International travel plans with all these politics going on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Canadian. You are welcome here. Most Canadians feel that way.

My mother grew up in Nova Scotia. I’ve been there and it’s so calming, so quiet. I have no problem pretending my mother never left Nova Scotia so I’m Canadian.

There are lots of Canadian expats living in Latin America. Most are retired. Some aren't. Many of them are MAGA, don't bother learning the language, and are incredibly insular and cheap.

I’ve spoken to a lot of Canadians in the Caribbean Islands and Puerto Rico and they ended their yearly trips to Florida and other warm US Southern areas. No, There are not “many MAGA Canadians. Why would Canadians want to make America great. The majority of Canadians have very low opinions of Trump. As for them being cheap I will guarantee Americans are cheaper. Just read opinions on tipping and most Americans lose their minds and hate tipping. Even though tipping substantially brings service workers incomes up, workers who might want to get ahead and save money, most Americans don’t care.

60% of Canadians do not trust America.

I'm not talking about Canadians choosing the Caribbean over Florida for vacation because of Trump. I specifically said "expats." And yes, many are MAGA. There are many Canadians living in the fly over provinces who for all practical purposes are MAGA as well.

Canadians have done some damage to our Southern states tourist profits. That says a lot more than your claim that there are so many Canadians in South America. There aren’t many Canadians who move to South America at all. And it wouldn’t be MAGAs moving to countries that don’t speak English or French.

Why would you think there are large numbers of Canadians living in South America? Because you spoke to some while visiting? Did you visit the American MAGAs too? Oh, right, they didn’t move to South America either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Again, I doubt you travel the same way that I do. I'm about to go on a solo trip to Latin America for a month, for example, and I'm fluent in the language. In the past, I'd never bring up politics with anyone I'd meet. But things are different now. The first question anyone is going to ask you is where you are from. I'm not going to lie and say I'm Canadian or any of that bullshit. Nope. I'm going to say I'm American. And once you do that when you're abroad nowadays, you're going to hush the crowd around you. The reaction is palpable. Especially if you're older and white. The assumption is that you're a Trump supporter, and it's a major turn off for 90 percent of people who don't live in the USA.

This is your presumption about how people perceive you. You are welcome to your presumption.

Anonymous wrote:So you make clear from the outset that you hate the guy, there's a collective sigh of relief, and the conversation more often than not goes in another direction. Sure, sometimes folks will want to continue with the political discussion, and that's fine too. It's our patriotic duty to reassure humans who have never been to the United States that not all of us have lost our minds.

I'll decide what my patriotic duties are.

Anonymous wrote:The bottom line is that pre-Trump it was much easier to avoid discussing US politics with foreigners abroad, but now you almost have to or you'll be treated as a pariah.

Or you will be treated as a pariah. Again this is your presumption. You are welcome to your presumption.

After sighs of relief occur time and again it becomes clear that it's more than a presumption. The man is almost universally reviled broad and if you honestly don't think that he is having a real impact on what foreigners think of Americans you are living in la la land.

I'm not suggesting foreigners are not impacted.

I'm asserting I've never felt foreigners need me to engage the topic, nor expect me explain my position regarding the topic.

I’m guessing that’s because you don’t spend a lot of time engaging with them.

In any event, I never said they “expect” it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Canadian. You are welcome here. Most Canadians feel that way.

My mother grew up in Nova Scotia. I’ve been there and it’s so calming, so quiet. I have no problem pretending my mother never left Nova Scotia so I’m Canadian.

There are lots of Canadian expats living in Latin America. Most are retired. Some aren't. Many of them are MAGA, don't bother learning the language, and are incredibly insular and cheap.

I’ve spoken to a lot of Canadians in the Caribbean Islands and Puerto Rico and they ended their yearly trips to Florida and other warm US Southern areas. No, There are not “many MAGA Canadians. Why would Canadians want to make America great. The majority of Canadians have very low opinions of Trump. As for them being cheap I will guarantee Americans are cheaper. Just read opinions on tipping and most Americans lose their minds and hate tipping. Even though tipping substantially brings service workers incomes up, workers who might want to get ahead and save money, most Americans don’t care.

60% of Canadians do not trust America.

I'm not talking about Canadians choosing the Caribbean over Florida for vacation because of Trump. I specifically said "expats." And yes, many are MAGA. There are many Canadians living in the fly over provinces who for all practical purposes are MAGA as well.

Canadians have done some damage to our Southern states tourist profits. That says a lot more than your claim that there are so many Canadians in South America. There aren’t many Canadians who move to South America at all. And it wouldn’t be MAGAs moving to countries that don’t speak English or French.

Why would you think there are large numbers of Canadians living in South America? Because you spoke to some while visiting? Did you visit the American MAGAs too? Oh, right, they didn’t move to South America either.

Actually, I avoid them. And there are more of them (and of American MAGAs) than you might think. I suspect I have spent a lot more time in the region than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't even talk politics when I'm in America with my American friends, with whom I agree politically. We all understand we are aware of what is happening and we prefer to avoid doom-discussions to preserve our mental health.

I especially avoid doom-discussions with strangers, who I have to assume are informed by a cult of online misinformation. If on the random chance we agree, I'm avoiding doom-discussions.

With strangers, in another country? If I was traveling with someone who brought up politics with a stranger in a foreign country, I would abandon them.

Again, I doubt you travel the same way that I do. I'm about to go on a solo trip to Latin America for a month, for example, and I'm fluent in the language. In the past, I'd never bring up politics with anyone I'd meet. But things are different now. The first question anyone is going to ask you is where you are from. I'm not going to lie and say I'm Canadian or any of that bullshit. Nope. I'm going to say I'm American. And once you do that when you're abroad nowadays, you're going to hush the crowd around you. The reaction is palpable. Especially if you're older and white. The assumption is that you're a Trump supporter, and it's a major turn off for 90 percent of people who don't live in the USA.

So you make clear from the outset that you hate the guy, there's a collective sigh of relief, and the conversation more often than not goes in another direction. Sure, sometimes folks will want to continue with the political discussion, and that's fine too. It's our patriotic duty to reassure humans who have never been to the United States that not all of us have lost our minds.

The bottom line is that pre-Trump it was much easier to avoid discussing US politics with foreigners abroad, but now you almost have to or you'll be treated as a pariah.

I don’t think this is just a factor of HOW you are traveling but WHERE. There are some parts of the world where bringing up politics, especially with someone you’ve just met, is considered impolite. Surely you have enough experience to recognize that you can’t always just go running your mouth, you need to know your audience. And many countries in Europe have their own right wing nut jobs to worry about so they are less infatuated with Trump than you might think.

Sigh.

I don't introduce myself abroad and say "Hi, my name is X, I am American, and I hate Trump."

I'm talking about situation -- which is now way, way more common than it ever was -- where someone asks you where you're from, you say the USA, and you can read their faces. They're thinking "MAGA" and they don't like it. I squash that thinking like a bug every time, and never once -- never -- have I ever sensed that I was being taken as "impolite" for doing it. To the contrary, I almost always sense immediate relief.

These are different times. They just are. And they require different approaches when traveling.

NP I get you completely. Lived in LATAM for 12 years and am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Also have the white supremicist "Maga look" a bit according to insta and TikTok and so clearing that up on the front end is just smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't even talk politics when I'm in America with my American friends, with whom I agree politically. We all understand we are aware of what is happening and we prefer to avoid doom-discussions to preserve our mental health.

I especially avoid doom-discussions with strangers, who I have to assume are informed by a cult of online misinformation. If on the random chance we agree, I'm avoiding doom-discussions.

With strangers, in another country? If I was traveling with someone who brought up politics with a stranger in a foreign country, I would abandon them.

Again, I doubt you travel the same way that I do. I'm about to go on a solo trip to Latin America for a month, for example, and I'm fluent in the language. In the past, I'd never bring up politics with anyone I'd meet. But things are different now. The first question anyone is going to ask you is where you are from. I'm not going to lie and say I'm Canadian or any of that bullshit. Nope. I'm going to say I'm American. And once you do that when you're abroad nowadays, you're going to hush the crowd around you. The reaction is palpable. Especially if you're older and white. The assumption is that you're a Trump supporter, and it's a major turn off for 90 percent of people who don't live in the USA.

So you make clear from the outset that you hate the guy, there's a collective sigh of relief, and the conversation more often than not goes in another direction. Sure, sometimes folks will want to continue with the political discussion, and that's fine too. It's our patriotic duty to reassure humans who have never been to the United States that not all of us have lost our minds.

The bottom line is that pre-Trump it was much easier to avoid discussing US politics with foreigners abroad, but now you almost have to or you'll be treated as a pariah.

I don’t think this is just a factor of HOW you are traveling but WHERE. There are some parts of the world where bringing up politics, especially with someone you’ve just met, is considered impolite. Surely you have enough experience to recognize that you can’t always just go running your mouth, you need to know your audience. And many countries in Europe have their own right wing nut jobs to worry about so they are less infatuated with Trump than you might think.

Sigh.

I don't introduce myself abroad and say "Hi, my name is X, I am American, and I hate Trump."

I'm talking about situation -- which is now way, way more common than it ever was -- where someone asks you where you're from, you say the USA, and you can read their faces. They're thinking "MAGA" and they don't like it. I squash that thinking like a bug every time, and never once -- never -- have I ever sensed that I was being taken as "impolite" for doing it. To the contrary, I almost always sense immediate relief.

These are different times. They just are. And they require different approaches when traveling.

NP I get you completely. Lived in LATAM for 12 years and am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Also have the white supremicist "Maga look" a bit according to insta and TikTok and so clearing that up on the front end is just smart.

Yep. 100 percent. I'm betting that the posters who disagree either haven't traveled recently or don't "travel." Rather, they "vacation."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing that’s because you don’t spend a lot of time engaging with them.

Yes that must be it. Because the alternative is you being mistaken about the personal lived experiences of other people you know nothing about.


Do PPs responses sound familiar to anyone?

PP seemingly only accepts PPs own lived experience as valid: Check
PP dismisses anything that disagrees with PPs perception: Check
PP keeps arguing a persons reported lived reality is not an accurate depiction of reality: Check

Who does this sound like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing that’s because you don’t spend a lot of time engaging with them.

Yes that must be it. Because the alternative is you being mistaken about the personal lived experiences of other people you know nothing about.


Do PPs responses sound familiar to anyone?

PP seemingly only accepts PPs own lived experience as valid: Check
PP dismisses anything that disagrees with PPs perception: Check
PP keeps arguing a persons reported lived reality is not an accurate depiction of reality: Check

Who does this sound like?

Well, you’re denying it so . . .

[Anonymous]

PP here. I mean you’re not denying it. I’ve clearly struck a nerve

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't even talk politics when I'm in America with my American friends, with whom I agree politically. We all understand we are aware of what is happening and we prefer to avoid doom-discussions to preserve our mental health.

I especially avoid doom-discussions with strangers, who I have to assume are informed by a cult of online misinformation. If on the random chance we agree, I'm avoiding doom-discussions.

With strangers, in another country? If I was traveling with someone who brought up politics with a stranger in a foreign country, I would abandon them.

Again, I doubt you travel the same way that I do. I'm about to go on a solo trip to Latin America for a month, for example, and I'm fluent in the language. In the past, I'd never bring up politics with anyone I'd meet. But things are different now. The first question anyone is going to ask you is where you are from. I'm not going to lie and say I'm Canadian or any of that bullshit. Nope. I'm going to say I'm American. And once you do that when you're abroad nowadays, you're going to hush the crowd around you. The reaction is palpable. Especially if you're older and white. The assumption is that you're a Trump supporter, and it's a major turn off for 90 percent of people who don't live in the USA.

So you make clear from the outset that you hate the guy, there's a collective sigh of relief, and the conversation more often than not goes in another direction. Sure, sometimes folks will want to continue with the political discussion, and that's fine too. It's our patriotic duty to reassure humans who have never been to the United States that not all of us have lost our minds.

The bottom line is that pre-Trump it was much easier to avoid discussing US politics with foreigners abroad, but now you almost have to or you'll be treated as a pariah.

I don’t think this is just a factor of HOW you are traveling but WHERE. There are some parts of the world where bringing up politics, especially with someone you’ve just met, is considered impolite. Surely you have enough experience to recognize that you can’t always just go running your mouth, you need to know your audience. And many countries in Europe have their own right wing nut jobs to worry about so they are less infatuated with Trump than you might think.

Sigh.

I don't introduce myself abroad and say "Hi, my name is X, I am American, and I hate Trump."

I'm talking about situation -- which is now way, way more common than it ever was -- where someone asks you where you're from, you say the USA, and you can read their faces. They're thinking "MAGA" and they don't like it. I squash that thinking like a bug every time, and never once -- never -- have I ever sensed that I was being taken as "impolite" for doing it. To the contrary, I almost always sense immediate relief.

These are different times. They just are. And they require different approaches when traveling.

NP I get you completely. Lived in LATAM for 12 years and am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Also have the white supremicist "Maga look" a bit according to insta and TikTok and so clearing that up on the front end is just smart.

DP.

Ok but that's understandable. You "have the white supremacist 'Maga look'". That would explain why you would be more inclined to engage the topic, distancing yourself from what your image conveys.

It's rare for me traveling and living in foreign countries I feel the need to raise my politics to distance myself from a perception. I understand why your situation would be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I mean you’re not denying it. I’ve clearly struck a nerve

You’re not denying you sound like Trump. So I guess that "struck a nerve", clearly.

The reason for not responding to that accusation is I don't gather anything would be persuasive, and I think any fair-minded reader would agree.

[Anonymous]

Can't speak to other countries in South America, but there are a decent number of Canadians in Colombia and a LOT of MAGA maggots. I guess it shouldn't be that surprising because they make up half of the US population.

I'm particular about who I spend time with, so I usually screen them out fairly quickly. You can usually spot them from a mile away!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Canadian. You are welcome here. Most Canadians feel that way.

My mother grew up in Nova Scotia. I’ve been there and it’s so calming, so quiet. I have no problem pretending my mother never left Nova Scotia so I’m Canadian.

There are lots of Canadian expats living in Latin America. Most are retired. Some aren't. Many of them are MAGA, don't bother learning the language, and are incredibly insular and cheap.

I’ve spoken to a lot of Canadians in the Caribbean Islands and Puerto Rico and they ended their yearly trips to Florida and other warm US Southern areas. No, There are not “many MAGA Canadians. Why would Canadians want to make America great. The majority of Canadians have very low opinions of Trump. As for them being cheap I will guarantee Americans are cheaper. Just read opinions on tipping and most Americans lose their minds and hate tipping. Even though tipping substantially brings service workers incomes up, workers who might want to get ahead and save money, most Americans don’t care.

60% of Canadians do not trust America.

I'm not talking about Canadians choosing the Caribbean over Florida for vacation because of Trump. I specifically said "expats." And yes, many are MAGA. There are many Canadians living in the fly over provinces who for all practical purposes are MAGA as well.

Canadians have done some damage to our Southern states tourist profits. That says a lot more than your claim that there are so many Canadians in South America. There aren’t many Canadians who move to South America at all. And it wouldn’t be MAGAs moving to countries that don’t speak English or French.

Why would you think there are large numbers of Canadians living in South America? Because you spoke to some while visiting? Did you visit the American MAGAs too? Oh, right, they didn’t move to South America either.

Actually, I avoid them. And there are more of them (and of American MAGAs) than you might think. I suspect I have spent a lot more time in the region than you.

You could live there and still don’t know what you’re talking about. Canada keeps track of their citizens. Look it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m worried about our trip to Germany this summer and not being able to return safely.

I don’t mind being a “hated American” abroad- I do my best to be polite, unobtrusive, kind, and liberal and hope to change perceptions in my own small way. But I do mind being stuck abroad because our dumb administration suddenly bombed the EU.

Well, respectfully, to be worried about being stuck in Europe because of Trump is more than a little paranoid.

No, it is not being paranoid. It is being clear eyed about exactly who Trump is and how he behaves. Those of us who understand he’s abusive, erratic, unpredictable, and does not make well thought out sound decisions after thinking everything through and trying to minimize any adverse consequences are wide awake. Those of you who can’t or won’t see that are in denial, think that’s normal (maybe you grew up with that), or suffer from Trump Derangement Syndome and are delusional about what’s going on and who he really is.

[Anonymous]

The government just warned all US citizens to leave Venezuela.

[Anonymous]

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