I am in Oslo Norway

[gopiscrap]

and boy, do I have a lot of explaining to do about trump. I keep telling folks I didn't vote for the asshole. Even the tv stations here make fun of him. He is the laughingstock of the world and sadly by extension we the collective people of the US are also. We are at the airport now waiting for our flight to Finland, maybe they haven't heard of his train wreck decisions there, but I doubt it.

[madaboutharry]

1. Oslo is my favorite place.

Also, I have two good friends who live in Finland. They know everything about Trump as it happens. He is hated there too.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

66. I have extended family visiting Finland right now.

What a small, screwy world.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. One of these days I have to get back to Scotland...

the bar discussions were interesting enough during past administrations, but around this time should be hilarious.

[KT2000]

63. who is better than the Scottish people

with hilarious put downs. They have so many good words - the best words, truly!

[Ohiogal]

3. I have had the good fortune

To visit both Oslo and Finland in years past, I have a good friend in Finland who I write to occasionally.

Those are beautiful countries and the people are so friendly and nice and everything is so clean.

Yep, they can't understand us brain-challenged dopey Americans who would elect this clown who is ruining everything that is good and decent about America. He truly is a worldwide laughingstock and is making our country into the same.

Enjoy your visit, I am jealous!!!!

[Amaryllis]

67. We didnt elect him. Russia and GOP election fraud put him in office. ANd even with that, Hillary

beat him by 3 milllon.

[monmouth4]

4. Oh yes, Finland knows. LOL. n/t

[Johnny2X2X]

5. Bush wasn't this bad

With Bush, when I traveled, it was more passive. If my Americanism came up it might turn to Bush and then I’d say I’m sorry for him. But with Trump, it’s more aggressive. People seek you out to ask about Trump. People are scared.

I’ve been abroad this year. My response to Trump questions probably alarms people. Thet are really looking for reassurance that they shouldn’t fear, I do not provide that. I tell them they should be alarmed and that Trump is a threat to the world and to peace. Our allies need to start preparing for the worst case scenario with Trump.

[kag]

42. I remember that when W was president

We all joked that when we traveled out of the country we had to tell people we were from Canada. I guess we're all Canadians again!

[blaze]

6. Wear your Obama t-shirt! nt

[csziggy]

37. That's a good idea!

And I even have a Hillary Clinton t-shirt that has never been worn that might help, too.

My husband and I are going to Britain next summer and I dread what the political discussions might be by then especially considering that Brexit is scheduled to begin in March.

[Heartstrings]

68. Visited London last summer, left 2 days before trump was due to visit....

The Brits are witty with their quips about trump and are overwhelmingly supportive of our dilemma, as long as you make it known you're not a supporter....with Brexit in the picture the scene could get testy but not against "us" I wouldn't think....

Have a great trip!

[Evergreen Emerald]

7. We citizens are losing our reputation. "We" put him in office

We have lost the trust of the world. If we did it once, we can do it again. There will be a new world order, with us at the bottom.

[CrispyQ]

14. This: "If we did it once, we can do it again."

We came up with worse than Bush. We can find someone worse than Trump. I believe that if the rot that is the entire GOP leadership isn't exposed & taken down, we'll be back here again.

[Pluvious]

20. We showed the World who we were when we reelected George Bush...

Amazingly, we outdid ourselves in 2016 by installing the Orange Menace.

SMDH in shame.

[maddiemom]

25. "WE" let sixteen years go by between the elections of 2000 and 20016...

without doing something about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE. I'm pretty sure if things had gone the other way in 2000, the Republicans would have gotten rid of the E.C. by 2016: it would have been their priority. In 2016 the outrage was five times worse for the Democrats.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I was in 11 different countries in 2018, including Russia. Not a single

person I met had anything good to say about IQ45. And they are laughing at the US.

[gopiscrap]

9. that's exactly what happened to us also...I hate having to explain that orange shitbag

[calimary]

19. Well, whenever the subject comes up, regardless where,

and the sentiment expressed is bewilderment or disgust for trump or worry about what he’ll mess up next, I’ve found that a quiet, determined, and serious response “we’re working on it!” communicates positive things. It lets the other person know that The People are actively working to thwart his efforts and contain his damage. It reaffirms that The Resistance is very much ALIVE.

And seems to me others, especially in (or from) other countries, NEED to see that not everybody in America is a trump lemming or mindless MAGAt.

[erronis]

32. I truly hope we are working on it, Calimary - and succeed before all the crap hits the fan.

I guess another set dark ages with a 20,000 (or 20,000,000) year ice/storm/desert age will do a world of good. Of course humans may not be present on the next iteration.

[a la izquierda]

58. Same for me.

Fifteen countries in 2017-18, including three Latin America trips. The Peruvians has little to say about it, but everywhere else, I had lots of explaining to do.

[3Hotdogs]

10. They're probably just jealous because their king isn't as bigly smart as '45.

Do you see them getting Sweden to pay for a wall at the border?

[riverwalker]

11. I was in Norway when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008

On the Hurtigrutin ship “Nord Norge”. Everyone was terrified, all eyes on the televisions. Reminded by many that “we have a border with Russia”.

[pangaia]

12. Better believe it.

[Persondem]

61. There is a Norwegian produced show on Netflix called "Occupied" that depicts a

"soft" take over of Norway by Russia. It is very well done. It's a bit of alternative history, but very believable.

[Eddie18]

13. Many countries feel the same way

In Mexico, I saw a black T-shirt with white letters: Fuck Trump, and if you like him, Fuck You, Too

In Croatia, a winter with some great wines, took a sip of his Chardonnay and said, Fuck Trump Forever, forgetting there were Americans present

I've also heard that in the Arctic, penguins and polar bears can't stand him as well, but cannot verify it

[MyOwnPeace]

28. Hope you bought that T-shirt!

and welcome to DU!

[Beartracks]

30. Well, everything's always so black and white with penguins.

=========

[Kittycow]

51. They're funny that way.

[Vinca]

15. Maybe you should tell them you're Canadian. LOL.

[erronis]

35. I've met hikers on the Appalachian Trail with the Canadian maple leaf stitched on their backpack -

When I tell them how much I like Canada, they have laughed and said that they are from the US but don't want other hikers to know.

[democratisphere]

16. I am certain the people of Finland know we have an idiot as so-called

president and scratch their heads as to how we let this happen.

[GetRidOfThem]

17. the Finns are politically sophisticated...

...don't forget his first, utterly embarrising entrance on the world stage was in Helsinki

[keithbvadu2]

18. Don't forget to rake the forest... both countries just to be sure.

[MyOwnPeace]

34. SO MUCH has happened.......

in the past few weeks that it is easy to forget a "classic" like "rake the forest."

I'm thinking that in the years to follow after we finally get rid of that American Disaster that "rake the forest" will be listed as one quote to prove what a horse's ass he is/was!

[OliverQ]

21. I'm worried about my Austria/Italy trip in May.

Not going to be fun if this issue comes up. I'll probably tell people I'm Canadian.

[Ezior]

31. Austria and Italy have made some poor election choices recently

Austria has the so-called "Freiheitliche" political party (FPÖ) in power, and they are terrible even though their name literally contains "freedom".
Many Italians voted for far-right Lega. And they have a long history of electing Berlusconi. Of course, Berlusconi seems like a really sane person compared to Trump, so...

[BannonsLiver]

46. It won't come up in Austria

Not unless you find yourself having a long convo with a local and they feel comfortable enough to ask. Can’t speak to Italy. I’ve been to Europe about 5 times since Donnie took over and find with the exception of taxi drivers few will broach the subject without you bringing it up first. Based on the OPs post it sounds like they are going out of their way to bring it up which is something that should be avoided IMO.

[NNadir]

22. I faced the same thing in Spain a few months ago. n/t,

[orleans]

23. enjoy the journey

tell people you are from england

[FakeNoose]

24. FYI - this happened in Finland last summer

They surely do know all about him! It seems the Europeans are much more aware of what goes on in American politics, while we Americans mostly ignore everything outside our own borders. But enjoy your visit and Happy Holidays!

[gopiscrap]

45. exactly as one who had to pass a US citizenship test,

I can vouch for that!

[keithbvadu2]

48. Is it the camera angle? That Commander looks TALL!

[FakeNoose]

50. I think the guy holding the door is standing on a step

There are videos on YouTube that show this scene, with Pootie and Cheeto walking in from their "private" meeting. I remember that we were trying to get the Russian translator to give testimony as to what went on in that meeting. It was never disclosed, that I ever saw.

[lunatica]

26. They hate us for our freedoms

[erronis]

38. Darn. Until I saw your 'sarcasm' I had hoped there would be a good/bad discussion here.

But then I also have read many of your posts and would have known better.

Where are all the trolls? Are they just waiting or being more subtle? Sorta scary.

[lunatica]

41. I read the entire thread

There is already great input and advice so I added some sarcasm to shine a light on their usual stupidity. I grew up in another country so I’m keenly aware of what they think of the US.

Americans who travel abroad are the true Ambassadors. I have great confidence DUers do a good job when they travel.

[gopiscrap]

44. I am originally from Germany

and even when I was young, I heard critical comments about the US

[lunatica]

47. I lived in Mexico the first 25 years of my life

so I know what you’re talking about. But my post was not meant to bash other countries. I added the sarcasm emoji to make fun of what some Americans believe, not what other countries feel about us.

I’m sorry if I came across as being critical of other countries.

[gopiscrap]

49. you didn't don't worry about it

[KY_EnviroGuy]

27. Finlanders should be far more curious and worried....

because they have Putin sitting on their doorstep. I often read about Russia meddling in their society and snooping around in their territorial waters and on their border.

But, because Finland is locally regarded as the home of Santa Claus, be sure to say a big DU hello and give a big DU hug to Mrs. Claus and him from all of us.

..... . ..........

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

29. My brother was there last spring, and he said people asked him, "How did THAT happen?"

and all he could say was, "I don't know; I didn't vote for him."

[DFW]

33. I'm a 2 hour flight south of you.

Home for the weekend in Düsseldorf.

Last week, I was in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany and Spain (Catalunya). I was not in one country where anyone had the slightest doubt about the train wreck that is Trump.

[gopiscrap]

43. we will be in Frankfurt

tomorrow for Christmas I am from there

[DFW]

54. My younger daughter works there (sorta)

She gets sent all over the place by the firm she works for, so she is often in London, Vienna, Zürich, or Hamburg at a moment's notice, and often New York or even Santiago de Chile, but her home is in Königstein. She, her boyfriend and their baby daughter just arrived yesterday to spend Christmas with us here in the Düsseldorf area. On the 26th, they all head for the Bodensee, whereas my wife and I will leave for Charleston, SC. I always tremble that our luggage won't make it, and this time we only have a 65 minute transfer at CDG. I will breathe easy once we AND the luggage are all in South Carolina.

[gopiscrap]

60. how fun enjoy your time with your family

[Hekate]

36. Too late now, but next time pack an Obama campaign button for your coat, & an Obama t-shirt for...

...warm weather.

I am quite sure the Finns are aware. During the Cold War they were always under threat of being absorbed by the USSR -- and Putin is an expansionist.

[workinclasszero]

39. They won't be laughing so much if Trump spins the entire world into the Great Depression 2

Or starts WW3, or both at the same time.

Of course he is a buffoon, but a buffoon that can destroy the whole world if given the chance and the GOP is giving him that chance.

[IronLionZion]

40. Ask people in Finland how long it takes to rake their forests

then they'll really think you're a Trump supporter!

[mobeau69]

52. Check it out and see if those countries appear to be majority white and then let

the Secretary of Homeland security know.

[Clash City Rocker]

53. I love Oslo

The day of the election, we were in Helsinki; the next day we flew to London. I recall sitting in a pub, trying my best not to show that I was an American. I had never been embarrassed to be American before.

But, yeah, Oslo is fantastic, albeit very expensive. The tap water there is better than any bottled water I’ve ever tasted. Having lived in the San Francisco area for years, it reminded me of The City more than any other city I’ve seen (and yes, I’ve been to Paris).

[murielm99]

55. He is unaware of all this.

He was genuinely surprised when they laughed at him at the UN.

He spends so much time in front of the TV with his junk food that he is oblivious to what the real world thinks and does.

God help us all.

[bluedigger]

56. I hope you will share any tips you pick up on raking while you are there.

I hear they are really good at that in Finland.

[BigmanPigman]

57. I am really sad to hear that. You confirmed one of my fears over the past 2 years.

I have asked people who live abroad or travel if other countries hold us responsible or if they realize he doesn't represent the majority here and everyone has said, "Yes, they know that we hate him too and feel sorry for us".

When I went to France in 2005 I didn't want the citizens to think I was a Bush fan who ate "freedom fries" and carried around a paperback copy of Michael Moore's book "Dude, Where's My Country?". I didn't need to do that though since when I spoke with the people they told me they know he is bad but they don't hold all Americans responsible. They also had the sage wisdom of "bad leaders come and bad leaders go...he will be gone eventually". I loved that!

[whathehell]

59. "No, I Didn't Vote For Him"...It's written on a T shirt of mine

You can huy it on the web -- It tends to save a few conversations.

[warmfeet]

62. Oh boy,

I have so many relatives in Norway (my favorite place).

I hope we can mend ways after this disaster.

[barbtries]

64. Maybe while traveling abroad

all members of the resistance should wear shirts that declare their feelings about trump.

Did not vote for him
Disgusted by him
Resisting him
HELP

or something like that

[AllyCat]

65. Similar situation for us in Banff last month

People seemed relieved to hear we did not support TRE45ON.