International travel plans with all these politics going on

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

It seems like people are talking about two different issues in this thread. 1, are you concerned about how you as an American will be treated and perceived while traveling abroad due to all the current events happening? 2, are you concerned about travel disruptions impacting you (especially flight delays and cancellations, being stranded somewhere, etc) if there are further big events like we just saw happen in Venezuela. I’m less concerned about 1 but thinking a little more about 2 these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like people are talking about two different issues in this thread. 1, are you concerned about how you as an American will be treated and perceived while traveling abroad due to all the current events happening? 2, are you concerned about travel disruptions impacting you (especially flight delays and cancellations, being stranded somewhere, etc) if there are further big events like we just saw happen in Venezuela. I’m less concerned about 1 but thinking a little more about 2 these days.

Travel disruption is more concerning. Trump is making Putin like moves that are unprecedented coming from a democratic country. Not only has Trump gone to a place he will never return from but he’s held up by power hungry yes men who never dreamed to be in these power positions because they know they aren’t qualified.

Airports were shut down for days in Puerto Rico , Aruba and some Caribbean Islands because of the terrorist attack in Venezuela. It’s just begun.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Now Trump is on the verge of bombing Mexico.

Keep telling yourselves the work will let Americans travel unencumbered and without ipen hostility. Americans are the most hated people on earth.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Polls in Europe, particularly Western Europe, consistently are 80 to 90 percent against Trump. They hate him. And many don't really understand the American electoral system. They think the majority of us voted for him, and they assume you did.

I make sure they know I didn't.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

Ok, well, I was just stuck in the USVI for a full 5 extra days because of our president, so, maybe my “paranoia” is flaring up.

[Anonymous]

Well gee Russia just tested missiles that carry nukes on Ukraine.

If you think Russia and Putin's boy donnie are not planning on using nukes soon you are not only stupid you are seriously behind in your reading and listening skills.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.