[Article]U.S. is most unfriendly country to visitors: survey

Ruu_Old

Heh, this report is not suprising really.

Rude immigration officials and long delays in processing visas have turned the United States into the world's most unfriendly country for international travelers, according to a global survey released on Monday.

The survey showed that the United States was ranked "the worst" in terms of visas and immigration procedures by twice the percentage of travelers as the next destination regarded as unfriendly -- the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent.

The survey, of 2,011 international travelers in 16 countries, was conducted by the polling firm RT Strategies for the Discover America Partnership, a business-backed group launched in September to promote travel to the United States and improve the country's image abroad.

More than half of the travelers surveyed said U.S. immigration officials were rude and two-thirds said they feared they would be detained on arriving in the United States for a simple mistake in their paper work or for saying the wrong thing to an immigration official.

"The entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is keeping foreign visitors away," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership. "The survey shows there is more fear of our immigration officials than of terrorism or crime."

breadmonkey

Ruu, where did you find that? I want to know who the friendliest countries are!

Ruu_Old

One of the links was here. I too would like to know which countries are most welcoming to visitors.

breadmonkey

that website wrote:

A copy of the survey can be obtained from the Discover America Partnership.

Contact: Heather Epkins, (202) 408-2172.

Hmmm, could I be arsed?

monkey tennis

The entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is keeping foreign visitors away

I'd wager that this is the whole idea. I don't think the US is interested in foreignors entering their country at all if it can be easily avoided.

breadmonkey

monkey tennis wrote:

I'd wager that this is the whole idea. I don't think the US is interested in foreignors entering their country at all if it can be easily avoided.

I never thought about it like that.

Ruu_Old

monkey tennis wrote:

I'd wager that this is the whole idea. I don't think the US is interested in foreignors entering their country at all if it can be easily avoided.

If they didn't want me, all they had to say is you aren't welcome. I know when I'm not welcome. *sniff*

ArphaRima

You should try China. One queue says "Chinese", the other says not foreign nationals, nor non-residents, but "foreigners". That attitude is rampant throughout the country.

American immigration has made me very angry, especially seeing as in shannon, I am being insulted in my own country. I have often felt like taking a few steps back into departures and throwing something at them!

I have had hassle quite a few times, and seeing as I am a very regular business traveller, I know I can get away with arguing reason with them.

Once I was going on holidays, and they wouldnt let me in because they didnt have a house number for the street I was staying on. It was a campsite!
They eventually used an address I had on a student visa from 5 years previously in a different state. I protested that I was in fact not going there, but to no avail. His hand was rested on his stamp (belt holster), but whenever I refused to accept his point of view it moved back to his gun. F**king hilarious!

-This thread is actually about US immigration being the most unfriendly, not the US-

Ruu_Old

fluffer wrote:

You should try China. One queue says "Chinese", the other says not foreign nationals, nor non-residents, but "foreigners". That attitude is rampant throughout the country.

American immigration has made me very angry, especially seeing as in shannon, I am being insulted in my own country. I have often felt like taking a few steps back into departures and throwing something at them!

I have had hassle quite a few times, and seeing as I am a very regular business traveller, I know I can get away with arguing reason with them.

Once I was going on holidays, and they wouldnt let me in because they didnt have a house number for the street I was staying on. It was a campsite!
They eventually used an address I had on a student visa from 5 years previously in a different state. I protested that I was in fact not going there, but to no avail. His hand was rested on his stamp (belt holster), but whenever I refused to accept his point of view it moved back to his gun. F**king hilarious!

-This thread is actually about US immigration being the most unfriendly, not the US-

Haven't we all, maybe a shoe that they make you take off during the security check (well not strictly an American thing but was their fault for bringing it in anyway)

Rb

Ruu wrote:

One of the links was here. I too would like to know which countries are most welcoming to visitors.

I'd bet Ireland is high up on the "friendliest" list anyway! It seems that anyone can walk into this country these days.

I'd say that the US immigration nightmares we all hear of are quite intentional, but in fairness to them its the country that a hell of a lot of people are trying to get into legally and illegally so the security/immigration checks are quite important.

upthere

The people in Chicago are the nicest in my opinion.
But when I was in Boston the girl and she smirked arrogantly at my passport while checking. Depends where you go. Everyone thinks that they love the Irish, that's exaggerated. Americans are very friendly in general but airport staff have a frustrating job which would make me cranky having to check so many boarding passes all day and listen to people moan about this and that.

breadmonkey

upthere wrote:

The people in Chicago are the nicest in my opinion.
But when I was in Boston the girl and she smirked arrogantly at my passport while checking. Depends where you go. Everyone thinks that they love the Irish, that's exaggerated. Americans are very friendly in general but airport staff have a frustrating job which would make me cranky having to check so many boarding passes all day and listen to people moan about this and that.

It's the nature of the job and if they can't deal with it then they shouldn't be doing it.

upthere

breadmonkey wrote:

It's the nature of the job and if they can't deal with it then they shouldn't be doing it.

They do quite well, do you not get frustrated on a bad day or are you very well suited to your position. If you don't show you're annoyed at work, take up poker, might have a good poker face:rolleyes: