As if, indeed, people were pleased to receive you. At the same time, in Paris, it was usual to hear comments in the subway against foreigners (fortunately, it has changed a lot today) and against those who come "to take the bread and the work from you".
En aquella misma época, en París, era frecuente escuchar en el subte comentarios contra los extranjeros (por suerte, eso ha cambiado mucho ahora) y contra la gente “que viene a quitarnos el pan y el trabajo”.