An article published last week suggested some Americans are now anxious about traveling abroad given talk of tariffs and strained relationships with foreign countries.
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Article: “Will They Hate Us?”
The question posed by the DNYUZ headline—“Will They Hate Us?”—isn’t just clickbait. It’s reflective of a genuine anxiety sweeping across a segment of American travelers in 2025. With President Trump entering his second term and global protests igniting over U.S. foreign policy shifts, many Americans are asking themselves whether they’ll still be welcomed abroad.
But let’s be clear: while the geopolitical climate has shifted, the solution isn’t to trade your American identity for a faux accent or a second passport. Here’s why.
Geopolitical Climate
Yes, the world is watching America closely, and not all of it with admiration. Even friends to the United States since its inception, like France, have leadership uncertain of what’s next.
The article states “President Trump has set off panic in Europe about the potential collapse of alliances… and prompted protests in Istanbul and Panama over the possibility of U.S. territorial expansion.” These headlines—and the international reactions to them—are fueling American travelers’ concerns.
According to a survey by Global Rescue cited in the article, 72% of “experienced” U.S. travelers believe Americans will be less welcome abroad this year. That’s not a baseless fear; it’s a measured response to real-world events. Yet, it’s critical to separate political optics from personal interactions.
The average traveler you meet at a wine tasting in Tuscany or a street market in Oaxaca doesn’t want to debate Article 5 of NATO. They want to connect, talk, and share an experience. Americans are still warmly welcomed when they lead with kindness, not politics.
There’s also a distance between the choices of leadership and everyday traveling Americans.
Pretending To Not Be American
Here’s where the article takes a turn into a different kind of drama.
One traveler, Franck Verhaeghe, “decided that on this trip [to Mexico], we would all just speak French to each other” to avoid being pegged as American. Another traveler “pays in Canadian dollars” when visiting Canada to fly under the radar. Others are proactively warning their Airbnb hosts of their nationality “to make sure our presence would not cause a small business to feel uncomfortable.”
These stories are theatrical—but ultimately unnecessary. It’s not a new position to take either; some Americans have traveled with Canadian flags on their backpacks and luggage for decades to avoid conflict based on US foreign policy.
Travelers have always worried about how they’re perceived abroad. What’s new is this level of performance art, from code-switching languages to traveling under second passports. While it may come from a good place—anxiety, respect, a desire to blend in—it also feeds the very narrative we’re trying to avoid: that Americans are somehow inherently offensive or unwelcome.
Instead of pretending to be something you’re not, be what good travel always demands—aware, respectful, and humble. Speak softly, learn a few local phrases, listen more than you talk. You don’t need a fake identity to be a good guest.
Not Cancelling Trips
Despite the political climate, most travelers are staying the course. As the article points out, “The nervousness does not seem to have translated into widespread cancellations,” even though forums are full of Americans asking variations of: “Will they hate us?”
That tension—between anxiety and action—is where the real travel story lives. People are still booking. Still flying. Still wandering through Berlin, drinking wine in the Loire Valley, and ziplining in Mexico.
Even the travelers interviewed in the piece, who expressed deep concern, aren’t pulling the plug just yet. As Christine Bauer, planning a trip to France, says: “We’re hoping that travel doesn’t become more unsafe.”
Spoiler alert: it hasn’t.
Travel professionals quoted in the article—like Jack Ezon of Embark Beyond—note that while some trips have been canceled due to politics or economic uncertainty, most are still happening. This moment is more about emotional recalibration than operational disruption. Travel is still one of the most humanizing things we can do, and now is not the time to turn inward.
From our own agency, we haven’t seen any let up (though a recession would change that) from American customers and from those traveling from abroad, just one Canadian client has cancelled on the basis of not buying American products, in this case, a cruise.
Conclusion
Let’s not sugarcoat it: there are real concerns about how American foreign policy is perceived abroad. But the answer isn’t to shed your American identity at customs. Instead, be the kind of traveler that changes perceptions. Use your passport—not to hide, but to bridge. Yes, be aware. Yes, be respectful. But don’t pretend.
This is a moment to be a traveler, not a chameleon. The world doesn’t need more Americans pretending to be Canadian or French—it needs more Americans who travel with humility, curiosity, and grace. And besides—how many Americans can convincingly pull off a French accent?
What do you think?
Israeli – new here?
Fun fact, they don’t. There are some loud people making lots of noise, but most people see you just as another person.
Also – you can’t hide being an American. Hopeless, don’t bother.
Kyle makes good points and this is how we should always travel. Remembering you are a guest, being humble and grateful always. Pulling a * Borat * with a fake accent is ridiculous.
Well said!
The people who supposedly scared are the same ones who were paranoid during covid wearing a mask while driving by themselves with both hands on the wheel. These people are nervous about everything in their lives. Travel to safe countries, stay in tourist area and be respectful of the laws and rules of country you are visiting and there will not be any problems.
There are 50 states in the USA, plus five occupied territories, where Americans can freely visit (such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico). Therefore, with all of those places to visit, why would I want to waste my time visiting Canada, Europe, or other places, where Americans may not be welcome, or could even be targets for kidnapping? Who needs the headache of constantly changing currency, dealing with unfriendly and arrogant individuals, being in areas where smoking is pervasive and tolerated, as well as being in places where “infidels” are hated? There is plenty for me to see and enjoy, in my own country. I’ve been abroad several times, and I don’t miss it in the least.
Not only that, thanks to president Trump you’re going to have even more places to visit!
From the gaciers of Greenland to the sunny beaches of Gaza, no passport needed.
Shalom, Uri. There are much nicer beaches in Hawaii, than in Gaza.
@ Zorro. ( lights her cigarette and exhales) . Everyone is happy that you will enjoy staying home
A pompous, arrogant, and stupid remark.
No. I am really happy that your unkindness as demonstrated by your comment now, will keep your hatred in house. All the best to you.
Many people have never left the USA. I don’t know If this is closed-mindedness to other cultures, but I myself certainly cannot avoid the rest of the world for my own cultural education and enlightenment of other people.
Not necessarily cultural ignorance, but a lot of Americans can’t afford to fly out of the country when they want to see other countries/cultures.
@Malik
You say a lot of Americans can’t afford to leave their country for a trip abroad. But Disney World and Disneyland are full of people paying more $ for 5 days then it would cost them for 10 days in many other places in the world. They also pay to have their food delivered every day as well as wait in line with 10 people to pay $6 for a coffee.
Hmmm
Not that it justifies ignorance or isolation, but paid time off is terrible in America, as it leaves people with little space to enjoy going outside the US
The lack of response in the U.S. to what is going on has the rest of the world concerned about who the American people are becoming.
What is “going on”?
We are happy with it, we voted for it, we want these much needed reforms.
Speak for yourself, AndyS. In case you haven’t turned on a television in a while, plenty of us are not at all happy with it, didn’t vote for it, and don’t like what is going on. That “we” you refer to doesn’t include me and millions of others.
To be fair, the exposure I have got of Britain has seen me slowly adopt a British accent over decades.
I hear that some people are hungry in Africa.
Americans have always been disliked one way or the other by many countries at some time or the other. Either due to wars by invading other countries, ie Iraq, or now the deportations and lack of freedoms for immigrants. This is nothing new. Thankfully, I don’t have to travel internationally with my other passport, not American. Except Mexico; they like us.
My sister visited Jordan back when the second George Bush was president, people were nice but curious as to what she thought of the president. Americans can get a bad rap abroad but want to see if the person is really reflective of what the govt. does or says.
I just tell people that I’m North Korean. Much less embarrassing.
Just choked laughing! ; )
I am abroad right now in the EU. I had a long conversation a couple of nights ago with several Brits who also traveling in continental Europe. They were very concerned with what they saw as the US’ slide into an authoritarian regime. There was also a lot of concern about the current US regime’s coziness with autocratic regimes and the recent US trends in foreign policy. They asked several times if we were taught in US schools about wars in Europe, the Soviet Union, the World Wars, etc. The implication was that if we were taught about this history, it sure doesn’t look like it from their perspective at least.
I personally am not at all worried about being treated poorly by Europeans. Even though I travel in the EU with my EU passport, the whole world knows I’m American too the minute I open my mouth and speak. Right now I’m more embarrassed than worried about being treated poorly by others.
I’m in the same boat. I live in Europe part time and the type of people that Europeans are worried about (Trumpers, MAGA, US Conservatives, in general) are not the type of people that typically would travel abroad anyway. Some do, yes, and are easily spotted or heard because they’re loud and a noxious. Most Americans abroad are abroad exactly because they value exposure to different cultures and people – something Conservatives do not value. Europeans are curious about my thoughts but they don’t dislike Americans in general; they dislike the current administration and those who voted for it – which they are unlikely to encounter within Europe anyway.
And to be fair, I began my travels to Europe 20 years ago in the thick of the highly unpopular Iraq War.
I can remember being lectured about the Iraq War, especially since I was in the military at the time, but there was not vitriol directed toward me (other than the one French barber with the straight razor joking about slashing my throat while he was trimming my neck…).
I didn’t know you served in the military. I appreciate your service
As I tell my travel group, “Don’t be the ugly American, let someone else have that privilege. There’s always one in the crowd. “
Oh no. This makes me sad.
I was was referring to a boisterous Brit who could easily usurp an American. =;-)
Hey, you can’t escape stereotyping. And you should travel to know what it’s like being a minority in a country and being expected to embody those stereotypes.
Besides, it’s important to remember that most of us don’t judge Hungarians by Viktor Orbán, so why should people be held to the standard of their autocrat?
But you will get those questions or jokes. My advise is to read up on Soviet political jokes. Those have stood the test of time.
This is deeper than a stereotype. This is not about Germans who wear sandals and socks and Americans wearing leisure wear to dinner. This is deeper and has moved to hatred rather humor.
As well, Hungary is not slapping tariffs on allies for no fundamental reason or threatening annexation. They are just the crazy uncle in the attic. Hardly a comparison to a country that was long the shining city on the hill.
You are wrong. This time the entire country will be held accountable as people’s personal wealth in these other countries is ruined because our neighboring brothers lost their minds. Like Germany in the 1930’s.
Elbows Up, dude.
Kyle, you are letting your young age show. That is, you are very naive. I’ve been doing this for a lot of years. And banging away at airlines and hotels around the world 250 days a year since before you were in diapers. I have lived in varying countries during this time and still hack it out even more 300 days today as a digital nomad. You seem to confuse opportunistic politeness and genuine respect. There is no respect for Americans left. None. And that is now coming from many of our closest friends. They have not only lost respect, they have lost any empathy. The world is running from us as fast as they can.
When you used to show up at Rote Bar in Vienna in jeans and a baseball cap they just shook their heads and laughed at their funny friends. Now they will be pointing their fingers and referring to you as what you have really become, savages to the world.
Given how much you adore Trump and Vance, none of your words surprise me. You come across exactly like Vance. Attempting to put a warm spin on beating down your friends into submission.
It will take a generation for Americans to be trusted again. Perhaps longer. And yes, it reflects on all Americans. There is no escaping this whether you voted for this maniac or not. All Americans will have to deal with it. In the meantime, spare me your naive analysis of global society obtained from the deck of a cruise ship in Barbados. Better yet, why not try and hitch a ride on the U.S. Government trip to Greenland in the coming days with the delegation announced. I’m expecting it to be anything but warm and hospitable given the Prime Minister’s statement today. Maybe then you will see that tourism for Americans, for now, is not going to be pretty.
I’m a Brit and still pass as one, accent and all. So, no worries.
I’ll be Europe for a few days. And probably no one will talk down on me or not respect me merely because I’m an American. Because real life is not full of fear-mongering, xenophobic terminally online redditor losers like half of the comments section in a fledgling political blog masquerading as a travel website.
If you walk around plying your MAGA rants I am sure they will be happy with to spit in your drink and throw feces in your bouillabaisse. But I doubt you are so stupid as to ply your MAGA rants outside the safe zone of M’erica. Especially in anon forums. You don’t strike me as that stupid.
That’s for now. As this continues beyond just the past two months though I imagine it will take only your accent alone to be welcomed with feces.
@Snarky. I know you will be nice and respectful. And you will be respected in turn. Safe travels always. Maryland
Why hate Americans because they’re getting what they voted for?
I think it’s the ” in your face ” leadership . just a guess. Idk
Sore-ey, I’ve had a Canadian flag on my travel bag for decades! Why change now, eh?
I’m just hoping that the days of visa-free entry for Americans are coming to a close. They’re not sending their best people, and they should be turned away at the border.
If you don’t want to be American: don’t wear shorts abroad. The number 1 telltale sign
I wish people stopped saying countries are friends or allies. Just because 100 or 200 years ago the oppressive governments at the time had good relations with other oppressive governments does not mean countries are allies today. The current leadership in Britain, Canada, France, Ukraine, and Germany are not friendly to the current leadership in the U.S. nor to 100 million conservatives here. The current leadership in the U.K. and Canada are hostile to nearly half its population but openly friendly with islamists who want to replace them.
Canada does nothing for America. France does nothing for America. Britain does nothing for America. Israel does nothing for America but cause 100% of the terrorism and conflict. China is not an ally but it doesn’t encourage millions of illegals to come over the border like half the so called allies support.
Typical American comment. Always assuming everyone is out to get you. And you wonder why people hate America
What utter drivel.
The average Trump voter doesn’t even have the mental capacity to travel abroad, they usually live their entire life in their shitty city in some lost and rotten corner of the US.
Really? Just STFU. I get so tired of these ignorant remarks that generalize people because they voted for one party of another.
I was in Canada last week and I’m in Portugal right now. I would say, by and large, nobody cares. Politics did come up quite a bit in Toronto and I was happy to share that I didn’t vote for trump and I abhor his policies. I might have received a bit more aggression if I would have claimed to support his views, which in Canada would have been downright offensive.
I am a proud legal immigrant( now a citizen of the greatest country in the world) from Asia a, third world country and I am very happy with US finally enforcing its immigration law like rest of the 195 countries in the world. US has right to screen, detain deport foreigners entering unlawfully, staying past their authorized stay limit and deport all illegal and legal aliens in violation of any rule and laws mentioned in INA and on each immigration forms at uscis.gov. We already have the most comprehensive legal immigration of any nation in the world. The only thing lacking is ENFORCEMENT of those violating our illegal laws.
“greatest country in the world” yeah, right.
“Kyle makes good points and this is how we should always travel. Remembering you are a guest, being humble and grateful always. Pulling a * Borat * with a fake accent is ridiculous.”
Exactly. You are who you are. Be polite, respectful, learn what you can of the local language, customs and/or dialect, respect their mores, and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Only people “worried” are libs. Normal people don’t care.
It’s like the kind of people that “respect pronouns”.
Don’t go wearing your MAGA hat out here, Andy.
The American flag is my magahat.
Also the hero Kyle Rittenhouse showed us his you deal with people who think they can assault people.
Then I suggest you stay as far away from our shores as possible. We don’t need more stupid Americans when there’s already 2 (counting the South African, it would be 3) buffoons to deal with
But then again these days Libs identify as “North Koreans” and laugh about it. They also identify with “Kristallnacht”, beat the crap out of people who don’t agree with them, paint swastikas everywhere and destroy the businesses of immigrants. Especially South Africans who they used to revere.
Really? Just STFU. I get so tired of these ignorant remarks that generalize people because they voted for one party of another.
When traveling to Canada these days it is best to just play by the numbers – don’t bring up 47 with anyone in 51..
Can confirm that every Canadian on the lift at Whistler last week was furious with us Americans. When I told them I live in California, they cooled down and expressed sympathy. They know it’s not our fault. But it does make me question if I will be traveling abroad for the next four years. Or traveling at all. I’ve been reducing my spending and just saving cash (and investing in foreign stock markets) as it seems our leadership is completely clueless.
It’s about respect in my opinion, respect for other people and cultures. My experience in Europe has generally been that the population is well educated, speak 2 or more languages and are more respectful of the environment. We as US citizens can send either signals of American exceptionalism arrogance and be treated accordingly, or start to assimilate life in foreign countries.
Learn at least some of another language, know the history and other aspects of the culture or research it when there. Get off the beaten path and mingle with people away from the excursions and high tourist areas. Americans are not alone in being Aholes traveling I have witnessed nearly every country representing the worst of their people traveling.
But if you are kind, genuine and make an honest effort to keep an open mind, my experience has been much better than travel in many parts of the USA. I do however think that the current bullying and rhetoric may require some extra awareness, particularly in Canada to not provoke the locals.
Going to Germany, Austria and Sudtirol this fall and will circle back to some forums with a report on our experiences.
As a Canadian who just came back from Turkey on an amazing two week vacation, I would not be able to make small talk or conversation about the weather with an American who has voted for Trump. Trump has made numerous comments about annexing Canada. Trump has started a trade war with Canada. I’m not even going start on all the other bullying behaviour that has happened in the last 100 days. If you’re an American, who voted for Trump, I wouldn’t leave the US.