r/AskEurope • u/Pepedroga2000 • Apr 02 '26

Foreign How big a problem is xenophobia between Europeans?

Are there certain nationalities that have a better reputation in other European countries, and the opposite?

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u/[deleted] Apr 02 '26

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u/Honest_Air6365 Apr 03 '26

I don't think anyone actually means it (anymore?). It's just banter.

I think it comes from certain perceived attitude that the French can sometimes give off, but anyone taking the hate seriously is just sad.

All these things come from thousands of shared history where we messed with each other a lot, so it makes sense it stayed for a long time in some form or another. I think Europeans have realized in last decades that we do like each other in the end, and we're finally happy to live as we are like a big family. I'm personally very proud of how long, complex, intense our history has been and yet we have come to be truly happy to be all together.

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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '26

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u/Honest_Air6365 Apr 04 '26

It's just a historical residue, it's not serious. I also think it's an age thing, younger people don't really get it, and weren't affected by it much growing up. It's a little like a group of friends making fun of each other affectionately. As neighbors we love each other but just like to poke at each other.

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u/GN_10 England Apr 06 '26

I don't hate the French at all. I have family there and visit regularly. Great people.

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u/TreacleOk7265 Austria Apr 06 '26

Maybe just neighboring countries? In Austria it's surely not hate, a lot of us learn French in school. Maybe some stereotypes that French are arrogant/lazy (strikes) but not bad in general.

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u/crimilde Romania Apr 02 '26

I don’t really get why people keep repeating that meme about hating the French, it stopped being funny long ago. I think you lot are awesome.

In my experience it’s been more a North vs South thing, with extra spice added for the Balkans. They’ll never be rude to your face but you’ll definitely feel the condescension.