this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2026
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me_irl
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The more I read into this thread, the more I appreciate being German. I don't talk to the cashier besides smiling at them and saying hello and goodbye and they don't expect me to. I only talk to people I want to talk to, besides at work. But even there I keep it low.
It's not that I don't like to talk. I just prefer to talk with a meaning.
You might like New Jersey to then. "How you doing" is about the extent of it. I can see people I know while out for a run, walk, grocery, whatever, and you're only getting a how you doing unless there's something important we need to discuss. Neighbors, you get a smile and a wave. I'm not striking up a conversation just to strike up a conversation, and that's how most of us are.
At the same time, we can plan to get together and then do get-together stuff, including those meaningless or meaningful conversations.
I hope you don't get me wrong. Ten years ago I might have thought about that. But in the meantime, the USA have removed themselves from the list of countries I want to visit for the foreseeable future and probably beyond. And even 10 years ago, I wasn't really eager to visit.
I understand why you're saying it. There isn't really a place that's representative of the US as a whole, and NJ certainly doesn't represent the qualities that you're presumably trying to avoid. But the internet paints this picture that definitely looks bleak, so I can appreciate your sentiment.
It's not that I fear for myself. I am aware that I, as a white German dude, will probably be fine in the US. It's more of a statement I want to express. You, the US of A, won't see a cent from me as long as I can prevent it. I've cancelled my subscriptions. If it's made in the USA it's not made for me, etc. And I'm making sure my government knows what I think about playing nice with the beast.
I know there are great people in the USA and I'm sure you are one of them. But your country turned to shit.
Hey, you won't find me disagreeing. I try to stay local, small businesses, all of that. It has been a disappointing decade for sure, but I'm not going to lose hope.
All the best to you and the other people that don't agree with the government. Let's hope it'll get better soon.
That's how the vast majority of people here are. Say hi to the cashier, maybe chat with them a second if you've seen them a few times, then move about your day. People don't randomly have an hour long conversations.