Originally Posted by
Sjoerd
For what it is worth, the country of my citizenship (the Netherlands) and the area of my passport control zone (Schengen) have had entry and exit controls for as long as I remember. I must have entered and left more than 500 times in my life, and I have never been asked a single question on any of my entries and exits. I just can't understand why US citizens are asked any questions at all at the US borders.
Well, for the record, I've entered and exited the EU/Schengen zone through various countries numerous times, and
never, not once, has the passport control officer asked me a single question. In fact, he or she usually says nothing at all, just glances at the photo page and then stamps me in. A couple of times last year the guy didn't even swipe my passport in his computer, just stamped and tossed it back at me without even making eye contact.
The EU seems to be much more relaxed about this stuff.
I also love how they have "Green" and "Red" customs lanes, and the Green (nothing to declare) lanes usually aren't even staffed, so it's just on the honor system, and you can just walk out the door if you have nothing to declare without being given the once-over by a customs officer.