To refuse to discuss Donald Trump with random strangers?

[JustGettingStarted]

I've lived here for almost fifteen years now but my accent is still completely American. I live in a part of England where there aren't many Americans around. Everywhere I go, the supermarket or the gym or anywhere, people ask me where I'm from. I know they're just being friendly, but it is so boring to have the same conversation over and over again. I have to tell them where Indiana is, why I am here, if I like it better in England and then they tell me about their trip to Florida or New York and tell me about their cousin who lives in Houston.

It's always annoyed me partly because it's boring and partly because I get sick of being reminded that I'm foreign. I'm a UK citizen just trying to live my life, trying to pack my shopping or whatever. I remark on the weather or whatever (I'm not antisocial) and the response is often about my accent and background.

I know they're just being friendly and don't mean any harm, so I try to not let it irritate me too much.

But since Trump has been elected, it's been worse. I go to a gym with a sauna, a very sociable place where people chat about things and anytime I open my mouth I get to talk about Indiana and then I'll be asked what I think about Donald Trump. (It's invariably an older man who asks this.)

I just want to relax and be generally friendly. Not talk about politics!

The last two times I've been in the sauna the Donald Trump thing has come up and both times my answer has been "I don't want to talk about it." Both times they wouldn't let it drop. The first time I just repeated that I won't talk about it while he nattered on about how he thought Trump was great. Today, I simply stared at the wall and didn't say anything while the guy went on about dictators starting a nuclear war until he trailed off and left the sauna. I guess he was embarrassed.

After he left the sauna felt awkward. The conversation between the other people was over. I felt sort of bad about it.

Am I being unreasonable and rude? How can I avoid this situation?

My cousin in British and works for the EU, lives in Brussels. She's torn between hating the 50% who outright want to go over the same points re Brexit or the other half who give her the sympathetic head tilt. Spends a lot of her time pretending to be Dutch (speaks Dutch). I think she would have a lot of time for you OP sympathetic head tilt

I'm in Greater Manchester... People are very friendly!

Sometimes I answer their "where are you from?" with "Bury." But they never take the hint and keep pressing.

shout 'ERROR! ERROR!' and then 'BEEEEEEEEEEP' at the top of
your voice, maintaining eye contact. if any further attempt at conversation is made, interrupt each verbal foray with the 'BEEEEP' until you are left alone.

should work well in saunas, perhaps less so in medical centre waiting rooms. try it though. i double dare you.

(in the interest of full disclosure, i should advise that i do this to passing pedestrians via our Nest cam. hilarity ensues)

I have the exact same problem OP. I just tell people that I don’t watch the news about Trump anymore because it’s too upsetting. People always say they understand and change the subject.

OP...your post sounds all too familiar!
I'm an American in a small village, so I'm a bit of a novelty around here, and I get exactly the same "where are you from" questions/conversations when I encounter new people. I really don't mind...I'm not great at meeting new people, so it often breaks the ice and makes me a bit more comfortable. Our village is pretty small, so most people in the immediate area know of me now, and it's not such a big deal anymore.

I respond to the Trump question by saying I've lived in England a long time, and no longer follow US politics much, and it doesn't interest me anymore( untrue!). My close friends know how I feel about It, but I will not engage in politics talk with strangers. Fortunately, I have only been asked a very few times, and manage to respond quickly, politely and walk away, but it would be quite frustrating to be 'trapped' in a situation where you couldn't get away from It! It is annoying...just keep repeating "secret ballot, not talking about it " ad naseum!