Yesterday, I spoke with friends in Granada that I have known for nearly 10 years. I called to finalize the details of my upcoming trip. I'm thrilled that my husband wanted to go there in the first place since it is our honeymoon and the man did not have much success with Spanish in high school or college. In fact, he has openly stated his dislike for the language. Frustration, perhaps? He is SO looking forward to the trip as much as I. I think I might have converted him after looking at countless pictures of my trips and seeing my glow when I talk on the phone, get email, or hear and/or mention anything about the Spain. Well, it's his opportunity to meet the people that have become an important piece of my life and the reason why I love Spain. Basically, It is important to him to finally understand my love firsthand

Getting to the point, ... my phone conversation yesterday shook me up. It really caused me to think. My friend recommended that I be extremely careful. He stated that Americans are not overly welcome or liked by some Spaniards because of Spain's decision to support the US in a war effort with Iraq. He suggested that I attempt to fit in as much as possible with the crowd and to remain quiet if someone asked about my nationality or feelings on war. I've never have a problem. why now? I understand that people regardless of location or nationality are going to have different opinions on what should happen. Anybody care to discuss? I think I might feel better if somebody has something to say. HELP!!

I am also very curious to hear from people in Spain, either Spaniards or Americans, on this topic. Other (travel or not) message boards I have been reading, this topic has been coming up a lot.

I am planning a summer trip to Spain (Madrid, Gijón, and places in-between). By then we may very well be at war and besides that stress, I don't really want the stress of feeling even more like an outsider. I will be spending most of the time with my madrileño boyfriend, but he can't be there to "hold my hand" all of the time. Honestly, I am not THAT worried about any backlash, nor am I afraid of being mugged or pickpocketed (I live in San Francisco after all, where crime problems exist probably even more but I'm not affected by them), but I am curious...

Granada94,

Do not worry .
I have to disagree with your friend's comment. Think about it, it just doesn't make sense. Why would a Spaniard have that type of prejudice towards someone born in the United States?, here the vast majority of the citizenship holds strong feelings against the war on Iraq (or so say all the polls), but sadly, OUR government is adamantly standing beside (or behind rather ) Mr. Bush and supporting the possible attacks. So, to assume that ANY American individual one may encounter is as eager to start the war as the US president seems to be, when it's clear that that's about the opposite situation we're experiencing in Spain these days would be a little silly.
(I hope to have made myself understood)

I fully agree with Pim, we don't eat americans for dinner (usually)

The polls say that 75% of the population is against war (obviusly in grades of opposition, from staunch opposition to conditional). One thing is international policy, in which people can discuss very heatly, and other to have hate for normal people (tourists in this case).

While I have heard bad words against Bush (and Aznar for supporting him) I think that is highly improbable for an american to have any problem in Spain motivated by the likely war. But be prepared because people will try to know what you think about it

Fernando

You won't have any problems at all. OK, perhaps you'll invite lively (but never aggressive) discussion in bars if you go around brandishing a US flag and singing God Bless America a la Celine Dion.
Most Europeans are against the upcoming war, but are at the same time ambiguous. Nobody likes Saddam, and everyone would be happy to see the monster go. It's just that we're not clear that an all out onslaught, employing the military might of the West, without exhausting other channels, is the best thing to do.
We're also deeply distrustful, as are most Americans I think, about Bush's motives and the terrorist-Iraqui link.
Having said that, you'll find you have more common ground with us than you might think:
eg. We all dislike Saddam
We'd all like to see the end of him
None of us wants to see innocent civilians, or even poor Iraqui conscripts killed as in Bush Sr's Gulf War.
Differences of opinion will be based mainly on what to do about it, and no matter what your opinion, people will respect you for arguing it coherently.
PS. If you do get into a lively debate, be aware of one cultural difference. Spanish people can be quite unruly when it comes to arguing! They'll shout over one another and at you. Don't interpret this as aggression! They get like that discussing paella too.
So, don't worry at all and enjoy yourself. And keep your fingers crossed that Saddam's nerve will fail and he'll go running into exile, thus avoiding the war.

Hi Granada94! Well having been studying here in Granada for close to a month now, I think I can shed some light on this. First of all, like everyone else said, I really dont think you will experience too many problems, certainly not anything that will hurt the spain experience! I have dark hair, and eyes, and most of the time can blend in pretty easily.

However, our international programs director has told us recently that we should not tell anyone we are americans (if asked), speak english on the streets (silly anyways since Im here to learn spanish!), etc.. So far I have not had anything but a couple nasty comments from random people on the streets (easily ignored though!), and a couple heated, yet still friendly conversations with a couple locals, including my host family! My experience has been that most locals are against the war (as am I), and will be very eager to discuss it with you if you are willing...

Good Luck!! I would not be too concerned with this at all. My time in spain has been nothing but wonderful. Most of the time, when people find out Im an international student from the usa (as hard as I try to hide it!!), it is met with simply a warm welcome. Gotta love spain!

Oh please-

Don´t be afraid at all to tell people you´re american. I agree completely with the "celine dion" comment. Most likely no one will care and if they bring up Iraq at all it will just be to ask your opinion. However, if you are for war, it´s probably not a good idea to say so unless you have some pretty convincing arguments. In any event, most likely no one will lynch you. I´ve been in Pamplona for the past 5 months and the consensus among the navarros has pretty much been "Jorge Arbusto es un gilipollas pero Aznar se la chupa." Hope you and your husband have a fantastic vacation and if you feel like coming up north don´t pay any attention to people who tell you you´ll be blown up by basque nationalists...

em

I've spent extended periods in Spain studying as both an undergrad and graduate student. Vacationing in Spain continues and will do so. I've NEVER had a problem. I've had my share of heated debates about politics and the way of life in the states. The discussions were certainly not ones that I initiated. I've never had a problem defending my view or listening to others even if shouting was the only way to be heard. I can't say that I was ever advised to keep quiet about being American. I'm proud and my friends (yes Spaniards) have never made a big deal out of my place of birth. In fact, their parents always refer to me as "hija americana". My last experience was while the Elian Gonzalez issue between the US and Cuba was occuring. WOW!! Talk about a heated issue.

Whoops.. sent that the previous without finishing in error. I have to thank Barry for a job well done! I guess it's all the important ones that make decisions in the world but don't consider the little people such as you or I that have to live with the consequences. Kelar-- be proud! I don't see a reason to hide your nationality. I would just be careful about sharing your opinion openly. In fact, I plan to stay clear of the discussion. I can't see my husband enjoying a "chat" on this topic when he does not know a word of Spanish. I can just imagine attempting to explain the sudden volume increase! jijiji. Thanks for your support!

In the "Non-Spain discussion" you will find a quite thriving debate about the war, where Americans and Spaniards have discussed a lot. You will "get the temperature" of our opinions on the matter, I think. Anyway, I would hate if anyone labelled me for being a citizen from the country where Asnar rules. That is plainly silly. Don`t worry at all about coming here!