US Foreign Policy 4.0: making the world safe to flee to if the MAGAts win here

[Bronco]

France was unusual, if not unique, in that they granted full French citizenship to their conquered colonists throughout the colonial period. For example, St. Barts is not a wholly owned subsidiary of France - it *IS* France. French passports, euro as currency, the works.

I honestly find it fascinating that the French were willing to give overseas territories true citizenship. Liberté, égalité, fraternité was more than just a motto at the time, and I respect the heck out of France for it.

 

[mookie1995]

believe the longest border for the French is with Brazil

 

[state of hockey]

believe the longest border for the French is with Brazil

Longest non-stop domestic flight is Paris to St. Denis. About 12 hours.

During COVID it was Paris to Tahiti, almost 17 hours.

 

[Kepler]

I honestly find it fascinating that the French were willing to give overseas territories true citizenship. Liberté, égalité, fraternité was more than just a motto at the time, and I respect the heck out of France for it.

"Don't mention the Haitians."

 

[Bronco]

"Don't mention the Haitians."

Colonial governors are going to colonize.

 

[Slap Shot]

I get it. But most foreign countries, Europe, Asian, whatever, will almost always ask you, "Are you from the States?" They rarely ask, "Are you American?"

In my experience the most common two ways I've been asked from anyone while abroad are, "You're from the U.S.?" and, "Are you American?".

 

[Bronco]

In my experience the most common two ways I've been asked from anyone while abroad are, "You're from the U.S.?" and, "Are you American?".

I've only heard "from the states" while in England.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

In my experience the most common two ways I've been asked from anyone while abroad are, "You're from the U.S.?" and, "Are you American?".

I was on a tour in Carcassone last month and whenever the guide asked an american where they were from and they said "USA" they were asked to specify which state. Caught me by surprise.

 

[Jimjamesak]

"Don't mention the Haitians."

It’s as much our fault (the US) as it is France. Jefferson and company didn’t want their slaves getting any ideas.

 

[Kepler]

It’s as much our fault (the US) as it is France. Jefferson and company didn’t want their slaves getting any ideas.

This one isn't our fault. For once. We aren't the ones who sent a fully armed battalion to massacre them. We only embargoed them.

Fun fact: we owe the Louisiana Purchase to the economic aftermath of the Haitian Revolution.

 

[Kepler]

I've only heard "from the states" while in England.

This. In Europe it is always "American?"

Disgust mingling with the hope of having found a rube.

And worry I have a gun.

 

[Kepler]

I was on a tour in Carcassone last month and whenever the guide asked an american where they were from and they said "USA" they were asked to specify which state. Caught me by surprise.

Did they study here? That would be my first guess.

What Europeans know about American geography:

1. California
2. New York City
3. Texas
4. Nothing else.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Did they study here? That would be my first guess.

What Europeans know about American geography:

1. California
2. New York City
3. Texas
4. Nothing else.

Honestly, you’re lucky if find someone who knows Texas.

I remember being at Disney World and chatting with some Brits on the bus. They were shocked it had taken us longer to get there from Alaska than it took them from the UK.

 

[Handyman]

Did they study here? That would be my first guess.

What Europeans know about American geography:

1. California
2. New York City
3. Texas
4. Nothing else.

Nah say you are from Minnesota and they talk about Prince

 

[aparch]

Honestly, you’re lucky if find someone who knows Texas.

I remember being at Disney World and chatting with some Brits on the bus. They were shocked it had taken us longer to get there from Alaska than it took them from the UK.

I've enjoyed the TikTok videos of the Britains who have posted videos discussing how far travel is in the UK and western Europe and being absolutely bodied in the comments and video replies by mostly midwesterners and Texans laughing at them.

Paraphrasing:
[Video from UK resident]: My mom moved from Nottingham to Derby. It's 15 miles or a 25 minute train ride. We only see each other for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
[Midwestern Reply 1]: I drove 17 hrs each way from Springfield Missouri to Walt Disney World just to spend a Saturday there.
[Midwestern Reply 2]: I drove from Omaha to Chicago, met a friend for dinner, and drove home that night.
[Texan]I live in Houston, drove two hours east and was still in Houston.

 

[mookie1995]

Many times when asked mookie would reply “US” and get a ‘huh?’
Would then say “American” and get the nod

 

[mookie1995]

I've enjoyed the TikTok videos of the Britains who have posted videos discussing how far travel is in the UK and western Europe and being absolutely bodied in the comments and video replies by mostly midwesterners and Texans laughing at them.

Paraphrasing:
[Video from UK resident]: My mom moved from Nottingham to Derby. It's 15 miles or a 25 minute train ride. We only see each other for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
[Midwestern Reply 1]: I drove 17 hrs each way from Springfield Missouri to Walt Disney World just to spend a Saturday there.
[Midwestern Reply 2]: I drove from Omaha to Chicago, met a friend for dinner, and drove home that night.
[Texan]I live in Houston, drove two hours east and was still in Houston.

Houston is fucking big

 

[mookie1995]

Did they study here? That would be my first guess.

What Europeans know about American geography:

1. California
2. New York City
3. Texas
4. Nothing else.

Mookie would bring his Middle East clients to the US and visit the home office (Boston), but they would always choose to stay in NYC and then fly up in the morning to Boston and book flights to return to NY late afternoon.

 

[LynahFan]

I've enjoyed the TikTok videos of the Britains who have posted videos discussing how far travel is in the UK and western Europe and being absolutely bodied in the comments and video replies by mostly midwesterners and Texans laughing at them.

Paraphrasing:
[Video from UK resident]: My mom moved from Nottingham to Derby. It's 15 miles or a 25 minute train ride. We only see each other for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
[Midwestern Reply 1]: I drove 17 hrs each way from Springfield Missouri to Walt Disney World just to spend a Saturday there.
[Midwestern Reply 2]: I drove from Omaha to Chicago, met a friend for dinner, and drove home that night.
[Texan]I live in Houston, drove two hours east and was still in Houston.

TBF, 2 hours east in Houston could be only a few hundred yards.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Conversely, their stereotypical jab is that "you can always find the American in the room, they're the loud one."

Which is funny because it’s absolutely untrue in my experience. It’s a bell curve like everything else in life. Plenty of times our table was the quiet one wondering when the Germans, Brits, or French would quiet the fuck down