Guy Is Mad Canadian GF Cancelled All Her Trips To America: “Doing The Classic American Thing”

According to an old saying, it’s best to avoid discussing religion, politics, s*x, and money in public, as they may lead to heated arguments and hurt feelings.

In a relationship, however, open and honest dialogue about these topics is essential for building understanding, trust, and long-term compatibility.

A post on the subreddit r/AmIOverreacting recently sparked a heated debate about national loyalty. Its author, a Canadian woman, shared that her American boyfriend is unhappy with her decision to boycott travel to the U.S. in response to recent tensions between the two countries.

Unsure whether to continue standing by her principles, she’s asking others to share their take on the situation.

Recent U.S. elections have polarized both political parties, but they seem to be affecting international couples as well

Woman looking stressed, upset over U.S. tariffs and jokes about the 51st state, resting her head on her hand indoors.

Image credits: stockbusters/Envato (not the actual photo)

As this Canadian shared the moral challenges she now faces in a relationship with her American boyfriend

Woman refuses to visit American boyfriend's family due to U.S. tariffs and 51st state jokes.

Text about tense relations between the U.S. and Canada, mentioning Trump and economic threats.

Text about a woman's decision to boycott U.S. travel over tariffs and 51st state jokes.

Text discussing a woman's decision to avoid a boyfriend's family visit due to U.S. tariffs and jokes about the 51st state.

Text excerpt discussing a woman's refusal to visit the U.S. due to tariffs and jokes about a 51st state.

Man in a gray sweater on a phone call, looking concerned, in a dimly lit cafe, discussing U.S. tariffs and 51st state jokes.

Image credits: GaudiLab/Envato (not the actual photo)

Text discussing reluctance to visit boyfriend's American family due to U.S. tariffs and political jokes.

Text discussing refusal to visit due to U.S. tariffs and jokes about a 51st state.

Image credits: anonymous

Not many couples have different political beliefs

Image credits:  ckstockphoto/Envato (not the actual photo)

In a new University of Michigan study, researchers analyzed data from more than 4,000 people to see how common it is for partners to differ politically, what factors might lead to such differences, and how these differences affect their relationships.

Nearly 1 in 4 couples (23%) had different political party affiliations, and less than 8% were made up of one Democrat and one Republican. This means that most couples in the study shared similar political beliefs, whether it was their party preference or overall political ideology, said the study’s lead author Amie Gordon, U-M assistant professor of psychology.

Interestingly, factors like education, income, personality, and how long people had been together did not strongly predict whether they would have different political views.

However, couples who did have differing political views had slightly lower relationship quality. This effect was noticeable in everyday interactions as well as overall relationship satisfaction.

Gordon, who co-authored the paper with graduate students Annika From of U-M and Maria Luciani of the University of California, Berkeley, highlighted other things matter more for relationship quality—such as perceptions of overall similarity and shared values—than whether someone is politically different from a partner or not.

But even when they do, experts think they should be able to find common ground

Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Dr. Jeanne Safer, psychotherapist and author of I Love You, But I Hate Your Politics, agrees. She thinks political beliefs shouldn’t be the primary focus in choosing a life partner, nor should they dominate your relationship.

“It’s very important for people to expose themselves to those who disagree. It will expand your horizons,” says Safer, who recently celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with journalist Richard Brookhiser, all while holding opposing political beliefs.

If political identity is particularly important to someone, Safer advises to keep the news cycles respectfully limited. This, according to her, applies both ways.

“I had a couple, who after many years of marriage, came to me because they were ready to break up. They were thoughtful and cared about each other. They had gone through a lot of difficulties together,” she says. “However, the husband became a conservative later in life. Even if you marry someone who has the same politics as you, it doesn’t mean they’re going to have it many years later… And they were ready for a divorce because, in their big house, he was taping Fox News in the basement. The wife said, ‘It comes through the air and pollutes the house.'”

“I said, ‘You have to stop this, it’s his house too. He has a right to listen to it, though he doesn’t have the right to blast it. Get used to the fact that he’s a different person than you, or you’re going to lose your marriage,'” Safer recalls of the sessions. “You know what was amazing? They stopped.”

Marriage, Safer explains, is the coming together of two equals with different thoughts and perceptions of the world—the ability to see that helps couples settle their arguments and move forward.

The woman has received a lot of support in the comments

Reddit comment about living in the U.S. amidst American family jokes and tariffs.

Visible_Traffic_5774 comments on Canadian friends canceling trips over U.S. tariffs.

US citizen supports woman refusing boyfriend's family visit over tariffs.

Text discussion on U.S. tariffs and related issues, mentioning ICE detention and human rights concerns.

Comment discussing woman's choice on U.S. tariffs and politics regarding boyfriend's family visit.

User comment discussing refusal to visit due to U.S. tariffs and 51st state jokes, highlighting strained friendships.

Text on Reddit about a woman refusing to visit her boyfriend's American family over U.S. tariffs and jokes.

Comment discussing reluctance to visit U.S. due to tariffs and jokes about becoming 51st state.

Text exchange discussing ICE arrests of tourists and advice against traveling to the U.S. due to issues with tariffs.

Reddit comment discussing relationship impact of U.S. tariffs and visiting family.

Text message supporting woman's decision to avoid visiting boyfriend's American family due to U.S. issues.

Comment discussing U.S. safety concerns and support for Canada's stance on tariffs and statehood jokes.

Comment on boyfriend's American family and relationship advice, discussing visit refusal.

Comment discussing refusal to visit the U.S. in light of tariffs and jokes about a 51st state.

Comment on U.S. tariffs and state jokes affecting relationships.

Text comment discussing visiting American family despite differing political views and stereotypes.

Text discussing political decisions affecting relationships and visiting a boyfriend's family, mentioning U.S. tariffs.

Comment discussing American travel hesitation due to tariffs and jokes.

Text discussing refusal to visit American family due to U.S. tariffs and cultural differences.

But some people agree with her boyfriend

Reddit user comments on the impact of U.S. tariffs and political opinions related to visiting American families.

Comment on woman's refusal to visit boyfriend's family due to U.S. tariffs and jokes.

Text comment about refusing to visit a boyfriend's home due to political reasons.

Text comment discussing U.S. tariffs, relationships, and temporary policies in response to a woman's refusal to visit America.

Comment discussing politics affecting relationship with boyfriend's American family visit.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!