I’m non-American myself but I am an Asian who immigrated to Europe. The news and social media here show the US imploding under Trump regime. My cousin immigrated to the US, but I am surprised that he doesn’t know about the wanton ICE arrests and harassment of anyone who is of foreign origin, even white foreigners and tourists. Initially, he said that “only illegals are getting arrested”, but was equally surprised or nonplussed when I told him about what is happening. Well, he’s already there, and I did tell him to be careful just in case.
Maybe I should not be surprised because news in my home country generally put the US in pedestal. Since the end of World War II, people feel like we owe the US a lot after being liberated from Japanese occupation, even though we ourselves were formerly a US colony. So, the local media tend to portray the US as a pristine and perfect society. But my compatriots residing in the US say it is overrated, depending where you are, because of rampant homelessness, no social welfare and worsening cost of living crisis. Now, that I think about it, the local media never really portrayed those about the US when I was growing up. Of course, US is still miles ahead than any given developing country in terms of standard of living, but still overrated I understand.
Denmark: If I had to average it out, we are getting pretty fucking tired of their shit in a relatively quiet sort of way. And very wary of the logical conclusion of a process we’ve seen happen before, right next door.
There are of course some people who are still stuck in the eighties and are unable to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. I would characterize them as “confused”.
Ultimately though, we can’t bring the US’ house in order for them, and when that rubber band finally snaps under the tension of stoked civil division, Denmark’s going to have other concerns of its own to attend to, many of which will be a direct consequence of America turning completely inwards (and hopefully staying that way, frankly). Fortunately, there’s enough people who can see it that there’s a fair amount of focus on strategic decoupling and preparation.
US ex pat who lives in Denmark (before this absolutely dumpster fire of an administration).
That’s how I see the news here too, generally a bit tired of the US’ shit and pretty keenly aware of some of the consequences.
Everyone I know tries to go there and buy from there as little as possible, which is a nice effect
Man would I love to be an expat lol
It’s good! Really good. Fucking hard sometimes. I’m lucky enough to do it with a lovely partner but you can feel so much more alone than you ever have imo. But it’s very rewarding and lovely. It’s nice to be able to choose a little of cultural and political stuff that you really identify with rather than whatever you got originally
Thanks for the added perspective! To synthesize the media landscape of an entire country a pretty tall order, so it’s nice to know you think I wasn’t completely off.
In any case, it’s good to have you with us. Probably not the worst place to be when this shit show inevitably ends in tears.
Yeah, of course there’s a lot of opinions about it. I’ve even met a guy who has never left Continental Europe who is pro Trump. but for the most part it’s people deciding to not vacation there anymore.
People from all over are very welcoming of us. I’m always prepared for some pushback of “fucking Americans” and it just never comes.
Tak! Der er virkelig dejlig at være her :) vi elsker Danmark og kan rigtig godt lide vores anderledes livsstil her
We used to have an occasional visitor who was an avid Trump-proponent. He didn’t have particularly nuanced views on politics, economics, civics or… pretty much anything other than comic books, computer games and internet memes.
It will probably not surprise you that he was also a massive troll. He’s no longer welcome on the premises.
Og det er godt at høre at I nyder livet. Det er til syvende og sidst pointen med det hele :)
How seriously are you taking the whole Greenland thing? The attempted annexation of Canada has completely turned the political discourse and national mood on it’s head here, but he doesn’t see us as a legitimate military target, while Greenland apparently is.
Quite seriously. When the neighborhood’s largest collector of guns (and self-proclaimed ‘leader’ of the neighborhood watch they founded) develops a sudden case of rampant frothing fascism and starts loudly ranting about the benefits of committing armed burglary, people tend to take note.