International travel plans with all these politics going on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone trust that their government would try to help them if something goes horribly wrong on international travel? That's really a concern IMO, and I don't think it can be assumed that the answer is the same it would have been in the past - especially depending on who you are and what "kind" of American you are.

I think people tend not to think about it when traveling to a lot of countries. Like this wouldn't actually cross my mind one way or the other in the UK or most of Europe. I trust the governments of those countries not to do something like jail me without charging me with a crime or deny my passage home for no good reason. Pretty much the same with Canada, Mexico, most of the Carribean, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, most of Central/South America, certain other countries in Africa and Asia.

But there are definitely countries where I understand that the government should not be assumed to act in good faith. Especially true if there is a major religious or cultural difference in the country that would make me, personally, suspicious or concerning to them. In those cases I would 100% check to see what the embassy/State status is, and what advisories might be out because I'm not dumb. There are lots of places to travel, there is no particularly good reason to go somewhere where problems with their government could have dire consequences AND the US government's official policy is "don't go there."

But there could be an attack or natural disaster in those countries? I think people are worried about what our government would do in those situations. In the past they would have provided additional support or pushed the response effort, set up diplomatic channels to help, etc. etc. Would that happen now, for every American?

Americans working overseas at embassies are still largely career foreign service, that hasn’t changed. Some of the ambassadors are more political now, and overall State dept funding levels are down. But I don’t think in the near term that the functions have changed all that much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of people are in for a wake up call.
If things progress, and trump doesn’t taco, we will be in a bad situation with Europe. I wouldn’t travel there, or Latin America, or anywhere else.

Not only are the crazy liberals not traveling but I bet they lost a lot of money in the stock market this year!

Do you actually understand the stock market. It’s up over this time last year, not down. Also, we have a beautiful country to explore. No need to leave.

The same people freaking out about Trump are the same ones who pulled their money out of the stock market last year.

And the US is fine, but it's lame AF when it comes to traveling. The US isn't bad for travel if you're a boomer couple or a lame type though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of people are in for a wake up call.
If things progress, and trump doesn’t taco, we will be in a bad situation with Europe. I wouldn’t travel there, or Latin America, or anywhere else.

Not only are the crazy liberals not traveling but I bet they lost a lot of money in the stock market this year!

Do you actually understand the stock market. It’s up over this time last year, not down. Also, we have a beautiful country to explore. No need to leave.

The same people freaking out about Trump are the same ones who pulled their money out of the stock market last year.

And the US is fine, but it's lame AF when it comes to traveling. The US isn't bad for travel if you're a boomer couple or a lame type though.

DP. I guess that’s why we never have any foreign visitors to the US.

The US is huge and has an enormous variety of things to see and do, from mountains and glaciers and geothermal features to beaches, the Grand Canyon, and amazing museums. But it’s true it might not be cool enough for some elitist snobs, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is amazing.

Am pretty sure the only travel some of these posters have done (maybe it's the same one who keeps posting) is in their imagination.

I go overseas all the time. Nothing has changed. Most people are nice anywhere. Very few talk about politics, especially American politics. They have their own politics and issues (incidentally, migration is a huge one in Europe). Have two more international trips coming up. Am confident nothing has changed.

haha yup - went with an extended family of 5 to Spain over the New Year(who allegedly hates tourists, but definitely relies on tourist $$$). Everyone was very friendly and we heard 1 random Trump comment over the course of 7 days.

Yep, you don’t mix with any of the locals either. Just as I suspected.

This was a trip to visit a "local" who literally lives there. Please STFU with your suspicions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is amazing.

Am pretty sure the only travel some of these posters have done (maybe it's the same one who keeps posting) is in their imagination.

I go overseas all the time. Nothing has changed. Most people are nice anywhere. Very few talk about politics, especially American politics. They have their own politics and issues (incidentally, migration is a huge one in Europe). Have two more international trips coming up. Am confident nothing has changed.

haha yup - went with an extended family of 5 to Spain over the New Year(who allegedly hates tourists, but definitely relies on tourist $$$). Everyone was very friendly and we heard 1 random Trump comment over the course of 7 days.

Yep, you don’t mix with any of the locals either. Just as I suspected.

Mixing with locals is so cliche. Cosplaying Anthony Bourdain impresses nobody and most locals don’t want to hear you yap about your travels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of people are in for a wake up call.
If things progress, and trump doesn’t taco, we will be in a bad situation with Europe. I wouldn’t travel there, or Latin America, or anywhere else.

Not only are the crazy liberals not traveling but I bet they lost a lot of money in the stock market this year!

Do you actually understand the stock market. It’s up over this time last year, not down. Also, we have a beautiful country to explore. No need to leave.

The same people freaking out about Trump are the same ones who pulled their money out of the stock market last year.

And the US is fine, but it's lame AF when it comes to traveling. The US isn't bad for travel if you're a boomer couple or a lame type though.

DP. I guess that’s why we never have any foreign visitors to the US.

The US is huge and has an enormous variety of things to see and do, from mountains and glaciers and geothermal features to beaches, the Grand Canyon, and amazing museums. But it’s true it might not be cool enough for some elitist snobs, I guess.

Yep, those damn elitist snobs traveling around Latin America and SE Asia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone trust that their government would try to help them if something goes horribly wrong on international travel? That's really a concern IMO, and I don't think it can be assumed that the answer is the same it would have been in the past - especially depending on who you are and what "kind" of American you are.

I think people tend not to think about it when traveling to a lot of countries. Like this wouldn't actually cross my mind one way or the other in the UK or most of Europe. I trust the governments of those countries not to do something like jail me without charging me with a crime or deny my passage home for no good reason. Pretty much the same with Canada, Mexico, most of the Carribean, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, most of Central/South America, certain other countries in Africa and Asia.

But there are definitely countries where I understand that the government should not be assumed to act in good faith. Especially true if there is a major religious or cultural difference in the country that would make me, personally, suspicious or concerning to them. In those cases I would 100% check to see what the embassy/State status is, and what advisories might be out because I'm not dumb. There are lots of places to travel, there is no particularly good reason to go somewhere where problems with their government could have dire consequences AND the US government's official policy is "don't go there."

But there could be an attack or natural disaster in those countries? I think people are worried about what our government would do in those situations. In the past they would have provided additional support or pushed the response effort, set up diplomatic channels to help, etc. etc. Would that happen now, for every American?

Americans working overseas at embassies are still largely career foreign service, that hasn’t changed. Some of the ambassadors are more political now, and overall State dept funding levels are down. But I don’t think in the near term that the functions have changed all that much.

Wrong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

Go at your own risk.

Trump will close boarders around election time to keep people from voting. Yes he will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

"The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

"The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas."

This is true. It’s also true that Trump is setting things up in a bad way. If he doubles down on stupid- Greenland, Iran, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, I don’t think Americans will be received warmly abroad. At this rate, travel is the least of my concerns. I just want my country back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a lot of people are in for a wake up call.
If things progress, and trump doesn’t taco, we will be in a bad situation with Europe. I wouldn’t travel there, or Latin America, or anywhere else.

Not only are the crazy liberals not traveling but I bet they lost a lot of money in the stock market this year!

Do you actually understand the stock market. It’s up over this time last year, not down. Also, we have a beautiful country to explore. No need to leave.

The same people freaking out about Trump are the same ones who pulled their money out of the stock market last year.

And the US is fine, but it's lame AF when it comes to traveling. The US isn't bad for travel if you're a boomer couple or a lame type though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is amazing.

Am pretty sure the only travel some of these posters have done (maybe it's the same one who keeps posting) is in their imagination.

I go overseas all the time. Nothing has changed. Most people are nice anywhere. Very few talk about politics, especially American politics. They have their own politics and issues (incidentally, migration is a huge one in Europe). Have two more international trips coming up. Am confident nothing has changed.

haha yup - went with an extended family of 5 to Spain over the New Year(who allegedly hates tourists, but definitely relies on tourist $$$). Everyone was very friendly and we heard 1 random Trump comment over the course of 7 days.

Yep, you don’t mix with any of the locals either. Just as I suspected.

Mixing with locals is so cliche. Cosplaying Anthony Bourdain impresses nobody and most locals don’t want to hear you yap about your travels.

+1 "Just as I suspected" PP gives us every reason to believe they think raising divisive current events and politics with foreigners is smart because PP "is Engaged" and "a Great Mixer with locals".

Obviously, locals are eye-rolling at this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

"The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas."

Well that’s a relief 🙄. I am sure travelers from these 75 countries are really looking forward to traveling to the states. The hospitality shown in Minneapolis, and coming to a town near you is so hospitable and welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today’s news:

Trump administration indefinitely pauses immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

Might have an effect on overseas travel. I still think as Americans, for now at least, we will be able to travel, but with today’s climate and signs that Trump might double down on stupid, it might be best to stay home.

"The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas."

Well that’s a relief 🙄. I am sure travelers from these 75 countries are really looking forward to traveling to the states. The hospitality shown in Minneapolis, and coming to a town near you is so hospitable and welcoming.

Yes this is possible. However this is different than the context of the original post, which was about Americans not traveling overseas.