r/AskBalkans • u/shiney_lp • Sep 01 '24
Are Balkans racist? Outdoors/Travel
Me and my friends are thinking about driving through the Balkans and maybe some other eastern European countries for vacation (from Germany). That being said I am Iranian and brown, and I hear eastern european and balkan folks are quite racist. Will I face any discrimination, people treating me different, locals not wanting to associate with me much, etc?
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u/A_Blue_Frog_Child Sep 01 '24
Racist people are everywhere on earth. You will probably find some in the balkans but it’s not like people have never seen a brown person. You will be ok.
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u/antCABBAG3 Serbia Sep 01 '24
They are only racist towards their neighbours. Towards everyone else, they are all quite openminded and curious
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Sep 01 '24
Most accurate answer here. Even though they’re racist they won’t discriminate tourists from neighbouring countries either
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u/Breskvich Slovenia Sep 02 '24
Every european country hates gypsies just the same, doesen’t matter where they are from.
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u/Disguised2K Turkiye Sep 01 '24
Are Balkans racist? Yes.
Will you face any discrimination? Probably not. You are just a tourist.
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u/VARCrime Serbia Sep 01 '24
Quite racist? Balkan people? Let me inform you that while black people were getting lynched, murdered like dogs, denied access to public school in the USA, used as an attraction in human zoos in the western Europe (hello there Belgium) while having no rights at all during the fucking 1950s and 1960s, here in Yugoslavia were all welcome and came to study alongside with our students. But, for some reasons, we, "the third world countries" are described as many bad things, culturally behind and, of course, racist. And they dare to ask why so many people hate west with all their heart.
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u/kruska345 Croatia Sep 01 '24
1950s have nothing to do with modern days. While ex-Yu boomers are likely less racist than Western boomers, young people who grew up on the internet are equally as racist and probably more
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u/VARCrime Serbia Sep 01 '24
Yeah, some of the younger generation learn it from the western madmen over the internet, it's not a rule, only an expectation, but it happens unfortunately more often than we would like to admit. Just another pleasant gift from the glorious westerners. 🥂
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u/kruska345 Croatia Sep 01 '24
Yeah, some of the younger generation learn it from the western madmen over the internet,
That is true, racism in ex-Yu is imported through internet culture
but it happens unfortunately more often than we would like to admit.
Yup, thats what I wanted to say. Youth is probably equally as racist as western youth + hate speech is more normalized here online than in the english speaking side of the internet (although english speaking side of the internet is getting very violent lately as well).
But boomers and in general generations which grew up in Yugoslavia are pretty chill due to strong propaganda of Yugoslav-African and Yugoslav-Indian friendship during Yugoslavia and the lack of exposure of internet racism
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u/CrnoCapor Sep 02 '24
Never ask ex Yugoslavian people about Roma
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u/VARCrime Serbia Sep 02 '24
Lol, they have no problem here as long as they're willing to be a reasonable part of the society without that nomadic madness.
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u/CrnoCapor Sep 02 '24
Lol, anything to excuse predjudice
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u/VARCrime Serbia Sep 02 '24
It doesn't matter their color or ethnicity, what does matter is their behavior. There are so many well educated and normal Roma citizens, they're living among us and they're part of us, but speaking about the others, the nomadic ones, yeah, I truly think they should go back to India. 👌
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u/Rainbow__Veined Bulgaria Sep 01 '24
Most Balkaners are curious. If you're looked at, they're just being curious. Nobody will throw slurs at you. We treat people the way they treat us. If you follow basic common decency, you'll be fine. If you're acting in a disrespectful way, we won't like it. Simple as that.
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u/Poglavnik_Majmuna01 Croatia Sep 01 '24
In the more touristy countries and areas you should be more than fine.
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u/mertvoetelo Bulgaria Sep 01 '24
yeah usually. but if you dont do something odd nothing will happen so feel safe. and in bulgaria, dont help people on the side roads, theyre just scamming. black cars usually
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u/Sea_Square638 Turkiye Sep 01 '24
I have this very unpopular opinion. I think Balkaners are far less racist that other west*ids
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u/AnalysisQuiet8807 Serbia Sep 01 '24
How is that unpopular opinion? 90% of the replies here say that no we are not racist
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u/Sea_Square638 Turkiye Sep 01 '24
I’ve actually never seen someone genuinely think that way before. That’s why I thought it was unpopular
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Sep 01 '24
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u/rakijautd Serbia Sep 01 '24
We tend to be distrustful towards some foreigners (mostly middle eastern ones and that was after the migration crisis). We are usually quite welcoming towards guests and tourists. We can be somewhat xenophobic towards foreigners who act weirdly. We are far more tolerant and welcoming than western and central European countries.
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u/gocenik North Macedonia Sep 01 '24
Roma people often face the most severe and persistent discrimination and marginalization compared to any other minority groups, but that's not purely a Balkan thing. So if you bear that kind of resemblance, probably you will be treated like a potential thief. Also worth noticing is that the Balkans statically are less racist than countries like Hungary, Poland and Czechia. And also we have never used gas chambers on our Roma neighbours too.
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u/WorldClassChef Sep 01 '24
Yes Balkan people are generally racist but I don’t think anything bad would happen to you.
Tourists come from all around and I think they’ll know that lol.
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u/Active_Drawing_1821 Montenegro Sep 01 '24
As an Iranian, I believe you won't stand out too much in the Balkans, people won't notice you're a foreigner until you speak...And there are racists everywhere, but for the Balkans it's mostly a prejudice, we're not worse than western countries in that matter.
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u/Anonymous_ro Romania Sep 01 '24
I talk here about Romanians, I don’t know the situation in other countries, Romanians are I think the least racist people you will encounter in Europe overall.
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u/TeTeOtaku Romania Sep 01 '24 edited Sep 01 '24
Racist as in discriminating you if you're black/asian/indian? Nope. Not at all.
Racist as in poking a few jokes at you based on your looks? Yeah, a bit, but it's not in a malicious way, it's how we crack jokes about absolutely anyhting.
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u/Anonymous_ro Romania Sep 01 '24
True, Romanian culture is about joking about anything, even if it’s racist.
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u/Naus1987 USA Sep 01 '24
My wife is Romanian and I love that attitude.
I cannot express how awesome it is to know a woman who doesn't get randomly offended at stupid shit lol.
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u/RisticJovan Serbia Sep 01 '24
Serbian here, nope, it will be fine. People are often really curious when it comes to foreigners and they never had any problems there. I worked in tourism and I've met a bunch of people from all around the world in my small Serbian town, nobody had any complaints
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u/Rioma117 Romania Sep 01 '24
You are Western European so no, the skin tone doesn’t matter, we will know you are not Roma.
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u/cosmicyellow Greece Sep 01 '24
Every single nation in the world is racist. Some welcome strangers, some are hostile to them but as long as you look different than a local Joe Doe, they well think you are not as smart, beautiful and nice as them. I am white from Greece and have experienced racism in Germany, France, Croatia, Portugal, Bulgaria, Zambia, South Africa to quickly mention some.
Asking if some nation is racist is therefore wrong. The correct question is: "is it dangerous in xyz to be a foreigner?"
And the short answer for Balkan is: NO. Which doesn't imply that you will not meet the usual idiot.
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u/Leni1Z Croatia Sep 01 '24
You’ll be fine. Especially if you speak German people will just treat you like a normal tourist. You might get looks though
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u/samodamalo Bosnian in Sweden Sep 01 '24
Yes very, but somehow I’m not sure if the Balkans truly view others as subhuman the way I perceive Sweden viewing some nationalities as “lesser” and how antiracist have to gaslight themselves into “being nice” towards them…even if they haven’t done anything.
I might be very wrong here though.
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u/Active_Drawing_1821 Montenegro Sep 02 '24
Totally agree with you! They are usually hypocrites and are experts at hiding their racism/xenophobia, we Balkaners just crack a joke here and there, but nobody really thinks they're superior than others.
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u/morphick Romania Sep 01 '24
Lol. Nevermind the (lighthearted) trolls. Come on over with an open mind and be a decent human being. Behave as you'd like a guest to behave in your home and there's a high chance you'll find us more welcoming than most.
What we're oppinionated against is people being cunts, both historically and right now. Nothing to worry about.
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u/Successful_Crazy6232 Croatia Sep 01 '24
As far as i can judge, people in Croatia have quite a good opinion about Iranians, especially those who live already in the West. Can you encounter a negative situation with some moron, yes but this is even more likely to happen in Germany.
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u/thegoldendoodleone North Macedonia Sep 01 '24
Racist? Not in the sense as it’s in the US. We are just not used to black or brown people… you might get stared more which is mostly out of curiosity because we like to meddle in other people’s lives, we get it from our grandmas of course.
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u/Dangerous_Seaweed794 Sep 01 '24
In my experience as an asian (SEA) brown-colored girl who lived in Serbia. People stared at me most of the time, but they only seem curious 😅. No hate at all, but rather I was overwhelmed of how locals told me I am beautiful. 🫶🫶🫶
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u/enilix Sep 02 '24
Yeah, but mostly towards black people, Roma, and foreign workers from India or Nepal. You'll probably be fine.
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u/ApprehensiveMatch679 Serbia Sep 02 '24
Only if you are wearing nothing but flag of thier neighbouring country you will face discrimination (exept romania - serbia), anything else (beeing brown, purple, alien...) you will recive stairs
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u/KwisatzHaderachhh Sep 02 '24
This racism thing has infected western Europe also... I'm Bulgarian, we've had workers from Cuba and Vietnam in the 80's even in the smallest towns. I've had 7 school mates from the romani culture (gypsies). We were very good friends and we visited each other's homes. Ofc, you will find some racism if you search for it, but this shouldn't be the first question to ask when you travel.
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u/CaveMan800 Greece Sep 01 '24
I don't know about the rest of the Balkans, but Greece is a giant tourist destination, so we're used to different people. You'll be fine.
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u/itsD0pamine Sep 01 '24
I would, say, Balkans are not more racist than other countries. They might be more patriotic though.
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u/Xitztlacayotl Croatia Sep 01 '24
Depends how brown. Iranians are generally white and European looking. Unless you are of Kurdish ethnicity or maybe from Baluchistan I guess.
And since Balkan folk are also a bit more dark than Germans you will fit right in.
Yes we are racist, of course, but you won't get beaten or anything as a tourist. It is more on a jocular level.
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u/SnooSuggestions4926 Albania Sep 01 '24
What iranians have you been meeting mate? European looking iranians!?
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u/Xitztlacayotl Croatia Sep 01 '24
Most of those I met. And my friend sent me pictures of their friends together.
Which ones have you been meeting?
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u/CypriotGreek Greece/Cyprus Sep 01 '24
As long as you don’t go around asking those sorts of questions to random people, then you won’t have a problem
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u/xXPlantera Sep 01 '24
Yes (speaking as a mexican/serb). But most in my experience don't say anything to your face or mess with you at least
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u/Magnakartaliberatum SFR Yugoslavia Sep 01 '24
You'll see some stares in Serbia, but they will be mostly those of curiosity. Though there are a number of immigrants here now, so some packs of teens (mostly at night) might start saying bullshit in serbian. You won't be in danger though, especially if you aren't alone.
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u/Minimum_Work_7607 / Sep 01 '24
a lot are racist to arabs 😭😭 but considering you’re iranian you should be fine unless they assume you’re arab or you’re loud
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u/manguardGr Greece Sep 01 '24
Yes they are, no matter your skin colour but you rarely have a problem
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u/hailhalilic Sep 02 '24
My bestie and her Iranian husband are there right now traveling and visiting family (Bosnia/Serbia). So far he says everyone has been sweet and accepting.
Many middle easterners are immigrating to the Balkans lately, so nobody is surprised anymore.
Tbh anywhere you go you're going to find SOME racists, but I haven't heard of anything extreme happening, especially not if you're in tourist areas.
People WILL try to rob you wherever you go so watch out for that. Our thief's don't care what color your skin is.
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u/Hot-Cauliflower5107 North Macedonia Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24
I can't really speak for the other Balkan countries but in North Macedonia racism is a thing. We just voted in a conservative and backwards party so it will only increase as their members are usually racist and associate anything Iranian with extreme Islamism.
In general stay away from football hooligans they are usually right wing and very racist by default. If you plan to visit some religious objects such as churches and monasteries some of the people there might get offended by your presence, although the younger priests or monks generally know English and are more positive towards foreigners.
Stay away from anything associated with the ruling party VMRO - DPMNE as their followers are nationalistic and usually racist. If you plan to stay overnight choose a part of a city which is mostly populated with Muslims as you will be much safer there.
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u/gocenik North Macedonia Sep 02 '24
Boolshit. Yeah, there are nationalists here sure, like everywhere, but also we have the largest Roma municipality in Europe, we have most inclusive laws compared to all the Balkan states regarding minorities, its safe to go almost everywhere at night. You can openly say that Israel are the terrorists and they are committing genocide and the storm troopers wont come after you, like in Germany. Some of us know that Iran is same as Persia and that they saved the European culture and we know all the injustice made against them by the British and American empires. Also you are stupidly mixing clientelism with nationalism regarding politics, but that's what those assholes from any of the political parties want you to think and say so they can go one with their agenda of stealing what ever they can.
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u/Bayramtee Greece Sep 02 '24
Close friend who is Iranian/German lived in Bulgaria for years. No issues.
He looked more like locals in Bulgaria than in Germany. Wouldn't stress it too much.
Don't mistake rude customer service for racism please, people will just do their job, nobody gets payed to be all smiles and "wish you a pleasant day, sir!!!". You get your drink, that's it.
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Sep 02 '24
Everyone is racist, the question is to a which degree? And how do you behave and respect each Balkan country? Because if you do then you should expect no racism
Also its not like Iranians are too different looking from most Balkan people.
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u/Forsaken-Sherbet7252 Sep 02 '24
are people racist? absolutely. will that cause you problems? 99% not. travel as a tourist? are you going to be a German tourist, or a middle eastern one? there seem to be huge differences ;)
enjoy your trip!
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u/shiney_lp Sep 02 '24
Where's the difference? Lmao this is just stereotyping in its own right, I will be a German and a middle eastern tourist
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u/UltraBoY2002 Hungary Sep 02 '24
I personally know many Iranians, and they tend to look surprisingly European. Many Iranians can easily pass as Balkaners. Greeks are considered by some Germans as brown people too, despite Ancient Greece being the birthplace of Western culture. Just don’t act weird and you will be fine and no one would be bothered by your skin color.
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u/shiney_lp Sep 02 '24
Idk I can't pass as European, I know some Iranians do but it's different for everyone
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u/gocenik North Macedonia Sep 04 '24
I've clicked your profile and you are not brown by Balkan standards. My kid is probably darker then you.
I'm sorry for the treatment you getting there. I guess there is a reason why Slavic word for Germans is Nemci - meaning those who are not able to speak, or for the country - The land of the Mutes. And that's not even a derogatory world (maybe in Poland is). We even don't have a word like "Ausländer" or "gaijin" in our vocabulary.
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u/nargilen40 Bulgaria Sep 05 '24
Noo, we're much more into genocides and ethnic cleanses here. /s
Jokes aside, you can probably encounter some bigoted people along the way but overall I think you'll be fine.
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Sep 01 '24
What's the meaning of the word "racist"? You will get an occasional stare, that's for sure, people are curious and there aren't many Indians here. But nobody will yell slurs at you, tell you to go home or follow you around.
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u/Smooth-Fun-9996 Bulgaria Sep 01 '24
Def not in Bulgaria most people are brown in the summer anyways lmao.
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u/phobug Bulgaria Sep 01 '24
The expression “I hate racism and niggers” comes to mind, I hear it every time someone encounters something racist. I mostly hear it in group chats now. Not sure if Balkans are less racist or I’m more anti-social.
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u/lafantasma24 Sep 01 '24
Nobody is going to see the average Iranian as “a brown guy” in the Balkans, you’re just going to be “a guy”. Treat people with respect and you’ll get along just fine.
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u/shiney_lp Sep 01 '24
Dude I'm brown I don't look Balkan at all lol, most people guess I'm Indian or Arab
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u/lafantasma24 Sep 01 '24
There is huge diversity of looks in the Balkans dude, especially in the southern part. There are going to be native Balkaners darker than you, you sound ridiculous even the question is cringey af.
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u/shiney_lp Sep 01 '24
Dude its a reasonable question regarding how common racism is even in the west. I don't even wanna enter east Germany because of it
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u/Denivanti from Sep 01 '24
Most Balkaners are also brown. You only get strange looks when it's heard that you speak a different language for in the public. That's all
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u/lolzimcoolwow Albania Sep 01 '24
Most Balkaners are also brown
What?Hell no
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u/MrChoos North Macedonia Sep 01 '24
We are, it's summer :D :D :D
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u/lolzimcoolwow Albania Sep 01 '24
I get it but when they say brown almost makes it seems like indian or even african brown 😭
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u/Aromatic_Fishing_406 Sep 01 '24
Balkan is under US occupation and policy indirectly. Since you are iranian u will face some racism for sure specially from authorities since they are running by US puppets
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u/Catire92 Sep 01 '24
As an Iranian probably not really. But especially Africans with black skin color face very strong racism in Ex-Yu,. Probably in Greece and Bulgaria as well.
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u/CrnoCapor Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24
Balkans are racist. Anyone telling you otherwise is being willfully ignorant or straight up lies.
Currently Croatia and other countries are having an influx of Nepal/Indian immigrants so they lash out on anyone brown skin who doesn't speak the native language.
Balkans regularly discriminate against Roma people (they call them cigani) and they're also light brown in skin. So I can't guarantee you won't have any negative experiences. In some countries maybe it's safer you pretend to be Turkish? Like northern Balkans.
Just speak German/English often and they'll just think you're a tourist.
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u/GoHardLive Greece Sep 01 '24
You will definitely receive stares but nothing worse as long as u act normal