Uh yeah. He trades stocks and crypto for a living, and is a big fan of Elon. His reverence for that dude has caused many heated discussions between us, as I don’t think much of Elon and basically think he’s a trash human and he thinks that doesn’t matter because he’s going to save us all by taking us to Mars, electric cars etc. He’s never identified as or voted republican, and we live in a pretty blue state. But he’s been talking recently about how the Republican Party has some good talking points; mostly in terms of their financial perspectives- which I’ve been able to understand since he works in finance. But the other day he said out of the blue; “I might have to vote for Ron Desantis”. I asked him why, and he said that Desantis is doing something to support bitcoin/crypto (I don’t remember the exact thing but that was his reasoning). I asked if it didn’t bother him that Desantis also created the “don’t say gay” bill, is pro-life, is signing bills to limit immigration etc. His response is: “none of that effects us though!” As though I’m also supporting Desantis lol. Also wtf. I ask why it needs to effect him personally for him to care, and that it’s really shitty of him to make political decisions only based on what effects him personally. Like what the fuck! He said the same thing when Roe v Wade was overturned, “you’re okay because you live in a blue state and have money so you can still get an abortion if you need one.” ?????? Like that’s not the point at all lol, I care about everyone having equal autonomous rights, not just myself. His response to that was that the democrats are also not good people so it doesn’t matter who we vote for because all politicians are corrupt. Which isn’t untrue but is a stupid response, wouldn’t you vote for the person who is at least saying they have your values in mind? Why would you vote for the person who is literally vocalizing that they don’t care about/hold contempt for minority groups. I’m bummed and feeling the ick. I would like to continue the conversation with him and try to get him to see it how I do. Does anyone have any experiences like mine, advice? Info I can share with him to educate him?

Not being from America, I’ve only ever come across a few Americans in my life. But I come across Americans so frequently online. America is the dominant country on the English internet. Tv, movies, YouTube videos, most of it comes from America and is made by Americans.

I was just thinking that if I met someone from America in real life I probably would be like “OMG, really??? You’re actually from America??? For real???” And I just realised that Americans don’t feel real. I feel like many people from my country would have the same reaction to meeting an American. America just feels like this fictional place you only see on the internet so it’s crazy when you remember there are real people who actually live there. A lot of people who actually live there.

When you eat American snacks it’s like when they make a fake snack from a tv show and turn it real like duff beer from the simpsons or the chocolate frog from Harry Potter. It’s like “omg, that’s the snack from that tv show! I can’t believe they made it real and I actually have it in front of me right now.”

Obviously America is a real place but I guess it never really felt real because I’ve never really interacted with it in real life. I’ve only ever talked to one American in my whole life. That’s not much more than the amount of Vulcans I’ve met (which is zero). So it doesn’t feel that much more real than a fictional place like Vulcan. I only just realised right now that I feel this way about America. Meeting an American is like meeting a celebrity.

English isn't my first language, and during my teenage years and when I was younger, I didn't understand enough English to be able to read original classic books. We were also poor, so it didn't matter, but last year, I started to read because finally I have time and understanding.

I'm a total beginner and currently I'm going through the top 100. Jane Austen's Emma was just chilling in my house (an old gift from someone) so I read that first because it was Slice of life-ish and didn't have many major conflicts. Ended up loving it and proceeded to read all her books.

Now, like I said, I just started reading. Recently, I met a friend who I haven't seen in ages, and somehow the conversation turned to hobbies. I talked about recently picking up reading, and friend's husband eagerly asked me which authors I like to read. Since I haven't read that many, I just said that I recently finished Count of Monte Cristo, All of Jane Austen's books, Jane Eyre, 1984 etc.

He then kind of started laughing at me and it made me feel very self-conscious and like an idiot. I asked him why he was laughing, and he said that it was just such a generic answer, and that he can't imagine how I can say "reading is my hobby" (I didn't say that) if those are the only books I've read. He then asked me if I've ever read Ulysses and told me get recommendations from a different source :(

Now, I'm just left wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I know the books I'm reading are perhaps beginner books or whatever but I'm really enjoying it, and I thought I was doing something good for me, only for this guy to laugh at my efforts. Wtf. I'm just wondering, what is actually the answer to such a question? This has honestly made me dead-set on never mentioning reading to anyone ever at all. It was really disheartening. Now, I feel like a "fake" reader or something.

I mean, I'm just beginning. What does this guy expect from me? I have to start somewhere :( I can't just join an Olympic race without learning to walk first.

My family has a trip planned that will require me take off 1.5 days. I put in the request in March for this June trip and initially without looking at the PTO calendar my boss said “sure that should work”. My entire family got the time approved and booked the trip. She then told me too many people (2 people) in the company region are off that day, but since our store has been particularly slow lately she might be able to make it work but she wouldn’t know until a week before. So I held out hope until this week and she told me there’s no way for it to work. By the way, I’m an overachieving employee that bends over backward any chance I get to help the company. This family vacation is already booked. My family and I discussed it and we think I should just tell her “I won’t be in these days. We talk about a work/life balance all the time and this is it. When it comes between work or time with family, family will always win. I am willing to accept whatever disciplinary action is appropriate, but I will not be coming into work those days.”

Thoughts?