It takes a pathetic loser to dislike an individual because of what country he or she comes from or what there skin tint might hint. As for etiquette, I'm not the type of person that has no etiquette and alters who I am depending on where the person I just met comes from.

11 minutes ago, atpeace said:

It takes a pathetic loser to dislike an individual because of what country he or she comes from or what there skin tint might hint. As for etiquette, I'm not the type of person that has no etiquette and alters who I am depending on where the person I just met comes from.

I don't dislike foreigners

I just have no desire to chat with them.

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I don't dislike foreigners

I just have no desire to chat with them.

I can't relate having not really seen any in 4 years. I actually acted like my car had issues Infront of a couple foreigners on touring bikes just so I could talk. It was very awkward and I think I scared them.

While in Chiang Mai for years I definitely didn't go out of my way to chat.

1 minute ago, atpeace said:

I can't relate having not really seen any in 4 years. I actually acted like my car had issues Infront of a couple foreigners on touring bikes just so I could talk. It was very awkward and I think I scared them.

While in Chiang Mai for years I definitely didn't go out of my way to chat.

I understand you're lonely.

But I'm not, and feel no connection with other foreigners just because they're white.

Just now, BritManToo said:

I understand you're lonely.

But I'm not, and feel no connection with other foreigners just because they're white.

I understand and just sharing my point of view. I don't see myself as even remotely lonely but I do miss talking to real life people after 5 years here with rare trips to places where other men speak English. These online conversations here on this forum get old quickly and feel like most go nowhere. Still here though typing away :)

Trump has brought America and Americans into disrepute. 50% of Americans don't care anyway.

I don't raise the topic of Trump with Americans. Their problem, not mine.

Having said that, his trade war with China has benefited me significantly. I am making very good money on rare earth miners, and physical silver.

1 hour ago, Silencer said:

WTo ask this question, assumes you have apprehension about being an American meeting a foreigner and THEIR reaction, if discovering you are from the US. Thoughts...

1. Don't mention nationality if not brought up.

2. Own your nationality, not boastful nor sheepish.

3. If they react negatively, aggressively, stupidly, that is their problem. Give it a laugh.

4. If they are incapable of not being able to distinguish between a nation and an individual, they are not worth knowing or talking to.

5. If you are so inclined to talk politics with someone new with contrarian views, that is your call, but nothing good will likely result, especially if alcohol involved.

Not exactly.

I'm proud to be American.

I'm proud of our constitution and think that overall historically the USA has been a very positive influence internationally.

However we are now in very dark.times.

Fascist times.

No problem to be identified as American.

However as an older white man I think most people would assume I'm probably a pro Trump American. I've had experiences to confirm that. That I very much don't like.

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Not exactly.

I'm proud to be American.

I'm proud of our constitution and think that overall historically the USA has been a very positive influence internationally.

However we are now in very dark.times.

Fascist times.

No problem to be identified as American.

However as an older white man I think most people would assume I'm probably a pro Trump American. I've had experiences to confirm that. That I very much don't like.

I am in the same boat as you. I have had very few negative reactions, even if the person does not like American politics. The off-the-rails ones (as if I represent US policy), I move along.

4 minutes ago, Silencer said:

I am in the same boat as you. I have had very few negative reactions, even if the person does not like American politics. The off-the-rails ones (as if I represent US policy), I move along.

I don't share your denialist POV.

When you meet a Russian, are you telling me you don't think is this a Z fascist Russian, a typical apolitical Russian (though still mindlessly OK with Putin), or a draft dodging and/or anti-war Russian?

I simply don't believe that foreigners meeting Americans these days aren't wondering what kind of American they're meeting.

This kind of reminds me of people (lying) and saying that they don't see color (race). Of course they do.

Sort of like saying they don't see politics and think most other people don't either.

Of course, people see both race and politics. How you react to that knowledge makes the difference. When you're of a nationality making big negative splashes in the world, when abroad, people are thinking about your politics. That applies to Russians, Americans, and Israelis most these days. For some reason (perhaps interesting to explore why) I don't think it applies very much to mainland Chinese.

Well, yeh......🤠

In England......🧐

Well lets see, based on my recent travels

Bangkok: Hung out with some Canadians at Thermae and some Brits by the pool. No problems except I got a double whammy with a Scouser and a Leafs fan.

Tashkent: Locals asking for selfies with a "real American" at the Bazaar. Customs not bothering to open my "flagged" luggage. English speaking kids following me around to talk to me. Saw very few Westerners. No problems.

Almaty: Immigration brought me to the front of the line, such as it was. More selfies with locals. Saw hardly any Westerners No problems.

Baku: Locals getting all excited to meet a "real American" everywhere. One Bolt driver said, Oh, we love America. I dont have to pay admission to the clip joints. The "reserved" signs get pulled off tables when we show up without reservations. The cops all smile and say Salaam. Mostly English and Russian expats, everybody friendly

Tblisi: The minute someone hears English, they want to talk. Never ran into a Westerner.

Amsterdam: Snide remarks, except in the Coffee Shops.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Possibly I didn't communicate this well enough.

I didn't intend to limit this issue to first meeting.

If you share your nationality to someone new on an elevator that is so superficial that any of talk of politics would usually be silly.

If you're doing some business in Thailand and need to show your passport, that's not a sane time for political commentary.

But there comes a point with encountering new people, could be the first meeting, could be later, where it's normal and natural to at least start dancing around the area of what kind of person is this? It's my contention that most foreigners these days in that context would want to know that American's view on Trump. Am I wrong about that?

People you get along with, you normally feel right away, and then easier to apologize or look through politics and religions if there is any controversy within reasonable limits, but I do have problems with outspoken racists, sexists and extremists wherever they come from, magas, leftists, vegans, religious or so-called spiritual people. They drains my energy literally especially when it is wild theories outside the norms.

However, I do not think there is one way or the other, there is multiple things and details that matters, and sometimes, if the girls seems to get along, and that can be enough to man up and socialize once and awhile.

No matter politics or religion or style, there is common sense and normal polite behavior that matters.

And if becomes friends then you also test and push the limits within respectable manner.

On 1/7/2026 at 2:09 PM, Jingthing said:

To start off I have noticed Pattaya tends to attract a lot of pro-Brexit, pro-Trump Brits. When meeting a Brit I am thinking about that.

As far as Thais, I'm really not sure.

There is a big cultural divide with Thais that I've mentioned before.

But yeah they generally do not want to discuss Thai or other politics with foreigner.

My gut feeling is that even among Thais, most will have an opinion about Trump.

I don't know though. I would like to see some polling on that.

Thais seems to think the same media serves then, and can only speak for the limited group of Thais I frequently hang out with, who think Trump is stupid, not so unlike some of their own corrupt politicians who just talk and talk, and make a shame of themselves. Anutun and Prayuth is good examples

6 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Trump has brought America and Americans into disrepute. 50% of Americans don't care anyway.

I don't raise the topic of Trump with Americans. Their problem, not mine.

Having said that, his trade war with China has benefited me significantly. I am making very good money on rare earth miners, and physical silver.

Not necessarily only Americans effected.

His actions may be bringing us all closer to nuclear winter.

Your profits won't help you then.

How do you like them apples?

If not that bad (hopefully not) the USA becoming a Putinesque rogue government under Trump has introduced a lot of destabilizing risk factors globally. It's rational that informed people care what the U.S. president is up to with so much power (at least for now).

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

People you get along with, you normally feel right away, and then easier to apologize or look through politics and religions if there is any controversy within reasonable limits, but I do have problems with outspoken racists, sexists and extremists wherever they come from, magas, leftists, vegans, religious or so-called spiritual people. They drains my energy literally especially when it is wild theories outside the norms.

However, I do not think there is one way or the other, there is multiple things and details that matters, and sometimes, if the girls seems to get along, and that can be enough to man up and socialize once and awhile.

No matter politics or religion or style, there is common sense and normal polite behavior that matters.

And if becomes friends then you also test and push the limits within respectable manner.

Thais seems to think the same media serves then, and can only speak for the limited group of Thais I frequently hang out with, who think Trump is stupid, not so unlike some of their own corrupt politicians who just talk and talk, and make a shame of themselves. Anutun and Prayuth is good examples

In the case of Thais it makes sense that they would view whatever he is in the context of their own experience in Thailand.

Not having an opinion about Trump in these times would be like not having an opinion of Genghis Khan during his times if they had our modern media and social media tech back then.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

In the case of Thais it makes sense that they would view whatever he is in the context of their own experience in Thailand.

Not having an opinion about Trump in these times would be like not having an opinion of Genghis Khan during his times if they had our media media and social media tech back then.

I must be unique, as I don't think I have an opinion of him, as don't know him. I like him, though only because he says what he wants, and pisses everyone off. Not sure that's an opinion, as I think the same about other people, celebrities that I don't like.

If anyone listened to Bill Maher, after he visited Trump, someone he didn't like, and actually left liking him, but confused as hell, when he hears Trump talk to the press or politically, and completely different from the person he met. Wonder who that guy is ... his words.

As a politician, neutral, as some things he does politically, I like, other, I don't, but not much different from any other politician. I apparently know politics, although, can't say I follow or care, but apparently more intelligent on the matter than most folks that post about it.

Which I find funny, but more sad, that so many are so ignorant about USA politics, as they're posting are so far off, it's sadly hilarious.

With so many, obsessed with USA politics, they really do come off as extremely stupid, when trying to sound intelligent. Goes way beyond being ignorant.

As stated earlier, nobody I met mentions Trump, and I certainly never talk about politics, as one boring ass subject. Tie for sports and being boring and meaningless to my life. So what's the point, I don't even vote.

On 1/6/2026 at 7:11 PM, Jingthing said:

in the era of Trump 2.0.

Trump is the most famous person in the world.

Trump is the most powerful person in the world.

Trump love him or hate him has made massive changes to America's role in the world.

Everyone you meet is going to know about Trump and have an opinion about him.

In my view, that puts Americans of different kinds in a rather awkward social position while abroad.

So the intention of this topic is to discuss suggested etiquette when Americans meet a new person abroad (in this case mostly Thailand).

It's meant for both Americans and non-Americans and also pro and anti-Trump people.

Based on polling (refer to Pew Research) the vast majority of people globally are anti-Trump (except for a very few nations) and now Trump with historically low approval ratings doesn't enjoy majority support among Americans either. So you might be able to make some general assumptions about how most people are going to think, but you won't know in advance. Also as we're in Thailand, Thais generally do not usually appreciate foreigners discussing Thai politics with them and they are generally not looking well upon foreigners trashing their own governments to them.

So in a sense the etiquette guidelines may be very different based on the nationality that an American encounters.

Examples of these differences:

American meets a Thai (discussed above)

American meets a Brit

American meets a Hollander

American meets a Russian

American meets an Iranian

etc.

So of course this is very situational.

But even so, it's something that I'm sure most Americans abroad are thinking about and dealing with these days. I'm especially curious about what non-Americans think Americans should say about it to them upon meeting, if anything at all.

I travel allot and nobody on the street, in the airport, hotel etc ask me about Trump. Nobody really cares as they have lives to live and work to get done.

If I talk to someone it's usually where am I from, what do I do for work etc. small stuff. Sure I've had a few comments from people about Trump, some saying what a great guy he is whish their country did the same. Others more or less saying they dont like him. If asked I tell them that I think some of what Trump does is good and then there are things I dont like.

That personally I think he's a loud mouth, but again I agree with allot of what he is doing.

Nobody is getting upset and yelling at me. That only happens in the US with people that have Trump syndrome that they can't have a discussion, they just want to yell and then walk away.

12 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I start with asking about the war and whether they've been in the IDF. I try not to make them defensive (even when I'm wearing my Palestine Action tee). The whole goal is communication not blame. These brainwashed kids were connived into becoming killers by their govt just like American in Vietnam.

You are so wrong....During the Vietnam war the kids were drafted into service!! They didn't have a choice and I'm positive 90%+ didn't want to be there.

Several of my cousins were drafted, none of them wanted to go. ( luckily I was too young to be drafted and the war was over by the time I was old enough)

Collage kids were protesting at universities against the war!

The only brainwashed people were the US politicians as they listened to France. The Vietnam war was started by France trying to keep control.

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Not necessarily only Americans effected.

His actions may be bringing us all closer to nuclear winter.

Your profits won't help you then.

How do you like them apples?

If not that bad (hopefully not) the USA becoming a Putinesque rogue government under Trump has introduced a lot of destabilizing risk factors globally. It's rational that informed people care what the U.S. president is up to with so much power (at least for now).

One of the benefits of old age - I don't give a flying <deleted> about the opinions of others.

I don't see any point to p!ssing and moaning about an apocalypse that may never happen, over which I have zero influence anyway.

On 1/6/2026 at 5:55 PM, EVENKEEL said:

Just goes to show you. USA is No 1 in topics around the world.

Just goes to show you.USA is the #1 topic of CONCERN amongst folks around the world…….thats not in a good way btw …….thanks magga…..not!

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Just goes to show you.USA is the #1 topic of CONCERN amongst folks around the world…….thats not in a good way btw …….thanks magga…..not!

Not really, and just depends if you are dealing with USA financially, or holidaying there. Most Yanks I know don't concern themselves with USA, per se, and it's just a location where they live.

Enjoying everyday living, going O&A, sporting events, cover bands, concerts, if retired, or simple raising their family the best they care.

Seems only the people lives on AN revolve around the USA, and most don't even live there or holiday there. Too funny, but delusional people usually are.

Still waiting for someone to introduce themselves to me ...

... "Good morning, I'm Sven from Sweden. Are you American and did you vote for Trump?"

I always start the day with ...

... "I'm LA from Prachuap, former Philly USA boy, and I don't vote"

Or hear someone state ...

... "I'm Bob from Baltimore, USA, and I voted for Trump. How's the KraPao here?"

What world do y'all live in ?

On 1/7/2026 at 11:21 AM, FolkGuitar said:

Most non-Americans have no idea of how the American voting system works. Hell, most Americans have no idea of how the American voting system works! No idea of how the Electoral College works, or even what it's supposed to do for an election.

The common reply is 'the people voted in trump,' but that really wasn't the case at all, was it. He was elected by the Electoral College, which did not follow the popular vote. trump lost the popular vote by 2.5 million votes, but the Electoral College did NOT vote that way.

They were supposed to follow the popular vote. They did not.

The Electoral College was the perfect way to deal with elections when the population of the US was less than 4 million people, all located along the East Coast of America. It doesn't work so well with 342 million people scattered in different densities all across the USA.

I do. I picked the result 6 months ahead.

Hi yankee doodle do

How do u do

American pizza rules

Italian ones suck

Questions for yanks and non yanks

How many women have u shagged

How many islands have u been too

Know any great getaway spots

For the apolitical and those not interested in geopolitical realities, that's fine.

Politics and geopolitical realities are interested in you.

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

One of the benefits of old age - I don't give a flying <deleted> about the opinions of others.

I don't see any point to p!ssing and moaning about an apocalypse that may never happen, over which I have zero influence anyway.

What about a non flying <deleted>?

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not really, and just depends if you are dealing with USA financially, or holidaying there. Most Yanks I know don't concern themselves with USA, per se, and it's just a location where they live.

Enjoying everyday living, going O&A, sporting events, cover bands, concerts, if retired, or simple raising their family the best they care.

Seems only the people lives on AN revolve around the USA, and most don't even live there or holiday there. Too funny, but delusional people usually are.

Still waiting for someone to introduce themselves to me ...

... "Good morning, I'm Sven from Sweden. Are you American and did you vote for Trump?"

I always start the day with ...

... "I'm LA from Prachuap, former Philly USA boy, and I don't vote"

Or hear someone state ...

... "I'm Bob from Baltimore, USA, and I voted for Trump. How's the KraPao here?"

What world do y'all live in ?

Straw man games.

Those are absurd scenarios.

But the underlying issue is still very real for Americans (and Israelis and Russians, etc.) while abroad.

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

One of the benefits of old age - I don't give a flying <deleted> about the opinions of others.

I don't see any point to p!ssing and moaning about an apocalypse that may never happen, over which I have zero influence anyway.

Old and smug perhaps?

Who said anything about pissing and moaning?