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

Anti-Americanism has been a sort of civic religion of the European Left since at least the early 60's. This is not new. It's just morphed from pro-Soviet sentiment to pro-Climate change or Anti-Trumpism. It's not really significantly different imho with Trump than it was with Reagan or Bush, you can just generally assume urban hipsters will skew toward being negative towards America power and culture . And a lot of that will be cultural critique more than political. Much of Eastern Europe obviously being an exception to this.

Now as for South and East Asia, I've always found it to be almost the opposite. I generally assume a pro-American response.

Either way, I've never let it effect my travels. People have always been polite and friendly to me wherever I have traveled. I don't go there to deconstruct politics with the locals. I'd just smile and change the subject.

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For those that have been abroad recently, what have your experiences been with the foreigners you've met abroad when it comes to their perceptions of our political landscape? Non issue? Curious? Hateful? Understanding? Supportive?

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A mix of all these things! I talked to a Bolsonaro supporter on an excursion outside Zagreb, I’ve talked communism and the incestuous Hoxha/US relationship with a man who escaped communist Albania (his family were basically made into field slaves when he left), I’ve seen an obnoxious old boomer woman in a fancy Parisian restaurant rail against Trump. When she asked my opinion (she was the type to talk to neighbors), I gave my honest opinion and the men with her laughed riotously as I rebutted her nonsense. I’ve had a Milan cab driver put down Trump, then ask me where I was from. When I saiid I was originally from NO, he said, “there are a lot of n****** there!” I was shocked and in an unfamiliar neighborhood, so I simple said, “some people think so.” In Belgrade, every Serbian who discussed politics was so happy Clinton was defeated, and one guide was puzzled by the liberal Americans who go to Serbia and apologize for Trump (obviously too ignorant to know who bombed Serbia). I’ve run into a number of outspoken liberal Brits- the old ones get pissy when you disagree, the young ones are fairly open-minded and engaging to talk to. In the Middle East, while politics comes up, it not really focused on a person or party. Mostly, they believe everyone is up to something, and I tend to agree. Then we talk about other things (eventually, many ask if I’m with the CIA). The exception is Haifa, a young Palestinian store clerk asked if I was American. I said yes. Then he asked if I was with the navy. I replied no and that I was wondering which country’s big ship was in the port. He then asked if I was crazy. He was trying to be intimidating, but he was basically a late adolescent working in his parents well-located store and puffing his chest a bit. I said “probably” and smiled at him. After that, I went in everyday when I wanted soda, water, snacks. He was super chill after that first encounter. Eastern Europe had a generally pro-Trump vibe, but nobody was particularly outspoken. Interestingly, two different women in Croatia described Michelle Obama as “very nice” without any prompting.

Depends which socio-économic class you’re talking to.

The fancy/upper middle class people that you will usually come across in the biggest cities/tourist areas, will be anti-Trump and more likely to be anti-American

Get off the beaten path and amongst the blue collar folk (those left behind), the more patriotic...and they tend to really like Trump, or at the very least, pro-American

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Rode across London with a cabbie who adored Trump, was stridently pro brexit, and believed that British police should be armed

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Haha oddly enough, I’ve noticed that nearly every cabbie in every country is very pro-Trump and pro-America

Since 2016 I have been to Europe twice, both times I wore my MAGA hat around. Nobody said too much about it. The reaction is always 10x worse in large cities here in the US.

Thanks! It was a good topic. I’ve enjoyed hearing about everyone’s experiences.

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outspoken liberal Brits

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Because we all speak English, I've found the "snide comments" to have often come from either Brits or Germans. I wouldn't play the Hitler Card with Germans probably, but I sure have tried to "bone up" on Brexit. You roll with their punch, then mention "the challenges" they face in their own country with Brexit, BAM. Usually gets an understanding of politics then you go on and drink some more.

(Side note, traveling young male Brits, on their "Stag Dos", can be some of the most violent and aggressive tourists on the Continent and should be watched out for when drunk).

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Now the Brits have taken that crown.

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Fer sure. On several occasions I've run into "packs" in Barcelona and Prague (and that's what they are) of drunk Brits out on the streets, drunk off their asses, clearly looking for trouble. We just turned and headed in the other direction, but if you ever see that brewing, RUN.

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but if you ever see that brewing, RUN.

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One of those stag groups came in to a bar I was at in Lisbon and the groom was wearing a MAGA hat. I had to talk to them just to see what was up. They were nice and let me take a pic with the groom and they said they made him wear the hat because he looked like Trump. I saw zero resemblance.

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Apparently one thing is they only here the negative stuff happening in America not the positive.

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kind of like most Americans who watch the main news media networks.....

Told someone in London I was from Texas and got "Oh so you're a heartless racist?" in response. I politely declined, and she said "Oh good, then you don't support Trump??".

Went to London, Dublin, Prague, and Rome. Did a walking tour in every city, and Trump was negatively brought up in every one. In Rome/Prague's defense, they did admit that they aren't in the best of positions to throw stones in the political leadership category