littlewonder

That's because using the bathroom on a coach bus is the fastest way to get everyone else on the bus to hate you.

I know several people who are here legally but have stopped being activists because they are scared of getting arrested at a protest and then deported because of that bullshit charge. I don't blame them a bit for laying low. I would do the same.

And that's why it's important to show up (literally or figuratively) to oppose what's happening in our country, even when you aren't affected (yet).

Oh hey, it's the same host as Behind the Bastards. Thanks for the recommendation!

It's ok to take up space. You don't have to become invisible in order to be around people. Assume others know they'll be around people in public and that they're comparing you against the assholes on the subway or the screaming, entitled weirdo who is harassing employees. Since I get the impression you don't act like that, no one is paying much mind to what you're doing.

Not to pathologize everything, but I've found a lot of help in therapy to deal with past experiences, hang ups I've had that I didn't understand, and things I didn't like that I couldn't unlearn on my own. Maybe that's something that could help you be more content in your interactions with people?

My advice on effective therapy: There are bad therapists out there. Find a therapist you click with. There's evidence that shows the relationship you have with your therapist is the highest indicator of success. So if you don't jive with them during the first contact (sometimes that's a phone call to ask questions before committing, sometimes it's the first session), find another therapist.

The amount of times I've been in a pleasant conversation with a dude and when it becomes apparent I'm not available, they just immediately stop talking to me. Like... what? It's abrupt, obvious, and super shitty to do to someone. And for the readers making assumptions about the scenarios--this wasn't in a bar or a social event. It's just random places in public where two people might make small talk.

I hope everyone takes your advice. Just talk to people to talk to people, without a transactional goal. Worst case scenario, you practice your conversation skills. Best case, you meet cool people and sometimes those people might want to meet up again or start texting etc. Boom a new friend that could be a relationship if you both are into it. Or you can just collect cool friends.

Disclaimer: This is for relationships and not just people to fuck. Go to places where other people are looking for that if you want to speed run fucking (bars, clubs, mixers, anime cons, etc.), which is totally fine.

An increasing number of Americans, even Gen Z, according to studies I've read.

It's terrifying.

It's the worst. Even on the state level. People in the state I'm from used to have a positive stereotype about them, so that I felt good about sharing where I grew up in conversation.

That state turned red and they've been legislating against anyone who isn't a white, straight, rich person. If people find out where I'm from, I have to do extra work to make sure people don't assume I'm a hateful idiot.

So that's what it's like, but on the international level now. I wish I had dual citizenship so I could at least travel internationally with a different passport (or relocate altogether). I know Americans have had a reputation of being rude or entitled abroad, but that's far better than people assuming I'm a Trump-loving, delusional, fascist.

I didn't read that tone as overly nationalistic. I read it like someone saying, "My dentist makes bank on wisdom teeth removal." And this person responding with, "Yo, that's wild. Mine doesn't charge anything for procedures like that. You should consider trying my dentist's system."

I didn't get any vibes that the poster above was claiming Germany has the perfect system or the best system. Just that people in Germany don't pay for necessary dental, like in the US.

Idk, though. I've been known to miss subtlety before.

It seems to me that a loud contingent of the US is still in denial, which is probably who is that comment is directed toward.

Also, what is a random citizen from another country supposed to do, exactly?

I mean, I know there won't be legal action for DOGE members, but I do love the part where we're publishing their names. Let's keep that up.

This is the highest-quality, shocked Pikachu I've ever seen.

I've been saying this too! Why not show your faces if you think you're doing the right thing?!?!?