International travel plans with all these politics going on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I travel all the time, more often than not solo, and often to Latin America. You're just as safe now in the same places where you were safe then. The real difference is that more of the people you now meet -- both locals and fellow travelers -- are more wary of you than they used to be.

I typically break the ice almost right away: "I'm American, but let's get one thing straight: I hate Trump."

That usually works.

That’s really crazy to start off breaking the ice introducing politics.

You don't understand. It's the ONLY way to truly break the ice when you're abroad. The man is almost universally reviled abroad, and as Americans we are associated with him. You have to address it head on, and fast. And there's never a risk of anything ugly happening when "politics" is introduced in this instance because virtually everyone is going to agree with you.

Crazy. I travel extensively too. No one cares about your politics best to do is to shut up and divert the conversation. Most of the time what you get is gabby cab drivers that are curious about Trump. The thing is, no one cares.

I don't think we travel in the same way. Let's leave it at that.

Yes I am not a loud mouth who thinks that they are the star of the American show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I travel all the time, more often than not solo, and often to Latin America. You're just as safe now in the same places where you were safe then. The real difference is that more of the people you now meet -- both locals and fellow travelers -- are more wary of you than they used to be.

I typically break the ice almost right away: "I'm American, but let's get one thing straight: I hate Trump."

That usually works.

That’s really crazy to start off breaking the ice introducing politics.

You don't understand. It's the ONLY way to truly break the ice when you're abroad. The man is almost universally reviled abroad, and as Americans we are associated with him. You have to address it head on, and fast. And there's never a risk of anything ugly happening when "politics" is introduced in this instance because virtually everyone is going to agree with you.

Crazy. I travel extensively too. No one cares about your politics best to do is to shut up and divert the conversation. Most of the time what you get is gabby cab drivers that are curious about Trump. The thing is, no one cares.

I don't think we travel in the same way. Let's leave it at that.

Yes I am not a loud mouth who thinks that they are the star of the American show.

When you lose the argument, you get nasty. So who's the loudmouth again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People have been gnashing teeth like this since my study abroad in 2003, and it’s been nonsense the whole time.

Meh. I feel like back then (Iraq, etc) people were critical of USA policies but not Americans. This is a whole different ballgame. And the only people who don’t think so are MAGA. Trump is going after allies. He is basically giving the middle finger to NATO. It’s so not the same. I think for now most people pity Americans but that might change once consequences of this new world order emerge in other countries.

You both say it’s not the same as before, but also that it “might change” at some point in the future? Try to actually think through your points before posting.

Like many DCUMers I’ve traveled extensively under Trump I and Trump II. There is nothing to worry about and this is all TDS.

This is different. Trump is dangerously and has us on the verge of WWIII.

WWIII with what country?

I’m not a fan of his comments re: Greenland AT ALL but even if it were to hit the fan, that’s not exactly WWIII. A war would require two militaries and at best there is one and a half.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

We were in Japan right after the 2024 election. ALL people wanted to talk to us was about Trump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were in Japan right after the 2024 election. ALL people wanted to talk to us was about Trump.

We were Italy in April 2025 and after the "where are you from" question, it was something along the lines of "you like Trump?". I chatted with our B&B owner and after a while she said all her American guests didn't like Trump. And then said something along the lines of "hmm, I think the people who like Trump don't travel. Or at least not here"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People have been gnashing teeth like this since my study abroad in 2003, and it’s been nonsense the whole time.

Meh. I feel like back then (Iraq, etc) people were critical of USA policies but not Americans. This is a whole different ballgame. And the only people who don’t think so are MAGA. Trump is going after allies. He is basically giving the middle finger to NATO. It’s so not the same. I think for now most people pity Americans but that might change once consequences of this new world order emerge in other countries.

You both say it’s not the same as before, but also that it “might change” at some point in the future? Try to actually think through your points before posting.

Like many DCUMers I’ve traveled extensively under Trump I and Trump II. There is nothing to worry about and this is all TDS.

PP here. Anyone who uses TDS in a sentence needs to sit down and shut up before lecturing someone about critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Wouldn't even consider going to Europe at all for years, at least until orange is OOO.

Newsflash: the world hates Americans. You really it surprising that people dislike being threatened with attacks by your country?

Americans have zero rights to expect the world provide them with hospitality while traveling when they elect the most dangerous leader since Nazi Germany not once but twice. If anything, the world needs to dump US debt and de-dollarize in order to inflict severe pain on Americans. Then USA cannot be trusted at all. Americans need to suffer and feel pain when they threaten to attack Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Wouldn't even consider going to Europe at all for years, at least until orange is OOO.

Newsflash: the world hates Americans. You really it surprising that people dislike being threatened with attacks by your country?

Americans have zero rights to expect the world provide them with hospitality while traveling when they elect the most dangerous leader since Nazi Germany not once but twice. If anything, the world needs to dump US debt and de-dollarize in order to inflict severe pain on Americans. Then USA cannot be trusted at all. Americans need to suffer and feel pain when they threaten to attack Europe.

Newsflash: the world wants $. Behave sensibly, don't be provocative, and you and your American dollars will be welcome pretty much everywhere. Engage in political discussions abroad at your own risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People have been gnashing teeth like this since my study abroad in 2003, and it’s been nonsense the whole time.

Meh. I feel like back then (Iraq, etc) people were critical of USA policies but not Americans. This is a whole different ballgame. And the only people who don’t think so are MAGA. Trump is going after allies. He is basically giving the middle finger to NATO. It’s so not the same. I think for now most people pity Americans but that might change once consequences of this new world order emerge in other countries.

You both say it’s not the same as before, but also that it “might change” at some point in the future? Try to actually think through your points before posting.

Like many DCUMers I’ve traveled extensively under Trump I and Trump II. There is nothing to worry about and this is all TDS.

This is different. Trump is dangerously and has us on the verge of WWIII.

WWIII with what country?

I’m not a fan of his comments re: Greenland AT ALL but even if it were to hit the fan, that’s not exactly WWIII. A war would require two militaries and at best there is one and a half.

What do you not understand about idiot trump and the nucelar codes?

Trump is 100% planning on WWW111 and if you don't know this you are an idiot.

Trump is Putin's boy. Putin is going to put boots on the ground in the US by 2028 don't believe me good for you, the stupids never read the plan Project 2025/The Heritage Foundation papers/ Peter Theil & his band.....

[Anonymous]

Other countries are no problem to travel to.

Trump is the problem.

Good luck getting back

Good luck not being their when he bombs something else.

Good luck having a job when you return. He's going to burn this countyr to the ground

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are going to Hawaii this summer and should be fine.

Yes, Americans are pretty well received in America.

Jesus. Our country is filled with SO MANY MORONS

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.