The USA is a trashy reality TV show.

And as an American abroad I am like some sort of escaped contestant from a show that keeps getting renewed for another season despite devastatingly low ratings, both domestic and international.

There is no off button, and we are all binge watching it.

America’s Got No Talent. The Real Lowlifes of Washington DC.

Embarassing Bodies. That one works for both congress and the president!

Screw Ball’s Brag Race.

The USA is basically a cross between a car wreck and a dumpster fire, and we can’t take our eyes off it.

And people quite naturally want to talk about what they have seen in the news.

With me, when I am trying to buy bread or enter the office.

But I see the same news as you – I don’t know any more!

I am not some sort of dumpster shaman.