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01.02.2017, 21:01
|  | RIP | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Eglisau
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU
You don't need to be proactively apologetic (That is anyway a Canadian thing).
If someone asks "You're a yank, what do you think of Trump?" then tell them what you think.
If they respond to you as if you're an idiot then they will be doing so for only one of two reasons:
1) You are an idiot.
2) They disagree, so they think you are an idiot.
Either way, there is little you can do to change their view.
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01.02.2017, 21:05
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Zürich
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Thanks for the advice kind people. I suppose common sense and avoiding, where possible, doing stupid American things in public (as I have been working towards since I arrived here) should probably cover 99.99% of situations. Worrying about silly things happening is a waste of time. Some people have pointed out that the USA has been warmongering obnoxious jerks for some time, which I do not disagree with. Somehow, it seems they are turning up the volume on being awful since the election.
I appreciate the discourse. Life goes on. | | | | | Now you can begin to imagine what it's like to be a German...
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01.02.2017, 21:10
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Zuri Oberland
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU
Do you think most people care about this *as long* as you act normal?
They have their own concerns and worries: but if you stand out (by acting Merkin) then they'll take note
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01.02.2017, 21:11
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lummerland
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Take elocution lessons from a Brit, do not wear a Stetson, keep very quiet in public, smile, nod & mutter Brexit from time to time. | | | | | You beat me to it.
Some years back living in Mexico city the worst thing that could happen to one on a Saturday evening bender in Zona Rosa was to be mistaken for an American, that was the time I took to shaving my head, wearing jeans, red braces, white t-shirt and big-ass boots. Never had any problem after that.
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01.02.2017, 21:14
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kt. Zürich
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Not even had that to be honest, but some have asked my opinion about it. | | | | | Well perhaps I am sufficiently integrated that people feel free to take the pi##
They also know (more or less) the effect of the £ exchange rate on my UK pension.
No more free rounds for the Gemeinderat or the male voice choir | 
01.02.2017, 21:15
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: thun
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | make sure you don't look like an American:
- only whisper when you talk. this is how loud the rest of the world talks
- don't wear Dockers
- don't use cell phone holsters
- in general, wear clothes in the right size
- if you want coffee, order espresso and not "LETTEEEE"
- practise to park your car in a slot for 1 car | | | | | and, in many cases, shedding about 30Kg.
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01.02.2017, 21:16
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kt. Zürich
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Take elocution lessons from a Brit, do not wear a Stetson, keep very quiet in public, smile, nod & mutter Brexit from time to time. | | | | | Cowboy boots are also not de rigeur!
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01.02.2017, 21:18
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kt. Zürich
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | To be honest, on some of those threads I've lost track of precisely what we're wining about. | | | | | Fixed that for you, stick with the red wine!
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01.02.2017, 21:19
|  | modified, reprogrammed and doctored² | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: La Cote
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Cowboy boots are also not de rigeur! | | | | | And will weigh 5 out of the 30 extra kilos.
Btw, nobody I know has a weight problem there. I think that stereotype is only partially valid.
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01.02.2017, 22:05
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: romandie
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU
If anyone starts asking I just say 'I don't want to talk about it'. Then I put my hands over my ears and go 'lalalalalalala' very loudly. Usually people leave me alone. | Quote: | |  | | | Most Europeans that I know, especially Italians, are pro-Trump. 
Tom | | | | | not one European I know is pro Trump, not even one Italian. I think they are humoring you. | Quote: | |  | | | Cowboy boots are also not de rigeur! | | | | | I wear cowboy boots just about every day.... and they are not subtle! 
Cowboy boots and tiaras and pink chiffon ball gowns are ALWAYS in fashion.
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01.02.2017, 22:30
|  | Unbridled Mod | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Town or region
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | If anyone starts asking I just say 'I don't want to talk about it'. Then I put my hands over my ears and go 'lalalalalalala' very loudly. Usually people leave me alone. | | | | | ..but that's what you did when the waiter wanted to take your order! | The following 2 users would like to thank lost_inbroad for this useful post: | | 
01.02.2017, 22:36
|  | RIP | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Eglisau
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | ..but that's what you did when the waiter wanted to take your order!  | | | | | Lib.... never talk politics on a first date. Especially not when she wears cowboy boots, a tiara and a pink chiffon ball gown.
Just keep saying "Go Aggies, can I get you another drink darlin?"
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01.02.2017, 22:38
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lugano
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | not one European I know is pro Trump, not even one Italian. I think they are humoring you.  | | | | | No, these are anti-Berlusconi people that I've known for decades.
They are serious.
Tom
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01.02.2017, 22:41
|  | Unbridled Mod | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Town or region
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | Lib.... never talk politics on a first date. Especially not when she wears cowboy boots, a tiara and a pink chiffon ball gown.
Just keep saying "Go Aggies, can I get you another drink darlin?" | | | | | Mention Aggies anywhere near the Appalachians and she'd do a hokey-poke on your forehead with them boots on.
Last edited by lost_inbroad; 01.02.2017 at 23:05.
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01.02.2017, 22:43
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Democratic Republic Kenistan
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | ..but that's what you did when the waiter wanted to take your order!  | | | | | ....and then brought tap water
....and charged 10chf for it | This user would like to thank dodgyken for this useful post: | | 
02.02.2017, 09:42
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pensier, Fribourg
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | You compare Brexit to Trump? | | | | | Only in as much as they are both extremely emotive issues in their respective countries at present, yet others are only mildly amused or just curious.
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02.02.2017, 09:52
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Democratic Republic Kenistan
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU
Try to avoid mentioning that Honky Tonks in Texas are your natural second home, that you tip your hat to the ladies in the Rose of San Antone, that you grew up on music that you call western swing and that you don't care who's in Austin, you remain convinced Bob Wills is till the king. | 
02.02.2017, 10:09
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CH
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | How should I handle this? | | | | |
This | Quote: | |  | | | You don't need to be proactively apologetic . | | | | | and this. | Quote: | |  | | | there is little you can do to change their view. | | | | | +
Keep smiling (you all have beautiful teeth, don't you?  ) and go on with your own life.
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02.02.2017, 11:02
|  | modified, reprogrammed and doctored² | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: La Cote
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| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU
OP, I don't think I'd get so worried..I think people are fed by media misinterpretations, consumers not really getting informed, most likely falling for overly simplistic outrage. It is just a poorely executed decision, creating bad press. Most countries do that.
All countries have a political wtf moment. It seems to me that the media hype and outrage is proportionate to the volume of foreigners wanting to live (or living already) in the US.
I think by the next week, you can totally put back on the boots, tiara and shifon.
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02.02.2017, 12:03
| | Re: A dismayed American wondering how to process the embarrassing actions of the POTU | Quote: | |  | | | YAY, I get an award... Is there cake and a party? Do I get a trophy or a shiny badge? | | | | | I think that is part of the problem right there. In your view of the world, everybody gets a trophy.
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