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Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

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Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#41

Post by arethuza »

ErrantX wrote: post #18

I have to admit, as difficult as it is, he makes a good point here. I'm nowhere near as well travelled, but we do a lot of work in the middle east (some of the nastier parts too), which is a place you would imagine a white westerner would count seriously against you. But, frankly, I've never felt safer or more welcomed in my life (apart from the odd dicey moment). OK, the US is not terrible, unsafe or specifically un…

One of the more surreal conversations I've had while entering the US was one guy who wanted to know why I've been to Turkey/Egypt/Morocco so many times - he just seemed to refuse to believe me when I said that they are really nice places to go on holiday and that they are very common holiday destinations for Europeans. I actually had to explain what it is that I like about them!

Note - I'm from the UK.

[Edit: Note that I really enjoy visiting the US - the country is great, its just that the experience of getting in can be a bit odd, although I have to admit that the last few times were all perfectly pleasant].

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#42

Post by schwabacher »

ErrantX wrote: post #18

I have to admit, as difficult as it is, he makes a good point here. I'm nowhere near as well travelled, but we do a lot of work in the middle east (some of the nastier parts too), which is a place you would imagine a white westerner would count seriously against you. But, frankly, I've never felt safer or more welcomed in my life (apart from the odd dicey moment). OK, the US is not terrible, unsafe or specifically un…

Just out of curiosity where are you from / what race are you?

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#43

Post by ErrantX »

arethuza wrote: post #41
ErrantX wrote: post #18

I have to admit, as difficult as it is, he makes a good point here. I'm nowhere near as well travelled, but we do a lot of work in the middle east (some of the nastier parts too), which is a place you would imagine a white westerner would count seriously against you. But, frankly, I've never felt safer or more welcomed in my life (apart from the odd dicey moment). OK, the US is not terrible, unsafe or specifically un…

One of the more surreal conversations I've had while entering the US was one guy who wanted to know why I've been to Turkey/Egypt/Morocco so many times - he just seemed to refuse to believe me when I said that they are really nice places to go on holiday and that they are very common holiday destinations for Europeans. I actually had to explain what it is that I like about them! Note - I'm from the UK. [Edit: Note th…

The intriguing thing is that out of about 15 US trips only one had a bad border experience (and that was a work trip where we took our own equipment, which was understandable).

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#44

Post by xiaoma »

eoghan wrote: post #19
die_sekte wrote: post #16

Anybody willing to share how Schengen/EU borders are for foreigners?

What exactly would you like to know? I've traveled to about 10 European countries. I've never been photographed, had my fingerprints taken, been interrogated about my intentions. But every time I visit the US, all of these things happen. I should note that I'm a European Union (EU) citizen which gives me the right to travel freely between countries in the EU. But my American friends have only ever been hassled when t…

It doesn't really mean much to me to hear that an EU citizen can travel through the EU with minimal hassle. Plenty of Americans have traveled to dozens of US states, some of which are larger than EU countries with minimal hassle, no fingerprints taken, no interrogations or passports required. About 10 years ago, Canadians could do the same with just a driver's licence (and it was reciprocal for US citizens visiting Canada).

On the other hand, EU visas can be very troublesome. I wouldn't recommend London as a photographer friendly place, either. Now, Hong Kong... that's a city/state/SAR with fantastically efficient and painless customs.

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#46

Post by ErrantX »

schwabacher wrote: post #42
ErrantX wrote: post #18

I have to admit, as difficult as it is, he makes a good point here. I'm nowhere near as well travelled, but we do a lot of work in the middle east (some of the nastier parts too), which is a place you would imagine a white westerner would count seriously against you. But, frankly, I've never felt safer or more welcomed in my life (apart from the odd dicey moment). OK, the US is not terrible, unsafe or specifically un…

Just out of curiosity where are you from / what race are you?

British, White.

I'm not sure it is really related to that, my colleagues (a mix of Asian, Arab & British looking people) all have the same sort of experience.

I think it is a product of being a) foreign (in general) and b) young.

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#47

Post by srdghjrtty »

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Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#48

Post by JonoW »

die_sekte wrote: post #16

Anybody willing to share how Schengen/EU borders are for foreigners?

I'm a South African living in the UK, so I need Schengen visas when ever travelling to the EU. I have found the staff at the borders fine (have travelled to the EU about 10 times); I've never had any problems. Sure, they're not the friendliest, but I've never found a country that did have friendly border staff.

My issue with the Schengen scheme is the process of getting the visa itself. The requirements are a bit over the top, and it's expensive, think its's about £80 for a French Schengen.

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#49

Post by fedd »

comments burn!!!

http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/fngfo/why_i_stop...

=================================

I switched flights in Dubai once. I was on my way back from Asia, travelling in the full backbacker gear. I had ripped shorts, a dirty tank top, an ugly hat, and flip flops. I carried a huge backpack as well as a guitar and an ukulele.

When I put the guitar through the security scanner thingy, the guard stationed there ran it through several times and looked at the screen with suspicion. Then he let the guitar through and started eyeballing me real bad. I got scared shitless as I figured I might have forgotten a bag of weed or so in the guitar case (Dubai is notorious for their harsh drug laws) and I definitely had THC in the system.

After what probably was just five seconds but felt like ages, the guard asked me "what is that?" and pointed to the guitar.

"A guitar", I said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Can play Hotel California?"

"Yes."

"Okay, you can go."

pants6000

"Okay, you can go."

But you can never leave!

bawng

I asked the guard to bring me some wine.

greggerypeccary

He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since nine....

...eleven."

Re: Why I stopped travelling to the US and largely stopped doing business in the US

#50

Post by estel »

die_sekte wrote: post #16

Anybody willing to share how Schengen/EU borders are for foreigners?

My understanding (though as an EU citizen) is that it varies ridiculously from country to country within Schengen. As much as I'd hate to revert to national stereotypes... they're likely accurate ^^

The UK, however, is pretty well known for being rather strict with immigration procedures and border controls.

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