Re: Americans: Foreigners who want to talk politics - boring, annoying or harmless?
How can you not talk politics? Everything revolves around politics and economy. I have made vain attempts, but for most people when around me I sense that they are waiting for the other shoe to fall, if I haven't said anything political in 30 minutes.
I get warnings from the family to behave socially and not talk politics. My husband says if you start talking politics I am leaving which is why I love the EF
Basically I will discuss politics with anyone anywhere. We arrived shortly before 9/11 The week of 9/11 I gave my opinion to a class of Bush supporters-it almost caused a riot. There have been a few occasions where I kept my mouth shut; once hiring a canoe from some locals far from any village in the smokies during Iraq 1. Another time dressed in full hijab/abaya. However many of my close friends are far more left than me, they denigrate the US, while singing the praise of Europe without having ever lived in Europe so then I have to defend the US.
Last edited by hoppy; 08.06.2011 at 07:01.
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As an ignorant Old Worlder I would never dream of discussing American politics with Americans, for example, Sarah Palin on Paul Revere's ride: 'Hey British, we're coming'.
Might be tempted to have a little private laugh with other Old Worlders
I see some people are trying to revise Wikipedia’s Paul Revere entry; who said you cannot learn from the Russians & write revisionist history?
As an ignorant Old Worlder I would never dream of discussing American politics with Americans, for example, Sarah Palin on Paul Revere's ride: 'Hey British, we're coming'.
Might be tempted to have a little private laugh with other Old Worlders
I see some people are trying to revise Wikipedia’s Paul Revere entry; who said you cannot learn from the Russians & write revisionist history?
Ah, you saw that, did you?
Well, the answer in this case is simple.
She is an imbecile.
And this is me being nice.
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Re: Americans: Foreigners who want to talk politics - boring, annoying or harmless?
The key is to being more knowledgeable about your speaking partner's country's politics than he is of yours.
US Conspiracy? Talk about SVP political tactics.
US foreign policy? Talk about Switzerland's policy regarding asyl seekers.
Fat Americans? Talk about smoking Swiss.
Voting in America? Ask them if they vote here in Switzerland (many don't)
So Americans, next time turn the tables and watch them squirm.
The key is to being more knowledgeable about your speaking partner's country's politics than he is of yours.
US Conspiracy? Talk about SVP political tactics.
US foreign policy? Talk about Switzerland's policy regarding asyl seekers.
Fat Americans? Talk about smoking Swiss.
Voting in America? Ask them if they vote here in Switzerland (many don't)
So Americans, next time turn the tables and watch them squirm.
What"s to squirm about? Actually, I agree with all the things you mentioned about CH, and I have failed to vote here about as many times as I went to vote in the US!
Alas, I don't smoke, but I'm the only one in my household who doesn't!
Re: Americans: Foreigners who want to talk politics - boring, annoying or harmless?
I've worked closely with Americans for most of my career having spent all of it with US firms. Here's my perspective from the outside, looking in. I'll say up front, especially in connection with a topic like this, you can't generalize about such a huge country of course. It's peoples and their backgrounds are so diverse and no doubt I've only come across one particular cross section.
With that in mind, I've observed that Americans rarely get into a deep debate about politics in social settings with work colleagues and acquaintances, even among themselves. Maybe it's different with close family and friends but I've never seen it outside those circles, either at work or in the American homes I've stayed in as a guest. That's not to say the topic hasn't come up, or that general questions asked by a foreigner don't get answered, but it never seems to get as far as the animated difference of opinions stage.
And it's not just politics. The same goes for religion and sex. That's not to say the Americans I've met aren't interested in politics or religion or that they're prudes. My experience is that they're just like the rest of us, especially when the tone is light or you're just joking around. And on arms-length things like internet forums, you only have to browse this one to see they're not shy about expressing strong opinions on politics, religion or sex!
I think the line gets drawn in face to face discussions with acquaintances where it seems to me they avoid putting these subjects in the forefront of conversation. I like them for that and I've always thought this was quite well mannered and civilized of them.
On the other hand, get them on the topic of sport, travel, leisure, culture etc and it's hard to shut them up. American's love to talk.
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Ask them if they'd ever go naked into a sauna. Not many would.
I think the stress test for being a prude goes a bit further than that.
And the same can be said of a lot of cultures - no need to single Americans out on that one.
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Re: Americans: Foreigners who want to talk politics - boring, annoying or harmless?
sometimes there is just such a cultural disconnect, it seems like there are two separate conversation going on. You must be able to tap into each other's value system with equal respect.
sometimes there is just such a cultural disconnect, it seems like there are two separate conversation going on. You must be able to tap into each other's value system with equal respect.
sometimes there is just such a cultural disconnect, it seems like there are two separate conversation going on. You must be able to tap into each other's value system with equal respect.
if you'd ever met a real Holocaust survivor and heard the stories first hand you wouldn't.
Well there you have a good example of a cultural disconnect. Yes, the main actor is hailed to be a comic genius one of the top comedians in the US. A bit like Woody Allen. The creator/main actor of the office Ricky Gervais bows down to him. he offended many with his awards routine, but also had Robert de Niro, Johnny Depp etc. in stitches.
Larry David is himself a Jew- like most of my favourite comedians.
I think find Benny Hill offensive at times, but each to their own.
I was brought up on world at war videos, my parents stories of Germany after the war, Y es they were there my father ad saw it all.
yes I have net holocaust survivors.
That's EXACTLY right! Ignorant AND violent obviously. 
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