My impression of Europe

[Guest]

Lou, GBT wasn't trying to be offensive, he was replying to another thread where Sub Joe posted some common misconceptions about Texas. As far as I know, it's all just fun stereotyping.

His list is as inaccurate as SJ's was about Texas.

Raphy, it was this that offended me: "I suppose Bush knows as much about Europe as Europe knows about America...obviously very little."

And something he said the other night is still kinda getting under my skin. I have a long memory, but I'm sure most of you around here know, I don't usually hold grudges.

This is abnormal for me, but so are my reasons.

Lou

P.S. GBT, I'd never call Britain "Europe". Go figure.

 

[raphy]

Quite the point, Raphy. All in good fun (the list was, anyway)

Well, I figure I should speak up and shoulder some of the blame since I feel partially responsible for this thread .. And I had assured you that the other one was all in fun.

However, Lou's reaction does clearly make the point. She reacted to a humorous thread about Europe in the same way that you reacted to the earlier humorous thread about Texas.

I guess people are just touchy. Remember, Texans don't have a monopoly on patriotism. No harm done, I think

 

[GodBlessTexas]

P.S. GBT, I'd never call Britain "Europe". Go figure.

That's EXACTLY my point. I learned something here today. Brits don't like to be called Europeans, and Europeans don't like Brits being included in their name. That's the whole point...how little various peoples of the world actually know about others.

 

[raphy]

Raphy, it was this that offended me: "I suppose Bush knows as much about Europe as Europe knows about America...obviously very little."

And something he said the other night is still kinda getting under my skin. I have a long memory, but I'm sure most of you around here know, I don't usually hold grudges.

This is abnormal for me, but so are my reasons.

Lou

P.S. GBT, I'd never call Britain "Europe". Go figure.

I think that's another common stereotype, hon. I think it's widely believed that North Americans know nothing about European countries, and vice versa - And I'll probably be shot for saying this, but I think that's mostly very true. I know that my dad, (who I regard as about as regular and normal a british bloke as you can get), knows absolutely nothing about the North American countries.

Raphy, being very politically correct in his usage of North America.

 

[SnoopDog]

Well I always regard british people as Europeans although in some ways they try to stay 'special' and 'non-european'.
Snoopy

 

[Guest]

That's EXACTLY my point. I learned something here today. Brits don't like to be called Europeans, and Europeans don't like Brits being included in their name. That's the whole point...how little various peoples of the world actually know about others.

That all depends on how introspective we/you/I/they are.

 

[raphy]

That's EXACTLY my point. I learned something here today. Brits don't like to be called Europeans, and Europeans don't like Brits being included in their name. That's the whole point...how little various peoples of the world actually know about others.

A fair percentage of Euros like to include Britain in Europe, much to the disgust and dismay of most of the British populace.

Raphy, British, not European. Damn stinky continentals with their hair armpitted women *ducks*

 

[raphy]

Well I always regard british people as Europeans although in some ways they try to stay 'special' and 'non-european'.
Snoopy

We are, dammit!!

Remind me again, why did we build a tunnel to France instead of a wall?

 

[dirtylover]

Actually, I don't really like being called British - In my view we're Americas little bitch, and till we get rid of Blair, we'll continue to be that...

I'd prefer to be Tibetan.

 

[GodBlessTexas]

Thank you, Raphy. That's exactly what burns me...the notion that "those of us from the United States of America" (politically correct, apparently) know nothing about the other side of the world, but the other side of the world knows all about us. The door swings both ways. Unless you've lived here, or I've lived there, how can we truly know? CNN? Riiiight. Just don't tell me that as a Brit or European, you've got me (and/or my president) all figured out, but I don't know jack about you.

 

[GodBlessTexas]

That all depends on how introspective we/you/I/they are.

And don't tell me that the rest of the world has the monopoly on being introspective, but it can't be found in the U.S.

 

[SnoopDog]

We are, dammit!!

Remind me again, why did we build a tunnel to France instead of a wall?

The only thing left to do is abolish the 'British Pound' , introduce the 'Euro' and everything will be clear and done.
Snoopy, €

 

[Guest]

Thank you, Raphy. That's exactly what burns me...the notion that "those of us from the United States of America" (politically correct, apparently) know nothing about the other side of the world, but the other side of the world knows all about us. The door swings both ways. Unless you've lived here, or I've lived there, how can we truly know? CNN? Riiiight. Just don't tell me that as a Brit or European, you've got me (and/or my president) all figured out, but I don't know jack about you.

Ok, fair point.

I'm shutting it now.

Raph, cheers for trying to play the diplomat. I just know that very few actually "get" me and why I am so antagonistic here, but that's not anybody's fault, just my own.

Lou

 

[raphy]

Actually, I don't really like being called British - In my view we're Americas little bitch, and till we get rid of Blair, we'll continue to be that...

I'd prefer to be Tibetan.

Amen to that. Good ol' tony, bending over and taking it up the arse from GW all the time.

 

[raphy]

Ok, fair point.

I'm shutting it now.

Raph, cheers for trying to play the diplomat. I just know that very few actually "get" me and why I am so antagonistic here, but that's not anybody's fault, just my own.

Lou

*hugs* to you, Loulou

 

[GodBlessTexas]

Ok, fair point.

I'm shutting it now.

Raph, cheers for trying to play the diplomat. I just know that very few actually "get" me and why I am so antagonistic here, but that's not anybody's fault, just my own.

Lou

Fair enough...likewise, I'm well known for getting my "knickers in a twist" about anything and everything. I should've been a lawyer. And I really am sorry to have pissed you off yesterday. Same thing...just (forcefully) expressing my opinion.

So...can't we all just get along???

 

[raphy]

Thank you, Raphy. That's exactly what burns me...the notion that "those of us from the United States of America" (politically correct, apparently) know nothing about the other side of the world, but the other side of the world knows all about us. The door swings both ways. Unless you've lived here, or I've lived there, how can we truly know? CNN? Riiiight. Just don't tell me that as a Brit or European, you've got me (and/or my president) all figured out, but I don't know jack about you.

Absolutely. I'm the way I am because I've spent a fair amount of time in both countries. I'm British by nationality, and I've lived there for 90% of my life, but even before moving to Vermont, I'd lived in LA, Sioux City, Toronto and Virginia for a few years (If you add it all up)

I know nothing about Texas though

Raphy, always wanted to visit the deep south, never gotten there yet.

p.s. That's why I play the diplomat in these things. I've seen both sides. I love both countries. Don't get me wrong, I would never be anything but a loyal subject of the crown, but that doesn't mean I don't love the US and the things you find here.

 

[GodBlessTexas]

I know nothing about Texas though

Raphy, always wanted to visit the deep south, never gotten there yet.

Texas is a great place. You should come and visit, but if you don't want hot, dry, flat, and boring (as SubJoe so aptly put it), don't come to West Texas. Stick to Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, et al. Those place, you're sure to find something you like to do. Here, you can eat...and go to movies. And complain about how hot, flat, dry, and boring it is!

 

[dirtylover]

Thank you, Raphy. That's exactly what burns me...the notion that "those of us from the United States of America" (politically correct, apparently) know nothing about the other side of the world, but the other side of the world knows all about us. The door swings both ways. Unless you've lived here, or I've lived there, how can we truly know? CNN? Riiiight. Just don't tell me that as a Brit or European, you've got me (and/or my president) all figured out, but I don't know jack about you.

Sorry, just had to make this point- pretty much every country in the world knows more about America than they do about them. This isn't a question of choice, or worldliness, it's just that America is the world's biggest cultural exporter. We have your TV, your fads, your stars are ours, we adopt your politics...

This is why there's sometimes a bit of underlying resentment of the US - It has such a big cultural ego/presence that it swallows up everybody elses.

No offence Tex, but although you may know other countries quite well, I don't think it's fair to say America has just as good an idea of the rest of the World as we do of it. I mean, I'm far more familiar with America than any other European country...

 

[raphy]

Texas is a great place. You should come and visit, but if you don't want hot, dry, flat, and boring (as SubJoe so aptly put it), don't come to West Texas. Stick to Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, et al. Those place, you're sure to find something you like to do. Here, you can eat...and go to movies. And complain about how hot, flat, dry, and boring it is!

LMAO, I don't mind hot dry and flat. I hitch-hiked my way through the Mojave desert about 8 years ago.

 

[raphy]

No offence Tex, but although you may know other countries quite well, I don't think it's fair to say America has just as good an idea of the rest of the World as we do of it. I mean, I'm far more familiar with America than any other European country...

I sure know more about the states than, say, Finland.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HE HE HE~

That's ridiculous, it's racist, and it's offensive. I live in the United States of America. For short, I call it America. Last I checked, the official "long" name of your country was United Mexican States. You you say you're from the UMS? Or I guess in Spanish, the EUM? No...you're from Mexico. Likewise, I'm from America.

Living in North America doesn't make you an American, it makes you a North American. Living in North America doesn't make you a Mexican, it makes you a North American. The idea that "white" people somehow have it all messed up because they live in the United States of AMERICA and call themselves AMERICANS is ludicrous. If that's the case, pull your head out, 'cause you're not a Mexican.

¡Chingate! pendejo.

Me acaban, Perdita

 

[GodBlessTexas]

No offence Tex, but although you may know other countries quite well, I don't think it's fair to say America has just as good an idea of the rest of the World as we do of it. I mean, I'm far more familiar with America than any other European country...

No offense (offence?...LOL) taken, DL. The comment I made was in all sarcasm. I don't think any of us know much about any others. Pop culture, Coca-Cola, and MTV aren't America. Yes, they are as much a part of this country as you're saying they are of yours. But that's not us. Like you said, much of the rest of the world looks at those things and decides that is representative of America as a whole, which isn't the case.

 

[SnoopDog]

I sure know more about the states than, say, Finland.

That's no big deal though.
Snoopy

 

[dirtylover]

I sure know more about the states than, say, Finland.

Finland - lots of trees, 5 million people, 3 months of dark and light in the far north, they have all the same TV shows, didn't want to go into Europe - -- K, I'm done, that's all I know.

Point proved.