re: American's abroad in today's political climate...

Rarely have I encountered people talking politics to me while abroad. A few notable exceptions: cab drivers, who the world over seem to like to discuss odd topics. Rode across London with a cabbie who adored Trump, was stridently pro brexit, and believed that British police should be armed. after about 3 miles, finally figured out that we weren’t interested in talking politics. Then he switched into tourism promotion mode and said that he loved Americans and we should go home and tell all of our friends to visit.

Other exception: walked out of our AirBnB on a rare sunny morning in Edinburgh and into a 10,000 person strong Scottish independence rally. EVERYone there wanted to talk politics.....9,950 were pro independence, and the 50 obnoxious screamers were unionists.