PooterGeek

john b

I’d also recommend not Austria, for similar reasons (although to be fair [!], I’ve only been there with Jews rather than dark-skinned people, and maybe they’re just [!] antisemitic).

Backword Dave

While I understand both Harry’s and John B’s point, please indulge me while I relate a little story from my own experience. This took place in 1990, during Bush Snr’s presidency, and before The Gulf War (I). I’d been hitching (with little success) and training round the States, and I’d met a girl ( Jill) and an Austrian guy (Erwin) in New Orleans over Mardi Gras. (Purely by accident, I arrived in the Big Easy when there was (almost) nowhere to stay. Such was my understanding of American culture.) We met at a youth hostel there, and we got on quite well. Jill was down from New York; Erwin and I were backpackers. We stayed in contact, and in April Jill tracked me down and told me she was apartment-sitting for her uncle, and she was inviting Erwin and I to stay if we wanted.
Jill’s uncle’s apartment was pretty nice, for downtown Manhattan. Splendid top-floor (15th or something) living room, which accomodated a grand piano and facing sofas easily, a claustrophobic bedroom and kitchen to match. (The uncle had made it big during the 60s as the manager of a music act.)
Jill’s parents wanted to know who was staying in their relative’s flat, so Erwin and I were invited uptown for a meal (around 115th St, I seem to recall; if it had any advantages over downtown, it was nearer Central Park). They got that Erwin was Austrian. They remained polite, but made it clear to Jill that Erwin and myself weren’t welcome in either home after than night.
I know who started it. And I’m not blaming anyone here. I understand their reasons. But prejudice cuts both ways. Erwin certainly wasn’t an anti-semite.

sally

When I lived in Zürich, a popular souvenir amongst the many sizes and shapes of chocolate bars in city centre stores, were chocolate Swiss passports. I say popular, but whether it was I don’t know - it certainly seemed to reflect the Swiss attitude that their nationality was a wonderful thing to have and was something all visitors craved.
As for Austrians, the only ones I’ve known have been lovely, but my husband is convinced he’s been refused service in Viennese cafes only when he’s been with Jewish friends.

Timbeaux

Interesting and on the wider topic: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/685ozxcq.asp

In agreement? Opinions?

JPed

Just a note on Norwegians and Germans – many of the old Norwegians still remember the German invasion during WWII and the subsequent burning of most of the settlements in the north of the country. Still not a good reason to spit on a fella’s car, but not quite the same thing as racism as it springs from an invasion in living memory. The younger Norwegians don’t tend to have this problem.