? Thanks for the answers!

Answer 1

I traveled to Rome and southern Italy back in April, and other then rude waiters, I felt no hostility towards Americans. Just don't talk politics and you should be fine.

Answer 2

I was in Italy a few months ago and felt no hostility toward Americans. One old man that I met told me in his limited English - "I love America, I love Americans, No Bush!" I think that they like the general idea of America, but they don't agree with our government's foreign policy.

Answer 3

i'm from rome, and i dont think that things have changed here that much in the past 3 years, but still there was and there is some dislike towards a certain "arrogant american attitude" that maybe is quite evident in the government but sometimes also involves normal people.

lately an italian officer that was carrying to the bagdad airport an italian journalist after saving her from her kidnappers in iraq, was shot dead by american troops at the entrance of the airport because they thought that the car was attempting a terrorist attack. the americans werent very friendly during the investigation and i dont think that the responsibles were punished at all. but a similar episode had occurred during the clinton mandate when a pilot who accidentally killed a lot of people (this time in italy) while he was playing top gun with his f-15. the pilot wasnt trialed in italy and wasnt really punished either.

apart from these two episodes i think that most of us are bright enough to judge people for what they are and not relying on prejudices or their government deeds. but it is also true that some americans here (as well as the other nationalities) dont show much  respect for the city they are visiting, but idiots happen to be in every country. so i dont think that people here are "loving" towards americans, that would be too much, but we are friendly as a first chance to everybody...

Answer 4

come here in italy, you will be always welcome like all american people. probably many italians disagree usa government choises but it does't mean that we hate american people!

nothing has changed, we are the same friendly people you meet 3 years ago.

have a good time in italy!

Answer 5

most italian dont have a clue if you are american, australian, canadian, german, danish and so on...you are just a "tourist".

if you will get into a situation to be recognized as "american" (that is, being loud and "i know it all" and so on) then there it lies your problem.

Answer 6

see, you;ll have a good time.  Just think about the US and when you travel here.  Have good manners, be respectful of others and have some tolerence for their customs and the manner in which they do things.  You'll have a blast.  They have just as many stupid people as we do... well maybe not quite.  The rest of the world is only rude to us cause we re-elected Bush.  So, what can we expect.  

     And its Canada's turn to make fun of us, heck we made fun of yoopers for years.  And honestly, Italians are not that stupid to think that all Americans are rude, obnoxious and from New Jersey.  :)

love ya... have fun.

Answer 7

I don't think they hate Americans. They love Americans who spend money, but by and large they are not in favor of America's foreign policy. However, in my experience that has not meant a knee-jerk hatred of Americans among Italians.  I've been living in Italy for the past 2 years and I have not noticed any more anti-American feeling directed at me solely because of my nationality. Well-behaved Americans, who don't demand a cappucino after *dinner*, and who are not obnoxious, are welcome visitors everywhere in Italy.  At least the Americans who travel are trying to experience more of the world than someone like Bush who never traveled before he became President!

Answer 8

We just hate Bush. American dream is still alive in young people. ;)

Answer 9

No, I don't think so. About the government yes, maybe; Italy is split in 2 about this so there are people who hate your government and people who do not. To hate a whole people... well, this is very stupid but it can happen. Maybe a single person think the opposite of his government but people from outside can just think "american? so he's for bush's wars!". Very easy and very stupid.

Maybe you'll meet people who don't appreciate USA (many many more than just 10 years ago!) but you're still people with a voice and opinions, so you can discuss easily. Stereotypes are used like in the USA (italians=pizza-spaghetti-mandolino-mafi... but intelligent people don't use them.

And usually people care if you're a nice person or not, that's important.

Have fun in Italy!

Answer 10

I have traveled a lot, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain, England, Scotland, Japan, Korea, Phillipines, Thailand, Luxembourg and Mexico. I have yet to be treated rudely by anyone. NOT ONCE!  My secret? Be decent and you will treated that way

Answer 11

I'm an Italian and I love Americans!

Answer 12

Hi,,, I travel around the world with my job,, and I tell you that the Italians are some of the most Wonderful people on this planet... I have been there many times,,,,, and Never have I been treated badly....

However,, I cannot say the same for the English,, when I was in college in London,,, and how they treated myself and I have English relatives...

SO,, I am looking for a house in the Tuscany region of Italy,,, near Florence - Pisa...... It has to be good....

The only thing about Rome that is bad are the Pickpockets ,,, they are very good.......

good luck

Answer 13

i wouldnt know, but my dad said many europeans were bitter towards americans..

Answer 14

I have to respond to "devilavocate" by saying  you don't know what your talking about, not all canadians hate americans! Just like not all white people hate black people, or not alll germans hate jews, you are making a sterotypical statement in itself by saying that.... and anyhow, why do we care what canadians think, are you guys even a real country? :) :) :)

Answer 15

Went last year and everyone was incredibly nice.  We made a weak effort to speak the language and everyone was terribly helpful.

Answer 16

I'm Canadian (but 1/2 American). Almost everyone hates you (I don't know why). And it's not just the government, Canadians actually hate the American people, listen to some Canadian comedy sometime on the CBC (online).

People judge countries based on stereotypes. Americans are (stereotypically): Loud, rude, obnoxious, ignorant about other countries and their customs. I think it has something to do with your government's foreign policy