Comments on: Will Barack Obama change the way you’re viewed when traveling overseas?

By: C Hester

C Hester — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:15:11 +0000

I’ve traveled extensively – Europe, Eastern Europe, Far East since the war broke out – actually in Greece when the war started – and never have I felt unpopular being an American. I don’t hide my passport, I don’t keep my mouth shut, but I don’t wear sneakers either!

I find most people are interested in us as individuals and do not bring up politics. They are more interested in why we are visiting. Many interesting topics have been discussed with those I have had the privlege to meet, and only once in 7 years has BUSH come up. Only once. We are not only Americans, we are human beings sharing a special moment with someone from another county. There is so much in the world to enjoy – buy a Gypsy child a McDonalds burger in Romania, dance with a Greek to Bousouki music, sing with the gondolier in the Blue Grotto, talk with a shop keeper about his heart surgery, show your grandkids pictures to a grandpap in Budapest, let a nice guy walk you to the nearest Internet cafe is in Bulgaria. Enjoy the world as an American, be proud, but don’t enter into the political scene.

By: R. Keyes

R. Keyes — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:39:28 +0000

I have traveled to Europe but not all of it, and I don’t think I have sampled enough of European sentiment to accurately guage it. However, George Bush and his administration were despised and disrespected. It was not only Bush’s policies, but his personality and manners which were unacceptable to them. Obama has better poise, better ability to debate, and is percieved as being open to changing some US policies which were unpopular with Europeans. Yet, he is still in his ‘honeymoon’ first hundred days, and after Bush, anyone could look good. I think they would even have warmed up to McCain if he’d been elected, though he doesn’t have the emotional appeal that would make him respected.

The US is the best and the worst that democracy has to offer. We criticize ourselves much more than any other country does to itself. Therefore, our self-criticism is not always understood by people from other countries.

The only persons who looked down at me for being American, were Israelis, which to me, is ironic.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:37:59 +0000

I’ve just returned from a trip to Asia, and I can vouch for the fact that people seemed cheered by Obama’s election and were eager to talk with us about it when they learned we were from the U.S. We were abroad during the inauguration; every local newspaper devoted the front page to the Obama story daily for a week, and local writers were quite knowledgeable about Obama’s policies. People we met abroad were willing, at the very least, to give the new president the benefit of the doubt and not buy into the ridiculous, debunked rumors that conservatives in the U.S. are still spreading (foreign-born? a “secret Muslim”? give me a break)–unlike some of the commenters here.

By: J Zippin

J Zippin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:26:34 +0000

The ignorance of some people is stunning, that they would continue to cite long refuted arguments about Obama’s religion, tasking away guns from people, being a socialist, etc.

I actually travel oversees, and it is a helpful change to have the rest of the world realize that not all Americans supported illegal wars, illegal torture, or diminishing our personal American liberties. Going after the bad guys in Afganistan will do more to protect Americans than the years, lives, and money wasted in Iraq, and I think most other nations will accept this action.

I appreciate the very positive reaction of the people of foreign nations when they learn I am an American. I wish our own American people were so friendly to Obama supporters!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:07:30 +0000

I second the responder that said “Who Cares?”

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:54:54 +0000

I am stunned by the vitriol expressed here towards a president that is been in office less than 100 days. Instead of answering the question posed, people have included paragraphs of political opinion (much of it not supported by fact0 that has nothing to do with how we are viewed overseas. That is sad for us as a nation; apparently we can only take so much change before we become hysterical.

By: Nancy Iuzzolino Pepe

Nancy Iuzzolino Pepe — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:03:54 +0000

We were in Italy a week after the elections and everyone was eager to talk to us about Obama. Even those who did not speak English would say “Obama”, smile and give a thumbs up. We asked a driver we had in the Sorrento area why Italians seemed to like Obama. His reply “He is, you know, sympatico.” We travel to Italy a lot, and the people are always very friendly, but this time they seemed more relaxed with Americans we met up with.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:51:34 +0000

Take a breath. Obama is a President of the United States. I can’t see how his being elected is going to change much about overseas travel. The results of the so-called “stimulus” package may mean less disposable income in potential travelers’ hands. This will give us less money for travel. Those who think that the “world” is going to “love us” because Obama is president are listening to the media too much. Sure there are people who don’t like Americans, but they’ll continue to dislike Americans. Foreign media may “like” Americans more due to Obama’s election, but that will change if and when he stands up for America. Then they’ll go back to their old ways. We are disliked where and when we are disliked due to our success as a country. When we fail, they scorn us, when we succeed they hate us. But who should care? We are a unique country; an exceptional country. As Muhammed Ali once said, “I’m sure glad my great-granddaddy got on that slave ship”. He had his dates mixed up, but the sentiment holds.

By: rose

rose — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:01:20 +0000

I think that people in other countries are amazed that a foreign born person with little experience was selected by the US political parties. (Barry Soetoro-Barack Obama) Most Europeans probably laugh at us. The US can not accept a woman for president yet!! As long as we spend money as tourists, they will accept and tolerate us.
As for me, Nobama(and that crass wife)- you can Keep the Change!!!

By: George

George — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:45:47 +0000

It is interesting to read the responses here. Most Obama supporters throw out one or two liners from their gut while the more conservative comments are well thought out and elucidated.

I’ll go with the conservatives.