Hello, UK brain trust. I am a recurring visitor to your fair country. In fact, I have been twice since the change in administration here in the States, and nobody has been anything but lovely to me. If anything, they’ve been kinder to me ever since (perhaps out of pity?). It surprised me a bit considering all I see on Reddit since 2024 has been anti-American sentiment, but visiting in person was wildly different.

However, I feel a sea change in recent weeks. The attacks on Americans on Reddit have become much more vicious. And perhaps more importantly, as I permanently sit on the mailing list for the US Embassy in Nine Elms, I have been getting near-daily emails warning of protest activity happening immediately outside said US Embassy… (amusingly, these emails pretty much say avoid the US embassy in Nine Elms for your safety, but if you need assistance, proceed to… the US Embassy in Nine Elms). Prior to the current war effort, I’d get maybe 2-3 emails a year from them, now the updates are more like 3-4 times a WEEK.

All this to say, I have a pre-planned trip over there in about 2 months. It was originally to see my girlfriend, who is no longer unfortunately, so I have no set itinerary this time. I’m debating between going through with it as scheduled and making the best of it, or canceling and taking the flight credit to travel domestically instead. It would break my heart not to return, but if recognizing I’m not welcome and stepping back for a few years is the right and ethical thing to do at this moment in history, I will. As the flight is with a US carrier and not “basic economy,” I have the option to cancel for a flight credit at no penalty, so long as I use the credit for another flight within a year.

Should I still come, or should I take the flight credit and cancel? Would it be socially acceptable for me to be there right now?

Mods: This post is not intended to directly discuss politics, but rather the effects of it on whether it is socially acceptable for me to travel right now. That’s why, while I’m sure many can infer who I supported in 2024, I’m not stating it outright - becuase this isn’t about that.