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Comment by Symbiote | Hacker News Reader

I think every time I enter the European Union as a citizen (crossing the border in Denmark, Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands or Spain) I've either not interacted with anyone (electronic border gate), or said nothing more than "hello" and "thank you".

Speaking to a customs official is very rare, I've only had that happen once.

Do most Americans get questioned at their own border? I do, but I'd assumed that was only for "aliens".

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As an American entering the EU, I wasn't asked anything either. Just handed my passport, stamped, on my way.

Similar thing although with a few more questions entering Canada. Usually it's just, do you have anything to declare - which seems like a perfectly acceptable thing to ask.

As a Canadian, I get questioned on entry to Canada every time. I assume it is the same for Americans; the borders are configured very similarly.

Canadian borders make american ones seem tame. I recently visited, and 2 of our party were denied at the border for non-crime information associated with them. We all turned back, but were hasled for doing so. It was not a welcoming or comfortable experince. I will hesitate to return.

I am a US citizen and I've traveled to 20+ countries. By far the most intensive and invasive border crossings have been entering Canada followed by entering the US.

The only conversation I've ever had when going through passport control in the EU was in Rome. I was around 25 with a full beard and my passport photo was taken when I was a clean-shaven 17/18 year old. The conversation went:

'Is this really you?'

'Yes'

'Okay, thanks.'

I can't stand the "electronic border gate" either, it's so orwellian

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