[paulkrush]

So in my echo chamber I rarely here the word "foreign" meaning outside of the country. I only hear it as: "This is different to me." I am been wondering for a while now: Where is this word really in use now? Do import cars become foreign outside of the city? Do your parents say this?

[kukabynd]

Interesting. To me foreigner is a synonym for non-resident/alien. How do you interpret it?

Dictionary says it’s `a person belonging to or owing allegiance to a foreign country`.

[paulkrush]

Same here. That's what it meant when I was growing up 40 years ago, but you don't here anyone saying this any more. I asked my son and he only said "unknown". It's interesting because foreign(not from the US) people, food, and customs are pretty normal. I would say they are not unknown. So I want to hope that proper usage of the word, not politically correctness has pushed it away. BTW: If you think your usage is normal, it might be. I am not your target audience.

[kukabynd]

Well, My target audience definitely interprets foreigner as gaijin, farang, gringo, etc.