embarrassed to travel abroad as an American now?

[Anonymous]

NOW?! This is what made you embarrassed? Have you not been paying attention?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's always been embarrassing to travel to Europe as an American. Luckily for me I am a polyglot and can pass in most Euro countries. Key things to remember are:

Smile less. Do not say please and thank you for every little thing. Don't make a lot of eye contact--that's considered flirting. Speak quietly...Americans are so loud culturally. Try to not have a nervous giggle, that's another big tell. European women hardly ever do this and carry themselves more confidently. Don't feel the need to fill every silence with talking.

You are cringe-worthy with your stereotyping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are you dressing that it gives away you are American? Maybe work on that.

Every time you open your mouth at a hotel or to order food at a restaurant or to buy a coffee at a cafe they know you’re an ugly American tho.

It is super embarrassing traveling abroad as an American right now. So many people across the planet are suffering because of what we've done. Gas prices are exploding in countries across the planet, and they are all 1000% blaming Americans for it. For example, we are traveling to Thailand later this year. They are facing energy crises, fuel shortages, and had their shipped bombed because of us.

It is extremely embarrassing to be an American over there right now.

[Anonymous]

I don't really get this. I doubt the ladies of DCUM are walking around with Disney Tshirts, dorky crocs and speaking loudly. That will get you looks no matter who is POTUS. Otherwise you will just look normal. It's very narcissistic to assume people care this much about you, and very...American. People have other things to think about.

[Anonymous]

We haven't had any issues. Be polite, try to respect local customs, and learn a few key words and phrases in the native language so you can properly greet people and say please and thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you dressing that it gives away you are American? Maybe work on that.

Every time you open your mouth at a hotel or to order food at a restaurant or to buy a coffee at a cafe they know you’re an ugly American tho.

It is super embarrassing traveling abroad as an American right now. So many people across the planet are suffering because of what we've done. Gas prices are exploding in countries across the planet, and they are all 1000% blaming Americans for it. For example, we are traveling to Thailand later this year. They are facing energy crises, fuel shortages, and had their shipped bombed because of us.

It is extremely embarrassing to be an American over there right now.

This. My family is German, I often get stopped and asked for directions in German when I'm in Germany. But the second I start talking in my terrible German it's obvious I'm American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We haven't had any issues. Be polite, try to respect local customs, and learn a few key words and phrases in the native language so you can properly greet people and say please and thank you.

+1 We’re abroad right now, visiting DC who is living here temporarily. We just try to be polite and respectful to everyone, and for the most part, that’s what we get back. DC has had no issues. If anything, DC gets a lot of sympathetic glances when people realize their citizenship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We haven't had any issues. Be polite, try to respect local customs, and learn a few key words and phrases in the native language so you can properly greet people and say please and thank you.

+1 We’re abroad right now, visiting DC who is living here temporarily. We just try to be polite and respectful to everyone, and for the most part, that’s what we get back. DC has had no issues. If anything, DC gets a lot of sympathetic glances when people realize their citizenship.

I'm the poster with German family and it helps that we've been consistently anti this for ages. I won't hesitate to make clear I don't approve. Now that's within my own family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been abroad in the last few months and it was deeply embarrassing to hear Canadians and Danish people talk about how Trump talks about them.

People don’t attribute his awfulness to every American though. I did get asked why more Americans don’t protest and I explained that some of us do but it’s hard to have a mass protest becausr we are such a huge country and the media doesn’t always cover smaller protests.

I would say that we have had protests.

However, as good Americans, we also know there are pollsters constantly working. And that legally we probably have to wait out DJT unless he becomes medically incapacitated.

Voting is really our main option.

[Anonymous]

OP, same here. It’s terrible to see what has happened to our country, and to know innocent Americans will be targeted because of his corruption.

[Anonymous]

Yes, very embarrassed. Embarrassed when Trump was elected the first time. Embarrassed when Trump was elected second time (though I suspect this one may have been rigged). Now my embarrassment has turned to outright shame. This has us reconsidering our June trip to Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Due to the US yet again blowing up the world, is anyone else compeltely embarrassed and ashamed to be an American, especially when traveling? Many other countries are economically suffering (e.g., exploding gas prices) due to a dumb war US started. And not only that, our stable genius prez insulted everyone for an entire year straight, plus impose tarriffs on everyone yet is now pleading for international help.

It is has never felt this terrible to be an American. How do you feel while traveling abroad now? Do you try to keep as quiet as possible to conceal your nationality, although the clothes and mannerisms are a dead giveaway. Have you gotten hostility if you've traveled within the last two weeks?

No, not really. I find most people in the world are able to separate people they meet from their governments.

You might get an earful about hatred for Trump. But I doubt anyone is going to hold it against you personally.

The ONLY time I felt any hostility was in 1986 in Auckland. The anti-nuclear sentiment was high and the French had just sunk the Rainbow Warrior. There was widespread dislike of Ronald Reagan and his nuclear policies. It was balanced by appreciation for US protection from the possibility of Japanese invasion during WWII.

[Anonymous]

It’s stupid to feel embarrassed because you’re an American tourist. Should the Chinese tourists feel embarrassed because of their government‘s human rights violations?

[Anonymous]

Pretty much every European country has a right wing party. Ask about educated Brit how they feel about Brexit. They all get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's always been embarrassing to travel to Europe as an American. Luckily for me I am a polyglot and can pass in most Euro countries. Key things to remember are:

Smile less. Do not say please and thank you for every little thing. Don't make a lot of eye contact--that's considered flirting. Speak quietly...Americans are so loud culturally. Try to not have a nervous giggle, that's another big tell. European women hardly ever do this and carry themselves more confidently. Don't feel the need to fill every silence with talking.

I doubt you speak anything close to a native level and so still stick out.