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I travel every year and noticed that English speaking countries (US, Canada, Ireland, UK, and possibly New Zealand and Australia) interview you thoroughly before being allowed into the country, even if it is tourism.
In the EU and non-English speaking border controls, they merely look at your passport and make sure you have never been deported and denied entry and if you are cleared, most likely will not even say a word unless you declare something or come repeatedly within a short time.
So what gives? Is it because English speaking countries are more paranoid of tourists or because the non English speaking countries know better or at least do not make it a priority unless you actually attempt to illegally work or enroll on any benefits?
FBF, I was asked questions at the border control in Germany before, even when I was accompanied with my EU fiancee at the time. Course the questions were very few, the border guard was more interested in the fact that I was from Puerto Rico who had family in Germany. Yeah they didn't ask me 20 questions, but it was not as easy as you said it was
I travel every year and noticed that English speaking countries (US, Canada, Ireland, UK, and possibly New Zealand and Australia) interview you thoroughly before being allowed into the country, even if it is tourism.
In the EU and non-English speaking border controls, they merely look at your passport and make sure you have never been deported and denied entry and if you are cleared, most likely will not even say a word unless you declare something or come repeatedly within a short time.
So what gives? Is it because English speaking countries are more paranoid of tourists or because the non English speaking countries know better or at least do not make it a priority unless you actually attempt to illegally work or enroll on any benefits?
I had a Dutch border agent start picking at the edges of my passport to see if it would come apart after a litany of questions.
I've also had Swiss border guards board the train while only transiting through Switzerland ask us many questions and even called in on their mobile phones our passport numbers. They were also very rude.
So no, it's not just English speaking countries…because that would be suggesting that there is some common mindset in people or countries that speak English and that of course is ridiculous.
Still, border control outside the anglo sphere was a bit more bearable for me, the former made me feel like I did something wrong without even doing anything (UK and returning home to the US, especially).
I don't know if it's because I am returning home, but when I re-enter Canada through YYZ, the only airport I fly in and out of, that's where immigration workers make me postal. They've asked me how I can afford to travel, made fun of people for not instantly knowing what lines to go in to, stare at me like I'm an idiot when I explain my travel plans, and just act all shady and douchey in general.
I really wonder if they are trained to be like that, or if it's that maddening of a job.
Still, border control outside the anglo sphere was a bit more bearable for me, the former made me feel like I did something wrong without even doing anything (UK and returning home to the US, especially).
I can't imagine what our border control is like. I'd say its just as bad as America.
But America is bad, will have to go through it in 5 weeks at Dublin but I don't think that they care in Dublin. Apparently they just ask you like 3 questions and then swipe you through.
My ex wife who was Pakistani had never been treated with suspicion or derision leaving or returning from the US. I never got hassled unnecessarily at the Mexico or Canadian borders by either side's immigration and have been treated pleasantly and politely by the officials in China, Japan, HK, and Korea.
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