Pew Survey Showed Foreigners Also Interested In Result Of U.S. Presidential Elections

New York, NY (AHN) - The ongoing U.S. election season about to culminate on Nov. 4 as Americans troop to their precincts to cast their ballot, has caught the interest of global observers. According to U.S. residents who frequently travel overseas for business, most of the questions asked by foreigners they encounter are centered on the presidential election.

The questions come from cab drivers, colleagues, plane seatmates and fellow diners.

A recent Pew Global Attitudes survey of 24,000 people from 24 nations showed that other nationalities are interested as well in the U.S. election. Over 80 percent of Japanese have expressed interest in the November U.S. poll, while similar interest was shown by 60 percent of Germans, 52 percent of Australians and 40 percent from 11 countries.

First Impression Management founder Mercedes Alfaro advises American travelers to avoid talking politics as graciously as possible because the discussions may turn too emotional and harm business relationships.

It has helped that the main candidates are very colorful personalities, particularly Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama being multiracial, Republican presidential bet John McCain portrayed as a war hero, and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin being a new face with an interesting family and career life.