And after the shuddering shock of Eurovision some good news today with shorter queues for Brits a passport to success.
It would come as little surprise for ESC followers to see Britain languishing way behind winners Austria.
But to get nil points in the worldwide public vote has been a wake-up call on how Britain is seen globally.
Britphobia is most visible when we’re in airports which hopefully will be relaxed through current Britain-EU talks.
You’ll recognise Brits by our accents or by us drinking in bars first thing in the morning.
But also by us hived off since Brexit into our own queue like pariahs.
Ich bin ein Britainer
And we’ll all have seen signs such as those we found in Berlin.
Advising Brits to leave an extra couple of hours to get through customs.
Of course, few would suggest us going back to a world without passports which existed before the First World War.
And the British book is still much sought after although not as in demand as the Irish document.
Sixth sense
The Brits in sixth on the Henley Passport Index and Guide Passport Index.
Behind Ireland in third equal alongside France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Finland.
With the Asians leading the way with Singapore ahead of Japan and South Korea.
We are guilty of taking respect which has been earned over generations for granted.
Bordering on the sensible
As I discovered when I crossed paths with international traveller Merry who told me of her difficulties as a Bangladeshi.
With her document ranked 95th in the Index causing all manner of visa challenges.
Would, of course, that we had the seamless crossing of borders that we found in moving from Austria and Germany.
Over the Tyrolian Alps and passing through an unmanned gate and landing obviously taking a selfie for prosperity.
That we could soon see e-gates to improve the flow of British travellers through European customs is a start.
And provide shorter queues for Brits a passport to success.