Nervous about International travel next week...

My grandson is studying abroad this semester. He is studying at Bangor University in Wales. They encourage students to travel abroad in this program. He is now in Marrakech. Cheap travel costs and a chance to see a different culture. He is having a ball.
 
My partner turns 50 on Oct 26 and I convinced him a year ago to take significant time off for the first time in his 25 years of teaching. We are flying to Barcelona next Saturday to spend a few days there and then taking a small ship cruise for 11 nights from there to ports on the Spanish Coast, Casablanca, and Tenerife. Generally, I am super excited to travel but this one has me anxious as hell. I worry about the shutdown affecting TSA and ATC. I worry about Americans being seen as international assholes. I worry about the re-entry and somebody being an asshole for no reason. Anyone else traveled lately and had those feelings?
You will be fine. Bon Voyage
 
In general, people appreciate the effort.

Waiters in Spain can be a bit curt which is a contrast with the faux friendliness put out by waitstaff in the States.
A separate question...tipping waitstaff...expected, not expected, appreciated, offensive? I always want to be kind and generous but not offensive when traveling.
 
This comment reeks of low to no self efficacy.
LOL, I'm pretty danged successful and have an ego that equals that of Donald Trump. Doesn't mean I want to stay in a place which has devolved into mostly unkind attempts at "owning" each other and sniping nonstop. There are places on the planet where the political leadership doesn't insist on inserting themselves daily into the lives of the populace and dividing their population against itself.
 
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