Travel during this administration

Nobody cares.

Truncating place names and standing on the wrong side of the Tube escalators, now that’s a different matter.

Being respectful and open makes for good vibes, no matter the politics.

I recently was on a cruise with a literal boatload of Brits. I was completely surprised how many times I was asked about Donald Trump as president and what did I think. The world is puzzled and the world is curious.

That said, if you don’t want to discuss politics, don’t. A simple , “ I prefer not to discuss politics on vacation.” Should end discussion with all but the most persistent.

Most Europeans recognise that Americans and their president are different entities. However prepared to be asked lots about Trump.

Cameron Hewitt addressed this very topic in a recent Monday Night Travel, with thoughtful interviews with travel guides from various countries:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/european-travel-trump

If you live on social media then you'll find plenty of weird people getting very angry and screaming into their echo chambers.
But when you move to the real world, you'll find that nobody normal cares that much.

German saying: "Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt es sich ganz ungeniert." (Once a reputation is ruined, life is easy.)

@Camborne2018, your comment about standing on the wrong side of the tube escalators made me giggle. That's truly an offense worthy of a minor international incident!

I have zero qualms about traveling to Europe. (In fact, I might go and never come home....) I have two trips coming up. If asked, my polite response will be that I'm on vacation, and I don't want to talk about the administration while I'm trying to enjoy myself.

I traveled full time during his last administration and I'll be traveling full time during this coming administration.

At no time have I been treated badly because of who is president. I've been asked questions, sometimes I hear their opinion, but at no time was I treated badly.

And in some areas of Europe, he's very popular.

There are people in Europe who, in general, don't like Americans or America. Whoever is sitting in the White House is not going to change that.

Go and enjoy yourself.

Nobody cares.

Most Europeans recognise that Americans and their president are different entities.

We most certainly do care and it is a constant topic of conversation. And with the reelection of Trump, you will find that many people do hold the voters to account at this stage. And depending on how the next few months go it may well turn out. that Americans may well have some unpleasant encounters. It would be foolish to expect otherwise.

I am traveling now and have been for a month. And I talk to a lot of people.

I do get asked - but what we as U.S. citizens can forget is that every country has their own stuff going on. Discussion is only EVER what I want it to be.

I admit I am not in a place receiving U.S. aid, but you probably won’t be either. Have an open mind and hear what OTHER people have to say about whatever the topic is. Unless YOU get defensive, then offensive, etc, any topic you can discuss is enlightening. I am learning a lot about changing attitudes toward Brexit and changes in governmental attitudes toward the Māori, and health care processes in the Netherlands - just to name a few things.

Despite the US National anthem being booed at several sporting events in Canada over the weekend, it wasn't targeted at the general population but at the policies of a certain someone. Now if the Americans beat the Canadians at the Nations Face-Off hockey tournament in a couple of weeks, then the gloves come off.

Only a very few might, but probably not, care. Most people realize the average person has nothing to do with decisions made by the government. If politics comes up, change the subject.

The last time Trump was in office and we were in Spain we came across a Brit walking the Camino and we just had a good laugh when he asked.

Over many years and administrations past, I am always a bit surprised how easily many European nationalities bring up politics in polite conversation, even the level of passion they bring to the topic. In the US we say "avoid politics and religion" as topics of conversation, not so over there, at least where politics are concerned (they actually seem rather apathetic about religion).

So yes, expect to be quizzed, as someone else mentioned, it is more genuine curiosity than anything else, with perhaps a few having strong opinions (about Ukraine, Trade, even Green policies, in my experience recently).

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being direct and shrugging and saying you would rather not discuss politics. I like to tell them that to discuss would make my beer taste sour. (Since most conversation pop up in a beer garden at a communal table) I am sure the Germans have a saying like that somewhere.

My stock answer:

The man got most of the vote, so anticipate a third of the American you meet like the outcome, a third don’t, and a third don’t care; but 100% are on holiday.

I wasn’t worried under Biden and I am not worried under Trump. If an American believes the current administration to be bad, the American just has to wait four years and try again. The reason we have an excellent government is because our constitution, the oldest in the world, was brilliantly designed to ensure that our democratic system prevails; no matter who is in power.

Now, you buy the beer and we can get deeper into this.

Okay Brits, the Magna Carta, brilliant too, but debatable in the context of my answer. San Marino … ehhhhhhhhh I mention the Magna Carta because when I googled oldes constitiution the Magna Carta came up with a qualifier.

The reason we have the best government in the world is because our constitution, the oldest in the world, was brilliantly designed to ensure that our democratic system prevails; no matter who is in power.

That sort of chat will turn many people off straight away. Best to keep the "American exceptionalism" angle for your fellow Americans if you want to win friends and influence people.

btw the Magna Carta was pretty much discarded hundreds of years ago as it wasn't fit for purpose anymore.

That sort of chat will turn many people off straight away. Best to
keep the "American exceptionalism" angle for your fellow Americans if
you want to win friends and influence people.

Hmmmmm, I will give you that. Sort of like saying my children are smarter than yours (but usually true). I get it. But it has ened the conversation I didnt want to have ... and accurate by my standards. But I will fix it to make it more useful to the forum.

And I think my answer, being non-political complies with: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/psa-reminder-no-politics

Best to keep the "American exceptionalism" angle for your fellow
Americans if you want to win friends and influence people.

Yes, probably the biggest turn off, and probably one of the primary examples of why we Canadians laugh and shake our heads at some Americans.

No need to edit on my behalf Mr E :) It's something many Americans are taught to believe. "The best" anything isn't the most useful descriptor in most circumstances, whether it's government and its process or where to drink a Limoncello in Rome in the evening.

Thank you all for keeping this thread mostly on topic with regard to how the current climate affects travel. I appreciate the variety of answers given. I think this question has been sufficiently answered and I hope the OP will feel confident in her travels.

For those that expect that this thread should be taken down, note that we retain this just as we retain other threads from those who are on the other side of the political spectrum when they have voiced a fear of travel as a result of their perception of what's happening in the world. This is a place to support travel, and I thank everyone for giving realistic answers about what you could expect, allaying fear of travel.

I'm closing the thread so that we do not need to continue monitoring it as it is too likely to veer off topic. Thanks, everyone.