Given the comments by luv2live under a recent forum by Tallchief concerning the racist attitudes by a large majority of Austrians ,we are having serious second thoughts on spending hard earned dollars on a trip to Austria.
If the comments from lov2liv are indeed correct I would urge all travellers to give this country a very wide berth.
Regards David.
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Not to claim there are no racists or racism-related problems at all in Austria, but with the extremely racist attitude luv2live exposes, you should better give luv2live a wide berth. With that attitude %26quot;the locals owe me one because I%26#39;m American / military / black / whatever%26quot; you won%26#39;t make any friends, and if you mistake this for racism - well, more%26#39;s the pity.
The fact that this is luv2live%26#39;s only post should speak for itself.
Lastly, is Australia racism-free, David?
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I believe this posting needs some good form of answer- perhaps more than I can provide as perhaps some may consider me biased due to my origin. I hope that david x will re-read the posting and also judge numerous positive comments as oppossed to the one negative. Or perhaps ask other Australians who visit here in very large numbers.
Please do not believe this negative posting. I do not know the motivation of the poster- but know by living here this content is just not correct.
If one reads the entire discussion., numerous posts indicate Vienna and Austria to be a very nice place, safe, cosmopolitan and welcomeing to people from the entire world. This is proven by the millions visiting yearly without troubles.
The United Nations and other international organizations have had offices or regional headquarters here for many years without any type of problems to staff of foreign origin- often people of color.
Austria, for many years has opened its borders to accept immgrants and asylum seekers from many countries including those of colors other than white.
If Visitors from all over the world seem to be able to visit Austria ( many other than white) without problems and enjoy the many and varied sights-
Perhaps it is best to believe the many who visit and enjoy rather than just one who seems to have some form of agenda.
If Austria is as bad as portrayed by the poster, I must assume one who experienced this would have left the country long ago ( if statements were correct)- they seem to have a choice- having lived all over the world if post is to be believed yet ,appearing to have a valid passport from another country , poster chooses to remain here for some years .
If I lived in such a place as described by poster, I would have moved elsewhere.
If employed there, I would have asked for a transfer by my company or found another job in another country- not hard to do.
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Altamiro
Thank you!
Much better spoken than I coud do!
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Thank you for reply altamira and the points you make..
I am totally ashamed to report Australia is far from being racism free. In particular the treatment of our indigenous people is totally abhorrent.
Multiculturalism has been relatively successful.
Again thank you for your comments.
Regards David
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Same thanks to you vertical for your wise and considered comments
Rgards David
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%26gt; I am totally ashamed to report Australia is far from being racism free. In particular the treatment of our indigenous people is totally abhorrent.
Well, there is no place in the world without dark spots in their history. Austria is not a paradise on earth, but neither is it a hell on earth as portrayed by luv2live. While I am aware of the treatment of indigenous population by the Australian authorities in the past, I don%26#39;t think that this is a reason to %26quot;give Australia a wide berth%26quot;.
I don%26#39;t believe we will ever hear again from luv2live.
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My wife is black. I am white. We were stationed in Germany for several years have visited many places in Austria to include Vienna. We have not experienced any difficulty. Occasionally you will see graffiti in Germany or Austria that is not very pleasant, but that seems to be the exception to the rule.
Regards, Gary
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Thanks to the local experts for their clarification on this matter. It is a shame that luv2liv%26#39;s post is still up - there is no need for that type of message on an international travel forum. I will be travelling to Austria this coming year - I am white, my boyfriend is not - we are BOTH looking forward to seeing this beautiful country.
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Hi david,
I%26#39;m an Asian having been to Austria several times. While its xenophobia was well known, I have never received any unfriendly treatment. People outside Vienna seemed to be even friendlier or more curious when they sat opposite me on the train. Or saw me on the street. They smiled and chatted with me on few occasions.
Austria%26#39;s certain degree of xenophobia is, on the other hand, understandable. It is one of the most perfect countries I have been in Europe (more than 25 countries), they have it all (except the beach). Clean lakes, beautiful mountains, elegant / majestic cities (some thing its %26quot;western neighbor%26quot; lacks), high culture and good food.
Its strict immigration policy is necessary to keep economic refugees from exploiting the high standard of living here. Look at the troubles and issues with those western European countries which have previously had open door policy.
Back to Austrians%26#39; treatment of foreigners, I was once alone in suburb train station and was worried when a bunch of punk youngsters with piercings and tattoos joined me in the warm waiting room. Nothing happened to me even though they kept joking and playing with one another. They only asked me once for the time which I could only reply in English.
I was out alone a lot past midnight in few of my 1 week stays in Vienna. No danger or any strange look. It is certainly one of the safest cities or countries in Europe. The same cannot be said about London where I have lived for 4 years.
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Being a typically Viennese with Bohemian and Hungarian grand parents (and working abroad in US, UK etc) I am sad to hear the lov2liv don´t like our city. I do have friends from Ghana and one lives even in a small city in Lower Austria and doesn´t have a problem at all.
Vienna turned into a real cosmopolitant city over the last 20 years .
Dear David , I hope you will enjoy your stay in Vienna
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