Name The Most/Least Xenophobic Countries (lease, living in, safer)

[varduren]

Originally Posted by dam0n

To try a taste of real xenophobia and racism,why don't u try to live in Russia as a Muslim. Russia is without any shred of a doubt the most xenophobic,racist,bigoted and homophobic country in the world. I lived there - it's hell.

uhm....it does seem as if the rest of europe is catching up tho..behold, muslims are the new jews! (sadly, this also includes anything darker than white)

[jhassler]

There are both intolerant and warm, welcoming individuals anywhere you go. I think since the US is constantly in a state of flux regarding immigration, and many of us come from vastly different backgrounds, we're pretty welcoming.

In my industry (IT) we've seen a huge influx of Indian and Chinese staff. Some may view this as a negative trend, but most of the people I work with get along quite well, despite their different beliefs and backgrounds.

Some may view the influx of talented and competent workers from the eastern hemisphere as threatening, but on the whole, they're viewed as just as "American" as our (european amerian) ancestors. We aren't defined by a common background. If half of our population is latino, indian, chinese, bosnian..whatever..what makes you an American is your desire to achieve, and get along with your contrymen, whatever their ethnic background.

[Paul Negresco]

Azerbaijan isn't xenophobic at all!!! Come everyone! We are very friendly to visitors!

[eskercurve]

North Korea is the most xenophobic.

The least xenophobic in my view is Canada.

[zaicheg]

The world is rapidly becoming too small of a place and too well connected for xenophobia to survive.

[pigeonhole]

I wouldn't want to give a bad rep to Algeria (after all, in days foregone,-and happier times-, it was part of my country), but I have had awful memories as a young naive backpacker there - stared at like if I was an alien, pushed & shoved (but it's their way even among themselves), mugged , threatened with a knife, etc.
And I've seen nasty things in Algiers (a guy bound on a chair, ears bleeding, in a police precinct , guys chasing two women tourists because -and it was summer- their shoulders were bare, policemen whipping the crowd queuing for a bus with batons)
Now as a citizen of their former colonial power maybe they didn't appreciate my being there, but remember, I was only a 17 yo kid, no wonder they have next to no tourism in that country...

[leaana]

Originally Posted by macmeal

I agree. Of all the countries I've visited, the most xenophobic by far is the USA. They've only got one or two ethnicities, and only 20 million illegal immigrants. If it wasn't for the extreme xenpohobia, a country like the US should be expected to have a MINIMUM of 55 million illegals...why don't we HAVE that many? Simple....xenophobia. Canada is almost as bad. Hardly ANYONE can get in THERE unless they have "Canadian blood".

I ALSO agree with your "flip side". Take Saudi Arabia, for example....shucks, ANYBODY could walk in there...go anywhere, do anything. THOSE folks know how to make foreigners feel at home, that's for sure. "My theocracy is YOUR theocracy", as they like to say....come one, come all. Yemen? Oman? They practically "roll out the red carpet" for foreigners....

We have MUCH to learn.

I just had to reply to this. this is the biggest misconception going about americans and it needs to stop.

america is different in that even though it has many people from different places, the prevailing 'american' attitude is they are not actually interested in anyone else's culture but their own.

others picking up that america is one of the most xenophobic has reason. it doesn't seem logical because of the demographics but we are talking about real world experience with actual people.

just because americans have to live and work around others doesn't mean they give two ****s about others' culture, language, or anything else. americans are one of the most xenophobic and i will stand by that though there are those who will say that's just more america bashing for no reason.

even in other countries where the native may not even strike up the conversation, when you do they are interested or at least polite or fair about it. with most americans, if you even strike up the conversation of different cultures or where you came from they are uncomfortable and act as though you broke a social taboo. that taboo is the fact they really don't care or even want to think about anyone else's culture. it kind of disgusts and shocks me to be that boring but unfortunately THAT is how most americans are! the underlying message is 'this is america, we don't care about that or even interested'. it's extremely ugly and rude actually to not have any real appreciation for anything outside of your own culture. since i was small i was always had some interest, natural appreciation and curiousity about the middle-east, far-east, europe, polynesians and anywhere else as it gives you a glimpse into the world at large and the human condition and complexity. these so-called "people" that are the quintessential americans are just horrible. maybe that is the hidden root of why america is crappy culturally.

since i've been in america, it was rare to find anyone who was actually interested at all genuinely about the world or my culture where i came from or anyone else's for that matter. this is just a fact of most americans. why they deserve the xenophobic label even more (though they are unfairly spared) is many are very mocking and outrightly condescending of other countries or cultures to boot believing they have a right to since they are "american" so inherently superior (them, lol) so it's okay to be rude. i don't respect americans who can't take any realistic criticism considering if they've lived in the country they know this and the fact they don't says a lot about the twisted way they think since they are not seeing americans honestly. americans are very xenophobic. VERY. unbelievable huh?

[Frenchified]

This is my first response on this website so bear with me... Being American I understand your point of view. However, I don't think its true xenophobia in the US, which is a fear of other cultures. Here, its just a non-interest in other cultures. Many Americans, even today, believe we are the best and the strongest country there is, so why bother us with tales of inferiority?
Myself, I love to discuss different cultures, but I can never find anyone interested in talking about them except maybe with my father, who developed my passion for cultural differences. My friends look at me as if I'm a bit insane, don't know what to say, then change the subject right away. If I mention that I would love to move to France or Italy, well, that's just plain crazy-talk. Why? they ask. You have a good job with benefits, nice house, etc. That's what's really important to them. Moving up the ladder. For me, I don't want to be the boss of everyone, I just want to say I've been there, done that and I'd like to do it again!
A lot of people I know have never been outside the US, so travel talk has to revolve around stories of the continental US, which is OK, but not real varied. Some people have no desire to travel to different countries, what for? They've got everything they need right here. But, yes, to me that is totally boring and uninspiring.
Anyway, my point is that I agree with you on most points, but there are of course a few exceptions to the rules!

[littleandoften]

When I lived in the USA, I found most Americans extremely friendly and welcoming. I would say definitely NOT xenophobic at all. Americans are certainly not unfriendly to you because you come from someplace else. The problems begin (with a SMALL number of people, but large enough to get irritating) if they find out you are deliberately working there for a temporary period and fully intend to go home. I had a good-paying job with a British company in the USA and spent two years there for the crack. This doesn't fit in with some Americans' image of the USA or the world outside. Some of my co-workers, neighbours etc. seemed to expect me to see the light and become resident and emigrate. I had left a generally great life in the UK and wanted to return to it after enjoying America. A minority seemed to take this as a minor insult. I remember saying to my neighbour (following a long lecture about what a terrible mistake I was making) "I'm from Britain, not Burma!" But I don't think he got it.

Has amyone else found this, or has it changed? I'm talking nearly 20 years ago here. The world is more global and there must be far more foreign people in America working for foreign companies temporarily, fully intending to go back to families, property, friends back in Europe, Asia, Australia etc.

It's a small whinge. Americans I got to know during my time there were generally stellar people.

[leaana]

Originally Posted by Frenchified

This is my first response on this website so bear with me... Being American I understand your point of view. However, I don't think its true xenophobia in the US, which is a fear of other cultures. Here, its just a non-interest in other cultures. Many Americans, even today, believe we are the best and the strongest country there is, so why bother us with tales of inferiority?
Myself, I love to discuss different cultures, but I can never find anyone interested in talking about them except maybe with my father, who developed my passion for cultural differences. My friends look at me as if I'm a bit insane, don't know what to say, then change the subject right away. If I mention that I would love to move to France or Italy, well, that's just plain crazy-talk. Why? they ask. You have a good job with benefits, nice house, etc. That's what's really important to them. Moving up the ladder. For me, I don't want to be the boss of everyone, I just want to say I've been there, done that and I'd like to do it again!
A lot of people I know have never been outside the US, so travel talk has to revolve around stories of the continental US, which is OK, but not real varied. Some people have no desire to travel to different countries, what for? They've got everything they need right here. But, yes, to me that is totally boring and uninspiring.
Anyway, my point is that I agree with you on most points, but there are of course a few exceptions to the rules!

i don't think you understand my point because 'fear' of other cultures is not worse than the kind of xenophobic attitude many, many americans have. they actually are xenophobic but that 'seeming' fear isn't there because they feel so superior that other cultures are not a threat anyways. it's not until it comes down to the wire you realize and possibly themselves that they are xenophobic. i don't really agree with your reasoning of 'noninterest'. if others were noninterested in other countries or cultures, that would still be construed as xenophobia. that's a fine line and pretty skeptical, and a bit disingenuous construing between fear of other cultures and noninterest.