Everyone who has lived abroad has a view of the US more rooted in reality than the average American. Just like the immigrant, the refugee or a Native American, living here, legal or otherwise!
If you lived in Europe for several years like I did in the Netherlands, you'll learn soon that Europeans don't care much for Americans. In some corners they are not even welcome and they are very open about that too. A lot has to do with how arrogant many Americans are when they visit countries in Europe. The US is for a big wake up call but will that be enough? I doubt it because of the narcissist in the WH.
It depends on the country and the region in the country. I lived in the UK for a few years and how they felt differed quite a bit from the north to the south. I’m generalizing in this piece, of course, but the point is that my experience living in France during Trump 2.0 has been a different experience than previous stretches in Europe.
It also depends on the community. I did NOT live in a military base in the Netherlands I lived in Elburg, and Zwolle where there are places for which American soldiers were warned not to visit. All the markets with mostly Middle Eastern folks and restaurants and bars owned by Turks...were out of bounds for them. Not for me because I speak Spanish and I can get away with saying I'm from here or there. Also while traveling Germany I encountered the same, Belgium and Luxembourg...had pockets too. I was in Paris a couple of years ago and I could spot MAGAs on a crowd because lets just face it: they are embarrassing. I'm getting ready to travel to Spain soon and I'm sure won't have to bother about anything but people will be asking: what's wrong with the U.S.? My answer, how much time do you have?
My wife, who is Peruvian, and I often default to Spanish when out and about in France. Over time, we noticed we tend to get a better reception here that way.
"They’re relating to the U.S. the way I used to relate to refugees from unstable countries: With pity."
If it walks unstable, talks unstable and looks unstable, you gotta call it unstable, no?
This regime can make a claim no other leadership group of any nation, from any time period I can think of, can make. It took one of the most respected countries, with the strongest economy, solid trade partnerships, strong international alliances and stable domestic situation, and ruined all of the above and more.
Everyone who has lived abroad has a view of the US more rooted in reality than the average American. Just like the immigrant, the refugee or a Native American, living here, legal or otherwise!
Exactly right, Robert.
Not to mention the descendants of slaves!
If you lived in Europe for several years like I did in the Netherlands, you'll learn soon that Europeans don't care much for Americans. In some corners they are not even welcome and they are very open about that too. A lot has to do with how arrogant many Americans are when they visit countries in Europe. The US is for a big wake up call but will that be enough? I doubt it because of the narcissist in the WH.
It depends on the country and the region in the country. I lived in the UK for a few years and how they felt differed quite a bit from the north to the south. I’m generalizing in this piece, of course, but the point is that my experience living in France during Trump 2.0 has been a different experience than previous stretches in Europe.
It also depends on the community. I did NOT live in a military base in the Netherlands I lived in Elburg, and Zwolle where there are places for which American soldiers were warned not to visit. All the markets with mostly Middle Eastern folks and restaurants and bars owned by Turks...were out of bounds for them. Not for me because I speak Spanish and I can get away with saying I'm from here or there. Also while traveling Germany I encountered the same, Belgium and Luxembourg...had pockets too. I was in Paris a couple of years ago and I could spot MAGAs on a crowd because lets just face it: they are embarrassing. I'm getting ready to travel to Spain soon and I'm sure won't have to bother about anything but people will be asking: what's wrong with the U.S.? My answer, how much time do you have?
My wife, who is Peruvian, and I often default to Spanish when out and about in France. Over time, we noticed we tend to get a better reception here that way.
"They’re relating to the U.S. the way I used to relate to refugees from unstable countries: With pity."
If it walks unstable, talks unstable and looks unstable, you gotta call it unstable, no?
This regime can make a claim no other leadership group of any nation, from any time period I can think of, can make. It took one of the most respected countries, with the strongest economy, solid trade partnerships, strong international alliances and stable domestic situation, and ruined all of the above and more.